Homeschooling while we wait for the outcome of new school application??

Shneezel · 2024-04-23T18:19:28+00:00

Hi all, I've applied to a new school for daughter (12) as we've had alot of issues with her current school, which has culminated in feeling really unsafe there. I've applied for a mid year transfer at our other local school today. They've told me they have space so assuming they accept our application I'm guessing it will be at least 3 weeks until she can start, possibly Sept if they want to wait until the new term. My question is can I take her out of current school to home educate for the interim period? Will this negatively affect our application? The reason she doesn't want to go back to current school is she is very frightened of some bullies there and I don't have alot of faith in her being safe there. Anyone have any experience of this or any advice gratefully received 😘

Hopingforno2in2024 · 23/04/2024 19:29

It might not be that long! With my DS’ mid year move it was all done in a week.

spanieleyes · 23/04/2024 19:32

You can certainly de register if you want, and it won't affect your application for the new school. But, as has been said, it might not take long, we have had a child where the family applied and he started the next day!

xyzandabc · 23/04/2024 19:35

People I know that have changed schools mid year, have had a day or two between being told there is place and the child starting. Some next day. I think it unlikely it will be 3 weeks and definitely not September.

Talk to the admissions person tomorrow and ask how soon can she start.

MarchingFrogs · 23/04/2024 20:09

Hopingforno2in2024 · 23/04/2024 19:29

It might not be that long! With my DS’ mid year move it was all done in a week.

Totally different circumstances from the OP's, fortunately (DD not unhappy at the school she was at, but almost at the end of the year was offered the chance to take the in-year test for a place at her original first preference, a grammar school), but same for us - offered and accepted on the Tuesday afternoon, started, as per the new school's instructions, the following Monday.

Original poster

Shneezel · 23/04/2024 20:32

Thank you guys.
When I gave in the application today they said it would take 14 working days to get a decision and my daughters current school are saying that unless she returns she will be given unauthorised absences - So I wondered about home educating to avoid these. Are they a big deal if I'm just looking at 2 weeks?

OP posts:

spanieleyes · 23/04/2024 20:38

In my county, it is very easy to home school. You simply write to the school and say you are Electively Home educating from xxxx date . They will then probably invite you in for a meeting, which you can politely decline! By the time the local authority gets round to their home visit ( if they ever do) your child will be back in school!

RespiceFinemKarma · 23/04/2024 21:07

Shneezel · 23/04/2024 20:32

Thank you guys.
When I gave in the application today they said it would take 14 working days to get a decision and my daughters current school are saying that unless she returns she will be given unauthorised absences - So I wondered about home educating to avoid these. Are they a big deal if I'm just looking at 2 weeks?

I suppose another option might be to take dd to the doctor and ask if he can sign her off sick for the interim for her mental health?
So sorry to hear you've had trouble. I had to move dd at the same age and just thought I'd pop on and say it did wonders for my dd. The school she left made it hard (indie) but eventually let us go and we've never looked back. Best decision we ever made. Good luck!

Original poster

Shneezel · 23/04/2024 21:41

Thank you RespiceFinemKarma for that thought, I think I will try the GP tomorrow. Your kind words are really appreciated too 😘

OP posts:

swgeek · 23/04/2024 22:42

we did this last term - same situation same age. Was the best for her and she is now very happy at new school. My experience was that it takes the council quite a bit to chase so don’t worry, you can deregister and say you’re homeschooling. Her previous school had told us the council might check to see what we were doing etc but in reality they didn’t in that time frame.

it was the best thing for her and I just wish we had taken her out even sooner.

best of luck!

Sirine1708 · 27/04/2024 08:09

If school has a place, they're interested in filling it immediately because it's extra financing. You can deregister your child from school with 1 email and that's that, you don't need an approval from anyone

SheilaFentiman · 27/04/2024 08:18

Is the consequence of the unauthorised absences a fine? In other words - does it matter if that is what the current school does?

FeatheryStroker · 27/04/2024 08:22

They've told me they have space so assuming they accept our application I'm guessing it will be at least 3 weeks until she can start, possibly Sept if they want to wait until the new term.

It's not going to be three weeks and it's definitely not going to be the start of a new term. My dd got her school place on appeal and she could have started the next day if we had had the uniform but we didn't so she started the day after.

Once she's got the place, which she has, she can start.

FeatheryStroker · 27/04/2024 08:24

Shneezel · 23/04/2024 20:32

Thank you guys.
When I gave in the application today they said it would take 14 working days to get a decision and my daughters current school are saying that unless she returns she will be given unauthorised absences - So I wondered about home educating to avoid these. Are they a big deal if I'm just looking at 2 weeks?

Sorry I completely missed that and I don't understand it either. What sort of a school is it?

If they have told you there is a place I don't know how they can 'withhold' it from you for fourteen working days.

