What if My Child Can't Get a School Place in the Area?

Originally written by Lucy Tobin, updated by the editorial team on 20th May 2026

S C asks

We're moving from Staffordshire to Wilmslow very soon and our 12 year old daughter cannot get a place at ANY school in the area.

She has been refused due to lack of capacity and we are having to keep her at home whilst an appeal is made.

Surely the Education Authority should plan for the provision of sufficient school places relevant to the local population? How does the appeals process work? And how long might my daughter have to wait for a place? Is there anything else we can do?

What to Do if You Can't Find a School Place

If your child has no school place at all, the situation is different from simply not getting into your preferred school. Local authorities in England have a legal duty to provide education for all children of compulsory school age. Your council cannot leave your child without a school place, and they must act to resolve the situation.

Compulsory school age begins the term after a child turns five. The requirement to be in traditional schooling continues until the last Friday in June of the school year when they turn sixteen. After this point, young people must remain in education or training until they turn eighteen, whether through continued schooling, an apprenticeship, or other approved training.

If every school you applied to has turned you down and you have no offer at all, contact your local council's school admissions team straight away. Explain the situation clearly. Your council has a legal duty to work to find an available place, even if it is not at a school you originally chose.

The place offered might not be your first choice, or it might require a longer journey than you hoped. However, having a place means your child can continue their education while you explore other options. Most councils operate fair access protocols specifically designed to help place children who find themselves without a school, including those who have moved into the area mid-year or who have been out of education for some time.

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How the Appeals Process Works

You have the right to appeal against any school's decision to refuse your child a place. This applies to community schools, academies, faith schools and free schools. Each school that turned you down can be appealed separately if you wish.

Appeals are heard by an Independent Appeal Panel. These panels are not run by the school itself, so the decision is made by people who were not involved in the original admissions process. The panel will include people with experience of education and at least one person who is independent of both the school and the local authority.

To start an appeal, contact the school or the local council that handles admissions for that school. They will send you an appeal form or direct you to an online system. Fill this in as soon as possible. There are usually deadlines for submitting appeals, particularly for reception and secondary school entry, so check the exact dates with your council.

Once your appeal is submitted, you will normally receive details of your hearing within a few weeks. The panel will consider written information you provide and you will usually have the chance to attend in person to explain your case.

The appeal panel will look at two main questions. First, did the school follow its admissions procedures correctly? Second, does the impact on your child of not getting a place outweigh any problems the school would face by admitting another pupil?

You can strengthen your case by providing clear information about why that particular school is right for your child. This might include proximity to your home, siblings already at the school, medical needs, or specific educational requirements. Stick to facts and keep your points organised.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

What to Do While You Wait

If your child currently has no school place and you are waiting for an appeal or for the council to find somewhere, you have several options to consider.

Your local authority may offer interim arrangements in some cases. Ask the admissions team what support is available while a permanent place is being sorted out. There is no fixed timeframe for how long councils take to resolve these cases, but they should be taking active steps and keeping you informed of progress. If weeks pass without updates, follow up and ask for a clear explanation of what is being done.

You can also ask to go on waiting lists for your preferred schools. Waiting lists are often ranked using the same admissions criteria as the original application, so your position may change as circumstances shift. Being on a waiting list does not affect your right to appeal.

Maintain regular follow ups to keep your case active and prioritised. Make a note of who you speak to and when, and keep copies of any emails or letters.

Some families consider home education as a temporary measure while waiting for a school place. If you choose this route, be aware that you take on full responsibility for your child's education and the council will no longer be obliged to find them a school place unless you request one. Think carefully before deregistering from any school or declining an offered place.

If your child has special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan, the process may work differently. The council has specific duties to find a suitable placement, and you may need to work with the SEND team rather than the general admissions office.

Where to Find Help and Official Guidance

GOV.UK has detailed guidance on school admissions and appeals. This includes information on deadlines, how to write your appeal, and what happens at a hearing. Search for school admissions appeals on the GOV.UK website for the most current information.

Coram Children's Legal Centre offers free legal information for families, including guidance on education rights. Citizens Advice can also help you understand your options and may be able to point you towards local services. Their website and local branches offer support on a range of issues, including education. Local community groups and forums, including parent networks on social media, can also be useful places to find others who have been through similar situations and can share their experiences.

If you believe your council is not meeting its legal duty to find your child a school place, you can make a complaint through the council's formal complaints process. You will usually need to complete all stages of the council's own procedure before taking things further. If that does not resolve things, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman can investigate complaints about council services in England.

This situation is genuinely difficult, and it is reasonable to feel frustrated or worried. Keep records of all correspondence and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. You have legal rights here, and councils do resolve these cases, whether through an appeal, a waiting list place, or identifying an alternative school.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our School Application Strategist lets you tell us your circumstances and we will map out a realistic school application strategy that maximises your chance of getting your preferred school. Try it now →

202 questions

Ask Get the Right School a Question

GetTheRightSchool Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:31 pm

@K Your situation sounds awful and you shouldn't be stuck like this. Push for a formal School Admission Appeal again on the safeguarding grounds (the inappropriate touching incident) and request the Fair Access Protocol be triggered through Sandwell, as that exists for exactly these cases. Also contact Coram's Child Law Advice line and IPSEA for free legal help, and ask your GP to refer him to CAMHS in writing so there's a paper trail. Keep everything documented and consider a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman if the council keeps stalling.

K 18/03/2024 at 9:35 pm

My son has been out of school for a year Sandwell’s council advised us that if we don’t register his with home education we would face fines so we had no choice! He wouldn’t got to the school that he was offer due to another child in his primary school who was in appropriately touching him would also be attending that same school and as we were already going though a house sale this would put us to far away from that school. We went through an appeal with all documents of our move and how our child was affected (they didn’t care) he is not learning from home an his mental health has deteriorated dramatically. We have seemed medical advice (they don’t care either) we have contacted the mp which Sandwell home education advised us to do) with no luck. It is making me ill watching my son the way he is and the only memory’s of school he has are bad ones. The school attendance officer is no help at all we are a family at breaking point. My son just wants to be in school whilst so many are refusing to go.

School 31/01/2024 at 4:15 am

Our grandson has not been given a senior school since September 2023
The appeal date is December 2024
He is autistic and has EHCP
This is unacceptable I have spoken to my MP who wrote to the Education minister in Bromley but just recently offered a school in Lambeth miles from where we live. Where do we stand?

TR 03/12/2023 at 9:49 pm

Heya.

I like to get the process right the first time around in order to save time. With that in mind I make some brief summary notes on the curriculum in addition. I meet with key staff who are working at the school in question here. Then I decide to take a untimed tour of the whole place too. Good luck. You can do this.

It is a good idea to read up on the history of the school in any case. This is important. I cannot stress that enough. Use your notes to make a informed choice about the schools within walking distance. Visit at least two different schools in the area. That way you will have more information.

Talk directly to some of the pupils about homework and so on. Look far beyond the lines. Watch a real lesson in a classroom on top of that. Speak to the children attending the school about exams and lessons. Politely see if you can view a copy of the policy on bullying and the like. Also try to read a copy of the exam results policy and pay very close attention to where the school is. That is also recommended.

Focus on your gut impression at all times. Preferably you want to pick a school which is located near shops or a library downtown. Avoid a bad school in a crime zone however. Find out what you can about fun events going on at the school and the communication methods which are used. Learn about what sort of food is offered at the school. If possible it is a good idea to find out if you can either volunteer or work at the school.

Discuss the fees later on. Look carefully at some of the old videos and pictures on the website of the school. Get key contact details in place early on. Meet the principal of the school. Tour the school. Be very smart at all times when picking s school. It pays to do your online research in other words. Trust no one in the school at first.

AGE 27/11/2023 at 10:37 am

Our daughter aged 11 was accepted in to a school 1hr 20mins walking distance (13hrs 20mins per week) from our home. She was rejected from the closest as the catchment area has shrunk due to houses that haven't been built/completed yet. Rejected at appeals for our chosen school forced us to put her on a waiting list for the now next closest school and is 5th on the waiting list. We were told to put her on the home school register which reluctantly we did, despite once being checked on by some official taking photos of work done. We've had no help and feel like we've now been forgotten. Our daughter refuses to do the work we have previously set for her full stop, she sits with the books in front of her till 3pm but does not do anything. Our daughter is falling behind and has currently missed 3 months of high school. Every child has a right to an education in the area to which they live. The school that was offered clearly is unacceptable by distance alone. I've been in this position before (3rd child) and the schools were forced to divide the children "out of school" and take responsibility for their portion. SO WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY HAVEN'T THE SCHOOLS BEEN FORCED ON THIS OCCASION. I physically cannot walk my daughter the weekly 34miles (this is no exaggeration-I can prove this) to school and back due to arthritis. British born and bred and feeling let down!!!!!!!!

Madrista 26/09/2023 at 6:44 pm

Have Two disabled girls
Moved area July 23 been told no school.places for them
they go to special needs schools
Really struggling to cope with them both st home all day everyday. Both are struggling badl not having schools or respite
Im Near breaking point

Christina 11/09/2023 at 6:14 pm

My 11 year old grandson is without a school. No-one seems to care. My daughter is working so is unable ( and unwilling) to home school him. He is missing out on education and the social side of school. What can we do? WAS

Jodie 22/06/2023 at 12:31 pm

I’m am currently battling my daughter she has been giving no secondary school
To start she is massively suffering anxiety with all this and all I can say it’s born and bread hear massively let down by our own county !

Baxter 26/04/2023 at 3:40 pm

Hi we have currently been told that our daughter is on a waiting list for a secondary school place and I have been advised to home educate her. This is not an option what can I do ?

Desperately Mother 08/04/2023 at 9:48 pm

My son is 16 years old and was born in the UK but for unforeseen circumstances we had to go abroad to live but now we came back. He should to go into Year 11, I applied through the Manchester City council since December 2022 but till now April 2023, they haven’t offered any place. I have send so many emails to enquire about any updates but no answers or anything. My son is very frustrated now can’t find a place for him. Pls I need an advice on what to do, because he is just at home doing nothing. Thanks

rachmward 13/03/2023 at 12:22 pm

My son hasn't been in school since October he was assaulted onsite and they took him out of school . He still has no place no support and we just going round in circles. Hes a year 10 student he missed whole of this year almost. I don't think he will be comfortable even starting a big high school now as he has anxiety caused form all of this

Angel 07/03/2023 at 8:54 pm

My daughter was excluded from school 3 weeks ago and is still at home waiting for a new school to be allocated, During this time she has been diagnosed by the NHS confirming that she has ADHD, a heart murmur and they want to give her further tests for Autism as she is showing signs that she is on the spectrum. There is no reason why she can’t attend a main stream school with support, she is 12 years old and is missing so much work that this is really worrying!!
What can be done?

Tom 05/01/2023 at 5:19 pm

Hey am Tom from Kenya just moved in a couple weeks am looking for a school, am 16 years old and am being told I need to start studying my preferred course and I have no clue about it can you help me

Juliana85 11/11/2022 at 5:59 pm

Hello. My daughter moved to me to live and study from Latvia, applied to a school that is literally a five-minute walk away from home. Applied on September 23 waited until November 1 and were refused only after I called the Northumberland County Council, now we are waiting for an answer from the school to which we have to go by bus. My daughter is sitting at home, I'm worried about her of mental health . Advise what to do, where to go.

