Is it govt policy to offer choice of primary schools? If so, why don't I have a choice?

[threestars]

When I filled in the application form for primary schools, I was asked to write 1st and 2nd choices.
I live in a village, equidistant between 2 primary schools. However, I'm only in the catchment area of one and it turns out that where I live I am only in the catchment of that one school. Is that normal? They why bother to offer a choice?
Unfortunately it's not the one I really want, so I put it down as 2nd choice and the other as 1st choice which also happens to be VE CofE and very popular. Since we're out of catchment (by a few yards), they want my local vicar to tell them how often we go to church and for how long, which is impossible as he's never met us. What's wrong with us wanting DS to go there simply because we want him to have a good education? Is it acceptable that ds won't be considered because of it?

I visited 2nd choice school to see if I was just being too fussy and while it looked nice, the headmaster was soooooo rude and wet he completely put me off. I walked into his office and he ignored me, pretending to be sorting through papers. Then the 1st thing he did was tell me I was early to be visiting the school, they hold open days in the summer term (supposed to start in Sept!). He didn't offer ANY info about the school, I had to keep asking questions, he said Fridays were the busiest day for school meals because that's when they serve chips and when I left he handed me an A4 leaflet about the 'aims of the school', all managementese. He's only been there a year, so I can't rely on the Ofsted report from 3 years ago and I think if I think he's wet (and normally I'm sadly in awe of people in authority), what do the teachers think of him?

Can I complain to my local council about having no choice? Right now, I feel my choice is between 2nd choice and a fee-paying school where ds is in nursery, but which I can't afford.

[PillockOfTheCommunity]

you do have a choice, but as there is not space for every child to attend that school they have to decide somehow. You could apply for a school further away, it doesn't have to be just those in your village. And you can appeal a decision.

[mrsruffallo]

I don't think there is any choice tbh, although the religiuos schools can take out of catchment if they don't have enough church goers in their catchment area. Apart from that if the schools are oversubscribed you only really have a chance of getting into the one nearest to you

[UnquietDad]

They supposedly give you a "choice". In practice, there is no real "choice". Why the hell do they assume people want/need "choice" anyway? It's stupid.

We just want good schools.

Repeat endlessly until sick.

[mrsruffallo]

Look how I spelt religious!!! The shame, the shame...

[mrsruffallo]

Yes UQD, I know what you mean

[Elephantsbreath]

PotC

[Clary]

You can apply for a primary you live outside the catchment of.

You will not get a place if there are enough catchment area applications, but if not, you will.

FWIW our school, good results in a middle-class area, gets s lot of applications from pupils in another area of town, 10 mins drive away but not really served by a school (or not one parents are keen on).

We take them if we have room (and we do atm, tho we are widely supposed to be a popular school).

Why are you applying now btw if DS is starting school in Sept???

[Clary]

oh sorry re-reading I see you have already applied, apologies.

[PillockOfTheCommunity]

you need to research the admission criteria for that school and appeal accordingly

I know people who have appealed as they have older siblings at the school but were refused first off.

With the current political stance on faith schools I would be tempted to argue that your child did not deserve the place less than one with the religious background and push that as far as you could

[threestars]

Thanks for the responses.
I've decided that instead of getting a vicar to fill out a form (since none will!), I will suggest they speak to a chaplain at the hospital who helped me during a difficult time and knows me, if they feel they need to get some sort of reference.
But also say I'm applying because they're good and they're close and good education is a priority to us (then again, I guess it is with almost all parents!). DS is only 3 and not really old enough to understand what goes on/is said in a church service at this stage. Although I'm very happy for him to have RE and prayers as a guideline to behaviour.
Oh well. I reread their rules, and I guess since they are voluntary aided, the Church does get the final say since I presume they're financially contributing in some way. I guess it depends on how oversubscribed they are. Sigh. I just wish there was a school in my village but it was closed down a couple of decades ago now.

[pralinegirl]

You may find a reference from a chaplain isn't what they want or what the criteria ask for - am in similar situation and they want and state they want proof by minister of active church attendance, whatever church it is. So unfair what would our church attendance tell them about our 4 year old, they aren't asking about his! (which is just as well....) My friend says the school is full of non church goers but its a good one and is oversubscribed this year.

[sherby]

This school system is ridiculous, you want a church place and cant have it. I don't want a church school place and am stuck with it

[cece]

This will be me next week, once we get our school letters back. Have convinced myself it will be a disaster....

[CarGirl]

cece my friend at NHJ said everyone who wanted a place there did get one in the end although not all in the initial letter IYSWIM

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

IME you can express a preference. It's a far cry from a choice.

[cece]

Yes I know that cargirl... but if she doesn't get into NHJ at first then DS won't get into the infants on the sibling rule, so he will be given another school too. So then I will have two to get in iyswim!

[mrz]

Having an older sibling in the school isn't necessarily grounds for appeal. My school is over subscribed and two of the children who did not get places had older brothers and sisters already attending while children from the next village did get places. Out of six appeals only one was upheld and that was because they could prove an error in the council processing procedure.

[CarGirl]

I know but I was trying to give you hope! With one in NHJ the younger one will leap up the waiting list. Take it you're feeling the stress!

[ronshar]

What I dont understand is if all the schools taught our children properly then we wouldnt need a choice would we.
It wouldnt be a case of which shit school you dont want your child to be destroyed in. Sorry the education system in this country makes me want to vomit. Full of sanctimonius liberal prats who dont like the idea that some people are cleverer than others. Unfortunately life is full of people who achieve and those who dont!
Why should all children be taught badly just to prove a mis-judged policy.

[cece]

Cargirl - ask me next Friday....

Ronshar tbh all three schools I have put are good schools but I don't know anyone who attends them plus I would have to move childminders if I don't get my first choice school... However, Surrey have changed the distance rules so my 3 choices are now not my nearest schools iyswim. DD already attends the infants and is transfering to juniors. But the transition isn't guaranteed - you have to apply for the juniors and hope! The rules about distance changing have changed my nearest schools iyswim since she started 3 years ago.

[CarGirl]

I really feel for you because where you live there really isn't a near school so to speak and to have to change CM and all school friends etc is so horrid for your dc.

Surrey are going to change OP & SC to primaries even if they get turned down on the new planning permission they are going to do it via special measures if that is the case.. The whole situation is a joke - and we're getting lumbered with a change of uniform and the Head wants to introduce polo shirts with a coloured edge at the cost of £8.50 each - ha ha ha!

[cece]

well I might get to meet you if I get given OP so perhaps I will know someone!!! Ha, ha.

Yes it is DD I feel sorry for, she has already been to 2 schools (we moved house) so if she doesn't go up with her friends to the juniors then that is another set of friends for her to make (and me) Plus DS has made lots of nice friends at nursery too...

Didn't know that about the change of uniform...

[CarGirl]

Well tell me where you end up and I'll see if I know anyone there. Where did you apply for them - I guess all at the same places, were you allowed to put down OP for juniors as the juniors may well have spaces (mass exodus) although the infants is oversubscribed but presumably you'd then get in on the sibling rule?

[cece]

Yes put OP as third choice (quite a drive from my house). They said I could because there will be spaces in Year 3. And yes ds would then get in on the sibling rule apparently

[CarGirl]

what was your 2nd choice WB?