In-year School Application

[merrygohk]

Hi,

Has anyone experienced changing schools (state school) for their children during a school year? What reasons would you state if it's not about the bullying problem?

My child is in Year 9. One of her teachers has been absent since Dec 2021. She has had no proper lesson, homework, assessment in that subject for a few months.

If the situation continues, I can foresee how it will affect her studies nor her interest in studying. Though I have raised my concern to the school, I also started considering changing school if there is no change.

What reasons should I state in the application form for the new school under this situation? Feel grateful if anyone with similar experience could advise.

Thanks a lot!

You don’t need to give any reasons. Anyone can apply for any school at any time. If they have a space, it must be allocated to you. If not you can go on the waiting list/appeal.

@EduCated

You don’t need to give any reasons. Anyone can apply for any school at any time. If they have a space, it must be allocated to you. If not you can go on the waiting list/appeal.

Thanks for your reply. If my application is unsuccessful because of full of the school year, is it a proper reason (long absence of subject teacher) for me to state in the appeal letter?

Yes. The appeal is your chance to say why you feel your child needs a place in the school.

You can’t put that as the resin for appeal as everyone in the class would get into the new school. You have virtually no chance of getting in on appeal, just go on the waiting list.

Reason

Thanks everyone for the reply. It's quite a headache to think of a "legitimate" reason for the appeal.

Have you asked school their plans to address the absence? Which subject is it? Unfortunately illness or ling term absence can happen anywhere, but school should have a plan if it is ongoing. Changing school seems drastic unless there are other issues.

You can put it as the reason for appeal. If you're the only one prepared to go through the application and appeal then it might work. Particularly if she has a particular aptitude in the subject and it would be a genuine contender for an A Level choice. Although getting a tutor might be less disruptive.
Obviously if everyone appeals then you're going to need more.

Is there only one school you would consider a move to?

@Gazelda

Is there only one school you would consider a move to?

Does in-year transfer also consider catchment area? If so, there is only one school with a higher possibility. I have more than one school in mind, but just not sure if the catchment area would be an important point. Need to do more research.

If there is a vacancy and no waiting list then they offer the place to you, if a waiting list it is ordered according to admissions criteria, so distance may count.