Croydon Primary School Places: It's Gritty (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon Primary School Places: It's Gritty

1:39pm Tuesday 12th January 2010 in

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By Community Correspondent Anjum Gomes It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I clicked on the 'Submit your application' button on my online form for my son's primary school place. At the time, I wondered which of those schools my son would be attending the following September. It did not cross my mind that in March, my child would not be given a place at any of the schools I had specified.

What followed, after the initial disbelief and panic, was approximately 6 months of frustration, weekly calls to the Council, visits to possible alternative schools and sleepless nights. There were also appeals which failed. Perhaps if we had hired a legal representative, we may have had a better chance.

I know that we were not the only family in the Borough in this position- I have since learnt that several hundred children were left without a place at any of their parents' preferred schools. I sincerely hope that this issue has been addressed this year and that parents can expect their children to go to one of their choices.

Much to my relief, in September my son was offered a place at a wonderful infants school in the neighbouring borough, which he now attends. Although we are delighted, there are practical drawbacks such as the journey in the morning, the fact that his school friends live in a different area and the snow. If the Council cannot offer us good local schools and we have to make alternative arrangements for the benefit of our children, please at least grit the side roads so that we can drive our children to school!

All the very best to the parents and guardians who have applied for primary school places this year.