Secondary school appeal update

DGD will meet her new classmates in a couple of weeks time when she attends the new school for 2 whole days . To say she is excited is the understatement of the year !

Happy days

My GD lives in a village and will be the only child from her school to travel to the next city for school in September. She has met her new classmates and has been allocated her house, so confident for one so young.

Yes Anya a fresh start indeed . let's hope so Poor little lad . I hate bullies . It's true what people say that you make a whole new group of friends in secondary school as you tend to meet and mix with others who share similar interests to you. My DGD was going to be at a school where she knew no one whether she had won the appeal or not it just means that winning the appeal means she will be close to home instead of miles away in an area she doesn't know . I do hope you little GS's operation goes well . They're nothing but worry are they ? I guess that's 'cos we love them so much .

My GS is the only one from his primary going to his new secondary. It's hopefully a change to start afresh away from those who bullied him. He has a noticeable Ptosis in his right eye and is due to have it operated upon during the summer break. We are hoping the operation (which will have to be paid for privateiy) will be a success.

There is a PAN of 195 for this year 7 Jalima all made up of the three main entrance criteria ; feeder children, sibling link and looked after children . For the past 5 years they have never admitted on appeal and have never reached the 4th criteria which is distance . Not sure if any other children got in on appeal
( we know there were 18 appeals) . The minx in me hopes there are others but the "granny lion"
in me has stopped worrying about other people's children. Hope that doesn't sound selfish . But in these appeals, boy is it each man for themselves ! Some people don't half show their true colours ..

We moved from one side of town to the other as my DS moved up from primary to secondary. He was the only one from his ps but it was no problem at all.
After all your family has been through I don't think it will be a big issue especially as the school has made provision.
Enjoy the holidays!
(School term ended today for my 2 wee ones.)

Even if the other children know each other from feeders, if it is anything like the school my DC went to, they will mix them all up across the forms; there may not be more than one child per form who has come from a small village feeder school. DD was sick with nerves because we were new to the area and she knew no-one but she soon settled in and made friends.

So glad for you gillybob! You obviously love that little girl so much. Best wishes to her.

I feel genuinely tearful reading all these lovely messages. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have offered good advice and support over the past months , it has all been worth it. We feel like we have won a major battle for the "little" person !

Yes I know you're right Juggenaut it's just me being my paranoid self. Actually the school telephoned my DIL this morning and she said they were lovely and said they can't wait to meet my DGD for the first time. They said they will take extra care to ensure she mixes well ( all the other children know each other from feeders) and asked her interests etc. Which I thought was very kind of them . The problem will now be finding a uniform to fit an 11 year old who wears an age 7-8 clothes !

I am absolutely thrilled for you gilly and of course your granddaughter xx Great news

Gillybob
Bloody Brilliant!
It just shows what us 'little people' can achieve when we really fight for what's right!
Your DH is right, there'll be no 'singling out' of your DGD. The Headteacher wouldn't dare do or say anything, and the rest of the staff won't know, stop worrying!
Many, many Congratulations on winning a hard fought battle! X

So pleased for you. its sometimes worth the huge struggle with an immoveable force when you win. Well done. You must all be delighted.

So pleased to hear your good news gilly, no wonder you DGD is ecstatic

Well done gillybob hope you and your DGD have a fantastic summer knowing she is taken care of. You worked so hard for it, so pleased you got such a great result.

Gillybob Well done for persevering. You should be really proud of yourself for all you have done to make this work.

I know how stressful you have found this process.
Big smiles on your behalf from me as well.

You could apply to be on school appeals panel. I did this a couple of years ago as they were looking for lay volunteers. I was accepted but then had to turn down the offer due to family commitments.

Thank you again everyone for your good wishes and kind comments . DGD is still high as a kite and can't believe that she will be able to go to the school she can almost see from her bedroom window ( well the playing field anyway) . She is like a changed child . It's like someone has lifted a huge weight from her little shoulders . Well I suppose they have .
Am thinking about the future and would like to be able to do something for other children who may be in a similar position . Not sure What yet though.

Great news. Cheered me up no end. Well done all your efforts rewarded. Hope you have a little celebration with your beloved granddaughter.

Just caught up too - Fantastic News! I'm sure your DGD will be an asset to her school and they'll be delighted to have her.

I agree with Granny23 that it would be good if you could take this further once the dust has settled. There are so many parents having to go through this angst. There must be a better more sensible and sensitive way.

Well done to you and your family!

Hi Gilly I've been away for a couple of days and only just read your great news.

I'm delighted for you.

Now your GD can relax and enjoy her summer

Oh, uniform fittings, and bits. You will have a lovely time!

How utterly wonderful for you all. Sense has prevailed. You can now have a lovely summer. Well done and good luck to your precious GD in her new school.

I have just read your message gilly, I am so pleased for you and your family, absolutely great news.
I was your GD 60 years ago and everything was fine when I got to the school my mother fought for, she even had to go to MP.
I know what you mean about uniform, GD's has to be bought through the school so no chance of cutting corners. GD has an appointment in two weeks to be measured and kitted out, list is more of a booklet

Vans are a posh ( brand) name for plimsolls Jalima nothing special at all .

Just got the list for what DGD needs .... blimey need to take out a second third mortgage.

There are times when the admission criteria is proved to be quite unreasonable too goose1964 although they may have followecitvto the letter . I don't want to say too much more on an open forum for obvious reasons. The problem arises when there is one school in one area and the next nearest is miles away .