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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Can't get school application processed

10 replies

kikiliki · 10/05/2015 01:03

Ok I know this is an unusual situation, but I am at my wits end and could use some advice please.

My neice is coming to live with us in July. She currently lives in London with grandparents and we live in the midlands. Due to various circumstances she could be considered a priority 1a child (previously looked after and now subject to residence order) and the LEA area aware of this.

She is due to start secondary in September. The move was agreed at Christmas so too late for the ordinary deadline. Her local LEA won't allow changes to applications until March so grandparents waited until March 3 after school place notifications to fill out their change of preference forms to apply for schools local to us.

Unfortunately we are now stuck. All of the applications were done on paper rather than online. Her local LEA acknowledged receipt of everything but won't pass anything over to our local LEA and our local LEA say it's down to her grandparents to keep calling their LEA to deal. The problem is they won't, reasons given include that it's too complex to deal with because no supervisors are available. Mostly they just refuse to speak to the grandparents.

End of term will come soon enough and I fear we won't have got anywhere. We've been trying 2 months so far. As far as I am aware everything stops for the school hols so after that it'll be too late.

We are applying for a child arrangements order to gain parental responsibility and formalise the move but until that time the grandparents, my parents, are stuck. My dad has been ill in hospital for months.

OP posts:
mydogistalking · 10/05/2015 01:09

I'd recommend getting in touch with your local LACES Virtual Head... They should be able to pull the right strings and tie you up with admissions.

kikiliki · 10/05/2015 01:21

Thanks, from a quick google my local authority doesn't mention having LACES. Is there any way of working out their contact details, do you know?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 10/05/2015 06:29

Don't worry too much about the LACES bit (Looked After Children Education Service). Some LAs don't use the term on their website. You are after the virtual head.

The grandparents should also tell their LA that unless they pass on their application without further delay they will refer the matter to the LGO as it is a clear case of maladministration.

kikiliki · 10/05/2015 08:13

Thanks. She hasn't been looked after since 2006, will they still be interested?

And is LGO the Local Government Ombudsman?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 10/05/2015 23:14

There is no time limit for former looked after children.

Yes, the LGO is the Local Government Ombudsman.

Icimoi · 11/05/2015 08:53

I suggest you tell them that if they don't sort this you will also be looking at judicial review proceedings - the advantage of which is that it's quicker than the LGO and also that, if they lose, they are looking at paying costs if they lose. Normally you can't get legal aid for admission cases but as your niece is looked after she would probably get legal aid in her own right.

kikiliki · 12/05/2015 00:28

I have managed to track down the virtual head in my area but haven't managed to speak to them yet.

Thanks for the assistance/advice so far -a few things to try

OP posts:
kikiliki · 12/05/2015 17:35

Amazingly we got an offer trough within hours of speaking to the local virtual head. Thank you so much guys. I am gobsmacked and incredibly grateful at how quickly it has moved today.

OP posts:
titchy · 12/05/2015 18:39

Brilliant! Grin

prh47bridge · 12/05/2015 20:49

That's excellent news. Well done.

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