Ana 20/10/2022 at 1:24 pm

Hi! My son came from Ukraine because of war to Nottingham, I’ve applied to many schools directly and online. There are no spaces anywhere, just waiting list. Also contacted with School Admission Team by phone and email, but they cannot help. It’s waste of time. My son 13 he's to go into Year 9. Could you advice, please, what to do next? My child is out of school and depressed because he cannot study like all other children. Thanks a lot!

Manchester child 12/10/2022 at 12:09 pm

I am a 15 year old boy in year 11 i moved to Manchester from Leeds for unforeseen circumstances in the summer. Several high schools do not offer my subjects. I am a hard working student who want’s to be in school and strives to do well. However the local council think otherwise and keep disregarding the fact that I cannot attend a school that has different subjects and exam boards than my previous school in Leeds. Salford city council are embarrassing and are playing with my future grades and education. It’s October 12th and I still don’t have a school that is right for me. I have appealed twice but they simply don’t care in the slightest. Don’t move to Salford if your son/daughter is in my situation the consequences will be negative on grades.

G 10/10/2022 at 10:40 am

I just moved to Nottingham with my 4 children from Republic of Ireland, 3 have started school, except my daughter 15, she's to go into Year 11, but can't find a place for her,

Pls I need an advice on what to do, because she is just at home doing nothing. Thanks

Watson 06/10/2022 at 11:48 am

I am 16 years old. Just moved to a new area. I had applied to a sixth form in the new area in September and I got accepted. However I have just moved and it’s now October and the sixth form is saying I can’t attend anymore because it’s too late and they can’t go through further with my application. Please help as I have nowhere to go.

Zubia 16/09/2022 at 2:42 pm

Its Regarding my daughter’s Reception admission she is 5 now and we are still looking for her place. All schools have refused her because her funding level is low on EHCP She is home and not going to any school or nursery. Please help us in this matter

Chuks 21/06/2022 at 7:22 pm

My kids just turned 16 on 17th June 2022. The council refused them place in school bases on age as they are supposed to be in year 11. What do I do? We moved into UK in April 2022

Chukwuma

4EVA 20/05/2022 at 12:12 pm

We moved into Bishop's Stortford a month ago and my two kids in secondary school has not been able offered a secondary school placement in any school around us. we have tried so many schools and have sent several mails and made several calls to the council. we can not afford to keep taking them to their former school in London as we see it not too safe to put them on train as early as 6am just to make school by 8am in London.
In the mean time, we are willing to home school them for the rest of the term if we can get the necessary helps required. Is there anyone who has in the past or is presently home schooling a year 7 and year9 pupil who can put us through.

Cher 28/05/2021 at 1:50 pm

Hi we have moved to a new area and we applied to move the children to the local school which is 5 minutes walk away.
The school has offered my daughter a place which we accepted and she had been in the school 6 weeks however they have not offers my son in yr 4 a place. They offered us another school and would provide a taxi which we have refused as he is only 8 and is not comfortable with that option . We are travelling 20 minutes to keep him at his old school as the whole point was to move into the village school.
We have our appeal on the 14th June but the new headmistress has sent in this letter

I should like to bring to your attention a number of important matters related to the appeal currently being made by parents who are seeking entry for their child to year4 at School is designed to accommodate 210 pupils housed in seven classes of 30 per class. The admission number for the school is 30 and we currently have 204 on role. Any additional pupils entering the school inY4 would exceed this. This would be very difficult due to the size of classrooms under normal conditions; however, it is an even greater concern in this current Covid climate when classrooms have children spread on separate desks and there has to be sufficient distance between pairs of pupils. There would not be sufficient space for an additional child in Year 4 to be safely accommodated: There would be no room for an additional table or other necessary resources (tray, chair etc.).
Throughout the school the vast majority of classes are full (with 30 children). The result of this is that we would be unable to restructure our classes from the existing single form entry organisation and any changes would be met with strong opposition by parents, governors and teachers.
The main Victorian school building currently comprises 1 classroom, a resources room used for small group activity and resource storage, a library and a very small hall with an additional 5 classrooms situated in temporary huts on the school site as well as a small room (used primarily for music lessons). None of these areas would be suitable for an additional classroom and any changes in use would have a serious impact on the delivery of the curriculum for the existing pupils.
Considerable pressure already exists on the accommodation within school and no unoccupied large teaching space is available in which an additional teacher could work; furthermore, the funding for such a teacher could not be sustained from available funds. The school site also presents considerable challenges in that EYFS and lower Key Stage 1 remain on the lower site, while upper Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are situated on the playing field at the top of the school, some walk from the Victorian building. There are also a number of steps between the two areas which provide difficulties with disabled access. The building is Grade 2 listed and this extends to the curtilage. The site is within a conservation area. The classroom in the V

Lilgirl 04/04/2021 at 9:54 pm

I am a year 10 student and my GCSE course has started. Its been almost a year now that i have no school and i am terribly worried for my exams . I have been waiting for a place at Baylis court secondary school but they seem to be full in all classes.other schools are co education and our culture forbids such school. Literally on the verge of crying because i dont want my life messed up because a school cant offer us a plce.PLEASE HELP SOMEONE??????

Thandi 23/02/2021 at 8:02 am

My child is going to Gr and is without a school, he ended up going to private schools on the previous years due to not being placed but because Covid 19 had affected the economy and job losses we can no longer afford private schools, we can only afford mainstream, please help

Dee 23/01/2021 at 9:04 am

Im not sure if anyone cant help here, but I've applied for my sons secondary school near my parents business catchment area. Taking into consideration when I moved to London to Dunstable I was offered a primary school and I gave my parents business address since 2015. However we live about half an hour away, which is why the business address was given because its local. Now the reason why I done this is because being a single mother I cant have my son being in an area were me and my parents are not about because of the family business were we operate 17 hours a day. I also am training to be a midwife and work near the business hospital and my university is located near to. It is impossible to provide my residence address on the application. So basically all my letters and IDs are actually registered at the business address because we spend majority of our time there. Whats happened is the council have called me asking for proof of address which I gave them, but now there asking for a council tax ref number which I don't have for a business as we don't live there. I've been so stressed about this incase they refuse my application and tell me to apply in the Borough were I live but it is impossible because we only go home to sleep, we wake up so early to travel to dunstable to open our business so Im hardly ever at my residential home and as my child is a minor and being a single parent I have to take him with me. Im so worried and not sure what to do, I don't believe I have made a fraudulent application because I have no other choice to put my parents business address which has not been a problem since primary school in 2015, in addition I was going through a mess divorce also so hence why I kept everything at the business. Can anyone help or advise?

Gazelle 14/09/2020 at 2:02 pm

My daughter is a secondary school student. We live in the Surrey area. We have applied to all the schools within the catchment area. They don’t have school place for her. She has missed more than two weeks of school at this stage. The law says my child has the rightful education and the local council has to find her a place. If I weren’t sending her to school, they will be sending police to my door and declaring us Unfit parents. What happens when the local council Whom we pay taxes to can’t provide your child a place? What does the law say about it?

Joti 28/08/2020 at 7:48 pm

My daughter is starting secondary school in September. She didn't get place in any of the 3 choices of schools we applied for..so then we applied to 2 more.. so luck there either...so not the LA gave her a school where it is very difficult to get to from my house. There are no bus services to the school from my house. Both me and my husband work so cant pick her up after school either. She is the only one going there from her school. It seems like the case everywhere..if school is so important LA should prove place for them at schools they want to go to. She is on the waiting list but have to wait for children to leave..

Re_Ahmed 28/08/2020 at 12:36 am

My son will be in year 7, however we still don’t have a suitable secondary school. The school he was offered is unsafe but the LA have not been able to offer a suitable alternative nor a transparent response to any of my questions.
Reading all these comments, it seems Covid has been used to cover up a wider problem that LA need to address, after all we pay council tax that pays their wages. When will we get answers? Who will answer us?

Eboneyeyes 15/07/2020 at 6:22 pm

My Grandson who is 4 was due to go in to the reception class of the school he has attended since January 2018. His parents were told there was not a place there, they appealed and were not successful, even though he lives in the catchment area. Please advise

Jude 13/06/2020 at 7:38 am

Is there anyone we can approach for advise/assistance for a child returning to UK this summer. She has to start a school Sept aged 15 (DOB 6/9/2005). Her curriculum has been that of the Spanish state education And obviously is going to differ slightly to UK.
Can we arrange extra classes to assist - how do we go about this who do we contact?
Many thanks
Judy

myjee 08/02/2020 at 2:08 pm

hello there my names mohammed and i went abroad with my dad last year june the 3rd and came back on the 6 of september and since then i havent been to school me and my dad tall the council chirdren missing education that i havent been school and the councill dident do anything we tall them manny times they said next week but it has been long they have to do something.

Spoki 04/02/2020 at 10:25 am

Hi.. i need help. My niece is till sitting at home the school tha approved her rejected her yesterday they say the system is closed by Dept of Education

Charmaine 30/01/2020 at 5:34 am

My son is at home, from the school starts.
School are full.
He wants to go to Falsebay college.

motso 23/12/2019 at 5:11 pm

I need help I need to register my child for grade 8 next year she not treated well what her to stay with me at Pretoria

Jb 13/12/2019 at 12:58 pm

We moved to hull 7-10-19 My son age 8 has a ehp and now no school wants him! he understands he's missing school and often asks to go, he wants to make friends in our new area, this isn't helping his self esteem and being out of school for 4 months isn't helping him catch up on subjects he's struggles with. I feel any child with special needs is judged before even being met. I'm hoping someone from hull city council contacts me and helps get my son back into education as he should have never been out of education!!!

Mariam Bibi 28/11/2019 at 11:50 pm

My now 5 year old is not at school and have become depressed due to her being at home and ontop will receive a fine I need help

Chan 26/11/2019 at 9:56 am

Hi my boy has been out of school in Kent for nearly 2 years now he is 10 has a EHCP applied for schools all over Kent and no where will accept him what else can I do about this it’s heart breaking 18 special schools applied for and all have said no he isn’t a bad child he really wants to go to school to make new friends and do things like his siblings do I dunno what else to do about this can any one help please

FrustratedMum 16/09/2019 at 10:21 am

Hi
We exercised our right to put our children into the local catholic primary school (we arent catholic). My daughter is now in year 9 at the catholic secondary school. However, the school is now oversubscribed and our son isnt going to be able to get a place for year 7. They take catholic children first (from anywhere in the country) and then siblings.
When applying for my daughter we had a catchment school, but that has been removed. Now all the local schools look for children coming from feeder schools. Our feeder school is the catholic school. All local secondary schools are oversubscribed, so its likely that of my 3 choices, none will be accepted. Do you think I have a case for appeal at the catholic school that they should provide him a school place?

Channylonglegs 12/09/2019 at 11:05 pm

Hi my children have been out school for year now no help what so ever ring email after letters still no luck.. addmissons as left us for so long to get my children back in to school..

