Secondary School places allocated today [sad]

It's the travelling on two buses alone, waiting at bus stops alone in a not very nice area for a small girl (who can see another school yards from her house) that gillybob is concerned about I think, Nannarose.

Putting a positive spin on it would be fine if several of her friends were also going there and having to make that journey.

Please forgive me if I am wrong gillybob.

I know that my DGS (aged 8) has a long day (leaves at 7.30am and doesn't get home until 5pm) but there is no alternative for him and he goes on a bus with other children.

How awful! Poor girl! I don't know the background though - do you have custody? If not, what do the parents say?

I sit on appeal panels Gillybob and if the school is full then it is full but......
If you can prove the criteria wasn't applied correctly in the case of your granddaughter then you would most likely win.
One question which does come up and is important is: Where did the child who was last admitted under criteria 4 live? If that child lives further away from the school than your granddaughter then you have a good case.Please remember the distance measured is as the crow flies.
You could write to the authority and ask them this. If they will not tell you keep the reply and take it to the appeal.The school or the authority should give you this information.
Is the school she has been allocated the next nearest secondary school? If so won't there be other children going the same way. Do they provide school buses?
I know it's heart breaking but the only way she will win an appeal is if you can prove the school was wrong in not giving your granddaughter a place.
The only other way she can win an appeal is if there are special circumstances.
I would still appeal as you never know what might happen.The panel could well take in the distance she has to travel and the difficulties and dangers she could face.

It's this ridiculous "as the crow flies" that gets me Saralice as the crow flies my granddaughter would have to "fly" across several farmers fields, a fast flowing stream and climb through several hedges.

As a person walks or a bus travels the journey is more tan 10 times longer. Seriously this cannot be right.

I already have it on very good authority (and I have confirmed this myself by making lots of calls today) that a large group of children are bused into the school from miles away when the school my granddaughter has been allocated is on THEIR doorstep less than a five minute walk away, (but it's not a good school so they don't want to go there) . Something smells of underhand selection processes to me .

Another sleepless night on the cards. I don't think I can go on like this much longer. and angry and very, very tired.

Oh dear Gilly.

Still thinking of you all. I so understand the 'crap' you are all dealing with 'AGAIN'.

Again, I ask gillybob, why is this falling on you? Where are the parents? Do you have custody?

I presume your DGD has been allocated the school that she is currently in a feeder school for, so that is partly understandable why they have done that I think. They will not know whether she has made friends there already or not, polus they do need to try and fill that school.

As to why there are a large ampunt of children allowed to be bussed into the school that is nearer you, I have no idea, and that might just be wortht finding out why? Though I am not sure that that is going to be of help to you?

"The crow flies" has been used as measurement by LEAs for decades.

I too, though I only have limited experience, dont think they are being underhand here. They follow rules. But no harm at all in continuing to ask around about the subject.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2868475-Catchment-priority-admissions-areas-and-feeder-schools-legality-and-justification

This thread might be helpful if you havent seen it already?

At my last school (11-18) where children came from out of catchment they often, if not always, came by taxi. Certainly up to Y11 which constituted compulsory education. I wonder if that was paid by the LA. Worth investigating? Are your DGD's parents in receipt of any sort of benefits ?( don't answer if you don't want to give away too much, but just wondering)

Yes, I do understand the issue about travelling, and do think it the grounds for appeal (just making a more general point, whilst agreeing with the idiocy of it all)
If it is her allocated school, her travel expenses will be paid, but I definitely think that a detailed itinerary (including the odd 'after school' journey if she might stay for a club or sports event) sent to local councillors would be a way to go.
I also wonder if a member of the family can do that journey a few times over the next few weeks and talk to regular users? They will get a feel for the general set-up, where for instance could the child go if a bus didn't turn up? (Happens often here!) and will all the grist to the mill.
I have friend who appealed on those grounds and got a taxi for her son - a ridiculous waste of rate-payers' money, but better for the child - although they couldn't go to after-school activities, or call at a friend's house or anything outside the allocated journey.

This does not "fall on me" at all Starlady but my son and daughter in law both work full time. My daughter in law works shifts and they have 3 children. I have always looked after the children 2-3 days a week (depending on shifts) and my DH and I run our own small business so I am better placed to make calls, carry out research and type up documentation. I do not see it as a chore, I see it as a grandma desperately wanting what's best for her grandchild.

I don't think so Ankers as most of the children from existing primary (which is miles away from home but we lost appeal to have her moved closer last year) are going to 2 other schools. I think the offered school is a "wildcard" and was the only one with places that no one else was fighting for,

Oh dear oh dear again I think.

So if I have got this right, your DGD moves house. She cannot get into any local feeder school for the secondary on her doorstep even with appeal, so is sent to another "random" primary.
At that primary, most of the children are sent to two other schools, but not your DGD.
Are either of those two schools suitable in any way?

I dont know up to date procedure nowadays. I presume either of those two schools are not suitable/wrong direction for her/you did not write those down as preferred choices in any way?

By the way, we wouldnt want you to write anything on here which might prejudice your appeal.

Oh dear I didn't explain that very well did I ?

Family moved home just over a year ago. Unable to get children into any of the feeder primaries (there are 4 although one is quite a long way away) went to appeal. Refused therefore granddaughter and her siblings are still attending original primary miles away from home. Although they are often late and cannot take part in any clubs/activities due to very complicated drop off/ pick up arrangements shared by 4 family members. Allocation of secondary school is a puzzle as she has not been allocated the one on her doorstep or either of the 2 the other children from her primary are attending (presumably because she lives out of catchment )

It looks as if they didn't know what to do with her, didn't look at previous history and offered her a place at a random secondary (which no-one would choose to travel miles to get to!).

Someone doing the allocations gave this no thought whatsoever.
Prepare your appeal very carefully indeed and seek further advice if you can; stay calm and rational.
If they apply the sibling rule the others will be sent there too when it is their turn.

I meant to say
So you must make sure your appeal has every chance of success

That's exactly what I ink too Jalima they didn't know what to do with her and nor do they care. To them she is a statistic and by offering her a school however impractical they have fulfilled their legal obligation.

I know I have asked too much of you lovely people already but I wonder does anyone know (roughly) how much it would cost to get proper face to face legal help on this matter?

Sorry, I don't, I suppose it depends on how much work is involved
Could her GP help too by writing a letter (undue anxiety, school refusal?)

Mind you, seeing the GP could make her more anxious and you won't want that euther.

Although I can't offer any better advice than you've been given,I can't read and run , so Lots of luck Gillybob , Your grandchildren are so lucky to have you .x

gilly did you ever start your own thread on MN? From what I can see there are many practising lawyers on there, some of whom may be able to give you specific guidance.

Have you tried CAB? There are often solicitors available who could give you advice.

nannarose travelling expenses are not automatically paid, nor are taxis provided.
Many LAs & I think gilly's is one, pay expenses only for children whose parents qualify for WFTC at the highest rate.