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Secondary education

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Original poster

Brighton school admissions nightmare

36 replies

Mandzjj · 16/09/2014 18:36

I recently moved to Brighton in August, I applied online for my local catchment schools in July whilst schools were still open, they were very unhelpful to me and refused to sort anything until schools started back in September. My 11 year old is still NOT in school. I have been offered my second choice of varndean, which I am appealing as all my sons friends go dorothy stringer. I have contacted varndean to try arrange a viewing of the school, as even when appealing you still have to start the given school, and they can't fit me in until 25th sep, and that's not even the start date!! I am disgusted that the education authority down here allow children to be out of education all this time. Has anyone else had these problems?

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 16/09/2014 18:49

When are they suggesting your child start? If the place is available, why can't they start now? Term only started around 2 weeks ago, that isn't very long to be out of school really.

GoodArvo · 16/09/2014 18:50

Is your son going to a different school from his friends grounds for an appeal?

Original poster
Mandzjj · 16/09/2014 19:16

They haven't given me any indication on an actual start date, I think once we have been given the tour we still have to order and wait on uniform. Two weeks is a long time to a child already nervous about starting somewhere where he doesn't know any1, as by now friend groups have already formed and we could still be waiting another few weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mandzjj · 16/09/2014 19:17

Yes having no friends at a school is grounds for appeal

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 16/09/2014 19:32

If the place is there, there is no reason he cannot start now. Insist.

If you are delaying until you have seen the school, then that's not really their fault.

In terms of appeal, you need to show that the detriment to your child of not attending is greater than the detriment to the school of admitting. Realistically, not having friends there is unlikely to be enough - plenty of kids go to high schools where they don't know anyone, it's very common. You need to identify clear other reasons - does the chosen school excel in provision of something specific your son is good at, for example - music, sport?

Doodledot · 16/09/2014 21:58

You have a school place in your. 2 nd choice - much better than thousands of children. Tons start with no friends at their new schools. Those that do have friends make new ones . Just tell them had is starting tomorrow

tiggytape · 16/09/2014 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 16/09/2014 22:18

It doesn't sound like a nightmare to me.

You moved and have been given a place in your 2nd choice of school. Contact them and get him started ASAP.

Out of interest, if you've just moved how has he got so many friends? This btw is certainly not grounds to appeal.

You need to get him into the school that's been offered and have his name on the waiting list of the other one.

Coolas · 16/09/2014 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thereturnofshoesy · 16/09/2014 22:20

Dorothy stringer is the most popular over subscribed school. so can't see that you could win an appeal......because his friends go there.

Floggingmolly · 16/09/2014 22:23

The friends that he's known since August... You really are scrapping the bottom of the barrel there.

MrsRuffdiamond · 16/09/2014 22:24

Just read this thread because Brighton was mentioned. Was interested as when I was growing up there, Dorothy Stringer was a Secondary Modern, and Varndean was a much sought-after Grammar school!

Just by the way, but how does your ds have lots of friends going to a particular school, when you only moved to Brighton in August?

Floggingmolly · 16/09/2014 22:24

Scraping, even.

MuscatBouschet · 16/09/2014 22:28

Two excellent schools next door to each other. Plenty of friendship groups split up by the dual catchment lottery. He'll make new ones. Take that space before they offer you a considerably worse option.

Doodledot · 16/09/2014 23:06

Surely they can start in uniform black trousers etc and white shirts ??

glintwithpersperation · 16/09/2014 23:13

I wouldn't bother holding out for dorothy stringer, you'll be waiting until someone leaves. Varndean is a great school and he will make new friends.

glintwithpersperation · 16/09/2014 23:22

I've just reread your post and it's annoyed me. You have moved into a new area in the middle if the summer holidays and are disgusted that there has been a delay. The school has to agree to take an additional pupil and there won't be anyone working in the holidays to accept the new pupil. Perhaps you could be a little more thoughtful.
Varndean is full to capacity and the council will have forced the school to take an extra pupil, so count yourself very lucky.

Original poster
Mandzjj · 17/09/2014 00:30

I have a letter stating I was to contact varndean to make appointment with the school and I must not turn up at the school without an appointment, it's not just a tour it covers uniform etc, your all jumping on me when I'm trying to get this school to give me my appointment, all I was asking was if any1 else has had these kinds of problems.

OP posts:
MrsCakesPrecognition · 17/09/2014 00:37

Perhaps they didn't realise that you want an appointment because your DS has been offered a place, if you asked for a tour they may have assumed that you are a Y6 parent viewing schools before applying in October for 2015 entry.
Cal them again and make sure you are crystal clear about your son already having a place.

Original poster
Mandzjj · 17/09/2014 00:49

No I said iv been offered a place and need to make the necessary appointment, it's my fault for using the word tour on here, it was easier than writing the whole list of uniform, timetable, educational needs etc, I will ring back tomorrow and if I don't get any where il have to go back Again to school admissions

OP posts:
YakInAMac · 17/09/2014 03:38

It does sound.very odd that they have offered your child a place but that he can't just start .When did they tell you be had a place at Vaundean? Why could he not just start at the beginning of term? It does sound as if here is some kind of mix up or misunderstanding When you call again explain that he has been offered a place and just needs to take it up!

Unfortunately having new (or even older) friends at a school will not win an appeal, getting your second choice, in a good school , when you were not able to apply by the main closing date sounds like a lucky result to me!

So get him started and settled ASAP .

tiggytape · 17/09/2014 07:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

duhgldiuhfdsli · 17/09/2014 10:11

Yes having no friends at a school is grounds for appeal

Anything is grounds for an appeal. Other than in exceptional situations, with children who are both vulnerable and in an existing local primary school, it just isn't grounds for an appeal you have any chance of winning. The chances of succeeding in using friendships for an in-year admission appeal by someone who has only just moved into the area are zero.

eddiemairswife · 17/09/2014 10:13

If you are concerned about uniform why don't you go on the school's website to find out?

thereturnofshoesy · 17/09/2014 10:16

i would be making sure they see you as quick as possible, if no luck with school. ring LEA
My concern would be any delay could lose you the place and you could end up with a different school(not DS)