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Secondary education

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Secondary place withdrawn today please help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the blue the HT of the comp calls me today to tell me that the LA has made a mistake in allocating its places and have withdrawn the place.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:
crazycrofter · 29/06/2017 09:58

Hi middle - I've been following this thread and the one on the 11 plus forum (I also have a son starting at a Midlands grammar in Sept!). I can't believe what you've been through. We also went through a move across the midlands at the start of my daughter's year 7 and I know how unsettling it is for kids to move away from friends. Just to reassure you about missing the induction day - from our experience last time round the induction day wasn't particularly significant. My daughter didn't make any friends and in fact felt a bit downcast and negative as a result. However all was fine once she started. She went on her own to a school where lots came in groups from primary and it wasn't an issue. It was quite nice that she had no obligations to hang round with certain people- she was free to choose her own friends. Your ds1 will be fine! Just don't worry too much if he feels a bit unsure after next week - a day isn't really long enough to make friends!

prh47bridge · 29/06/2017 10:34

Yes I was hoping that. Fingers crossed they got in too

Given what you told me about the hearing I'm sure they got in too if they appealed.

Sonnet · 29/06/2017 14:49

wonderful news - I am so glad thishas a happy ending :)

RTKangaMummy · 29/06/2017 16:42

Deffo brill news :) :) :)

You have done an absolutely fab job doing all this and going thru so much stress without DS knowing about anything, so he was kept happy :) :) :)

Hope both your DTs enjoy their new schools :) :) :)

When my DS started high school he didn't know anybody either but made friends in first few weeks

The children that had arrived with others from their primary school separated out and made new friends

I think it is better in a way cos then he was not expecting an old friend to stay together with him then get upset that the old friend had found new friends iyswim

Middleoftheroad · 29/06/2017 16:43

Crazycrofter - that makes me feel better. I emailed the pastoral lead my concerns about this main induction

But now I feel like a pain (on the back of the appeal too) because the pastoral lead told me kindly but firmly that 85 kids had attended the special induction 2 weeks ago, but were put in random groups only and, of the 250 attending next week's main induction, everybody will be in the same boat. However, those others who didn't attend the special induction are at feeder schools and visit the school regularly.

She was polite, but I felt like a pain, I wouldn't normally email for special treatment, but with everything that's happened I've been trying to make up for the careful transition we planned and I had visions of eveybody else pairing up already.

Not much I can do, so your experience is helpful Crazy. I think I'll be relieved when the induction's over, especially if he has a good day.

OP posts:
Middleoftheroad · 29/06/2017 16:44

RT we crossed posts. Thankyou - that fills me with hope too. Smile

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 29/06/2017 19:06

My son started as the only child from his school in year 9 at his school. RT is correct in that within a few weeks it was like he had always been there. Indeed those that had "moved up" with 20 or so others from their schools were keen to get away from them!

Nearly at the end of year 10 now and he hardly ever makes contact with children from his old school now and has lots of friends at his current school.

booellesmum · 29/06/2017 19:12

Just echoing don't worry about missing induction.
DD1 missed hers as threw up in the car on the way there - genuinely ill, not nerves. She was the only one from her school starting and was not a problem.
DD2 missed hers as place not given until after induction. She was 1 of 2 from her school to go - but didn't really know the other girl as different classes at primary.
Again not a problem.
Just so pleased for your great final result.

Middleoftheroad · 29/06/2017 22:18

booelles - oh no, kids time these things well don't they? Reassuring to hear these stories and Allthebest, that's encouraging Grin

OP posts:
Oblomov17 · 30/06/2017 04:44

So pleased! And thank goodness you had the MN Experts!!

These kind of injustices go on in schools all the time. It's a disgrace. Very damaging. People underestimate how traumatic it is.

And to be so flippant and blase and say : sorry for the 'inconvenience' = Shock

Middleoftheroad · 01/07/2017 08:21

Thanks Oblomov17. It has certainly taken its toll

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LIZS · 02/07/2017 08:19

Had been lurking in the hope of a positive update, so relieved for you.

DownUdderer · 02/07/2017 10:52

Phew! I just caught up with your news. I'm relieved and happy for you and your son.

Middleoftheroad · 05/07/2017 06:05

Thanks again Smile

Just wanted to update those of you who took the care to follow this post that my son finally went to his induction yesterday. He loved it!

What a relief. He was beaming and met three friends. Two weeks ago I never thought we'd be here. Can finally enjoy summer!

OP posts:
peukpokicuzo · 05/07/2017 06:12
Star
mychildrenarebarmy · 05/07/2017 07:01

Wonderful news.

rightwhine · 05/07/2017 07:47

And relax....

So pleased for you.

RTKangaMummy · 05/07/2017 09:29

@Middleoftheroad that is deffo brill news and really pleased for him and you of course

Hope you all have a fab summer SmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

Middleoftheroad · 05/07/2017 10:20

Thanks all Grin

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 05/07/2017 10:22

Brilliant news!!!! Grin

QGMum · 05/07/2017 19:53

Thank you for taking the trouble to update us all. Everyone loves a happy ending!

So pleased for you and your ds

PandaG · 05/07/2017 22:57

Fantastic! So pleased.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 05/07/2017 23:07

I've not read the full thread but if you got your offer in writing then they must stand by it and go over to drop back. Feel free to pm me

PatriciaHolm · 05/07/2017 23:10

Zig - 449 posts and you didn't even bother to read the last couple?'n

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