Sirine1708 · 27/04/2024 09:14

I'd rather deregister from school then get weeks long unauthorized leave, because it can lead to fine and doesn't feel fair. Or get a note from GP about mental health to make it an authorized leave.

Superstoria · 27/04/2024 09:21

Self cert her as unwell due to mental health next week and I reckon she’ll be able to start the week after if they’ve got a space.

SheilaFentiman · 27/04/2024 09:53

There’s a good chance it will be less than 14 days as there is a space - the longer time is probably to consider applications which would need an extra space to be squeezed in and adjustments made etc.

Original poster

Shneezel · 27/04/2024 11:15

Thank you for all your replies. The school we've applied to is an academy and we are in Norfolk. When I handed the application in the school said it takes 14 days for a yes or a no and this is standard practice apparently. I called the GP last week and they issued my dd a sick note for a week due to anxiety. Her current school are hounding me for her to return in the meantime, I've been getting at least 2 emails per day stating i need to work with the head of year to establish her return ASAP and now I am feeling anxious if I can't get another sick note for dd! I am getting myself worked out for no reason?

OP posts:

Original poster

Shneezel · 27/04/2024 11:16

*Worked up

OP posts:

spanieleyes · 27/04/2024 11:17

Just email back and say you have decided to home educate. There is nothing the school can do about it, even if they think they can!

lanthanum · 27/04/2024 19:53

I would be honest with the current school and explain that the other school have a space, and you're just waiting on the paperwork. The head of year is not going to want to waste time meeting with you if they know she's going to be leaving imminently. If they're really keen to get her back in for the meantime, can they offer her something like working in a support base, perhaps with a late start/early finish so she can completely avoid the bullies.

tobyj · 29/04/2024 07:09

Used to work in a school. So, in our area, two weeks was the maximum that the LA allowed for schools to respond to a written application, but it was often done much more quickly. Perhaps call the new school and ask if they can possibly speed it up? (Sadly they don't get anything out of doing it sooner, unless there happens to be one of the bi-annual school censuses within that time period, as that's what their funding will be based on. Doing it more quickly just means they've got less time to put things in place, like sort out timetable, books, brief teachers etc.)

Original poster

Shneezel · 29/04/2024 19:05

I called the new school for an update but the lady that deals with the admissions left last week and her replacement will return my call Wednesday... meantime dd's current school have issued unauthorised absences as they have said that the GP's letter stating dd is suffering anxiety about returning is not accepted. So I'm going to email the school this evening and deregister and home school dd until such a time as she actually starts her new school.
What a couple of weeks its been 🙃
Thank you so much for all for your help and advice!

OP posts:

SheilaFentiman · 29/04/2024 23:36

God, her current school are being arsey! Good luck.

Chantel3 · 07/02/2025 19:24

Hi All,

This is all very new to me here, I am just a little unsure in regards to getting more resources for home schoolin, if anyone knows any websites or recommendations for me please?

I have a 12 year old at home currently. Due to being very unhappy & bullied at her previous school. Unfortunately she didn't feel safe nor did she think the teachers took any of it serious.

Which I couldn't sit back and watch her bring all the worry home and then to let her have to dread going back in to the school were threats were coming her way! Long story short... I raised this and her GP still nothing from the school ATM! It is hard as I work nights & days and have two younger boys haha . However I am hoping the homeschooling isn't forever as I am not the brightest spark going! All I can do is try my best and show we do not give up hope!

So I have now de registered my daughter until another school which isnt to far away have spaces . However it is full in year 7.

In the mean time, im buying many books of Amazon prime, using BBC Bitesize .. please any recommendations I am all ears.
Thank you for your time in reading this 😊🙏🏽

Saracen · 08/02/2025 01:48

Chantel3 · 07/02/2025 19:24

Hi All,

This is all very new to me here, I am just a little unsure in regards to getting more resources for home schoolin, if anyone knows any websites or recommendations for me please?

I have a 12 year old at home currently. Due to being very unhappy & bullied at her previous school. Unfortunately she didn't feel safe nor did she think the teachers took any of it serious.

Which I couldn't sit back and watch her bring all the worry home and then to let her have to dread going back in to the school were threats were coming her way! Long story short... I raised this and her GP still nothing from the school ATM! It is hard as I work nights & days and have two younger boys haha . However I am hoping the homeschooling isn't forever as I am not the brightest spark going! All I can do is try my best and show we do not give up hope!

So I have now de registered my daughter until another school which isnt to far away have spaces . However it is full in year 7.

In the mean time, im buying many books of Amazon prime, using BBC Bitesize .. please any recommendations I am all ears.
Thank you for your time in reading this 😊🙏🏽

Hi @Chantel3 , if you start your own thread on the Mumsnet Home Ed board, I am sure you'll get some useful responses. People who are able to help may not notice your post added to another thread, especially since it isn't on the Home Ed board!