Lou77 22/07/2019 at 11:26 pm

My child has edhp he was given a placement for secondary school but then Taken off him as they feel he needs LAN school. He is suppose to have this support till his 25. He hasnt got a school to go too in september 2019. Admissions ive been told today are not dealing with his case anymore. Im were feel so so let down. He feels unsettlled too which isnt helping at all. What do i do, ive written an email to local mp, ive also email a complaint against surrey county council admissions team.

Nadia 25/06/2019 at 7:49 am

Hello,
I would like to share with you my story..
I Recently moved in Willenhall area(between Walsall and Wolverhamton) and I have real problem with school admission.
I have 2 kids(10 and 13 years) ..My daughter is already going to school,but my son is out of school for 3 months. I made two online applications on the Walsall Council, I contacted all the 8 schools wich I applied for and my son is only on thier waiting list.
I spoke with someone from the Walsall admission and they told me that the admission process is not in their custody anymore,this process belongs from January 2019 to the secondary schools.This situation became stressful specialy for my son.
I can't believe that I applied for 8 schools and my son is still out of school??
I am really thinking to make an appeal regarding to this matter.
If you can help me with some advices,tips I would really appreciated.

Thank you so much,
Nadia

Ps: Sorry for my English. Is not perfect yet,but I am working on it.??

sunny 17/06/2019 at 3:35 pm

My daughter has to go to High school next year. We applied in time, but we got no answer since now!! PV is not answering any EMails and for sure you have no chance to pass the secretary, so no chance at all to get an appointment with the principal. A lot of children got accepted, a friend of mine, got an answer on Friday, but only because he called the nearly every day. They told him only school is full!!
My daughter is the Top achiever , the best overall from Gr 7 - Gr 9 and she is a Monitor in her school. So academically is she one of the best, but it looks like this is not enough because we are living 12km far from that school.
What can i do to get the answer or what is the rights to get a place in this school. Its already a long drive, the other school is in Stellenbosch, so more than 25 km far from here...

Lou 16/06/2019 at 8:36 am

My son is due to start secondary school this September. We were allowed to apply to three secondary schools, which we did and we were unsuccessful at all three. They offered us a school that we do not wish our son to go to.. that wasn't one of our choices.. that we have never even visited as my son is being bullied by a boy in his primary school class who will be going to that school in September. We have since appealed to all three school and been unsuccessful at all three! We have now applied to a forth school and have been told that school is full as well! This is causing enormous stress on my whole family. We decided as a last resort to moved house... We now live 0.3 of a mile away from the school of our first choice. I can actually see it from my back garden! Can we appeal again to this school now we have a new address?

Star 13/06/2019 at 7:53 am

My son has just been refused transportation to his school this year as he is not going to his catchment cause of his special needs will I be able to get help with this

Thanks

ninakk 02/06/2019 at 4:59 am

I am in the same position, My year 10 daughter has not been to school for 12 weeks after a house move I originally travelled 15 miles from our new home to her old school, but this was just an impossible task
We have 1 secondary school with the next one 10 miles away
She has been refused a place at the local school due to curriculum issues .

S o what now ?

Appeals not an option if they don't have e the same subjects they cant invent them at the appeal process, so this is just a tick box to drag out the ultimate same answer .

Its all very well saying appeal, and saying how its very unusual , go on waiting list ,

but this is reality no school no education there must be some last resort option they have for cases like this ,

The irony is 3 years ago I was fined for a 2 day overlap on a holiday "Every child has a right to an education" Crap
Who's caring about my Childs rights now ,who do I send my fine to for breaking the law !!!!

Tom 20/05/2019 at 8:28 am

Not getting a place for a little children in a local nearest school is possible only in UK and 3rd world countries. This is braking human rights, children rights and discriminating and legally opressing innocent children. I don't believe that paying for extra teacher, (who fairly hard working for own earnings) is more expensive than paying lazy people for their benefits, because there are millions of people on asylum all life, instead of few first years when needed help. like some people who have adult children able to work, but 25 years on benefits with even not one day in job having 8 adult kids and nobody works, because why? if they have everything - branded clothes, everyday home takeaway delivery, no need to save money because council even insulate house and changed windows for comfy life. For waste money council always have options but to fairly improve education level, never. Just jungle law - who's first getting more. In this sick country even dogs have better care (especially from benefits) than children (especially from honest hard working families). While majority is focused on free school meals, minority opening own schools and hard working to get best education to replace not really clever on their work chairs especially government chairs. And that's very good. Opressors will get soon fair prize.

Sadafa 28/03/2019 at 2:03 pm

Hi have moved houses bt my new area hasent offered me a school as they say it is completed full for year 2 and 3 and to be honest am gattered seeing them at home please help

Fk 28/02/2019 at 10:11 pm

My son was to go to grade 8 still at home, I was told the time I applied online in May 2018 schools that I applied for were full, so my son is sitting at home with his good marks, don't know who to talk too,the district near to were I stay never told me from the word go that schools were full, am frustrated and am in an out of the hospital stressed, I was given a whole run around by the department, no rejection or acceptance took place it was only saying pending, so who explained to me Wat it meant no one, online app May 2018 pended,went in again in Oct 30th was not helped told to come back in Nov 3.turned down by the security, went back before the reopening of schools in Jan, so am stucked with a child that is sitting at home,wat now I don't know because am a black single woman I guess

Ox 21/01/2019 at 10:07 am

My sister is staying at home bcz of schools saying it's full I don't know what to do pls help shes16 years old she is going to do grade10 we are staying in nompumelelo in beacon bay east London

Love 11/10/2018 at 7:33 pm

We moved from Greece to Birmingham in July since than I have been looking for a place in schools for my two children year 8 and 9. They have stay at home almost two months now. All the schools tell me that they are full and the council say I should wait, I have been waiting and I don't know when they will get a place . Please I need help.

Guru Murthy 24/07/2018 at 6:24 am

Hi,
I am staying in UK on ICT Tier2 Long term visa (came from India). My visa is valid up to 05th Nov 2018. I brought my here in June with dependent visa. When i applied for school admission for my kids, got the reply that school admission can't be given for short time stay. However my visa will be extended on it's due. Please advise me what i can do now to get the school admission for my kids. They already lost one months school (they came here on 9th June).
Regards,
Guru

jules 22/06/2018 at 3:01 pm

Sorry we have 4 high Schools in Atlantis

jules 22/06/2018 at 2:59 pm

Hi my child is currently in grade 7 and we have 3 high schools in Atlantis my child have not been accepted at any of oir schools for grade 8 what do i do . Please help me

Tracey 25/04/2018 at 11:21 pm

Hi. I’ve been advised that Imot my child does not attend a school nursery we will find it difficult to get her a place in the school! She is currently in a private nursery and intend her to remain there until she goes in to reception. She has been offered a school nursery place but it is unsuitable as they have offered her afternoons and I do not have childcare in the mornings, any advice welcome

Keeley 19/03/2018 at 1:03 pm

My daughter has now been off school for nearly 5 months her brother got a place 2 months ago I have made numerous calls to School administration and been given false hope when a place became free it was then offerd to another child as they had more than one sibling in the school although I was told my daughter was at the top of the list she is in year 3 and needs an education what do I do now ???

GetTheRightSchool Editor 13/10/2017 at 10:41 am

I'm afraid this is beyond our remit to advise as we can only offere general non-specific guidance. Your local MP may be able to help you further.

Si 10/10/2017 at 1:51 pm

Hi my daughter hasn't been to school for over 5 months, she should be in year 9. Iv tried everything but to no joy. She was raped which was gang related so she can not go to any local school it has to be out the area. I'm getting no help and faceing a brick wall each turn I take. I'm at my wits end please help me. My only other choice is go to the papers. My daughter is the victim but is being treated so badly

Wasim 02/10/2017 at 11:48 am

Hello hi my son who’s 6 years old and will be going in to year 2 we have moved from London to Birmingham and looking for a School for him and are on a waiting list for few schools in the local area.
I have moved two months ago still haven’t received School place and education authority in Birmingham say there systems not been up dated they don’t know and haven’t got any places I have called over 25 schools but no luck and I have contacted my local mp no luck there what can I do as my son is still at home no School and no idea when he will get a School.
Any advice will much appreciated

JG78 Editor 19/06/2017 at 11:25 am

@Hatters - You only have the options of the schools you are offered in your chioces. Most schools judge on the catchment area first, therefore you were taking a gamble (this would have been laid out in the choice criteria). After that your other choices will be considered and you would be given an offer. There isn't much you can do unless a place becomes available in your school of choice before the start of term or you go on a waiting list. It's the bane of so many parent's lives. I know this feeling well. Jude.

Hatters 16/06/2017 at 2:37 pm

Hi, my son has been to the same primary school in Todmorden (West Yorkshire) for 9yrs since starting in their nursey at the age or 2. We live just over the border in Lancashire only 4.3 miles away BUT can't get him into Tod High because we live just outside the 'catchment' area.
Tod is the only school we want our son to go to as my wife is from Tod and has always worked there so dropping our kids at school has never been an issue.
We have failed on appeal to get him in.....because we want him to go to Tod High we have missed out on local decent schools in our own area - what are our options please?

Regards

Leigh

Eggas Editor 01/06/2017 at 12:19 pm

@Abi - speak to your local councillor/MP and the local newspapers. It's an awful country we are living in that people are made homeless and school places unobtainable!

Abi 31/05/2017 at 8:12 pm

My son is 12, we were made homeless a few months ago, and ended up in a house 40 miles away form where we are from, we have applied through the council for a school place somewhere, we have only had letters back from schools to say they are full in his year (7) we have contacted schools out of catchment area, they are all full. i have gone back to the coucil and made another application and said thi was my second attempt, but still no school place, he has been out of school for 3 months now, and i am no sure what to do, we are passed from pillar to post and we dont know what to do, its now half term again, and there is one final term before the summer holidays, its hard. hes bored and lonely :(

GetTheRightSchool Editor 23/03/2017 at 10:04 am

In addition to the information laid out in the article, have you complained? You can also see more via Child Law Advice here which should help you further. As is the law, local education authorities MUST find a free school place for all children who are of compulsory school age.

Frustrated mum 22/03/2017 at 9:17 am

My son, was give an EHCP in year R and excluded from school, this school refused to take him back as the said they didn't need to proved a place for him until he was 5. Whilst the EHCP was being written he was out of school and did not start school until the following September. At this point he went to special school (not the best suited place for him) due to a marriage breakdown and a new job we moved areas. When we moved to local Sen team decided that he would be more suited to a mainstream school with provisions, 11 months later still now school, at this point Iam so frustrated we moved areas. I followed all the procedures through the Sen team to be knocked be by the 5 schools I applied for saying they could not meet my sons need the needs which was stated in a report from theee years agai and nobody has bothered to up date! My son has has 7 months in school in total and is now supposed to be in year 2! His socialisation skills are practically none exist when he is around other children as he does not know how to integrate with others. I try my best to take him to groups and activities but he gets anxious and now thinks no body likes him it's heartbreaking to watch and he as lost all confidence in himself. Iam absolutely livid with how we have been treated and Iam at my wits end and I'm unsure of who to contact now.

