Is it possible to have been offered two different secondary school places?

[Ada23]

Hello, hope anyone with an insight knowledge into the secondary school application process could give me a quick answer:
we have not been allocated a school place for our child (not our first choice, not our second choice, not one which we did not apply for in the bad side of town - nothing; yes, we applied on time, no, we did not move recently, yes, we applied for the two closest school, one of which we are in the catchment area of).
Now my son tells me he overheard a playground conversation, about how three of his classmates have been offered places at two different schools - can someone tell me whether this is possible at all? Will ask around the playground tomorrow, but if this is true is this maladministration and who can I complain to about the admission office?

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks.

Hmm no I really would not assume responsibility for arranging a place. This is the LA's legal duty, it is very clear in part 1 of the Education Act 1996 and the School Admissions Code.

Although, it does not matter really for school transport. If your child is attending the nearest suitable school (I. E., nearest one with places) they will have to make travel arrangements. Public transport taking 90 minutes would not usually be considered 'suitable' and so the LA would have to consider paying for your mileage or a taxi. You may find that if you ham up the transport angle the LA may suddenly magically come.up with a nearer school place offer. They will not want to pay for bespoke travel.arrangements.

On the other hand it is a little jnfair to lay the blame for poor school place planning totally at LA door. When.schools become academies there isn't much they can do about those school's admissions policies if the schools are going their own merry way and not adopting sensible join arrangements with neighbouring schools/ the LA.

An hour transport may not cut it. I believe the relevant guidance suggests that up to 75 minutes each way may be the maximum travel time for secondary pupils, although not if several transport changes arelated involved.

Well, Ragusa, that has been their argument: they only administer the applications and have to the apply the school's own criteria. The school says it is not their responsibility to provide us with a place, it is LEA's. So no one is responsible, and we have not done anything wrong, and we still do not have school place - how is that fair?

Ok, 75 minutes, with no/ one change... will need to investigate, thanks.

It is 100% the LA's statutory duty to find you a school place. They must ensure there are sufficient school places for every child who wants one.

Re the "more than 1" change. The guidance just says 'several' changes might be unreasonable and ultimately it would be à court that arbitrated on reasonableness but ... yeah, 90mins, they would find that v. Hard to defend I MO.

The school is being straight with you OP by the sounds of it. Sounds a bit like LA are trying to wriggle out. Not allowed. They have to come up with somewhere for your child.

When you phone, quote the act at them,
Under the education act you are legally obliged to provide me with a school place. The law says that must be at the closest school with places available.
If that is too far away, then you are obliged to pay transport.

Please tell me what you are now going to do to provide me with a place?

If they then give you a place at the school 90 minutes travel away YOU MUST ACCEPT IT even if you have no intention of going there in september. Otherwise they will say they have fulfilled their obligation.

Then you can challenge it under fair access etc.

By the length of the waiting lists you are not alone!

You need to speak to your local MP about this situation and Alger some others onboard - lack of school places is destroying your community and you child will be worn out! Won't have close friends in the holidays makes going to parents evening or cillectingbill child or dropping something off impossible

Get everyone together and start complaining

OP, have you actually verified that what your son had heard is correct yet?

No, the mum I need to talk was not around today, fingers crossed I'll have better luck tomorrow, but thanks to your comments at least I got some sleep last night ;-)
Collecting more info.

Update: still could not catch the right person to have it confirmed from the horses mouth, but having spoken to others it does seem my son misunderstood. Glad on the one hand, disappointed on the other, as that would have been an easy way to prove maladministration in the appeal.

Just in case you are curious: caught the mum in question today, yes he misunderstood, just one offer for her child.