If you have a few mums with young children on your social media, you probably saw an influx of primary school allocation statuses over the last weekend and on Monday about how nervous they were about getting the results on Monday. Some found out early on the Monday, others based in Hertfordshire such as myself and Katy had an agonising wait until late afternoon to find out.
We were told results wouldn’t be online until emails had been sent out but that didn’t stop many of us parents checking anyway. It just so happened that Katy checked and had her result so I checked and had mine, just minutes before my email came through. I am so glad because we got in but I am also a little sad as quite a few children in Jack’s nursery class didn’t get in. Two children who live round the corner from us didn’t get in but we did – and it looks like we were the furthest away to get it by distance – 809m away. We are still right in the middle of the village where we live but as the crow flies, we are very far away!
Its a shame that it works this way. Some of these children who haven’t got places are already established at the nursery attached to the primary school. They’ve already made friends, made bonds. Many of the non nursery children who got places are village children so I’m not saying they don’t deserve their primary school allocation places but when village children have to go out of the village to go to school because children who don’t live in the village have taken the places, I actually think that’s a bit of a piss take. I’m hoping that isn’t the case here but looking at the figures we have been given for how many people applied, there is no way that all those who got places live in the village. Its shocking when you can’t even get into your local school – the only one in the village!
Whilst I am so happy that Jack got in and doesn’t have to go through all this rigmarole for another few years, I’m so sad for his friends, their families and for him. All of the nursery children who didn’t get in are from Jack’s little friendship group – and perhaps the worst thing…one of them is his best friend from pre school. She’s been by his side through pre school and through nursery and they are going to be lost without each other. It’s just not fair. The parents whose children didn’t get in are appealing and I fully support them, as does the headteacher and teaching staff at the primary school. The staff have also all come to know the nursery children and don’t want to have to say goodbye to them. I’m glad the parents have the support of both the school and of the other parents.
Really I think the whole system needs a total overhaul. So many get the place because of siblings, so many get it because of distance. That’s fine, I understand that. But when village children are losing out to non village children, its a joke. Its not just my area that’s the problem though, it is happening across the country and it was heartbreaking to see all the statuses from upset parents when their child lost out.
What do you think? How do you think primary school allocation places should be handled?
Oh that is dreadful that some children in the village don’t get a place. Im guessing it is a one form entry which makes it harder. And in that sense it is so frustrating as it is all down to money. I’m guessing there are either too many children in the village or lot from outside are vulnerable or on the SEN register. It isn’t fair that it works that way I don’t think. I appreciate the sibling rule but at the same time you get parents moving out of the catchement who still get a place. I think everyone in G’s nursery got in as far as I am aware, we would have faced the same as you though had she not- she is so established in the school, going to assemblies and making friends etc.. The whole system is wrong and I think at the end of the day it is down to money. In your instance they should open up another class so that all of the village children get a place but of course that costs money that the school doesn’t have. Compared to other schools who have tonnes of money as they have lots of SEN children etc. The school I worked at was loaded as there were so many children that were entitled to funding. It isn’t right but there is nothing we can do
Aw I’m pleased you got the school you wanted – ours is in a totally different catchment too but there aren’t many people wanting to go to such an out of the way village school! It’s getting more in demand now though! H x
I’m glad he got into the school you wanted, but like you said it’s such a shame some of his friends didn’t. When I was growing up there wasn’t any of this ‘might get in, might not’ thing – such a shame it’s so stressful for parents now!
Aww I know you were so worried about this, I am so so pleased that Jack got into his first choice school! x
I had seen you were so worried about this – so pleased you got first choice!
Congrats! It’s just like the lottery, isn’t it? We didn’t get a place for our first but despite a lot of heartache, things worked out in the end
Sad to know some kids didn’t get in. That is so annoying. Good your little one got in x
Yay congrats! It’s such a shame that some people didn’t get the place they were wanting.