I am selecting this school for social reasons

[Doobs]

I am in the process of applying for a primary school for the first time.

There is a series of questions which ask why we are selecting a given school.
 
So far I have managed to tick the boxes for it is easy to make arrangements for my child to travel to this school and I am selecting this school because of the distance from my child's home to this school.  This all feels like a bit of a lie, because we aren't putting any school down where the drive is terrible or any that are miles away from home.  Frankly, the traffic isn't terrible where we are, so we could tick those same boxes for any school in the area. 

There is a box marked "I am selecting this school for social reasons.".  This feels closer to the truth, because our second choice isn't bad academically, isn't full of delinquents, but is also in the catchment for three of her friends.

This box gives us the option of explaining what the social reasons are.  I suspect "isn't bad academically, and isn't full of delinquents" may not be viewed as positive "social reasons".  So do we just put down that we think her friends will be going there, try and write a brilliant essay, or just leave it blank, as they will decide on distance the crow flies anyway.

I am tempted to leave them all blank, but figure that I should give the impression we have considered some of the things that they feel should be important. 

Before I started this I always said I didn't want to pretend I was a practicing christian in order to get the kids in a great school, but it feels I am now doing much the same thing with this form.

====

Full set of questions are as below for those interested

Does your child have a sibling who will still be attending the school when your child starts? Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school because it is a Faith School. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school for medical reasons. Yes No/Not Applicable
I believe my child can pass this school's entrance test. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school because my child has an aptitude for the school’s specialism(s):- Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selectin this scholl because I believe my child lives in this school's catchment. Yes No/Not Applicable
I believe my child attends a feeder school to this school. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school for social reasons. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school because of the distance from my child's home to this school. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school because it is easy to make arrangements for my child to travel to this school. Yes No/Not Applicable
I am selecting this school because it is a single sex school; co-educational school; Not Applicable
     
 

[Simon Galloway]

Just done these also..

I guess it will depend on LEA, but for ours, I think when clicking on social reasons, it asks you to submit a letter from doctor/healthcare pro etc?  If that's the case, it might solve that one.

Our primary schools are all sorted "as the crow flies" but it isn't automatically going to be your nearest school allocated.  General advice is to make sure that you select your nearest school and have it in your top 3 somewhere.  (Heard horror stories of people selecting 3 ambitious schools miles away, getting turned down for all 3 and then being allocated a school - the one that is under-applied for locally obv - delinquents R US.  So make sure the nearest crow flies school is one of your preferences, and that aside, put down 1,2,3 in order of the schools you'd like. 

[Acidmouse]

Interesting to see others go through this.

I am going to church/mass at the weekend FML. Our local catholic school only lets people who go to the church next to it! So i have two years to get both my little girls baptised, be regulars at the weekend mass and they be in my dream school!

[outragous76]

Interesting to see others go through this.

I am going to church/mass at the weekend FML. Our local catholic school only lets people who go to the church next to it! So i have two years to get both my little girls baptised, be regulars at the weekend mass and they be in my dream school!

Wow!

Im astounded that people will do this! Genuinely blown away!

[Acidmouse]

Interesting to see others go through this.

I am going to church/mass at the weekend FML. Our local catholic school only lets people who go to the church next to it! So i have two years to get both my little girls baptised, be regulars at the weekend mass and they be in my dream school!

Wow!

Im astounded that people will do this! Genuinely blown away!

Well i am a catholic...who went to catholic schools and my parents both go to church so not toooooooo much of a hassle, but yeah a pain.

[Doobs]

Just done these also..

I guess it will depend on LEA, but for ours, I think when clicking on social reasons, it asks you to submit a letter from doctor/healthcare pro etc?  If that's the case, it might solve that one.

Our primary schools are all sorted "as the crow flies" but it isn't automatically going to be your nearest school allocated.  General advice is to make sure that you select your nearest school and have it in your top 3 somewhere.  (Heard horror stories of people selecting 3 ambitious schools miles away, getting turned down for all 3 and then being allocated a school - the one that is under-applied for locally obv - delinquents R US.  So make sure the nearest crow flies school is one of your preferences, and that aside, put down 1,2,3 in order of the schools you'd like. 

That makes it clearer.  I did think the potential for misunderstanding what the question was getting at was quite high on that one.

We are putting the nearest one first.  We just don't want to put the next two nearest within town next, as they are solid on the way to failing .  We are on the edge of town and the village school a mile or so down the road isn't bad at all, but it seems that putting it 2nd is better than first.  If we get rejected from the nearest school because it is oversubscribed then we get in a category which is outside the school catchment, but rejected from the nearest school (priority class 5), which is better than just living outside the catchment (priority class 6).  The nearest one isn't great, but because it isn't a 4 it is pretty popular.

My brother has done the church thing too, the school at the bottom of his road is a church school and very good.  But without going to church instead of walking down the road, he'd have to drive past it every morning.  It worked btw. 

[Matt.NFFC.]

My 3 and 2 year olds attend the nursery which adjoins the primary school which is literally 20 yds away (yes 20).

And if mine don't get into the primary school then it's just complete madness.  I could literally throw a brick into the office of the head teacher if that was applicable!.  Seriously though, do all you can to get the school you want, lie if you have to, you won't be the only one I'm sure.

[ripple11]

My two boys are starting nursery this September, so I was curiously looking at nearby senior schools( looking 8 years ahead ;-))

This C of E School in West London has an admission policy that requires you and  your darling children to regularly attend Church for 5 years previously,as well as you and your children to participate in voluntary services of church activities.
Its an outstanding School, and well oversubscribed.....apparently the max pts you can score is something like 30.....and if you don't score 29 or 30 you're got no chance!   (so thats us then!! lol)
Some of the policy is below....anyone for 5 years of bell ringing?

