What happens if you're given a place at a school you didn't list....

[MrsSnape]

Say for instance you list 3 good schools. Then you receieve the dreaded letter saying that you failed to gain a place in any of them and as a result you have been given a place at your hell-hole local comp.

You refuse point blank to let child go there but will 'settle' for a place at another unpopular school which is out of your catchment but is never over-subscribed.

Do you have to make do with the school they've allocated you or can you take up a place at the other under-subscribed school off your own back so to speak?

I think you'd have to ask the admissions peeps if there were any places at other schools. Should they all be full you'd have to lodge an appeal.

if you would accept a place at the out of catchment place put it on your list?
Put yourself on waiting lists for the schools you do like.
I think I will be in exactly your position when the schools are given out.

Don't know what county you're in but, here, you don't qualify for free transport (over 3 miles) unless you accept a place at the closest school with spaces - which usually has spaces for the obvious reasons.

bump for anyone who has actually been through this..might start another thread..

hoping there will be stories of hope here lol

Happened to us - appealed sucessfully and got first choice school. Said we would Home Educate rather than let daughter go to allocated school along with lots of other reaons why she shouldn't go there. Leaving home before 7 being one!

67% chance of success on appeal so worth a try. Otherwise probably worth homeschooling until a place becomes free at best school, if daughter happy with this. Or get her a statement of SEN and then get the best school named on her statement - they have to place her there then!! New Schools Admissions Code 2007 says this.