School Admission Result Disappointment

[tiggerblue10]

I didn't get my first choice for secondary school and apparently, according to the news, 1 in 3 didn't. I have to accept by 15th March but can I appeal? I'll be put on a waiting list for my first choice and am only permitted to check position from 19th April. This I what the email said.

[emmie]

i am confused by your post i must admit.

[barry1010]

Does this help?
https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/choosing-a-school/state-schools/secondary-school-appeals

[emmie]

is this for little tiggs?

[tiggerblue10]

Sorry, I'm not making much sense.

My son has got 2nd choice school. The results came out last night. I want to appeal against this so just want to know if there is an appeals process.

[emmie]

ok sorry, i thought it was for you for one moment, lol

[barry1010]

It is interesting that there are only two grounds for appeal - a mistake has been made (rare) or your child would suffer more harm from not going to that school than the harm caused to the other pupils by overcrowding.
Tough one to prove.

[roopower]

Looks like the link barry has given has the advice you need. Good luck

[tiggerblue10]

The first choice school caters for learning difficulties as little Tigs is on the low end of the spectrum. He doesn't qualify for an ECHP though.

[TonyV]

I got my 3rd choice of secondary school, but I think the education I got was good, got good enough A level grades to go to Uni if I'd have wanted to.

[barry1010]

That's makes it more difficult, sorry to say. If all the other children do have ECHP they will take priority.
Research the second school thoroughly, you may be reassured.

[tiggerblue10]

I'm going to contact the council to see where I stand with regards to appealing. According to the link I have no choice but to accept the school that has been chosen.

[barry1010]

Let us know how you get on, tigger

[tiggerblue10]

Well I can't believe what just happened.....I got a call from the school in question and they asked me if I had updated my address on the admissions site to which I said yes. They then told me I will go towards the top of the waiting list where I will wait until they've dealt with the acceptances and rejections etc.

I updated my address on 22nd Dec when I signed the completion contract on my house. The cut off date for updates of address on admissions was 9th Dec so we missed out. I contacted the school then and told them so they have us on record.

[emmie]

does this mean you might get what you want after all?

[tiggerblue10]

I hope so Emmie, I just have to wait.

[emmie]

good luck then...

[tiggerblue10]

Sorry, in a meeting!

Thanks

[andy-hughes]

This is where the ludicrous notion of 'parent power' falls to the ground.

Various governments have pedaled parents as 'consumers of education' which of course is utterly meaningless, but it sounds good, so they use it.

I think it was Labor who trumpeted about 'parent power' and 'being able to choose your child's school'.

Once again the use of the word 'power' sounds great - but it is of course meaningless.

As for the idea of parents 'choosing a school', that requires two situations, both of which are again nonsense.

The first is that the average parent has the information and knowledge to make a genuinely informed choice, when in fact the average parent chooses a school that they hear good things about, that their child's friends are going to go to, and that is not a million miles away from home.

The second notion is that such a choice assures admission, and as tigger has found out, good schools are instantly over-subscribed, and people who don;t get in face the second choice of the school they dislike the least - not much 'choice' or 'power' involved there!

The appeals process is a sop to make you think you can alter decisions, which, except in really special circumstances, you can't because again, you lack the knowledge, and certainly the 'power' to offer an informed argument.

I hope your child is happy at whichever school they attend, and the harsh lesson of the reality of 'parental choice' and 'parent power' have not left you too disillusioned with the reality of life, as against political promises designed to get your vote by promising you something you can never ever have.