Secondary school options vs homeschool

[randafifi]

Hello Mums
I've just moved to Liverpool last month and applied for an in year transfer for my DD. She was accepted into one of only two inadequate schools in Liverpool (Broadgreen International) ... I've tried looking at what people say about it; a lot say there's a serious bullying problem.
It's the closest to home, which is why they offered her a place there.
Now I'm lost; should I accept the place and stay on the waiting list for my preferred schools? Or should I start homeschooling while on the waiting lists?
She's already repeating a year (school age in UK is calculated from 31/8, while in Egypt -where I'm from- and Germany -where I used to live- is calculated from 1/9), she is born 1/9...)
She's very upset and worried, not being her usual self, and I'm very very worried about her and the school situation.
Any advice, please.
Thank you

What year is she in the UK?

What is the allocated school like - have you been to have a look and spoken to the head teacher?

Close to home means local friends which is valuable, especially if you move from away.

If you reject the space the LA is under no obligation to fund you another, so you may never get in to your preferred school. Can you find out how likely you are to get a place there, eg where are you on the waiting list?

Home schooling for secondary is a serious commitment. I am a qualified teacher and I would not have wanted to teach ds2 to GCSE outside my specialism, no way could I have taught him maths and science and PE. I would think there would gave to be tutors which is an additional expense.

If I were you I would accept the school place and see whatbutvwas like. You can always stay on other waiting lists, as many as you like.

hah sorry for typos, hope you can decipher!

I agree.
Accept the place. Don't be negative about it to your DD.
If it's awful you can pull her out and homeschool and you'll have lost nothing.
You know you can appeal for places at other schools? You need to find reasons why they are more suitable.
e.g.

• Her German is OK but not fluent, doing German GCSE will help that and only X school offers German GCSE.
• She plays flute and offered school doesn't have an orchestra but Y school does

Thank you for replying. I understand if I do accept the place I'll still be on the waiting list for the other schools. Did I get that right?
I haven't been to the school, but I read the ofsted report and tried looking into reviews and comments on their page. I don't know how reliable these are.
The three preferred schools (the ones I applied to) are much more closer to home; but among the ones that have an available place, that's the closest.
I think I would accept, but I'm quite worried. We've had to deal with bullying before; and I can't imagine how we'll handle it if it does happen. I know I'm being very negative; just can't help feeling our decision to relocate was unfair to her :(

Will the Admissions office give you a list of any other schools with places? Is there a school which, while further away, is an easy journey?

Also, there is a school round here that is much disliked by some, and that small proportion are very vocal. I'm not saying the school doesn't have its issues, but if you read the views online, there isnt a chance you would send your child there - yet every parent I know with a child there, is more than happy for younger siblings to go there too. I guess if you are fine with the school, you dont go shouting about it??

So, if no other possible schools, I'd send your daughter to the school with spaces. You can always change your mind and home ed if it is as bad as you fear.

Ofsted is often just a box ticking exercise. A poor rating doesn’t necessarily mean the school is terrible. In fact in many cases it may be a good thing as the school may receive more funding from the LA to improve.

@ColdRainAgain I don't know if it's the same school; i hope it is and it would turn out to be a good one
There are only 4 schools with available places, none are close- especially not with my son's primary school being a 20 minute walk in the opposite direction..
I'll send to accept the school; hope for the best.
Thank you

I think you have to try it an see. You have nothing to loose - just try and maintain a positive outlook on it so that your daughter doesn't feel like its a terrible place to go.

@GrumpyHoonMain yes, someone mentioned the same thing to me today. I hope that's the case.
Thanks

@Hersetta427 you're absolutely right. I really should try to be A LOT more positive. She needs my support with all the moving, not another reason for her to worry.
Thanks

It is in my area - all the secondaries seem to have been downgraded to inadequate yet the GCSE pass rate has improved and of those that include sixth form numbers of kids to oxbridge has increased. So they are clearly doing something right!