Thash 12/01/2017 at 2:54 pm

I went to schools last year April at mitchells plain looking for a place for my daughter they told me that their list are already full for 2017...Now my daughter has not been allocated to any school she is looking forward to be in grade1 now she s crying because she can't go to school we be been told that the is no space they dnt even put us on a waiting list

Sam 09/01/2017 at 11:47 am

Good day

My sister has relocated from Richards bay to durban I've been to the closest school and was refused space due to a waiting list she's in grade 10 it's a very important year of hers I can't not let her stay at home she also has a right to education. I need help

Ako 09/01/2017 at 7:29 am

Good day
I got problem here I apply for my child in brookland primary school in mach only to find out in August that they can not accomodate my child I went to other school but been told it's full at least If I was told ealier I was gonna apply to other schools in tym but thy informed me late please help theres nothing that can make me happy more than seeing my child wearing uniform

(Grade 1 )

GetTheRightSchool Editor 07/12/2016 at 2:05 pm

Over-subscription in schools is a big issue in the UK currently. Of course, some areas are more over-subcribed than others. The Advisory Centre for Education has an adviceline which offers a range of advice and information on education issues. The information is based on current education law and guidance and covers state funded education for children aged 5-16 years in England only, Unfortunately, we can't really advise personally regarding this, as every case/area is different. Home-schooling may also be an option for you to explore in the short term, if you cannot initially secure a place.

Moi ?? 07/12/2016 at 7:05 am

We currently live overseas and our children are in an international school following the English curriculum in years 7 & 10
Due to a change in circumstances we are looking t return to the uk but the school in the village where we have a house is over subscribed in both years. We cannot apply for a school place till we are back living in the uk, but I don't want to disrupt my children's school year without knowing if or where they will get a school place and feel it's too disruptive to their education to be at home for three months. I have approached independent schools in the area to see about bursarys as we cannot afford to continue with a private school, and they only appear to award them on entrance into year 7 and year 13,
Do you have any advice for expats returning to the uk and getting through the uk education school entry system?

Senthil 04/12/2016 at 7:54 pm

I applied for my daughter's school in September 2 no week and till now council never turned back with any school. Off all my trips to council no one give a proper answer. She is missing her school now for 3 months. I feel U.K. Is the worst for schooling in whole Europe. There is no escalation procedure too. I will recommend any national not to believe in the U.K. Government council ever.

Joanne 15/11/2016 at 11:29 am

My child has not got a school to go to she is in nursery and should be in reception now they are kicking her out ov nursery and they are no places in the school srouding areas she should be going in to year 1 in September and can't

djina 04/11/2016 at 1:12 pm

we moved to Nottingham recently and I applied to the local council for school admission of my 2 kids in year 2 and 4 respectively.We were refused a place in the closest schools to my home because of capacity.Am confused because I cannot afford seeing my kids at home everyday when other kids are in school.Their names are number 6 in awaiting list.I fear they are going to be drawn back academically.What do I do

Lyn 15/10/2016 at 8:32 pm

My daughter is in year one, we moved house and moved her school to one with places. It was totally awful and they didn't teach to her ability. I try and tried to get them to listen to me and asses my daughter again to no avail. She was there for 2 weeks. I deregistered her, will home school her until there is a place in her old school that she can go back to. She has anxiety and has seizures this school I trust know Mia and know what to do in the event of a fit.. Therefore I need her back in, I have spoken to the head there is a place available and they will happily have my daughter back however I'm stuck in the applications process, there's 4 people on the list already. I spoke to admissions and they must do it by process. My daughter is learning way faster then I can teach her, I'm struggling to keep up with her demand for work, I have a job night shift and will be starting next week I'm worrying about her education, please is there anyway, loophole, clause, anyone that I can speak to to get her back in her old school? Desperate mum.

Judyb13 10/10/2016 at 9:26 am

My daughter has not been allocated a school and has not attended school since the beginning of term she should be in year 7 I have had an appeal and lost she is now 3rd on the waiting list I have been told that there are no places for year 7 girls in any schools what else can I do thanks

GetTheRightSchool Editor 27/09/2016 at 2:27 pm

You don't say how old you are and how long you have been out of school for. The local authority has to supply a school place for every child, therefore your parents should contact your LA in order to have you re-instated. However, if you are now over 18, then you would have to enter through further education. The Adult Literacy link here should help.

dylan 27/09/2016 at 1:17 am

When i was in year 8 through no fault of my own i got thrown out of school..... i have had no education since i was 11 years old.... i am english and have always lived in england. I really want to do something about this as i was a child and i had no say in anything at the time... what can i do ? I would be hugely grateful for any help

GetTheRightSchool Editor 06/09/2016 at 10:06 am

You don't say how long your son has been out of school as it can take weeks, even a few months to find your child a new place. As it is the start of the new school term you would need to contact your LEA to be updated on any progress. The ACE link heremay also help answer your question.

ri 05/09/2016 at 8:33 am

My child was bullied and physically attacked many times l told the schools police officers nothing was being done instead my child was excluded then was told he needs to go to a pru l refused all as my son is a set 1 student has no special needs and is a normal child never attacked anyone then the headteacher uplifted his exclusion since then he has been out of school the local authorities have not given my son a school since what do l do.

Thandie 27/08/2016 at 6:01 am

My daughter was not admitted in a feeder high school, we just received a letter saying she was not admitted due to school capacity that they will let us know when there is a space available. I am worried now, what if there is no space at all?

sam 23/08/2016 at 1:48 pm

I have just moved to a new house and im in the process of transfering my 5 kids from their old school to the new one but they have said that there could be some years that are full. What can i do if they dont all get in the new school as i cant drive and cant afford to take them to the old school.

Mrs. B 19/08/2016 at 1:38 am

We just moved to 29 plams CA from Upland CA we have no car I am 8 months pregnant my husband is disabled and they only have 1 school out here that offers TK and there is no openings that they can put her On waiting list but waiting list was so long that she was not going to be able to attend there school this year.. my husband demanded them to give us the package anyways....so I looked it up online and the closest school that offers TK is in Yucca Valley I don't have no way of getting her there please guide us on what we can do next....THANKS

suzie 05/08/2016 at 1:41 am

my daughter and myself are really upset that her son has no reception school to go to September.we were offered none of our three choices.her son was offered a school three miles away.of which had to be turned down.we failed at the appell meeting dispute living across the road to our first choice and having lived here eighteen years.it's heartbreaking trying to explain to a four and a half year old that he can't go to nursery anymore.and had no school he was first on the list for first choice school but has now dropped to second.we arnt holding out much hope.

Jam 04/08/2016 at 5:22 pm

My son will be 5.
He has not been offered a Reception place at Primary school to start in September 2016.
I feel suicidal as no school means I cannot work to support myself.
I wish he had a school place.
It is not fair.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 06/07/2016 at 1:56 pm

Once an adjudicator’s decision has been made it is final and binding on all parties and there is no appeals process. The decision can only be challenged by applying to the High Court for Judicial Review and appeals must be made within three months of the decision date. You should seek legal advice to see whether you have a case to answer, please see gov.uk which

Jayne 05/07/2016 at 8:22 pm

My child is due to start secondary school this September 2016, he was not given a school place at any of the three chosen schools. I completed a late submission for a 4th school & he is 13th on the waiting list. The allocated school by LCC was unsafe for my child due to my profession so I appealed all 4 schools & lost. I highlighted the reasons why allocated school would impact on both my child's physical & emotional safety provided supporting information & still lost appeals. What can I do now ?

flower 30/06/2016 at 6:29 pm

My 4 year old granddaughter has been at a catholic nurserysince she was 3 her elder brother has been at the same school for 5 years her younger sister is 2 because the girls were so close in age they were going to be baptised together and then their daddy was very seriously ill and it was put on hold so,at the time of application she was not baptised she is now
I went with my daughter to the appeal and the headmaster said that we had a good chance of winning my granddaughter will be the only child going back generations hasn't attended a catholic schoolToday the letter of refusal came can we do anything else? We have also asked if she could stay in nursery until a place in reception be ones available as she has only just turned 4 the headmaster said it was a possibility if the law allowed any and please

Jan 21/06/2016 at 4:26 pm

My grandson was allocated a place at his local school and then the decision was reversed by the LEA because the school did not have a place. The appeal was unsuccessful and whilst waiting for the appeal, all other schools in the area became full. They suggested a school over 12 miles away with the parents having to pay £80 per month for the transport. Surely this cannot be right.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 08/06/2016 at 11:16 am

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem currently where schools are over-subscribed. In some areas of London siblings can no longer given priority for school places because of the increase in competition for those places on the back of the UK population boom. You will find all you need to know via the School Admission Code document here. Of course, your daughter will have the option to appeal and we can only hope she is succesful, as for many parents this can become a logistical nightmare.

Den 07/06/2016 at 1:11 pm

My daughter moved house and the school nearest (640 metres away) have only offered one of her three daughters a place there. Her youngest who will be 4 in July has been told there is no place for her there and offered her a place at a school further away and not at the school where the other two currently attend at the moment. This could potentially mean she will have three daughters (8, 7 and 3) at three different schools. This is a joke how can she be in three places at once? Please help she doesn't know where to turn. Thank you

GetTheRightSchool Editor 23/05/2016 at 12:08 pm

There are only government-funded schools or independent schools to choose from, therefore it is up to your friend whether she wishes to pay for her son or not. If she does then you can see a list of independent schools via the Independent Schools' Council here and state school admissions here which will tell you the admissions process. Government-funded schools and academies are incredibly over-subscribed in London and much depends on where your friend is moving to. This means your friend may not get the first choice of school and it would be advisable to contact her local authority before she moves to the area.

None 22/05/2016 at 2:19 pm

One of my acquaintances has been living in Dubai for the past 4 years. Her 13 years son who was born in uk was at a private school in Dubai . They are now planning to come to Lobdon and get a state school for him. What are his chances of an admission to a mainstream school. Failing that what are the alternatives?

liss 07/05/2016 at 4:25 pm

My son Bobby had a place due to start last September it was Sydney Russell Arp in Dagenham.My sons level of anxiety was so high that we couldnt get him in the school.After trying to keep him in a routine taking him in he was refused admission because he couldnt even handle wearing the uniform.after various stratergies and meetings we were told not to bring him back and the headmaster reported us to social services blaming us.We have four letters from the mp supporting us.Finally in March we were given home tuition .unfortunatly Bobby isnt engaging with the tutor.The lea are saying if he doesnt engage soon our home tutor will be taken away and left with nothing not even a promise any school in a september.2016.Has anyone got any other options we can consider if he doesnt get a place.All the schools in the area wont accept him because of the clothing issue.He has a Statement with Autism and learning disabilities.

Jo Editor 26/04/2016 at 10:17 am

@Hannah - this is becoming an increasingly widespread problem that schools are refusing children and parents are being forced to educate them at home. If you think you have a case to answer go to your local or national newspaper, as the organisation of our educational system needs to be addressed!

