Sorry, no open evening this year (unless you're in our special club)

[daycounting]

An oversubscribed secondary in my area normally has a big and very busy Open Evening each Autumn. This year they've announced they won't be having one, though it will still be possible to book on one of a very limited number of tours during the school day as an alternative.

In the meantime, Year 6 parents at neighbouring (and former feeder) primaries (all leafy) have been invited to a talk by the Headteacher of the secondary saying "This meeting will provide you with an early opportunity to discuss matters of mutual concern and interest about the process of secondary transfer and the induction of Year 7 students."

I've heard they held similar meetings in previous years (in addition to the Open Evening) and it was basically a preview of the Headteacher's Open Evening speech, but with more opportunities to ask questions.

Is this sort of favouritism allowed? My gut feel is it's probably completely legal, but surely it's a bit dodgy?

How can a school do this with their published admissions criteria? They may be a bit sly with parents, (telling them what they want to hear by and large) but they are still having to take all children who qualify for a place, whatever their background and needs. They have no option unless parents decide not to apply. You cannot police the views and gullability of all parents. Most will know and undertstnad the ethos of a school and not all schools are the same. There are huge variations in dyslexia too, or SpLD, and some schools very much specialise in the more severe cases. This is reasonable as the budget can only go so far and often expertise is best placed in fewer schools. This is of greater help to the children. You may think these schools are more friendly but plenty of schools are not very friendly towards children with behavioural difficulties.

You did not say your children were adopted which clearly makes it different for you (but you will be in a tiny minority of having a wide choice) but most people do not want to travel miles and miles out of their neghbourhood to a school so tend to select the nearest that meets their requirements. You have, so I would not worry about the others and what they say to parents.

Bubbles They have no option unless parents decide not to apply Which is the whole point of this thread! Schools doing stuff which encourages/discourages applications from certain families!

So I would not worry about the others and what they say to parents
Oh sorry, I didn't realise that I'm not allowed an opinion on something because my children are not directly affected. Best close down 99.9% of threads on mumsnet then if those are the rules.

Is the school not just managing an Open Evening that has become out of control due to huge numbers attending? If distance is the criteria, are the invited schools not just those from where most admitted pupils typically hail from? No point viewing the school if people live miles away as there is minimal chance they would get a place. It is in the schools interest to not have to waste time showing people round from far and wide. Selective secretative admission sounds a bit paranoid.

But you are contemptuous of these schools and think your school is fantastic so why are you so bothered about these other schools and other families for whom you are a self appointed spokesperson? It does sound paranoid and parents do have to make decisions. You did and for very sensible reasons. Maybe other parents do the same?

Schools are available to all who meet the criteria and if distance is a criteria, then so be it. I wonder if any other parent is as offended as you are by the choice on offer. No-one is excluded by the school but parents may not want the school, as you don't.