Have not been offered any of out preferred schools, help

[JugglingLife]

I can't believe it. My poor DD hasn't been offered anything from our list (which were all 'catchment' schools.) They have offered her a place at a 'catholic' school that is miles away, minimum 3 buses through some very dodgy areas. She can not go there. We are not even catholic. It looks like I now have to appeal for all of our catchment schools. Other than 'locality' can anybody give advice on how to successfully appeal. I can't believe that we are in a position where she has not been offered any of our local schools.

Morning OP, i work in Birmingham schools - we're talking about Arthur Terry - yes? Am intrigued about what the failing catholic school might be - care to share? If you are where i think you are is it worth looking at schools out toward walsall or staffordshire just in case they are less full than the Birmingham schools.

Hi didi, it's cardinal wiseman in kingstanding.

Walsall is difficult to get to, lichfield a possibility but king edwards is already oversubscribed.

PanelChair, good points, I was unfair on those having to decide, it is tough for everyone on all sides of the decision making process, I wouldn't want to be the one having to decide!

Chilly, it's how I feel. As an atheist I wouldn't want my children to go to any faith school but Catholicism is a religion I actively dislike on so many levels there's no way my children would go there.

Groundhog, the travelling is being forced on her, we did not choose it, she will be exceedingly vulnerable and I will not be in a position to help her as I have 2 other DC's. Anyway the travelling is one part of a very long list of reasons why we are not happy. Have you read the whole thread?

Does you Council have a list of all secondary schools in your LEA that have places available / are undersubscribed OP? What happens when you are not offered any of your preferences is that you are offered the school closest to you that has places available. However there could be schools slightly further away that are easier to get to using public transport so this could be another alternative that you could investigate.
If there are other such schools with space available you can now apply for these schools as well as going on waiting lists and appealing.
Remember when you are appealing that it is reasons why the school you are appealing for is the best for your child NOT why the allocated school doesn't suit your child.

Thank you for being so gracious, Fionaf.

OP - I know Birmingham only as a visitor so have no knowledge of the schools. I have already warned against talking in the appeal about the location of the allocated school as if it were Kabul, as you may alienate the panel. Someone here is now suggesting that the journey would be nowhere near as difficult as you suggest. I have no idea what the truth of the matter is but, again, if you make exaggerated claims to the panel, neither they nor the LEA representative are likely to let them go unchallenged.

I agree with the posters that have said that you need to form an action group with other parents. We were in this position at primary level and the local parents set up a group, involved the local MP, went to newspapers and TV. The LEA agreed to a bulge class once the pressure was on them.

Groundhog is presuming to know where I live. Not very useful. I have stated facts on the post and have not been disingenuous. I have received some very useful advice, all of which has been acknowledged and all of which I will be utilising. Going 'off piste' with presumptions by other posters is not helpful to my DC nor the others that are in a similar position.

Cats life, yes, I have already gone through the list, will be researching other areas today. Thank you for your helpful comments.

Human jam, an action group is starting to come together, not much action yet but it is early days.

Hmm - i sympathise OP, i wouldnt want my dc to go there, although personally the catholic ethos would be a massive sticking point for me - shame this isnt grounds for appeal. Ive been in other catholic secs in bham and my experience is that the catholicism is not a background thing. However in defence of Kingstanding, i lived there for years and it is a poor area but not a ghetto and certainly not somewhere it would be unsafe for dd to travel alone. Have you thought about Streetly school or aldridge school or are they full?

Thanks didi, I have a lots of sticking points and faith is on that list. I'm working my way through Staffordshire, Walsall etc as we speak. The reality is that we should not be in this position at all, we have to do the best we can for our DC, acceptable to some is not acceptable to others.

Ok, I have identified a school (with places), different LEA that I am much much happier with. Will it prejudice her appeal if we apply for it?

I've requested the place, need to wait now but in theory she should get an offer, they still have 40 places available.

Juggling - Netherstowe in Lichfield is a great school these days, improved immeasurably since earning it's slightly unsavoury reputation in the 80's! They worked absolute wonders with DS1.

If it's on your radar for consideration, feel free to PM me if you want to know more. KE is probably the most academic of the Lichfield schools but useless at supporting pupils IME. Friary is a Specialist Arts & Sports school so may be suitable for DD - but quite a distance from the train station.

If I have your area correct, and this is a major issue this year in your locality, I'd expect Lichfield schools to fill fairly quickly now.

Best of luck.

Thanks Santa.

Excellent that you've found a place in a school you like more, even if it's not your ideal.

Thanks panel, your advice has been fantastic. Our journey doesn't really change at this point, still on waitlists, still need to go to appeal BUT if all else fails at least we should (as long as she gets offered) have somewhere that we are far more comfortable with. It's amazing how much pressure is removed when you open up your options.