School waiting lists

[4GS]

Hi guys,
My 14 year old lad has come to live with us, he'll more than likely be with us until he starts work. I've been to the schools in our area to try and get him enrolled, they've given me all the applications to fill out, which have all been done and returned but they won't tell me how long it will take until he's accepted. I've been in touch with the LEA, the admissions lady at the County Council is helping as well but again is unable to say when he can get in.
Any of you guys been in this situation before or give any advice?
I've got some stuff he can be getting on with just now, but I'm worried that his SATS are coming up and I don't want him falling behind
TIA

[legend004]

4gs wouldnt he have been better finishing this term at his own school then transferring start of next term?
id think its a bit late oin in the term to move , readjust , and do his work too?
just a thought john

[4GS]

Without going into too much detail leggy, him Mum has problems and it's better for him to be with me.
I live too far away from his old school so travel is out of the question

[funnygirl]

Most schools don't like to accept kids mid term as they have followed a set curriculum.

Leg is right, about him finishing his term.

[4GS]

I was hoping that he could finish his term but circumstances dictated that he needed to come here. We can offer him a stable/safe environment which he needs, there was too much going on at his Mum's place for that.

[sense4all]

All they have to do is give him a place somewhere in the LEA's area. You will have to draw on your battle strategy experience to beat them at this game, start by asking the individual schools what place he would be on their waiting lists, they may tell you then you see where is worth persuing and where it is the equivelent of shovelling pooh uphill with a fork. If it helps, my mate who is a teacher, reckons one intensive hour with a quality tutor, may be as effective as a few shared lower quality class room hours. Just help him in the subjects you can in the mean time, and look for talented folks in your social circle who don't mind pitching in short term. My son helps loads of others with Maths for instance - he does get po'd when the teacher gives the kids she likes a better mark! That's life.

Keep on the right side of the Admissions Officer for tactical reasons, and it probably won't be too long as they have to provide that place - niceness pays if they encourage the school YOU want to squeeze him in. May the force be with you honey!

[legend004]

dont you have relatives in the area?
moving midterm can have long lasting effects.
its difficult enough settling in a new school witghout having to adjust to different teachers methods etc midterm.
if atall possible id try his own school.
but arrange for move at start of next term.
cant help much otherwise.
hope it works out.

[daffy654]

You say it is too far for him to travel but how far is it approximately.? When I lived in Hull the only school that had a place for my then 12 year old daughter was 2 bus rides away,she used to leave the house at 7.30am to arrive at school for 8.45am.

[4GS]

Thanks sense4all

I've been researching stuff for him to do, and I have a friend who's wife took their son out of school and educated him at home so she's been helping too.
Short of sleeping with the Admissions Officer I'll do anything to keep her onside, she's been invaluable so far

[sense4all]

Is this the time for him to pick his options? In which case a mid term move is probably a smart move so you don' get the dregs of the choice process, as everyone picks now to commence in September.

[4GS]

daffy654
His old school was the other side of the country, it would take the best part of a day to get there.

[4GS]

It is his options time sense, that's why I'm keen for him to get a place, he knows what he wants to do.

[sense4all]

http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/community/about/in dex.asp

Are you and the rest of the squad members of your local library , join your latest recruit up too , go down armed with the ISBN nos of the text books ( look em up on Amazon ) and order the textbooks, or at least consult ,if they carry them to keep cost down too.

Also ask.co.uk 'teachers resources' and you can find good explanatory sites both here and the US that are incredible.

[daffy654]

Ok so thats not a solution then 4gs...........its just some people think too far is 5 miles away.lol

[4GS]

sense4all
You are a marvel, thanks for that link

[cazzz1975]

My daughter moved mid term last year, she has actually blossomed since starting her new school, its not always negative.

If he is having problems then a safe, happy environment will definately improve his confidence and well being.

I would try phoning the schools direct and requesting places, it is what I had to do!

[Hellyon]

Only things I can think of are:
Find out what examining board they use at the schools you would like him to go to. You can do many of these exams through Open University. Perhaps you could get him started on the important ones.
Build relationship with schools by asking if they have a careers officer he could talk to who could give advice on which options to take.
Be very nice to the school receptionists - we moved to a house which we were told by Estate agent and seller was in a cathcment area only to discover when we moved in it wasn't - I visited the school regularly and the receptionis t was lovely and gave me lots of info she wasn't really supposed to.
Offer to be a school govenor!
Offer to purchase a new wing for the school!