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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Advice needed - withdrew secondary child from school

56 replies

CallmeFP · 17/09/2017 11:51

I am a parent with a child attending an academy in Fulham and Kensington.

I have been trying to ascertain since June the exam results and sets for my son since June and also request he be removed from a certain group at school which has made him very unhappy. I was assured by the assistant head that it would be looked into. He is Year 10 so it is a tricky situation.

I wrote 4 emails over summer, one of which was answered the rest ignored.

My son goes back to school to find he has been put in with the same group after I was assured he wouldnt be.

I write to the school, no answer. I call the assistant head who tells me that they didn't have time to look into it.

In a fury, I apply to council for new places for my child. I write to the head saying my son is leaving and outlining the reasons why, to which his answer in effect was 'bye and good luck in your new school'.

I am so utterly shocked at how they have handled it, stonewalling my emails and not trying to resolve it.

Now my son has not been at school for two weeks. I have rang the education officer who is aware of what is happening and I am home schooling until a new school place comes up.

Trouble is, my son now tells me he wants to go back to his school. I feel guilty for having jumped the gun and taken him out without trying again but the school were offering me no alternative.

My question is, does he still have a school place there and if he wants to go back can they stop him?

Many thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
CallmeFP · 17/09/2017 19:55

To everyone saying I acted hastily and shouldn't have handled it how I did etc, I accepted this in my opening post and thus feel guilty so anything you point out to me in this regard is futile.

I am writing on help to know if still had school place but that has become apparent.

Thank you all for your help.

OP posts:
Original poster
CallmeFP · 17/09/2017 19:58

Greentulips -

Indeed, the school will notify me tomorrow.

I have applied for three new schools already. One is looking favourable.

OP posts:
gillybeanz · 17/09/2017 20:04

Just a thought OP.
You said he has people he likes t the school, in the event of not gaining the place at the same school can you suggest he meets up with them in the meantime.

HangingRock · 17/09/2017 20:04

Sorry to hear there are people that make your son's life hell. It does sound like a face to face meeting is required to thrash it all out once they take him back. Does your son not want to look round other schools?

prh47bridge · 17/09/2017 21:51

The school may have places but they don't have to offer you one

If the school has a place available they must offer it to anyone who applies. There are very few exceptions to that rule.

OwooenBled · 18/09/2017 06:55

In our school the student stays on roll until we get confirmation from the new school that they have started.The only exception is when we have an official letter stating the student is being home educated.

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 07:11

OwooenBled

That is what I thought it would be like but apparently not?

Are you in London?

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 18/09/2017 07:17

The assistant head emailed you on a Sunday? That's going above and beyond -- sounds like the school may not be as bad as you think.

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 07:34

SuburbanRhonda - yes she did and forwarded email on to headteacher.

It's a good sign, as previously this was not the case at all with regards to getting back to me.

Gillybeans - yes he can meet people he likes from the school.

Will let you all know the outcome hopefully today.

OP posts:
Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 07:35

HangingRock- he does want to look around other schools but the one he likes would entail an hour long journey to and from. Which I think he is underestimating.

OP posts:
Therealslimshady1 · 18/09/2017 07:49

Poor you, you must have been desperate.

Is it a bullying issue? E-mails don't cut it in that case, you'd need to visit the school and talk to tutor/HoY and write to governors if nothing happens.

Are you sure you really want him to go back there?

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 08:08

Therealslimshady-

IF the school were to seperate him from a few elements ruining his classes, which they said they would - then it would be fine.

I am torn between him starting completely fresh somewhere or trying to manage where he already is. The school has said if they are to take him back there will be a meeting so that sounds positive.

The school he likes has spaces but many applicants so it is touch and go.

So it is all touch and go at the moment.

OP posts:
Caulkheadupnorf · 18/09/2017 08:18

What did he want to do? Did he want a new school or to stay but in a different class?

HangingRock · 18/09/2017 08:22

Is the problem that poor behaviour in the groups he is in is stopping him from learning?

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 08:39

He wants either one Caulk- in the first instance he would prefer to stay if he could be in a different class.

Poor behaviour from a certain snall group of three within his academic set.

OP posts:
gillybeanz · 18/09/2017 11:22

Keeping my fingers crossed for you today OP.

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 11:33

Many thanks Gillybeans - I am waiting with baited breath! Wish they'd hurry up and let me know. Will let you know asap.

OP posts:
Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 18/09/2017 11:48

Currently in a similar position to you OP - will completely out myself if I give full details, but following with interest. I hope you get it all sorted

ForgivenessIsDivine · 18/09/2017 16:17

I wanted to say, 'Hold your nerve, you did the right thing.'

If you had written the OP stating the problems and the school's failure to act, lots of posters would have advised you to move schools and home educate until you got a place.

Take a serious look at the other schools amd push hard for one you like or you may find yourself still in the same position in a year's time without a happier child

Original poster
CallmeFP · 18/09/2017 16:40

Thank you so much FID

It has been the hardest couple of weeks of our life.

No word back from headteacher yet and no info regarding the spaces we applied for either...

Just wanting to resolve this and get him back to school.

I wish I could hold out but concerned they make come back with no spaces so thought I should check if space still open at school just in case.

Headteacher hasn't bothered to let me know either way today. Looks like tomorrow will be the same waiting game!

OP posts:
OwooenBled · 18/09/2017 17:51

Good luck.I'm in S Wales so perhaps our system is different.

Original poster
CallmeFP · 19/09/2017 10:50

No word back yet but I have found some interesting guidance

The Pupil Registrations Regulations 2006 which schools must abide by to deregister from school (Wales and Scotland different rules I think)

Unless as a parent you have;
stated you intend to home ed
stated new school and start date

They are still on role.

There are other reasons for which a child can be taken off such as continuous non attendance for 20 days or unauthorised holiday extenended period of 10 days.

I shall give them until the end of today to answer me but knowing this is of some comfort

There is no mention of what happens when you sign a transfer form

I believe you HAVE to fill out a transfer form to go on the waiting list for another school, so how would this mean you automatically are not returning to the school you want to leave?

OP posts:
Original poster
CallmeFP · 19/09/2017 12:48

School got back to me to say of course he is welcome back.

Subsequently out of interest, I called the LA. They said that the school cannot do what they did by saying the headteacher had to decide, and that signing a transfer form with the intention to leave is not the same as leaving. They would have had to ascertain a start date at new school before taking him off role.

That a child cannot be taken off role unless they are at a new school or being home educated.

Called desired new school and there is a space for him subject to an interview tomorrow. We have let school know but there is nothing stopping him from going back if we don't take new school place.

Thank you all for commenting and your help.

OP posts:
ForgivenessIsDivine · 19/09/2017 13:30

Fingers crossed for interview tomorrow, I hope its a match made in heaven... no one takes the decision to move lightly and in the vast majority of cases, people look back with relief at having taken the decision and leap into the unknown. Wishing you a happy ending to a difficult few weeks.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 19/09/2017 14:43

I have also had the same kind of news - this morning in fact. Now deciding what to do for the best. Good luck OP