I think i may have just effed up my childs future ....?

Question

Any advice on what I do from here will be gratefully received. Basically, I chose 4 Schools - 3 out of the area, and preferred one just about 250 yds out. I knew it was a gamble when I made the choices, but as her primary School is next door to our preferred, I stupidly thought that would give her a great chance. Also, from our house it is a very simple and short journey. My child has not been offered a place at any of the chosen Schools, but has instead been allocated a place at the worst School all bar one in the Midlands. The only other one is no longer taking allocations as it is being knocked down next year.

What the heck do i do from here? Naturally, I will be appealing for her first choice, but it sounds as if I have no hope in h**l of being successful.

Whatever else - there is no way I will send her to the one that has been allocated,it seems like an open invitation to turn your child into a failure.She is currently performing at level 5 in SATS. all close schools are now full

Answer 1

That is very unlucky.  I however would not loose heart.  My wife went to a very rough school in Birmingham and walked away with 9 GCSE's all C's and above.  I on the other hand went to a good school in Solihull and only got 2 GCSE's grade C and above.  Your child is obviously very bright and with your guidance will succeed I am sure at any school.  Another thing worth noting is that Schools in inner city's or under achieving schools are given more money to educate the children this means that the facilities and your school may be better than those at the school that you want your child to go to.

Good Luck with the appeal

Answer 2

I went through exactly the same thing when my eldest started senior school, so I really do sympathise!

You are doing the right thing in appealing, the other thing you can do is look at schools in other areas maybe, I ended up sending my child to a school 10 miles away, annoying I know, but like you, I wanted the best I could get for my son.  Also ask to be put on the extended  waiting list, for any schools that you are interested in, so if anyone that has been allocated a place there, changes their mind, it may well be offered to you. I think this normally happens in April, this is also when they consider late applicants.

I will be honest, appeals are often unsuccessful, when I failed in our appeal, I spoke to the education board and said that I would rather teach my son myself then send him to their choice of school, their answer was, they had allocated him a place in secondary school, so as far as they were concerned they had done their job!

Good luck, you are fighting an uphill battle, but I hope you get there, when we finally did, I cried with relief!

Answer 3

You have another option-homeschooling.

I homeschool my children, and we all find it to be a wonderful experience.  It is a truly customized education-focusing on areas that need more attention, getting more in depth in the subjects that interest the child, learning at a level that particular child is at rather than what the average child in that grade/age is.  

The only "con" that is ever presented to homeschooling is a supposed lack of socialization.  That argument is always presented by people who have no idea what homeschooling is really like, though.  My children are involved in church, scouts, 4H, baseball, and a host of other activities where they routinely socialize in a "real world" setting rather than an artificial one (school).

I hope that you find the best scenario for your child, whatever that might be!

Answer 4

Appeal appeal appeal if you don't get your first appeal your second also ask your child's friends where they are going and use this in your appeal.Find out about past appeals who was successful.Speak to your local councillor and go to the local paper if you need to.

Answer 5

Appeal and keep apealing until you are sucsessful. Dont give up until she is in the school you want.

Answer 6

I would appeal for all 4 of your schools and keep doing so until you get a school you want, after all its your child's future and you clearly want whats best for her.

Best of luck x

Answer 7

First always remember that no matter where the child goes to school if they want to succeed and become something great then they will.  We went to a small public school that was low on performance, my brother was always a brain and was determined to make more of his life than the factories where we grew up.  He studied hard took what few honor classes that were offered and applied to Harvard and was accepted even from farm/industry land southeast Missouri.  he is now a very successful attorney in Texas because he was determined.  Until you can appeal enough to get your daughter in the school of her choice make the most of what she has now no one messed up it is just an obstacle to overcome and if she is as determined as you are she will make it anyway.

Answer 8

How old is the kid?

Answer 9

I know this won't be voted the best answer to this question, but it's real:

If you take the king's shilling you must do the king's bidding.

If you are not willing to pay for your own child's education either at a private school or by home schooling, you will just have to take whatever government gives you.

This is the universal problem with "free" services from the government. Just wait until (fill in the name) gets elected and we all get "free" healthcare!

You say "all close schools are now full." No they're not. All public schools are now full!

Answer 10

Have you considered home schooling?

I don't know much about it, but am in a similar situation, in that there is no way on gods green earth I would send her to the local school, and have already started to consider alternatives.

Just a thought!

Answer 11

First of all, you have not screwed up your childs education, the system has!  You obviously care very dearly about this otherwise you would not be posting this question.  I don't know how your education selection is made (Im from N Ireland) but I would hound the school that you choose and do not give in.  Will your local MP be able to help?  Can your local newspaper run a story to give you publicity?  Go for it, you never know where it will get you.  As for home schooling, well that is great if you do not work and can afford allot of your time to teaching.  Social skills are very important to children and I'm sure your child would feel different from the other kids to suddenly be excluded.  Good luck