So unfair, think DD has missed out on P1 place because I'm a stepmum.

[fatandhateful]

That's it, really.
Three of the five criteria are about older siblings.

1. Children who have a brother(s)/sister(s), half-brother(s)/half-sister(s) already enrolled
2. Children who are only, or eldest in their family.
3. Children whose brother(s)/sister(s), half-brother(s)/half-sister(s) previously attended the school.

The DSC didn't go there - but that's hardly anything to do with me or my daughter. I even wrote them a cover letter explaining about the older kids being half-siblings and not my children, but obviously they haven't treated her as "eldest or only". Which she would be if I were single.

We meet the other criteria, and when we met with the school principal before the applications went in, he said that in his experience, everyone who put them as first choice had gotten it.

I'm so depressed. Once again, my girl loses out because of choices made for the DSC before I even came along.

Will do. Thanks.

Well, in that case they should explain how they applied the criteria to your DD's application so you can then see if they were correct or not. Good luck.

Who do/did your DSC live with most of the time? I think that I would distinguish between those who were in the same household and those who were half-siblings, but not really part if the same household, based on the amount of time spent in each home. Though there doesn't seem to be anything in the criteria to take account of that. But I think I have seen the "household" description for admissions criteria in England.

They live with us. But they started primary school 11 and 14 years ago...I can't see why the choice of schools made for them should have any bearing on what my DD's options are now. It is so unfair.

That is really unfair.

It's not "someone else", needaholiday. It's her father. And while I think it's a bizarre rule, which would fall foul of the English admissions code, it's not unreasonable for the decisions made by a parent for their child to have ramifications for the younger siblings.

Thanks, needaholiday. That is exactly how I feel.

Imathrillseeker, you really don't think that's unreasonable? I want to send my daughter to a school that is right for her needs. I don't want to send her to the RELIGIOUS school where her half-siblings went, and so she's penalized. It's absolute bullshit.

'Siblings' and 'half-siblings' are not the same things. People may not want to hear that, but it's true. My daughter has a different family background than her half-siblings. She has completely different means, completely different resources, completely different levels of family support. And her educational choices have NOTHING to do with my husband's first wife's religion.

Sorry no real advice to give you - but sympathise with your situation.
Some of the school choices here in NI are dreadful and hope you get some good luck with your appeal.

I confused. What has where your partner's children went to school got to do with your child? Why are they counted as being related ? Do they really ask about unrelated dc? Surely only your dc or your dh 's would count.

Worth speaking to your MP? Anything that makes it difficult to exercise a preference for a non-sectarian school in NI is appalling and probably also quite newsworthy

I actually like the fact that we don't have catchment areas here. I think it's great that you don't get that huge separation of 'middle class' and 'deprived' schools that I read about in England.

Not sure about that treacle as where I live there is a very popular primary which plenty of rich parents seem to get their children into. They pass other schools and drive 5-10 miles to reach it. They perceive it as a better school.

shortchange, they are half-siblings. They and DD are both my DH's children.
I should maybe point out too that the school to which his older children went would not be an available option for DD, even if we wanted her to go there (which we don't, and why should she?).
Fideline, I was just thinking about that. I think we're going to try to get to see the principal of the school first and see if he can make any suggestions or offer any clarification. (But maybe a call to the Alliance MLA wouldn't hurt!)
And we'll appeal, definitely.

It doesn't help either that this week DD has been referred for autism spectrum assessment.

Thanks for the support, everyone.

Has your DH adopted your DD? I am confused as to how you were bringing her up as a single mum before you married him unless she has a biological father or you were living apart before marriage.

By mentioning her half siblings then it appears you have made your daughter less eligible for attendance at this school.

angel there is one like that near me too (although ironically the 'better' school has a poorer inspection report than the one that the parents drive past to get to it. ) so I know it does happen. But I just get the feeling that on the whole we don't seem to find it as problematic as elsewhere in the UK.

Oh, I see. Still seems odd though. When dd's school opened an after school club they gave priority to dc who had been to a local nursery - council run one. I complained as was ridiculous they should choose this way based on childcare choices pre starting at school.Dd was in y3 when asc opened. The nursery had no connection to the school and we couldn't have sent her there anyway as it didn't dothe hours I needed as dh and i both work full time. That nursery wad mainly used by sahps.

I don't understand why the older half-siblings' primary education has any influence on your DD's application if they have left primary school?

I'm really shocked, I always thought from threads in mumsnet that Scotland had a much better system than England.

There is absolutely nothing that would make me put my children in a faith school. It's bad enough to me that they say prayers in the school they do go to.

I really feel for you, I would have to home educate if my only option was religion and I am really not cut out to be a home education!

It's not Scotland lunar.