Those of you that have been following PODcast for a while will recall our previous school place challenges. Back in 2015, we’d expected POD to join the local school when she started reception. Everyone told us we’d get a place and we’d have nothing to worry about given the school was just up the road. We were well within the catchment too. As it happens, we were all wrong as POD didn’t get offered a place. We appealed against the decision but it was a battle we were never going to win. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
POD was offered a place at a school located 3.5 miles away which in rush hour could take 45 minutes to get to or back from. She didn’t know anyone when she joined and while she’s a confident child, it took a good three months for her to settle. That said, she ended her reception year on a really positive note and she was excited for Year One. She’d been at the top of the waiting list for the local school for an entire school year. POD had moved a few places but we were no nearer to receiving an offer. We decided to keep her on the waiting list for the local school though.
Year One started well but a few weeks in, she wasn’t herself becoming quieter (she’s quite loud normally) and withdrawn at times. She started not wanting to go to school. We discovered she was being bullied by an older child. The bullying didn’t stop when it was reported to her teacher and worsened as the months that followed. The Head dealt with the situation but when POD returned to school after Christmas in 2017, the bullying continued. Now on a daily basis. Two weeks later, when we were at our wit’s end, we received an offer letter from the local school. She finally had a place! She started there just 48 hours later.
POD settled in almost immediately, the transition made that much easier as she had friends there already. It’s also a very good school with great teachers. Not to mention walking distance from our house. But it only goes up to Year Two so a few months ago, we were back applying for a school place. We’ve been on tenterhooks waiting to hear if POD had secured a place at another local school. With the schools in our area hugely oversubscribed, it’s been a nervewracking wait. We’d likely have to move house which would mean no childcare and most likely job changes. POD would have to start at a school where she didn’t know anyone again rather than making the transition to primary with her friends.
But, this time around we were successful! POD got that school place and we couldn’t be happier for her. It’s a fabulous school and she’ll get to start there with her friends. We can keep the same childminder, routines can remain the same and we don’t have to move. It’s the best feeling in the world knowing what school she’ll be going to. Hopefully, now we can relax a little. At least until we have to start thinking about secondary school! Property on the school grounds anyone?
