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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Waiting for that secondary school letter (1st march?)

362 replies

Enchilada81 · 12/02/2010 07:10

Is anyone else waiting for that letter with bainted breath? I'm terrified DS won't get into his first choice and don't know what we'll do if he doesn't.

OP posts:
DailyMailReporter · 02/03/2010 12:27

This reply has been deleted

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mumoverseas · 02/03/2010 12:28

So sorry for you all going through this really stressful situation, must be awful all the waiting and then not getting any of your choices. And how the hell can they justify splitting up twins. Is the mum supposed to clone herself to be at two places at the same time?

No one interested in taking up the up front and not sneaky DM reporter on his offer

Skegness · 02/03/2010 12:28

I don't know. Just phoned 1st choice school and they said they said their sibling policy doesn't apply to twins... Think they must have been in different bands (complicated banding system around here, esp for the 1st choice school). The contrast between the 2 schools couldn't really be more stark.

Tawny75 · 02/03/2010 12:28

My daughter did not pass her 11+ so we have got our first choice that isn't a grammar. Her best friend is going there too so she and I are happy as larry.

hippipotamiHasLost80lbs · 02/03/2010 12:30

How on earth can the sibling rule not apply to twins?? Of all the sibling relationships surely twins are at the top??

I am so gutted for you skegness, how are the twins taking it?

Skegness · 02/03/2010 12:30

Thanks for sympathy, Paul but am not really a fan of the Mail so won't take you up on the phone offer.

hippipotamiHasLost80lbs · 02/03/2010 12:31

Have to laugh at our LEA/council system;

Have just received a text message telling me I can now log onto the system and view the outcome of my application. Errr - I had a letter 5 hours ago, via post. You know, that old-fashioned thing with a proper postie...

[shakes head and mutters about technology...]

compo · 02/03/2010 12:32

different bands? not about distance then obviously?

Skegness · 02/03/2010 12:32

They don't know yet. Not looking forward to telling them at all.

titchy · 02/03/2010 12:32

Blimey Skegness! I thought the that if one twin didn't get a place the other was autumatically at the top of the waiting list?

Skegness · 02/03/2010 12:41

I think they allocate X number of places per band based on distance, siblings, etc. So probably twin 1 was in band Y and we live closer than other band Y children whereas twin 2 was in band G and we live further away than other children in that band... Not very clear, sorry. Basically I don't totally understand. All I know is that it sucks!

mumto3boys · 02/03/2010 12:47

Skegness, I would be asking to see how they allocated those places, as unless it was on a lottery system I can't see how they can offer one twin and not the other. Well unless one got the very last place, in which case the other twin must be top of the waiting list. And even then, I would want to see the tie break situation they used to decide which twin got the last place.

What is the complecated 'banding' which they use, is it an academic criteria?

I do know of a case where an LEA offered one twin and not the other as there was only one place left. The LEA offered the twin which just happened to be first on the list. The parents appealed stating that the first twin had been offered unfairly over the second twin as no tie break criteria was either published or used. The appeal was successful and both children were allocated places.

I know this as I worked at the LEA - I was NOT the person that allocated these places! Few years ago now tho, but even so.

frogs · 02/03/2010 12:51

That is truly shocking! I thought most schools were moving towards allocating twins jointly. Can you not appeal and get Twin 2 in on the sibling criterion?

4madboys · 02/03/2010 12:54

skegness that is crazy, i would def appeal.

asdaz, thanks for the link but the norfolk online thing wasnt working, i finally managed to speak to someone at norfolk county council today and ds has his first choice yay

but some people have had an email telling them they have a place and then a letter telling them they havent, others like me have had no email and no letter, it is a HUGE cock up, not impressed at all.

passmyglassplease · 02/03/2010 12:56

phew, we just got an email and we got our 1st choice Enfield County for girls.

dd will be very very happy.

good luck to everyone still waiting

passmyglassplease · 02/03/2010 12:59

realdeal, congrats on getting Ashmole, you must live very close as it is really over subscribed?

Skegness · 02/03/2010 13:00

Hiya frogs.

We'll definitely appeal. Even if we were prepared to have them apart, which we are most certainly not, the schools are so massively different in style and reputation that I think twin 2 would feel massively hard done by if we didn't put up a huge fight. Am really worried about telling them. They have been together since conception...

How did your boy get on? Hope you've had good news.

(Have name changed- it's Scummy btw)

pastapestofor6 · 02/03/2010 13:02

just got letter dd got first choice, am totally gobsmacked and know that we are really lucky, sorry to hear of those who didn't get what they wanted, had that 2 years ago with ds it was awful

Mimiso · 02/03/2010 13:05

I cant believe it, my son has been offered the worst school ever, his sixth choice. Apparently it is the closest school but it is not. There is a closer one which has an outstanding ofsted and yet they placed him at the bottom of the pile. wtf is all that about. Am absolutely livid, there is no way on this earth I would send my son there so will have to appeal and also consider private education. I really didnt want to go down that route but I would rather pay than have my son in his 'allocated' place...

frogs · 02/03/2010 13:06

Ah, Scummy! Just heard your news elsewhere, didn't realise this was you also. Thought I was hearing double...

Will get your FB details and friend request you, am just entering 21st C in FB terms.

My ds has our 3rd choice, but the other two preferences were always a long shot so we're happy on balance.

GrimmaTheNome · 02/03/2010 13:06

Skegness, thats ridiculous. Our LEA makes sure that twins applications get processed together. Except for the case of academic or other aptitude selection, what possible reason could there be for them not being allocated the same school?

Sure, the normal sibling policy shouldn't apply to twins - they should get precedence over non-twin sibs.

bundle · 02/03/2010 13:11

hi skegness what a bummer!
much love xxx

Ledodgy · 02/03/2010 13:17

Scummy this is ridiculous! I'd go to the papers if it was me and kick up a huge fuss.

Blu · 02/03/2010 13:22

Skegness - that is truly terrible, and of course the sibling policy should apply . Yes, big fight, big appeal.

shouldbeironing · 02/03/2010 13:24

Skegness - definitely appeal. Also try TAMBA (twins charity) for advice/support - they have done a lot of lobbying on this issue very recently (and have managed to get some local authorities to change their criteria for admissions so that twins have to stay together if the parents want them to).
They have lots of info to back up any appeals. You can contact them direct and I think their advice is free so its worth a try - you can always see if you think it would help.