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Secondary education

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Original poster

Secondary place withdrawn today please help

449 replies

Middleoftheroad · 13/06/2017 15:50

I am still shaking

I have equal ability twins. One got into grammar one did not. We moved closer to be near the grammar and to secure my other twin a place at the local school, which we did at the start of March.

We have been through much heartache as this is a new area and a new school and my boys have been sad. I worked with the LA to secure the place after we moved. because we moved around offers day we were originally offered a failing school in our old LA which we declined once we had the new offer at the local school.

We did also appeal the grammar place for the comp bound twin - we proved his academic ability and the HT (presenting officer) said we gave a very persuasive case, but we were unsuccessful as they never allocate places on appeal. The boys wanted to be together but we were safe in the knowledge that whatever happened we had a comprehensive school place.

The twin who is going to comp has previously been under CAHMs for anxiety. He started to display these signs again so we took him to the doctor and have been working really hard to gee him up.

Tomorrow was meant to be a special transition day at the new school (he watched his twin go off to the grammar one yesterday) and we were looking forward to it.

out of the blue the HT of the comp calls me today to tell me that the LA has made a mistake in allocating its places and have withdrawn the place. The school wanted to let me know before the LA letter arrives so we don't go to the event tomorrow.

I have emailed my contact at the LA (ironically she is in appeals) the last place offered was 1.02 miles we are 1.04. I suspect they are currently allocating appeals places which we have missed the right to appeal. she says she is looking into it but as of right now we have no school place and I have a son on his way home who will be broken if we tell him.

We've had such an ordeal to get here. Aside from being morally bankrupt, is there a legal leg to stand on here? Apparently the LA messed up on quite a few offers made.

I just don't know what to do. I took the call at work and had to leave early. we have bought the uniform and built up to tomorrow. I am in total disbelief and feel sickened that my son is being messed around this way.

I have emailed the school again to ask that they intervene. Please help Tiggytape anybody?

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 22/06/2017 20:03

Viques - if the decision was made at Stage One that the school could take all the appellants without prejudice, the OP would have been told then, as none of the individual appeals would have gone ahead.

However this is very unlikely, given there were multiple appellants, so I suspect it went to Stage 2, and no they wouldn't have found out then and there. Normal practice is a letter out asap - my LEA sends a Yes/No immediately and follows up with a longer explanation. An email can be sent if appellants ask.

AccidentalMagic · 22/06/2017 20:07

Hope it went well today OP.

3boys3dogshelp · 22/06/2017 21:19

How did you get on today OP?

TestTubeTeen · 22/06/2017 22:07

You know there are solicitors on this thread, advising the OP?
Including some of those saying 'don't get a solicitor at this stage'

Original poster
Middleoftheroad · 22/06/2017 22:14

Hi all.

Sorry for the delay. It's beem a shattering and surreal day.

I think it went well thanks.

I had a very sympathetic panel and chair who made it very clear they had all read the wealth of evidence.

At stage one the head explained his case and I asked a few questions

I presented my case. I got the impression that the panel were happy if I had just wanted to leave it at my written case as I sensed they felt my pain and understood the injustice. They listened but asked no questions.

They really wanted to hear about my son and his needs and best fit school.

One lady smiled throughout

The head did not ask any questions as I think everybody in the room understood that this was just exceptional

I cried way too much. I made a show of myself DH joked!

I thanked them all and made sure they knew we were grateful they could see us. The clerk was pleased to get my presentation.

It was around 20-25 mins

I still can't tell you what happened to cause this mess or any of the anomalies. Im afraid I did not ask too many questions as the chair was moving things along but not in a bad way. It felt like they just wanted our pain to end.

I got the impression everybody was in do doubt that the council had messed up.

I wasn't particularly 'challenging' and I should have answers but I dont. I know that if I had taken an expert they may have got them for me. Maybe I'm better on paper.

I can't explain it. It just felt like we were preaching to the converted including the head.