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION FOR FOUNDATION (CHRISTIAN) PLACES
The Governors have designated 150 places each year as foundation places for students who themselves AND their parent(s)/carer(s) are regular worshippers. Attendance should be at a public place of worship and be confirmed by a supportive reference from their parish priest or minister.
In the event of over-subscription and when deciding between applicants who ostensibly have equal entitlement the Governors will use the following criteria when deciding priority:
1. ALL LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN regardless of religious affiliation (as defined by the LA as children in public care subject to Section 22 of the Children Act (1989)) have priority over all other applications.
2. The Total points scored based on the answers given to the questions below and detailed in sections 1 to 6 of the supplementary information form (religious reference) which relate to attendance and involvement of families (see points a - e below) will be the first deciding factor.
Information relating to the child:
a)
The length and frequency of voluntary attendance of the child at services of the Church of England (or churches in communion therewith), including Sunday School, or, Christian Church affiliated to Churches Together in Britain & Ireland or the Evangelical Alliance. Up to 5 points are awarded for attendance over at least the last 5 years (one point for each year). In addition up to 5 points are awarded on the frequency/regularity of attendance over the last 5 years (Weekly 5 pts, 3 times a month 4 pts, Fortnightly 3pts, Monthly 2pts, Occasional 1pt).(5 + 5 points)
Admission Policy Foundation (Christian) 2012/2013Information relating to the child:The child attends organisations working for the Church, or for the community, or supports
the Church in other ways, as outlined below.
Children’s Activities (2 activities maximum) at main place of worship usually on
Sundays
(2 points max)
1. Sunday school
2. Choir/Music Group3. Server
4. In Church with parents where no Sunday School exists
5. Church/Youth club/group
6. Attending Confirmation Classes
7. Reads lesson/contributes to worship
8. Church based outreach/charitable projects
a)The length and frequency of voluntary attendance of the child at services of the Church of England (or churches in communion therewith), including Sunday School, or, Christian Church affiliated to Churches Together in Britain & Ireland or the Evangelical Alliance. Up to 5 points are awarded for attendance over at least the last 5 years (one point for each year). In addition up to 5 points are awarded on the frequency/regularity of attendance over the last 5 years (Weekly 5 pts, 3 times a month 4 pts, Fortnightly 3pts, Monthly 2pts, Occasional 1pt).
(5 + 5 points
Information relating to the family:
c) The length and frequency of voluntary attendance of the parent/carer at services of the
Church of England (or churches in communion therewith), or, Christian Church affiliated
to Churches Together in Britain & Ireland or the Evangelical Alliance. Up to 5 points are
awarded for attendance over at least the last 5 years (one point for each year). In
addition up to 5 points are awarded on the frequency/regularity of attendance over the last
5 years (Weekly 5 pts, 3 times a Month 4 pts, Fortnightly 3pts, Monthly 2pts,
Occasional 1pt).
(5 + 5 points)
d) The voluntary service given by the child‟s parent or carer to their Church. Please give
details of service, (1 point per activity.) as outlined below.
Parent(s) (4 activities maximum)
(4 points max)
 Bell ringing
 Reader of scripture in church
 Elected PCC member or equivalent
 Music Group/Choir
 Flower arranging at church
 Sunday School Teacher/Helper
 Welcomer/Steward
 Leader of intercessions/Prayer rota
 Server
 House/cell Group member
 Assisting with collection/counting
money
 Evangelism team/outreach
 Youth Club/Uniform Leader/Helper
 Mother‟s Union/equivalent
womens‟ group
 Mens‟ Group
 Tea & coffee Rota
 Church cleaning
 Church maintenance
 Parish Magazine Editor
 Bible Study Group
 Crèche Helper
 Licensed to administer
communion
 Worship Group
 Technical support
 Church based

[ManuelsMum]

Interesting to see others go through this.

I am going to church/mass at the weekend FML. Our local catholic school only lets people who go to the church next to it! So i have two years to get both my little girls baptised, be regulars at the weekend mass and they be in my dream school!

Wow!

Im astounded that people will do this! Genuinely blown away!

Well i am a catholic...who went to catholic schools and my parents both go to church so not toooooooo much of a hassle, but yeah a pain.

Well judging by the FML you are 'catholic' in name only? Ie it's because you were baptised into the catholic faith, rather than holding any of those beliefs yourself?

[ScottMGee]

Unreal the points for parents thing! In simple terms if you have lazy, or possibly very poor over worked parents who can't / don't do the activities then the kids miss out - nice!

[vegaslover]

I would lie as much as I could get away with if it meant getting my child into a better school.
Been through this a year ago. We live inbetween the two closest primary schools. One is excellent the other is awful. Local authority policy is meant to be randon picking when allocating places, but we picked a certain preschool almost solely on it being a 'feeder' to the primary that we wanted.

[Acidmouse]

Interesting to see others go through this.

I am going to church/mass at the weekend FML. Our local catholic school only lets people who go to the church next to it! So i have two years to get both my little girls baptised, be regulars at the weekend mass and they be in my dream school!

Wow!

Im astounded that people will do this! Genuinely blown away!

Well i am a catholic...who went to catholic schools and my parents both go to church so not toooooooo much of a hassle, but yeah a pain.

Well judging by the FML you are 'catholic' in name only? Ie it's because you were baptised into the catholic faith, rather than holding any of those beliefs yourself?

Nah just fml i hate going to mass..i prefer to do my own thing.