Advice for parents applying for places in Harpenden Primary Schools

By cgillies | Sunday, October 16, 2011, 13:11

Even if you have not got school aged children you must have heard about the school allocations for 2011; it has been a hot topic of conversation since the allocations were made in April. Statistics from Herts Admissions stated that nearly 96% of children were allocated one of their preferred schools and, out of 457 applications 343 were placed in their 1st choice; but the story was different for many Harpenden families.

Harpenden School allocations 2012

Harpenden has lots of really good schools, but 2011 was a year of high admissions; online data shows that many schools had more applications than in previous years- a trend which is set to continue. Something has been done to try and address the problem, but is it enough? Extra classes have been put on in some schools- and the new free school will be taking its first intake in September 2012.

For the 2011 intake the catchments for each school were unbelievably small; the furthest child to gain a place in Manland, for example, lived under 300 metres from the school. One group of parents, unsatisfied with their school allocations, are determined to change things for the future; they have set up an action group called, they are petitioning for change so that their children, and future intakes, are able to attend a school of choice. If you would like further details either follow this link to the yahoo page and request to join or email : harpendenparentsgroup@gmail.com and they will send you an invite.

So, some advice to parents applying for places this year:

1- Check out your closest schools; the Ofsted and school websites are a good starting point.

2- Visit the schools- a word of warning though, some schools hold their open days before the application process opens; many parents were caught out last year and couldn't get places on open days as they were full! Start phoning round schools at the start of term to enquire.

3- If you phone Admissions, 0300 123 4043, they will be able to give you information on last year's intakes and let you know what your three closest schools are.

4- Be realistic with your choices- you need to apply by January 2012.

5- Good Luck!

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Comments

Hello Harpenden People!

I'm working on a piece about primary school shortages for BBC Breakfast and I'm really keen to talk to parents who didn't get a place for their child at the school of their choice.

I'm interested in finding out how parents are coping with this - are they driving miles to drop their children off at an alternative school? Perhaps they are having to send siblings to different schools? Or maybe even had to keep the child at home for a while?

Please do get in touch. I'm on 0208 624 9696 or sarah.weaver@bbc.co.uk

All the best

Sarah

By rahweaver at 15:37 on 16/02/12
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Parents have the right to appeal if they do not get their preferred school. Infant class size appeals, where there are 30 children in a class, are very difficult to win, but not impossible. I used to work for a local authority, in the admissions dept. In April 2011 I set up business helping parents to win their appeals. I assisted with several infant class size appeals for the same school, where basically there were insufficient places in the 'local' area. I coached the parents through so that they felt comfortable at appeal, I used my knowledge of admissions law and my experience of appeal (I have attended literally hundreds). Outcome - All 9 families won their cases and their children all started school this September, over and above the 60 published admission number. IT CAN BE DONE!
school-appeals.co.UK

By JRSutton at 20:59 on 17/10/11
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