They said they'd write out Sun Mon...

OP posts:
alldonenow2 · 22/06/2017 22:18

I have been waiting for your update!! So glad it went well - so sorry you have had to go through this. Fingers all crossed for you. Have you had a glass of wine?

Chillywhippet · 22/06/2017 22:27

Ooh good. Sounds like it went as well as it could have. Pity they can't let you know tomorrow.
In the meantime Gin

Original poster
Middleoftheroad · 22/06/2017 22:27

ah bless you thanks Smile

Yes DH and I grabbed a bite to eat after (and wine) as I felt too sick pre appeal!

We had a sympathetic panel.but I hope to God I never have to appeal again. I hope this is upheld

OP posts:
teaandakitkat · 22/06/2017 22:28

Well done for getting through it in one piece. Hope the letter arrives soon.

peukpokicuzo · 22/06/2017 22:29

How gut-wrenchingly grim to have to wait to know the outcome. If it were me I would need non-stop G&Ts to get me through until the answer came.

peukpokicuzo · 22/06/2017 22:29

How gut-wrenchingly grim to have to wait to know the outcome. If it were me I would need non-stop G&Ts to get me through until the answer came.

Sittinginthesun · 22/06/2017 22:30

FlowersWine

I've been following this, with nothing useful to add, but am crossing everything for you.

AccidentalMagic · 22/06/2017 22:31

Well done OP. Keeping everything crossed for good news next week.

Original poster
Middleoftheroad · 22/06/2017 22:37

Thanks. The clerk said we'd be the first to know.
Luckily I am exhausted but it will be a long weekend wait.

OP posts:
FoxSticks · 22/06/2017 22:42

Sounds like you did a good job, well done Gin

TaggieRR · 22/06/2017 22:42

I really hope they find in your favour.

MarthasHarbour · 22/06/2017 22:43

Well done OP and fingers crossed xxx

ReallyExhaustedLlama · 22/06/2017 22:45

Must be a relief to get it over Middle. Well done. Another one Keeping fingers crossed for you over the weekend.

BewareOfDragons · 22/06/2017 22:52

Fingers crossed for you, OP.

bostonkremekrazy · 22/06/2017 22:57

fingers crossed!

EllieFredrickson · 22/06/2017 22:59

Even more fingers crossed here

BeingMePls · 22/06/2017 23:02

Just read the whole thread. Crossed fingers for you and a little note to say how lucky your DSs have such an amazing mum.

It's also so heartwarming to see so many knowledgable people helping out.

💐

DramaQueenofHighCs · 22/06/2017 23:06

Hope you get the right outcome OP. I work with some very anxious kids at the school I work in and so have an inkling how much this means to you. Xxx (and let's face it, even without his anxiety issues it's still a pretty awful situation.)

AwaywiththePixies27 · 22/06/2017 23:12

It may be too late but you must prove that the detriment to your child not having a place will be greater than the detriment to the school of going over PAN if they do take him - which the onus is on you to prove. This is crucial to winning the case. You have lots of arguments prepared but you must ram home

So did I. With the help of a some lovely people on here, and a very good education solicitor.

However, as has been pointed out since, the mistake they have made needs ramming home first, the mistake, then by defacto, means the child will be more prejudiced than the school would be etc etc. The second bit technically only needs to be proven if the first part (the mistake) can't be. But it's obvious the OP has a very strong case here.

OP I wouldn't worry about crying. The DCs Dad and family went in my place to DDs appeal (I was in hospital at the time) and they all bawled their eyes out too!

The panels are sympathetic and usually apply their common sense.
Crossing my fingers and toes for you that their decision goes in your favour. Flowers

Rudi44 · 22/06/2017 23:12

That all sounds super positive, you did yourself and your son proud in such a short space of time. I doubt anyone including an expert could have done better than a mum speaking from the heart. Whatever happens next you have done everything you can. I would be hopeful though from what you said that it will go your way. We are all rooting for you