Hannah 25/04/2016 at 9:36 am

We moved from Sandwell to Birmingham in December 2015. I'm still waiting for a school place for my 7 year old son, I've applied to the local schools, all of which are full to capacity and have a waiting list. Like many other parents, I do not drive, so distance is a problem. The local school is just yards away from our house, and the other school is within walking distance.
I sent an email to one of the local MP's but was disappointed with his response, which was, "there are many parents who are in the same situation".. and that, "the schools I've applied for (which happen to be local) are very 'good schools' ". Would he have made that same comment if their OFSTED report labelled them, needs improvement? I very much doubt it.
Since December 2015, I have been home educating my son but I have had no help what-so-ever. It's very frustrating to think that if parents want to take their children out of school for a holiday, they are threatened or will get fined. Meanwhile, those parents who are refused a place (denied a school education for their children) at their local school, can't fine the same people who impose those rules/fines!
Finally, shouldn't parents who are forced into home-educate their children, get financial help for all the books, pencils and basic needs that their children require? After all, EVERY CHILD MATTER'S, don't they?
(Written by one very frustrated parent)

Mel Editor 21/04/2016 at 11:41 am

@Sarah - If you are in the catchment area and your son has a sibling at the school then you stand a good chance at appeal, especially if the lost application is the LEA's fault. The LEA has no grounds to refuse your son.

Sarah 20/04/2016 at 12:32 pm

I have just found out that the council has LOST my son's application, so he is not in the schools admissions' system. All of the places at my chosen school have now been allocated, 17 according to sibling rule, 3 due to being in care and the remainder based on distance alone. I have already got a daughter at the school (currently in reception) and live closer to the school than some that have been accepted based on distance, so had his application been processed it is highly likely he would have been allocated a place. The council have said they will process his application now, but have not been able to give me any guarantee that he will be allocated a place at my chosen school. If he is allocated to a different school, what would my chances be on appeal?

nay2611 19/04/2016 at 12:31 pm

I applied for my son at the primary school 3 house away from where i stay but they refused the application because i dont have a clinic card for my son as they broke into our house and my id was stolen so i couldnt get a new card for my son in the mean while i made contact with the school inspector and was told that i should write a letter to the school and attatch it to the application which i did and eventually they took the application after they saw i spoke to the school inspector i am currently no.93 on the list because they refused to take the application what do i do because i went to see the deputy principal which handels the applications and he told me that they only take 10 kids on for grade 1 because of the grade R.s that they have why all the other schools are so far from me with the enviroment where by i live in is so dangerous 1 cant even walk around need help please?

Lisanic77 17/04/2016 at 8:41 pm

My son has being going to a school nursery where it has been discovered he has autistic traits. They have got in SISS to observe him and along with the school and community peaditrician have sent him a referral for an autism assessment. This starts 18th May.He has recieved his place for reception and it is for another primary school. He struggles immensly with social interation and changes in environment and will not cope starting all over again. Do you think I will be accepted for appeal.

Fernandes 11/04/2016 at 12:54 pm

Hello.Im little bit stressed about my son's admission. I had applied in the council for admission,and there are no seats available for the preffered schools.however council has given us school twice,which are distance away and we had decile the offer both the times because it won't be convenient for us to reach or pick him up sometime from school coz we are working.will the council have problem if I still keep my son on waiting list for the preffered schools?

Ginger~Ninja 18/03/2016 at 5:51 am

My 9 year old daughter started off school at Ainsle primary school and did kindergarten and year one and then they repeated year one again coz it would be the best for her. Well little did I know the new year one teacher she had was so lovely and nice told me that she believes they shouldn't of repeadted her in year one they should of done it when she was in kindergarten coz that's what she was laking in.. Anyway over that three years she didn't improve much had head lice 85% of the time forked out a lot of money coz of that.. Towards the of her second year of year 1 we movied to the other side of town so that meant a new school which I thought would be the same as the last well I was way wrong!! My daughter has improved so much in the last 15 months that I could ever ask for.. But now we have movied again to a place near our old place and now I might have to send her back there!?!? I have called the other schools around and they say there at the capacity and I don't know what to do?!?!?

Knotty 09/03/2016 at 3:48 pm

Am desperate for help!
I moved to Nottingham at Christmas from Birmingham, during the Christmas Period we applied for 3 schools, to which were unsuccessful not getting a in year place, to which we applied for a further 7 and with regret again been unsuccessful in the application, we've appealed for 3, are on 3 waiting lists and have enquired to 28 !! Further schools to which ALL have waiting lists!
3 months on we are no further into getting my daughter into a school than we was when we moved from Birmingham!
This is having a fundamental impact my daughters social, intellectual and emotional welfare!
Please can anyone! Help???

GetTheRightSchool Editor 03/03/2016 at 12:23 pm

As specified in the article, by law, your local council has to find your child a school place. The law says that all children have the right to a school education while they are between the ages of 5 to 16 years old. You would need to contact your LEA again and continue to demand a school place for your child. If he has been out of school for so long, you may also wish to try and seek help frmo your local MP.

Sajid 02/03/2016 at 10:16 pm

My son aged 4 has been suffers from autism and delayed development. He will be 5 years before September 16. The local authority (Birmingham City Council) to date have not found him a suitable school place for this or the coming academic year. Today i was advised there is not guarantee the authorities will be able to offer my son a school place this coming September, i explained it's the law for them to provide him with a school place. They acknowledge this and blatantly said the schools are over subscribed. What can we do? we could have appealed to within 2 months of receiving our sons EHC, we have missed this date, what can we do?

estia 02/03/2016 at 4:54 pm

Hi. I came to UK on July last year and have send a lot of applications forms for a school place for my 8 old son. From this time each time the answer was "no" which means that my son is at home from September and I have not place for him even for September 2016. What can I do because he will loose minimum 1 year of education.

Naniee 11/02/2016 at 9:00 pm

I should have said, my granddaughter is 4 years old

Naniee 11/02/2016 at 8:57 pm

Hi, my daughter is having the same problem as Kango 17 December who has written on your forum. They had delays in moving into their forever home in a small village with a local school but provided proof that they had exchanged contracts on their house the day before the deadline of 15th January - yet the admissions department insist on taking the purely temporary rental address Their new house is about 200 yards from the preferred school. They will make her go to the school near the old address about 5 miles away instead where she knows no-one. What can be done? The local councillor has sent an email asking them to escalate a review but I feel pessimistic about the outcome. Any suggestions?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/02/2016 at 10:38 am

You could register her in a school that IS available and ask to be placed on the waiting list for one of the ones you'd prefer to attend. By law, the council has to find your child a school place if you live in the area. If she is allocated a place that is far from your home the LEA should provide free travel/ make travel arrangements for her. All children between 5 and 16 qualify for free school transport if they go to their nearest suitable school and live at least 2 miles from the school if they're under 8 or 3 miles from the school if they're 8 or older.

Devon988 10/02/2016 at 4:26 pm

Hi my daughter is 7 and currently in year 3. Due to a change in family circumstances and career I need to move her from Hereford to Huddersfield. I have been told by all the local schools (5 of them) they are full. What can I do as she needs to be in school and I have a 2 year old and no car so unable to travel for miles. Thank you in advance

Rebecca 16/01/2016 at 2:04 pm

Hiya I was moved out my home due to domestic violence my son got a place in the school I wanted both my children in he's in year one but my daughter wasn't so lucky because there's 31 in reception at the school they won't take her on I've appealed and there still saying no. School admissions haven't been very helpful the area I'm in all schools are full and the waiting lists are terrible! I'm not being forced to home school and I have a baby on the way and suppose to be going back to work the whole thing has stressed me out can you help me????

Kango 17/12/2015 at 10:55 pm

Hello. We are moving to a different county in January (2016) and my son is due to start school in sept(2016).
We were due to complete on our house move 22nd Dec but due to it being Xmas then our buyer out of the country on business we will now complete on 22nd Jan. Applications for school places closes on the 15th Jan and as I am not living in the house I am not allowed to apply from the address. This will mean I am not in the catchment for the local school and will not be offered a place. I have also been told I will be unlikely to win an appeal due to classroom size.
I feel this is harsh as the completion is only 6 days after the deadline and no fault of our own.
I will have to send my child to a school miles away. What can I do?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 08/12/2015 at 12:24 pm

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question in this instance, as we are a UK-based website dealing only with UK-based issues.

vee 07/12/2015 at 3:41 pm

Hie ,i need your help concerning my son ,he was involved in a car accident in 2008 ,so the lawyers who are handling the case promised to get a school for my son .Now its been seven years and they keep on promising that they will definitely get the school for my son .I have decided to take my son from mpumalanga to here in Johannesburg since there us action they are taking ,i then to department of education and he got accessed and given the later to go to a specific school when got there they put him on the waiting list of the estimation of 330 the cause being it was full .Then was referred to another school ,when there they told me to bring certain documents from previous school in mpumalanga but they never mentioned they want originals they just said bring those certain from there they can help me , went with those documents and they said they want originals. When i tried explaining what they told me previously they fought me then fought back aswell, from there they said they can't help me they cant take my son in

GetTheRightSchool Editor 19/11/2015 at 2:58 pm

You would have to get in touch with the LEA directly

Claudia 19/11/2015 at 11:21 am

Hi, we live in London but we are moving to Southampton on the 1st on December but I have a 5 year old child and she is on first year at school. What I have to do to find a school for her in southampton?

Daddy dean 08/11/2015 at 10:12 pm

I have 5 daughters 4 of which go to the same school , the youngest is not in school as there is no place she has been placed in my care after a long court battle and Socail services involvement . As she is no longer at risk they say it's not a a factor anymore. I have kept her in preschool for now and she is second on the admissions list I can't afford the fees and am lost as to what to do can any body give me some sound advice

mhr 29/09/2015 at 2:07 pm

Am 15 years old I came from abroad with permanent visa I applied for a school but they said they have no places at all in slough what should I do

GetTheRightSchool Editor 29/09/2015 at 12:59 pm

You could try the Coram Children's Legal Centre, which is part of the Coram group of charities that provides free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, via whichIts advisers may offer a solution to help you appeal.

Kazzamama 28/09/2015 at 12:32 pm

My girl is in year 3 and we need to move her to a more local school. She is 5 miles away in a different county's school. We applied for 2 but Leicester LA are saying that they have no school places in her year group at all and its unprecedented. However they are refusing to reject my application until they 'find a place' stopping us from appealing. Spoken to Choices and my councillor but getting nowhere.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 24/09/2015 at 11:06 am

I am sorry to hear this. Local education authorities must find a free school place for all children who are ‘of compulsory school age’. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, the duty of the local education authority to provide full-time education applies to all pupils including those who are temporarily living in the area for long enough to attend school, have come from abroad, or have special educational needs. If you think your local education authority is refusing to provide full-time education for your child because of one of these reasons, you should consult an experienced adviser for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. I hope this helps.

Tamaralexa 23/09/2015 at 5:54 am

We move from Spain in 2/08/2015.., I apply for a place for my 5 year boy up to 5 school in Gosport area, they dont have any place for my child, they all put my son on the waiting list..., but my question is; how much time this situation can continue? Because none can guarantee that my son will have a place in the next months?? He already miss 3 weeks of school? What can we do?

