School placements

rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
So the school allocation (at least for primary schools) came out today. We didn't get our first choice which is disappointing as we were led to believe the school was going to be under subscribed (by the head master!)

Anyone else missed out on their first choice school?
 

Alee

Well-Known Forumite
I only put down one choice , we got in thank fully . Definatly worth appealing . Hope u get sorted x
 

Amerlan

Well-Known Forumite
Doesn't anyone run a "swap" site? where parents could advertise. For example, some who wanted school A and got school B could arrange to swap with someone who wanted school B and got school A.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Doesn't anyone run a "swap" site? where parents could advertise. For example, some who wanted school A and got school B could arrange to swap with someone who wanted school B and got school A.
These guys might be able to help.


keith_and_noel.jpg
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
They state how they do their calculations for such allocations etc so i don't understand how an appeal would work unless someone at HQ stuffed up (which is doubtful as i believe it's all done by computer)...
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Five of my lads classmates appealed re secondary school placements this year. All of them won their appeal.
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
We plan on appealing but they are over subscribed so don't hold out much hope!

I wonder if parents who appeal a decision after not getting in to their preferred school realise that if they win they are directly responsible for an increase in class size for every kid to each ones detriment? Schools have a maximum intake to keep class sizes to a reasonable size. If theya re forced to take extra kids above what they can manage it's the kids that suffer.

Go the local catchment school, your kid will do fine and you'll save thousands of hours/cost/air pollution in ferrying them around the town on the 'merry go round of parental choice' which is bad for all :(
 

rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
I wonder if parents who appeal a decision after not getting in to their preferred school realise that if they win they are directly responsible for an increase in class size for every kid to each ones detriment? Schools have a maximum intake to keep class sizes to a reasonable size. If theya re forced to take extra kids above what they can manage it's the kids that suffer.

Go the local catchment school, your kid will do fine and you'll save thousands of hours/cost/air pollution in ferrying them around the town on the 'merry go round of parental choice' which is bad for all :(

Yes the legal maximum for primary schools is 30. Other considerations may be classroom size. Our preferred school is approx. 1/4 mile further than the one we have. I think any parent would prefer their child to go to a school that is Ofsted good/pushing outstanding rather than one recently out of special measures.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I wonder if parents who appeal a decision after not getting in to their preferred school realise that if they win they are directly responsible for an increase in class size for every kid to each ones detriment? Schools have a maximum intake to keep class sizes to a reasonable size. If theya re forced to take extra kids above what they can manage it's the kids that suffer.

Go the local catchment school, your kid will do fine and you'll save thousands of hours/cost/air pollution in ferrying them around the town on the 'merry go round of parental choice' which is bad for all :(
We must all be good little proles and do as our betters see fit. Or as angry, shouty Kyoto sees fit...
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
Yes the legal maximum for primary schools is 30. Other considerations may be classroom size. Our preferred school is approx. 1/4 mile further than the one we have. I think any parent would prefer their child to go to a school that is Ofsted good/pushing outstanding rather than one recently out of special measures.
I personally believe too many people pay too much attention to Ofsted scores as a headline.... A school (especial primary) could have a poor review based on specifics relating to elements not years off from a child entering such as KS2 or be caused by Heads who are no longer in place ....
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Yes the legal maximum for primary schools is 30. Other considerations may be classroom size. Our preferred school is approx. 1/4 mile further than the one we have. I think any parent would prefer their child to go to a school that is Ofsted good/pushing outstanding rather than one recently out of special measures.

Not at all. There are many parents who judge a school on it's inclusiveness, it's caring ethos, it's abilities to get the best out of ALL the children who attend. There are also many parents that understand that Ofsted reports are mainly meaningless. If you must read this drivel then the only measure you should consider us value added. Stafford does not have any schools that a well supported child would not do well in.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Not at all. There are many parents who judge a school on it's inclusiveness, it's caring ethos, it's abilities to get the best out of ALL the children who attend. There are also many parents that understand that Ofsted reports are mainly meaningless. If you must read this drivel then the only measure you should consider us value added. Stafford does not have any schools that a well supported child would not do well in.
This.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
Yeah, I've passed too many an Ofsted inspection, and read too much about them to hold much stock in them. I've also met some truly horrible and objectionable people that teach at 'the best schools'.

I've always felt engaging and being part of your child school community (PTFA, Board of Governors etc) is the best way to help ensure you know what goes on in a school, not just by looking at the headline from an ofsted report.

I'd much rather hear about happy children then test scores.
 
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