General Chat

see below x

You all know i have a 10 yr old sister - Ruby. Shes going through the process at the mo of trying to get into a secondary school. Mum put her forward to a school called Coopers and the school i went to Hall Mead. These are the best schools in the area, all the others apart from one are terrible. When i say terrible i mean they have awful GCSE pass rates, the pupils arent great, i dont mean to tar them all with the same brush but we all know what kids who go to bad schools are like!! Mum had a letter today saying that Ruby is out of the catchment area for BOTH schools, but shes been accepted at Avely School, this is the worst in the area. Mum has just phoned me beside herself, shes panicking, sobbing her heart out and just doesnt know what to do. Shes not over reacting as some may think she is. Ruby is a very clever girl, and i mean she must be above average as she shocks ALOT of peopel with just how clever she is. We all know that she is going to go far and prob even be the first one in our family to go to UNI but thats not gonna happen unless she gets proper schooling. She is different to the other kinds in the school too, other kids arent on the same wave lenght as her, so she has a pretty bad time sometimes, we all know how nasty kids can be and these schools are known to have very violent, rude bullys in them. Ive told her to phone the campus which is round the corner to me which is brand new but there is a huge waiting list. We have been told she can appeal but if that doesnt work we still dont wanna send her to one of these schools. And on top of that some horrible man has just shouted for about 5mins on the phone to me and has made me cry so much i had to put the phone down

I would tell your mum to appeal as you can do that

Oh babe, no advice but I hope you sort it out for ruby's sake!! xx

Appeal. In readiness for the hearing which she must attend tell her to collect the offsted reports for the schools in the area to help with her case. Does Ruby have any friends going to the school she wants, if so get a doctors report about the bullying Ruby suffered and low self esteem and impress on the panel how important it is to Ruby's well being that she not be separated from her friends. I have successfully fought the education authority twice to get Kyle and Talisa into the best school which was out of the catchment area! Julie xxx

I understood that Catchments were no longer. I understood that it was all now to do with Parental CHOICE! Doesn't seem to be that in your little sisters case. Look into it further, I have found in most things, don't take the first answer as final. But then I have to say, I'm quite Bolshy at times. Good luck steph. Deanna X

Forgot to say.................. Good luck babe I know how much that little sis means to you! Julie xxx

Hi Steedie I can't add to what Julie has already said but just want to wish you all good luck. ((((((HUGS)))))) Juliexx

Hi Steedie Julie ( little Jewels ) has given you some top advice........can I also suggest that your Mum makes an appointment to see Ruby's Head of the school she is at at present , who will help her find ways of climbing up the criteria ladder that the other school has set. The school that you attended should also be mentioned............and I do hope sweetie it all goes in favour of Ruby . Much happiness debi

Ladies, thank you so much!! Julie, mum was told that we can appeal, but what she is scared of is that if she appeals and it dont work then we are stuck! But taking your advice i will pass this on to her and she will get all the information needed! Lindy has given me loads of info on home tutoring too so thank you all of you xx

Hi Steedie You have every right to appeal to the governors of both schools, but make sure that you are really prepared with your arguments(as previously suggested) Another thing to include in your argument would be how bright your sister is. Ask her current school if she is on their Gifted and Talented register, they should have one. If she is, you can also argue what an asset she would be to the school. They won't admit that this will make a difference, but it does add weight to the argument that she would be better placed with them. Hope you get somewhere. Pm me if you want me to explain more about the register. Sharon

Morning all, I just wanted to say thank you for all the info you all gave me yesterday, and thanks to lindy too. Because of all the info that you have given us my mum feels like shes been given a boost and is now feeling posotive that we will get Ruby into Coopers, if not there then hopefully Hall Mead. She said 'thank you so much to all of you for your support and wonderful advice' Sometimes i take for granted just how nice and helpful you lot are xxx