Justina 22/09/2015 at 5:42 pm

Hi, I have 5 years boy and we moved to another town on summer. As soon as we moved and I fill up application form to school admissions but unfortunately school I chose doesn't have any place so I asked to find any school but as far nothing found. Also I received lost of calls from my sons old school and on the last call I been informed that my son will be reported to missing education. What can I do to avoid all following problems?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 22/09/2015 at 11:03 am

The ombudsman can consider your complaint if you think that a place at a school was refused because of some unfairness or mistake by the admissions authority, or if your appeal was handled incorrectly. I hope this helps.

dee88 21/09/2015 at 12:04 pm

hi my son has asthma and I have been refused with the schools that are in my catchment area and was given schools which are more than 3 miles away. he has missed out a whole year of reception and should be in year 1 now. however the LA gave him another school which is too far for him to travel I've been trying to email them and they won't reply back I am so worried that he is going to fall behind with his education I just want a school that is in our catchment area. where can I seek help?

Ali 19/09/2015 at 6:06 am

Hi there,i also moved in Manchester from London and applied school for my 3 children.the school they gave me is 30 min walk from my home and unfortunately I can't drive and cant walk for that far as well cuz of problem in my legaments.please advice me what to do?i don't want to send my children in that school what they alloted.shall i go for appeal?

nick 18/09/2015 at 1:51 pm

We recently moved and my 7yr old son has been rejected a place in the local school .the next school is about a 45 min to a hour walk up a very steep hill and my wife who can not drive will have to walk him there is there anything or any advise you can give us to get my son in the local school

GetTheRightSchool Editor 14/09/2015 at 11:16 am

I'm afraid as we are a UK-based site, we can only help answer UK-based educational questions. I hope you find your son a school place soon.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 14/09/2015 at 11:13 am

If you have not already you must follow the advice in the article and keep in touch with your Local Education Authority Schools Admissions dept, link here which will help find a school place for your child.

Asma 13/09/2015 at 6:28 am

My son is five years and he still didn't have seat in school and the school already start who I should talk to I live in Brooklyn

Asma 13/09/2015 at 6:23 am

My son is five years and the school start already and he still didn't have seat for him what should I do

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/09/2015 at 12:15 pm

I'm afraid you will have to be stuck in the system a while longer yet. You should follow up your complaint letter with another highlighting the LEA's lack of response. I can only give you a link to its complaints procedure here. As it sepcifies in the article you need to make sure you provide information on any relevant communication with the LEA on the subject, including, for example, any reference numbers on letters or emails, and the times and dates of any conversations. I hope your children manage to find a school place soon.

Nada 10/09/2015 at 3:01 pm

I moved to Manchester from Rotherham on 28 August 2015. I made my school application for my 3 children to the LEA by the end of July. This is the second week of the term and no school place offered yet, the children are not on the waiting list of any of my preferred school and the schools in the area are oversubscribed. When I called the LEA they said that they kept my application on hold because I have not submitted a proof of address. I submitted a formal complaint for delaying my application and not offering a school place for my children, but no one responded. What shall I do next?

Cath Editor 10/09/2015 at 3:03 pm

@Calm and collected - it's a 'how long is a piece of string question', I guess it might be until a child leaves the school. You would have to check with the LEA directly. However, I imagine they will be very vague!

Calm and collected 09/09/2015 at 7:02 pm

My son needs to move back to his original primary school after a brief spell at a lovely school in Scotland. Unfortunately due to family circumstances we needed to come back to England and applied for my son to go back to his original school where he was very happy.
The council say he is second on the list, and I was just wondering how long legally are the council allowed to leave it until he is given a place

Lou 09/09/2015 at 4:47 pm

Hi, My daughter has not been offered a school, we relocated and she has been on waiting lists for all local schools since June time and nothing has been offered so far. Currently she is not at school and should be going into Year 1, due to distance is not possible for her to go to her old school. LEA have advised it's been handed over to senior person but they are unable to give any time frame as to when i will hear back, i'm calling all schools direct and calling LEA frequently too, is there anything else i can do? Do i have grounds to appeal that LEA have not offered her a school as yet or do i need to give them a certain amount of time to offer her a school place?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 02/09/2015 at 2:12 pm

I'm afraid the fact you are on a waiting list means little when there are also many other children who may be also. As specified in the article, by law, your local council has to find your child a school place. The law says that all children have the right to a school education while they are between the ages of five to 16 years old. Also in those rights is that parents are allowed to say which school they would prefer their child to attend. It is important to note however, that your right to state a preference for a school for your daughter is not the same as a guarantee of a place at that school - it might, for example, be oversubscribed - but as written above, if your child is not offered a place at your top choice school, then you do have the right to issue an appeal to an independent panel. However, your LEA should offer your daughter a place at an alternative school. Therefore I suggest you contact the LEA directly in order to see what other places, in other schools it may have to offer.

emzie_emz 01/09/2015 at 9:26 pm

My daughter is 5 years old and has been on the waiting list for a whole year for a school. I have spoken to the council who have said there is know places at all. I don't know what to do or my options. When I rang up and spoke to the council for a reception place they said she wasn't a priority until she start year 1, now she should be going into year 1 and still in the same position. please help

Sns6 23/08/2015 at 11:14 pm

My son is in an outstanding school but we moved last September and he has struggled with the 1 hour car journey there and back everyday as he is 5. We applied for schools in our new area but were only offered one that isn't suitable for my son. I am thinking of pulling him out of his school as its very hard on us all and educating him at home until a place becomes available. Is this allowed and will this help him get a place any sooner? My son was exhausted and his behaviour deteriorated over the year he was falling asleep on the journey home and he became a very different child (not our little boy) we are concerned for his welfare and just want what is best for him. Thanks

Shah 23/08/2015 at 9:15 am

Hi, my child will be starting his secondary school soon but we did not get his first, we appealed but it did not go through as the school could not take on anymore students. We got our third choice but I am not happy as I am hearing a lot of negative comments about the school. I am very worried for his education as he got very good marks for his SATS. I don't want to send him to that school anymore please can you advice how I can get him into another school?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 18/08/2015 at 2:43 pm

You need to speak to your local education authority, I hope this helps.

kez 18/08/2015 at 1:45 am

I am concerned as I wanted my child in school he's just turned three and should be starting in September we are in August already I can't seem to find any schools in my area and am so confused with all this process it's my first child and I was never aware I had to apply for a school months in advance and I don't know who I can ring or anything to speak with someone about this could anyone help?

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/08/2015 at 9:52 am

I am sorry to hear this. I can only suggest you speak with your local MP to see if there is anything they can do on your behalf. In most cases, children arriving from overseas have the right to attend state-funded schools in England unless you fall under the exclusion category which includes children from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries who are here as short-term visitors - i.e on a tourist visa. Or
children from non-EEA countries who have permission to study in the UK on the agreed basis that they attend an independent, fee-paying school. The Home Office has a Schools Referrals Team that can investigate your case. Your MP may be able to help you here.

sassy 10/08/2015 at 8:44 am

Hi, my son is now 8yrs old, I pulled him out of one school because the head teacher and staff thought it was ok to put their hands on my child. We have applied for many places at schools and still he has no place. They keep offering him the School I took him out of. My daughter loves her school but they have no place for my son, he is under specialists for some difficulties and problems that he has, but that foes not excuse the fact that my son has been out of school for over a year and a half. Could anyone give me some advice please would be very appreciative. Thank you.

elenab 08/08/2015 at 3:10 pm

I have such a situation. My husband works in UK for 3 years already. Me and my 9 years old son decided to come for living together. We came here with EEA family permit visa which is valid for 6 months. I called local council to find a place of school and we were refused, telling us that we need a biometric residence card. We applied also for this card by sending original passports to the Home Office and have to wait 6 months. Our child loses half a year from school education. Give us an advice please, what we can do in this period of time? (Without passports) thank you.

Usu 23/07/2015 at 10:28 am

1. Can a child moving in the catchment area of an outstanding state school (500 yards distance from a school) be refused a place while children not being in the catchment area (but already attending that school) are accepted to stay?
We have had this situation and then my next question is who's going to reimburse my daily petrol/car expenses as I need to drive my children 2.5 miles instead of walking to that very close school? It isn't logical, to my view.
2. Appeal system seem to favour people with good contacts and speaking/persuasion skills over others that are 'shyer' or uninformed - it doesn't seem a fully objective and fair system to allocate places.
3. We have finally decided (in order to get a decent education for my children) for an independent school after 1.5 years of dealing with this system. It seems that although I am paying the highest tax level in this country, it's still a need to empty my pockets further more for independent school fees. It is perhaps why the majority of parents of private schools' children are making this option, not because they are 'posh', infatuated or don't know what to do with their countless money!

Amylou455 12/07/2015 at 10:46 am

My daughter has a SEN in place and as it a wonderful mainstream school.
We recently had to move due to our landlord selling the property we were in. It took us 4months to find a property in a suitable area and staying in the same borough to meet the requirements my daughter has. So it was out of our control and has been a long process. As soon as we knew the area we applied for a school place for my son to go to reception in our closest school and visited the school.
It also had to be the school my daughter would move to September 2016 as she had one year left in infants and her memory and confidence will be seriously effected if we do move.
Unfortunately there are no places for my son now and there are no other school in my catchment area other than a Welsh speaking one. (He's born here but both parents English) we wouldn't want one child out of 4 speaking Welsh constantly and no one else in the family doing so just for the sake of a school place.

So my question is this..... I have applied for a place at his sisters school in our old area. She is allowed to stay due to there only being a year left in that school anyway and its best for her needs at this time. If he doesn't get a place at that or our second choice in our catchment where we have been told there's probably no places anyway...... What happens? I get the appeal process etc etc but how likely is that to go my way seriously..... If there are no places then it's sort of a pointless task they can't magic up a place.......I'm

ang 02/07/2015 at 12:49 am

my grandson go to nursery at this school his sister go to the school but my grandson has been refused a placement . my daughter in law lost her appeal . but she did argue on how she can be at 2 places at the same time. her daughter finds it hard to settle in and I don't want to pull her out is there any thing I can do thanx

GetTheRightSchool Editor 25/06/2015 at 10:09 am

@Saf - yes according to a recent article in the Manchester Evening news the area is struggling to find children school places, with one in ten Greater Manchester infants now taught in oversized classes. I'm afraid it sounds like it is a matter of keeping on at the LEA in order to ensure you find your child a place asap, as there will be a lot of other parents doing the same. As specified in the article; once your daughter goes through the appeals process and the panel discover that you have not been offered a single school, this is likely to be rectified since the council has to supply a place by law. I have included our partner article which tells you how to approach the appeals process here. I hope this helps.

Saf 23/06/2015 at 2:15 am

Hello we have just moved to manchester from london, and after 3 weeks im still desperately trying to find a reception school place for my daughter.

I have rang the council many times and they said that all the schools in this area are full!

