Lots of children, no school places. We need the council to listen to us now!
Sibling Link – Consultation for 2010 Admissions
Email to Bill Mcentee re Sibling Rule.doc
North Somerset are currently consulting (open to all) on the 2010 admission arrangements. This gives us a great opportunity to express our opinion about the newly amended sibling link rule.
Just to remind you…
The sibling link rule used to give preference within the over-subscription criteria to younger siblings of those already attending school. However, from 2009 admissions the rule has been amended so that siblings are only given priority if the school in question is their closest school. Problem is that many of us are now being sent to schools that are not our closest because of the insufficient number of places at our local schools. We are afforded no ‘protection’ for our younger children and are therefore facing the distinct possibility of two different schools for two (or more) young children.
Admissions for 2009 have demonstrated how ludicrous the current situation is, with two families in the village now facing the prospect of getting their children (just a year apart in age) to two different schools. The idea behind the revised rule was to ensure that local school places were made available for local children. But the rule doesn’t go far enough and so the siblings are replaced by children who are once again from the wider community (ie the school isn’t their closest either but they do live a little closer).
Please help raise the issue with the Council by sending an email to Bill McEntee (Bill.Mcentee@n-somerset.gov.uk), who is heading up the consultation. I have thrown together a standard email (above) – please use it as it is or adapt as you feel appropriate. In particular, it would help if you could elaborate on your own individual circumstances if this issue is likely to affect your family.
The consultation closes 28th February 2009.
Thereafter we will consider once again taking the issue to the Schools Adjudicator (who unusually only passed a one year ruling last year). Please watch this space, as we will need your support as this progresses.
Thank you!
North Somerset are currently consulting (open to all) on the 2010 admission arrangements. This gives us a great opportunity to express our opinion about the newly amended sibling link rule.
Just to remind you…
The sibling link rule used to give preference within the over-subscription criteria to younger siblings of those already attending school. However, from 2009 admissions the rule has been amended so that siblings are only given priority if the school in question is their closest school. Problem is that many of us are now being sent to schools that are not our closest because of the insufficient number of places at our local schools. We are afforded no ‘protection’ for our younger children and are therefore facing the distinct possibility of two different schools for two (or more) young children.
Admissions for 2009 have demonstrated how ludicrous the current situation is, with two families in the village now facing the prospect of getting their children (just a year apart in age) to two different schools. The idea behind the revised rule was to ensure that local school places were made available for local children. But the rule doesn’t go far enough and so the siblings are replaced by children who are once again from the wider community (ie the school isn’t their closest either but they do live a little closer).
Please help raise the issue with the Council by sending an email to Bill McEntee (Bill.Mcentee@n-somerset.gov.uk), who is heading up the consultation. I have thrown together a standard email (above) – please use it as it is or adapt as you feel appropriate. In particular, it would help if you could elaborate on your own individual circumstances if this issue is likely to affect your family.
The consultation closes 28th February 2009.
Thereafter we will consider once again taking the issue to the Schools Adjudicator (who unusually only passed a one year ruling last year). Please watch this space, as we will need your support as this progresses.
Thank you!
Add a Comment
About
Badge
© 2009 Created by Tabetha Newman on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
You need to be a member of Long Ashton school crisis to add comments!
Join this social network