Should we turn down allocated school?

[Holymoly321]

Hello, DS did not get offered any of his choices and has been allocated a totally unacceptable school. It's currently just six portacabins in a very run down area crime ridden area and he is not going to go there even if we have to sell our home and send him to private school. We will be appealing for his 1st choice, but wonder if declining the allocated school now would affect the appeal in a positive (i.e. He will have NO school and so needs to be helped) or whether it would have a negative effect on the appeal. Any advice most welcome. We are so tempted just to refuse this place now do that the local authority will be compelled to help but are we kidding ourselves? We are very clear that he will not be going to this school under any circumstances so should we just tell the local authorities that now?

Hercule: how on earth can an LA calibrate parents deciding whether or not an area is safe? I would guess that most London schools are in areas of high crime, one way or another. This is the UK we are talking about, not a lawless no-go zone.

There is provision for kids who have parents with contentious jobs.

And schools in 'rough areas' can also be outstanding and deliver a good education. As can teaching in portacabins. As can schools with high numbers of immigrants.

I would have concerns about an untried new Free School, it's true, but I would at least go and look, with an open mind.

Southwark, for example, does not have a single secondary school which is a LA Community School. They are all Foundation, Faith, Academy chains, Academy converter (which they had to be to get Building Schools For the Future in order to refurbish or expand), or now, Free.