Im deeply concerned as my child is missing out on valuable education, i dont want her starting yr 1 in september as that will result in her missing 13 weeks of school! (including summer holidays) help please.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 23/06/2015 at 9:55 am

@Vic - As specified in the article, by law, your local council has to find your daughter a school place. The law says that all children have the right to a school education while they are between the ages of 5 to 16 years old. Also in those rights is that parents are allowed to say which school they would prefer their child to attend. The next stage for you would be to appeal the decision, but at the same time making sure the LEA is kept aware that your daughter needs a school place and that it has a duty to supply her with one. It is a tricky process and one that can lead to a few sleepless nights. If it takes too much time, you may want to get in touch with your MP, who may be able to help. However, a place will have to be found, you can be assured of that.

Vic 19/06/2015 at 9:08 pm

Hi, wondering if anyone could help me please. It has been an emotional roller coaster the last year as my daughter is disabled and we have gone through te health and care plan process. She will be attending a specialist school in the future. I put in an application which unfortunately was late as I did not know whether I had to do this or not due to my daughter attending a specialist school in the future. I thought this would be Septemebr but the process will take longer than I thought. My question is the council have refused her a school place saying the school I picked is full. What can I do please help? Everything is up in the air at the moment

Craig 14/06/2015 at 8:30 pm

Hi, my daughter is due to start P1 in August but has lost her appeal to go to the same primary as her brother who is in P3. We are only one street out of the catchment for this school but we are now being told if any places do become available they will be held back for the entire school year just in case someone moves in to the area. So I now have to send her to a different school from her brother which will be unmanageable for drop offs and collections. We were advised to move our son too! We had to tell our daughter as the nursery (of the school she is not getting to go to) told us we had to tell her as the other children would be getting to meet their new teacher and she wouldn't be included. She was so upset. Some appeals were granted but surely they should accommodate children with siblings at the school.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/06/2015 at 11:53 am

@Kayla - You can challenge permanent exclusion with the governing body, I hope this helps.

kayla 09/06/2015 at 6:17 pm

Hi my daughter has been excluded many time for bad behaviour they have now told me they want her to go to ethost in Huddersfield but I don't want her to go their what can I do about this please help

Pam Editor 28/05/2015 at 2:18 pm

@Mand - You would have to go through the general appeals process. As you may be aware Faith Schools are in high demand and there are only a fixed amount of places for a fixed amount of pupils across any given borough and not all the pupils that get in to these schools are actually of the 'faith', that's how bad the area of competitiveness is. For these people, it's all about going to church for a while in order to get the 'education'. I'm sorry that given you are of the faith, you can't get a place for your daughter.

Mand 26/05/2015 at 9:13 am

My daughter lost her appeal for a place at a faith high school her sister attends on geographical grounds they offered her a place at a non faith school do I have rights to force the education authority to find her an alternative place at a faith school we attend church weekly to fortnightly .

Sara 22/05/2015 at 6:01 pm

Hey if anyone can help getting my problem solve. I had two spaces for two schools but I said no to the school I want my daughter to go so can I get space back or anything? Any help

GetTheRightSchool Editor 18/05/2015 at 2:46 pm

@aimee2002 - I have included a link from gov.uk regarding home education here which should help answer your question.

aimee2002 15/05/2015 at 9:25 am

Are we able to home school until a place has been found for her in another school

aimee2002 15/05/2015 at 9:16 am

My grandchild is not coping at the school she is in. After many expulsions we think she needs a fresh start in another school. Are we able yo home school her until we can get her into another school.

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/05/2015 at 9:58 am

@jay4552 - as specified in the article; by law, your local council has to find your child a school place. The law says that all children have the right to a school education while they are between the ages of 5 to 16 years old. I presume you are badgering your LEA for a resolution? If you are not having much luck, you might want to speak to your local MP in order to see if they can help move this forward.

jay4552 08/05/2015 at 3:13 pm

We have a boy of 12 with o.d.d and adhd with statment we are fighting to get him back to school as he went special school for junior years then they said ready for mainstream but was let go from school for biting teacher and we have now moved but unable to get him schooled

ayesha 05/05/2015 at 11:56 am

my daughter goes to an outstanding school and now my son has been sent a letter of acceptance too based on a sibling priority as well. Now i called the school admin and they say the school is full for that year group. can they say no to the council acceptance letter? does'nt make any sense to me! plz advise

GetTheRightSchool Editor 20/04/2015 at 2:57 pm

@Laura - this is something that affects many people, but the LEA would argue that it has to set its boundaries somewhere. You may want to take the informal route by contacting the local education authority to ask about changing the decision based on what you have said here. This may avoid using the formal appeals procedure and might resolve the matter more quickly, and/or allow you to make an informed decision about whether you think it worth taking it to appeal. I hope this helps.

Laura 18/04/2015 at 1:24 pm

My child has been refused a place at a School as we are not in catchment...however, do we have any grounds for appeal on the basis that we are closer in distance to the school than a lot of family's IN catchment? I do not understand the logic for how the catchment area has been decided!

GetTheRightSchool Editor 20/03/2015 at 9:58 am

@mandy - I'm afraid we can't do anything to sort this out, we are just here to give written advice. I have included a link to the Local Government Ombudsman, here. It may be worth getting in touch with your local MP again to help you out with your complaint and perhaps the local newspapers again if there has been a long enough interval between your last story. I hope this helps.

mandy 17/03/2015 at 6:03 pm

Can't you look in to it cause it needs sorting I'm not lying I bo it sounds unreal but it is real qnd it's just getting us all down we just want a school in the catchment area it's what we are in titled to. Or even the outsides of are catchment area as long as I can pick up and drop of and not have to worry bout them waiting around. We just want education it's Nutts that it's so hard

mandy 17/03/2015 at 5:33 pm

Sorry predicted text does ur head in sometimes lol

mandy 17/03/2015 at 5:30 pm

Sorry I could not finished page lol... In two and a half years iv had 3 offers and two off them the same school... I had no choice but to turn them down as they are no where near in my Catchment area advice the complete opposite direction to my other boys school there's no way possible for me to drop them of and pick them all up at the same time I don't drive so it would be at least 50 minutes for me to get from school to school I can't have my young children waiting outside off school for that length of time on there own it's not safe I wanted be able to be there for them that's my responsibility... There are 3 different schools on the way to my boys school. I'd have to walk a different way and maybe will take longer but it would be manageable and she has her name on all off um but nothing... I can't send my kid to a school 2 estate's away and in the opposite direction to the other school it's impossible. Even my welfare lady can't get her head round it. Poppy has bin getting no education. Her mum is disalectic we asked if she could have a few hours aweek tutor but was refused so she has had none

GetTheRightSchool Editor 13/03/2015 at 2:53 pm

@mandy - I can't see that your niece would have slipped through the net to this extent, unless her mother is home-schooling her, or each school place offered has been refused. Your MP will have made sure she got offered a place and if not you need to contact her again. The newspapers would have bought it to the attention of the LEA and something would have been done. Something doesn't ring quite right here as your niece really is entitled to a school place and there really shouldn't be a problem in getting her one. What 'excuses' is the LEA giving why she can't get a place.

mandy 12/03/2015 at 5:23 pm

that link was school admissions there a waste off time thanks tho. We are always on the phone same excuses all the time..thanks tho

mandy 12/03/2015 at 5:16 pm

Iv bin in contact with everyone I can think off from... School admissions, my mp liz kendle, my counsellor for my area, iv even emailed david cammron lol, and the leicester mercury but nothing 2 and a half years and nothing it's very bad and sad :(

GetTheRightSchool Editor 11/03/2015 at 10:45 am

@mandy - you really need to get in touch with your local authority as your niece cannot be out of school, Is the local authority aware she is not in school? This really needs to be sorted out asap through the school's ajudicator. As specified in the article, by law, your local council 'has' to find every child a school place.

mandy 09/03/2015 at 10:13 am

My niece is nearly 7 she has bin out of school for 2 and a half years cause there was no full time spaces at the school she went to for a year part time.. Disgusting and they say it's law they have to go school we have had no help and no ones got her a school.. No places so they say. But people coming in our country don't seem to suffer..

Elle Editor 08/12/2014 at 11:17 am

@rd - it really does depend on the circumstances of your application, where you have applied and whether those schools are over subscribed or not. What I would advise though, is to keep on at the council. Quite often is can seem as though your child has fallen through the net while they attempt to find a place. On the other hand, if the schools aren't too full, then it should be reasonably straightforward and could be within weeks.

rd 05/12/2014 at 8:01 pm

Hi,

I just applied for my son to start back in school after a year home schooling, how long will it take for a place to come through?

natz 01/12/2014 at 2:36 pm

Hi my daughter is 5 with a statement of special needs ....she was in a main stream nursery only doing 2.5hrs a day then moved to reception still only going to school for 3hrs a day ......after she managed to get off the school site to the main road outside I took her out of this school as I feared for her safety...which was may 2014 ....since leaving this school she has been out of education ....senar have applied to more than 10 special schools and state mainstream schools with no sucess ...most saying they cant deal with her complex needs. im due to have a baby feb 2015 and stressing so much!! Senar are a waste of my time as I m having to tell them schools to apply for ??? But no school will talk to me as my child has a statement and senar are responsible for finding a school placement.. Going insaine!

Gemma Editor 23/10/2014 at 3:11 pm

@Emma - I really feel for you. Your child shouldn't still be out of school as it is October and he will be missing valuable school work. You need to hassle your LEA.

emma 18/10/2014 at 2:32 pm

Hi my son should have started school in sept ive had 2 appeals and been to the ombudsman twice as we moved house so we are far from the school he originally was allocated. It is like banging my head against a brick wall. I dont drive so cant get to the school he was allocated. The council never tell me the same thing twice. My next option is to go to the newspapers as I cant see any other option. X x x

Niami Editor 09/09/2014 at 10:56 am

@poa, No, she won't be rejected because she doesn't speak fluent English. The school will support her with learning English and provide a teaching assistant to ensure she fully understands what she is being taught. If it's a state primary school then she won't have to sit an entry exam but if it's a private school then they may have entry requirements. Don't worry your daughter will be fully supported in an English school.

pao 08/09/2014 at 2:45 pm

In one month time I will relocate in London with my family moving from Italy.
My daughter will be 8 in 2 weeks time. I am applying now with the local authority of our Borough.
My daughter knows basic English but not fluent.. would that be a problem? Could she be rejected for this reason Will she have to make an entry test?
I will appreciate if you could give me few tips on how to get on and be prepared
Thanks

sh40 25/06/2014 at 10:05 am

Hi, I am in a bit of a predicament, I am currently married to a soldier who has less than 2 years left serving in the army, I have 3 children one 6/13/16 my eldest has just finished his GCSE's and had gained a place at college to do his 2 year diploma, my second son is due to got into year 9 and will be picking his options in september. My husband has recently been posted to another city but i have remained in my accomadation as son was in the middle of his exams they now say we have to move with my husband.. in 5 weeks surely i have some grounds for staying where i am for the education of my children.. and how on earth am i able to get 2 children at this late notice into schools? surely it is unfair to them and detremental to their education. My son has not been accepted to any other college but this one.. Please can some one advise me on what to do.. The most madning thing is that my husband will more than likely be posted back to where we are next year so i dont see the point in disturbing the kids.. surley there is some protection for them being forces children.

molly 03/04/2014 at 8:26 pm

my son was diagnosed with a.s.d in 2012. he is in year six and we have just found out that he was not offered any secondary schools we chose. he was offered an alternative but not an adequate one for his complex needs so i have declined the offer.. i have medical letters and support from the school he currently attends and from the doctor who diagnosed him. I am also in the process of applying for a statement of educational needs. I am worried that if the appeal is not successful I will have to somehow arrange for his tuition at home and I do not know where to start.

