School place despair

2:00pm Sunday 6th May 2012 in News By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

Susan Walsh with her daughter Molly Susan Walsh with her daughter Molly

A MOTHER broke down in tears after discovering her daughter had failed to get a place at any of the three schools she applied to.

Susan Walsh and her husband Andrew spent hours carefully considering where to send Molly when she starts school in September, but they were dismayed when they were informed by Hampshire County Council that she did not gain a place at any of their chosen schools.

Mrs Walsh, from Park Prewett Road, Limes Park, Basingstoke, said she would “never” send her four-year-old daughter to Winklebury Infant School, in Willoughby Way, where she was given a place, even though it is within the catchment area for where she lives.

She added: “We have been given a school we definitely don’t want our daughter to go to. The schools we picked are outstanding. We checked the way they teach and they suited her needs and personality.”

Mrs Walsh, who also has a two-year-old daughter, chose Castle Hill Infant School, in Winklebury, as her first choice, which is also within the catchment area, along with Oakridge Infant School, in Oakridge Road, as her second choice, followed by Oakley Infant School, in Oakley Lane.

She said: “There’s no provision for any school in Limes Park but we were given the catchment of Castle Hill and Winklebury. We chose three schools, hoping she would go to the first, but were told if we put down three, our daughter would be likely to get one of them.

“Every step of the way we have done as we were asked but we have been given a school that we would never have considered.”

Molly has hearing problems which affect her speech, and Mr and Mrs Walsh chose schools they believed will support her with that.

Mrs Walsh added: “For some people, I’m sure the school (Winklebury) is fine academically. But it’s not a school for our child. Molly is quite advanced for her age and she needs to be stimulated.”

The family have appealed against the decision, and could defer Molly starting school until May next year, but Mrs Walsh said: “We have been advised against that because the reception year is important. And if she doesn’t get into the school by then, we will still have to find her a place elsewhere.”

Comments(16)

Buster Preciation says...
9:24am Mon 7 May 12

"Susan Walsh and her husband Andrew spent hours carefully considering where to send Molly when she starts school in September". Perhaps they should have carefully considered the local education authority's policy on school place allocation whilst they were at it. Every other parent is subject to catchment area issues - what makes them different?

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Jamie Cooper says...
10:34am Mon 7 May 12

We had a similar problem with our daughter and were given Winklebury Infants as an alternative. I have to say though that after we visited the school we were impressed with their attitude and facilities and were content for our daughter to attend. Almost a year into her schooling and our daughter is excelling at Winklebury Infants and she couldnt be happier. She has many friends and is a very happy student. I would recommend Winklebury Infants to any parent!

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stevemac1970 says...
2:32pm Mon 7 May 12

It would be interesting to know what castle hill and the other two schools have in the way of teaching program's for the deaf that Winklebury doesn't have. The problem I suspect is that it is something in these schools that is good for all children, and other parents have spotted it. With all the cuts that are about to happen, I guess this will be a common occurrence. Maybe it's another argument that the government cuts are too fast and too deep or that the last labour government waisted tax payers money on things in education that were of no help to education. I have no idea who is to blame but clearly you have the freedom to choose your children's school and you can choose from a short list of one.

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jockthekearney says...
5:56pm Mon 7 May 12

Things may have changed in recent years but to my knowlege Park View School had a really good programme for deaf Children. Perhaps the parents should apply there.

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jockthekearney says...
5:58pm Mon 7 May 12

Park View School in South Ham once, and may still, have a good programme for deaf children. The parents should phone the head teacher there.

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InBasingstoke says...
6:58pm Mon 7 May 12

Buster Preciation wrote:
"Susan Walsh and her husband Andrew spent hours carefully considering where to send Molly when she starts school in September". Perhaps they should have carefully considered the local education authority's policy on school place allocation whilst they were at it. Every other parent is subject to catchment area issues - what makes them different?
If they live by the hospital you might find that is actually in Castle Hills cacthment area

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jondave says...
7:11pm Mon 7 May 12

Our daughter got dumped into undersubscribed Winklebury Infants when we first moved here. The school failed to impress (they were teaching in Year 1 what my daughter had been taught in Reception class in her previous authority) and we only managed to move her to a better school through our own hard work. You can appeal all you want, if the other schools are full, tough. It is worth noting that whilst Winklebury was undersubscribed the brief time we were there, Castle Hill had a waiting list in double figures. The local authority might make a big deal about catchment areas, but will not think twice about dumping into empty places in non-catchment area schools!

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Buster Preciation says...
8:37am Tue 8 May 12

You are right that if you move in to an area in mid-school year and your catchment school is full then it is tough. But you are free to apply to any other school in Hampshire - it's not a question of being 'dumped'. However any full school you apply to will give you the same response.

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JoninBasingstoke says...
12:50pm Tue 8 May 12

Just to clarify; Park Prewett Road, Limes Park, Basingstoke. This is actually Rooksdown, ‘Limes Park’ is the Builders name for the development.

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Best_Name_Ever says...
1:32pm Wed 9 May 12

Is Rooksdown not the name of the Parish? Considering it also covers areas outside of Limes Park development, as well as the Hospital?

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Beats108 says...
9:08pm Wed 9 May 12

The parents should accept the counties decision, if you want your child educated then accept the school choice and let them get the vital education they need.Then maybe fight it and look for another school, if you want better education for your child maybe as a parent sit down with them and give them that one to one tutorial instead of huffing and puffing what school they go to, in this day age in certain countries children do not receive an education as they have to work to support their family or in some cases FORCED from a young age to fight for the country or face being killed!!!

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GC31 says...
12:22pm Thu 10 May 12

Look sad for the camera!

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THX 1138 says...
4:21pm Thu 10 May 12

I disagree with the like it or lump it brigade commenters on this story. They have every right to appeal and based on what has been stated it would seem they have a good case. Nationally, about 1 in 3 appeals is successful (2 in 3 for those that use legal help). School admissions policies are more complex than many think, and schools and local authorities don't always get it right - hence the successful appeals.

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InBasingstoke says...
7:32am Fri 11 May 12

Beats108 wrote:
The parents should accept the counties decision, if you want your child educated then accept the school choice and let them get the vital education they need.Then maybe fight it and look for another school, if you want better education for your child maybe as a parent sit down with them and give them that one to one tutorial instead of huffing and puffing what school they go to, in this day age in certain countries children do not receive an education as they have to work to support their family or in some cases FORCED from a young age to fight for the country or face being killed!!!
4th Choice.....

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InBasingstoke says...
7:33am Fri 11 May 12

Beats108 wrote:
The parents should accept the counties decision, if you want your child educated then accept the school choice and let them get the vital education they need.Then maybe fight it and look for another school, if you want better education for your child maybe as a parent sit down with them and give them that one to one tutorial instead of huffing and puffing what school they go to, in this day age in certain countries children do not receive an education as they have to work to support their family or in some cases FORCED from a young age to fight for the country or face being killed!!!
4th Choice.....

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robertspet8 says...
12:58pm Tue 15 May 12

In my opinion it was a mistake to give parents a choice of school for their children. It only leads to the creation of sink schools, disppointment and some expensive legal appeals cases. And for many parents it is not a real choice.
I have no objection to people spending their money on a different education for their children outside of the state system, but there should be no choice of which state school children attend.
We should be putting our money and effort into insuring that every school is fit for purpose and delivers the best possible eduction for it's pupils. This would also make it far easier to plan what capacity is needed and where.

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