Daughter didn?t get any of her secondary school choices

[carlybloom82]

Good morning.

My daughter didn?t get any of her secondary school choices and have been allocated a school that we would never of even considered. I was wondering if there is anyone that has also experienced this last year and can offer some help or advise. I have called Southwark admissions and they have told us where we are on the waiting lists. My daughters first choice was Sydenham and they don?t release waiting list info until the 23rd April!! I think this is so cruel to let you wait this long.

I know that offers need to be declined on the 15th March so there will be a lot of movement on the lists but I?m worried that my daughter still won?t get a place at any of the schools we have put down. When I spoke to East Dulwich Charter yesterday about the appeals process I was told that unless you fit the criteria for appealing then you won?t be able to appeal.

I know u hear about this all the time but I never dreamed it would happen to me and my family. My daughter is absolutely devastated and has now started blaming herself. All you want is the best for your children and I just feel like it?s been completely taken out of my hands and I?m feeling helpless at the moment.

I know it is early days but I would just like some advise on anything else I can do to try and get her a place at a school of our choice.

[hazelnunhead]

I am really sorry to hear that and cannot imagine how stressful this must be for you and your daughter. Perhaps you could message Renata (councillor) or go and see your local councillor. Perhaps they could help you navigate this.

[carlybloom82]

Thank you that?s very helpful, I will get onto to that.

[bodsier]

Posted by Renata, try getting in touch with her as hopefully there will be more

Please also note that our school admissions officers will be holding a drop in admission surgery for families that want to meet to discuss their secondary admission options face to face. The surgery will take place at Cambridge House on a first come, first served basis on 2 March 2018. Families can also find further information on waiting lists, appeals and a list of frequently asked questions on Southwark Council?s website at:

www.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/secondary-admissions/offer-of-a-secondary-school-place

[carlybloom82]

Yes I know they do a drop in every Wednesday so will definitely being heading down for some advise.

Many thanks

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Carly,

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. The last place offered by distance at Sydenham Girls this year is 1.75km. Sydenham is in the London Borough of Lewisham and they always leave it about 3 weeks to release waiting list information for schools in Lewisham! You will only win an appeal if an error has been made of if for some reason one school only would be suitable for your child and you can prove this eg with doctors' letters. I would suggest you look at other schools you didn't initially apply to and ask Southwark to be added to their waiting lists. I have just seen that you have emailed me , so I will respond further there.

Renata

[crazycitychick]

My friend had this problem and like most mums went nuts to the council , you can win appeals if you have a good reason ..

I?d appeal anyway as more than likely you will be offered a place with 4 months ..

My friend daughter didn?t get a place for her proffered school , but is next in line on waiting list ..

To get anywhere these days for school places you have to fight I?m afraid ..

Something I most definitely will be doing for my daughter next year , I wouldn?t just sit back I?d do something about it !!

X

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Crazycitychick,

Southwark admissions co-ordinates and manages the admissions system of Southwark schools. The admissions system is co-ordinated across London. Southwark does not set the admissions criteria for any Southwark Secondary schools. It's pointless appealing unless you have good reason to do so eg maladministration of the admissions system. You can appeal without relevant reason but you will loose. It's very very rare to win an appeal. I can think of only two in the last 8 years. One was on very specific SEN grounds and another on faith grounds, (one primary and one secondary) both with supporting documentation.

There is some movement on waiting lists, but it isn't massive as school pupil numbers are set by their published PAN. As your friend's child is no 1 on a waiting list, they have a high likelihood of being offered a place at their preferred school.

To get offered a school place from one of your choices, I would suggest the following:

Visit as many secondaries as you can in September and October, including the less popular ones. Read the admissions criteria for each school. It's fine to have some long shots. Schools do not know the order you put them in. You will be offered the highest school on your list that you have fulfilled the admissions criteria for. Please use all six choices, and place the schools in true order of preference. If your preferred schools are popular, oversubscribed ones, put a couple of safety net schools in the lower positions on your form. Ensure you submit any extra paperwork as required by your schools of choice. It's better to have a place at a school you're not delighted with than one you haven't visited and you definitely don't want that is miles away and has been allocated to you by the council!

Renata

[Angelina]

carlybloom - keep calm. Make sure your daughter knows this is NOT HER FAULT. It is not the end of the world and many things change between now and school starting.

Look for something positive.

Please do not become overwhelmed but go to the drop ins, persist and look after each other in the meantime.

[Renata Hamvas]

Yes, you can appeal, but you are very very unlikely to win unless you fit the criteria for winning the appeal!

[tomskip]

Are you prepared to say roughly where you live carlybloom?

[carlybloom82]

Thank you so much for all your help and advise. Your kind words have been very supportive.

I am keeping positive for my daughter and hopefully it will work out for us once there is a move around with waiting lists (fingers crossed)

I will keep you all updated if any change

Thanks again

[carlybloom82]

tomskip Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Are you prepared to say roughly where you live

> carlybloom?

Top of Upland road

[Renata Hamvas]

charter Ed offered 180 places.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Bill, it was from the Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, my colleague Cllr Vikki Mills.

Renata

[carlybloom82]

Good afternoon

I just thought I would let you all know that my daughter was offered her first choice school of Sydenham over the half term!! I just wanted to thank you for your help and kind words over this very hard time. I hope it works out for anyone else in the same position as us.x

[Renata Hamvas]

Fantastic news Carly!

Renata

[telemum]

I'm really pleased for you - and hopeful that it might come out a bit further as we are in the same position - do you happen to know how far away from the school you were in metres?

Thanks

Rosie

[carlybloom82]

Thank you Reneta you was a huge help

[Angelina]

So pleased for you both. Well done for holding out.

Really happy for you xxxx

Angelina

[carlybloom82]

Thank you Angelina, we are over the moon

[Renata Hamvas]

Thanks Carly

[lolasid]

Fantastic. So pleased for you

[hazelnunhead]

What a great outcome - after I am sure a very stressful period. Fantastic!

[Rachelle]

Hi, how is the distance measured between school and home? Our distance, as the crow flies, is 1.3 I think but we still didn't get Sydenham and are in the 50s on the waiting list. We got our sixth choice (which I don't want her to go to). We're also on the waiting list for Kingsdale, 32, in band 3. Shall I just give up or is there still hope ? I don't think the waiting lists move that far or do they?

Any previous experiences to reassure me very welcome. Thanks.