PaulM 01/08/2013 at 2:19 pm

Our daughter has a SEN due to Autism ADHD, and has very challenging and self-harming behaviours. In March 2013 her special school said they could no longer safely educate her on site and the Local authority & Social services would be finding her a new school placement. Her current school were meant to be sending work home for her while a new placement was being found, but this stopped after about two weeks so she has been out of full time education Since March. The LA has been useless at any communication, and only through me being a nuisance and continually hassling Social services have I been told they have so far tried two special schools in our area but both have said they couldn't meet our daughters complex needs. We were really hoping a full time education placement would be found by September but this now looks unlikely could you suggest any course of action we can take? Our other big concern is our daughter turns 16 in October 2012 does this change what type of education provision they have to provide for her? Thanks for any help the last years been a real nightmare!

Mark 06/05/2013 at 8:37 pm

I have a friend who needs her son to go to the first preferred school of choice because she (mother) has mobility issues. The school she chose favours her mobility issues and enables her to cater for her son. There are a couple of other dynamics but her mobility issues are primary.

I cannot find anything in the legislation that would accommodate for a disabled mother which leads me to believe that concluding scenarios like this is at the discretion of the appeals panel. Would I be right?

If there is legislation governing the parents health does anybody know where I might access this?

I've tried trawling through the Schools Standards & Framework Act 1998 but nothing relevant in there.

Linda 04/04/2013 at 3:04 pm

My 12 year old daughter has been excluded (possibly permanantly) from the school that is within our catchment area. We are appealing against this decision. My query is, if she has to go to another school - who pays for transport? Given that it wouldn't be OUR decision to send her out of catchment area, could we fight for either her current school or the LEA to fund the transport. I could get her to the school in the mornings but could not pick her up as I work full time, well away from the school. Any comments??

chris 20/03/2013 at 10:04 am

hi my 5 year old lad has been out of school now for nearly a year he has done a year part time and the school he was going to he has a sibiling there and now i carnt get him now where in this area his name is on 5 lists for schools in this area. every time we ring addmissions we just get told the same rubbish over and over again i realy need to get him in school and the people that dont live in the cacthment area get in its not right please could some one give me advise.

crazy 05/03/2013 at 1:35 pm

Hello my son was last year was 4 and a half ready for school he didint grt the school I am in cathment I got told becauseall his other friends at pre school had siblins he an only child I didint get the othere schools they are all within walking distance I got one school that I coulndt get too awhen I called my LA they was passing the buck running up my phone bill getting to answers over the phone trying to talk to sum one face too face they didint want too know my son turn 5 I had him at home with me since from july to now march 2013 I rang my la they seemed shocked that my son still didint have a school and hes on the waiting list for 3 schools I the got a letter saying they have a place at a school my question was how am I to get him there I am disababled again no answers passed to this phone line to a next getting phone put down on me only yo find I AM nowhere going fast my child will nearly be a year with no school I cannot get him to the loucal school and what are the council doing ABOUT THESES PEOPLE WHO DONT LIVE IN THE AREA BUT THEY GET THERE KIDS IN TO THE SCHOOL BY USING ADDRESS who domi complain too?

julie 22/01/2013 at 12:35 pm

I have an appeal in place for the 29th jan for my daughter that suffers from anxiety and PTSD. I have been refused a place in a high school near to my work as no plaecs, what information do you suggest i take to support my process. I have dr letters, counsellors letters.

bec 17/12/2012 at 2:41 pm

my daughter failed the selection test last year for our local grammar school, i have been through both appeals and been unsuccessful on both occasions. i am extremely unhappy with the examination process of the school she has been allocated and would like to try again for the grammar school. my question is, why can children on the cusp of the pass mark for the exam not retake the selection test, my daughter and another 4 from her primary school were expected to pass with flying colours, this also brings up another question which is that in my daughters year only one child passed the test, unheard of for this primary school as regularly they have 5-7 pass annualy, the previous year to the examination her class endured 5 teachers, and 2 particularly unruly children of which one had violent tendencys. so surely this group of children were not given the quality of education or sympathy from the local educaton department that they possibly they should have had. where do i stand on holding them responsable for failing my child, who is now having to be educated in a school with lower expectations and standards than the grammar which is where her brother (an A level student) attends, and where i work, i am worried that her education needs are not being met, and when she takes the curriculum examination to get into the grammar which is set by the school itself in the summer term of this school year, will her year at her allocated school have caused enough damage for her to not be able to succeed?

Shar 24/10/2012 at 3:40 pm

Question:

I have recently moved to Southampton. My daughter has been offered a place in a school while my younger son was denied. It went to independent appeal, and after hearing my case the outcome was negative.

My problem is that I can not drop and pick two children at two schools that are too far away. My son is 5 years old. Having spoken to local authorities, I was told that there is no rush as he should be in a school only at the start of next term i.e. January 2013. Even then they won't be much concenred if I say that the child is getting education at home. This is worrying, as I thought that as per law the child should be in a school once he's 5. But it looks like that council will never be worried. Need some help on the subject.

-Shar

ivop 08/10/2012 at 4:37 pm

We have moved due to work commitments, applied for secondary school place in July, and did not get the first choice school for our child.
LEA offered place in the second choice school, which we accepted.
However when we did not heard from that school by the end of August, we contacted the school and have been told, that LEA did not have right to offer the place as that school is a faith school.
Apparently we have lost time for the appeal as well as place on the waiting list (on our first choice school).
Our boy (diagnosed with Asperger by the way) still does not have school place (almost mid October) and his condition deteriorate.
Why he has to suffer, just because somebody else is not doing his/her job properly?
Do we have any options as it clearly was not our fault? Is anyone going to be held responsible?

ERK 20/09/2012 at 6:25 pm

My 15yr old grandson has been diagnosed with Aspbergers and over the past 4 yrs has found it increasingly difficult to keep his concentration at the comprehensive school he is attending. He has failed to attend days at school, and has been sent home from school after arguing with teachers(all part of the Aspbergers syndrome as I understand it)
The school have attempted to help but admit they have no staff who qualify,
it has now transpired that the school apparently cannot offer any further help apart from 1hour attendance for 3 days and 3 quarters of an hour ITC work for one day after school hours, the joke is he will have a space open for him at the end of the school year to take exams,
Is there not a legal requirement under S7 1996 Education Act where a Council is Duty bound to ensure that a child receives sufficient education up to an age of 16yrs,more so under the above circumstances where my grandson has a mental health problem
Every one seems to have "wiped " their hands of him.

Can any please help

S 08/08/2012 at 6:12 am

I have just moved to a new area and applied for school on a mid year application, not having much luck. LA is looking for a school further away but am worried it will be too far for my 5 year old. I also need a breakfast club to be able to get into work on time but the further away they look the less likely I will be able to get to work on time. We do not have a car so have to rely on public transport but also will incur a cost with using that. We specifically moved to this area because there was space in the school so the school was aware we were moving there as I kept in touch with them but by time we exchanged, which was the only time I could officially apply, the place had been offered to another child although the parents of this child had not contacted the school to say they wanted the place and I believe their 10 day to accept the place was up. The LA has advised that I can start the appeal process now which I have but I have a feeling it would fall on deaf ears ... I mean all they can do is increase the class size and are they likely to do this? So It looks like come September I will have to make a one hour trip, via walking and train to get my son to his old school, the poor lad is going be knackered, we will have to leave the house at 6.45 am. I am also worried that should he go back to his old school it will be upsetting for him to leave again. It's the cost of everything as well, paying for breakfast club as well as travel and school uniform - we would not qualify for any kind of grant or allowance.

concerned parent 22/07/2012 at 12:17 am

Is there any possibility of getting funding for private tutorial lessons for the child whilst waiting for a school to be found. Otherwise this child would have been out of the school system for two years, no fault of hers.

TC Editor 08/06/2012 at 2:08 pm

@Jackie As your Grandson has already been given a placement at the special needs school I think your predicament is more a case of who is responsible for providing the transport to get him there. I think it is a question of funding, if Newcastle Council are able to offer him a place at a similar special needs school within the borough then they do not have to provide transport for him to attend a school outside of the area. It may also depend on how many other children from Newcastle also have placements at the school and would also require the same transport, this might be worth checking with school.

SchoolsOut Editor 17/05/2012 at 9:56 am

@Worried. You haven't given much information here, but were they moved by the council/in council rented property? If so perhaps they would help with transport to the previous school or another one somewhere? Not ideal but at least he'd be in school.

worried 16/05/2012 at 8:01 pm

My grandchildren were moved for their safety to another Borough from East London at Christmas. My daughter has 4 children and 3 were given places at a school in the new area but one still has not,he is in yr 5 and been out of school since January an appeal is ongoing but I am extremely concerned as he has now missed half a school yr. Is there anything we can do. Surely he should have been offered home tutoring by now

Freckles 23/03/2012 at 11:44 am

What reasons are given for an unsucessful appeal and how much detail should appear on the refusal letter under the school appeals code 2012?

Binty 06/10/2011 at 12:56 pm

My daughter is in year 9 and has not been offered one school place. It is now October 2011. Admissions have tried their best but all the schools appear full in Uxbridge. We have written MPs Councillors Ombudsman - now what ?

ollypops03 27/06/2011 at 9:44 pm

i have been refused all of my sons 3 choices for schools. He was then offered a school my our local authority but we have refused it because I have a violent ex that will be at this school twice a day in the same class as me. The local authority know this but have not removed this school so it remains as an acceptable offer.We are on the waiting lists but we are not top and all 3 schools on my list are full with 30 children. My eldest son is disabled and requires me to be home at 8.30am and 3.30 because he attends a special school and comes home by taxi. I have explained my social circumstances and have written emails all of which remain unanswered.they simply say this does not give us any priority.i also think an error could of occured when they gave us a place. please help any info would be greatly appreiciated

Anna 27/06/2011 at 12:10 pm

I wonder if you can help me out I currently live in Spain and my husband and I have recently divorced and I wish to move home to the UK. I have a 10yr old daughter who has been at a bilingual school since the age of 4 and it completely fluent in both languages. I am trying to relocate to the NW london area and have tried to contact my local education authority there but they tell me they can not help unless I am physically resident in the country. I completely understand this but I cannot move back until the end of August and I can not see how i can get my daughter in to school before term starts. Can you offer and suggestions?

jules 07/05/2011 at 8:10 pm

A question: If in 7 years we had a chance to move out of the catchment area for the secondary school, but the children were all settled at the secondary school already for at least two years. Can they stay at the school without having to move them?

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