h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This week we've been going to see secondary schools to look at them for little . We have another five to see next week. Poor little is getting very stressed (such that it's made him vomit). He really liked the first we went to see, but there is now way that he could get in as it's a very popular school and the catchment area is very small. I just want him to go to a school that he'll be happy at and be able to do well.

Dearest ZSF and littlelittle

thanknyou for all your words of encouragement. It was my daughterionlaw who actually gave the people a piece of her mind and who got the phone gack on. I had posted them all the information about my payments, numbers of my DD etc. etc. and they topk absolutely no notice. I wonder if they open the post.

sorry about the problems about the school. Perhaps you are being too pessimistic about the first school. Try all the same if that is what little wants. the only thing they can do is say NO
!!.
Have a good week.

Christiane and K.

My dear Christiane

'they topk absolutely no notice. I wonder if they open the post.' Yes, it does feel that way sometimes, doesn't it. Good for your daughter-in-law.

We went to see another school this morning and little likes it. We should stand a good chance of getting in. It's a boy's school and the deputy head (I think) said that it's good for boys, as they teach them slightly differently to how they teach girls. Apparently, when they changed the system to make it more equal for the girls, the girls started to wipe the floor with the boys.

We have another to see tomorrow, three on Wednesday and one on Saturday. I"m sure I'll find him one that suits him, and I'm sure he'll do well wherever he goes. We can put up to six preferences down, but I don't think we hear which school he's got until March next year.

Oh, that takes me back!! I had to fight to get my eldest in to the school of our choice but managed it in the end. Younger son got in as a sibling, only to hit the year we had all the teachers' strikes. 17 teachers left at the end of the previous year!!

I am sure you will find a good school for little , You are lucky to have so many to choose from. It is a bind to have to wait so long for a decision, but I expect the time will fly by.

and if you are not satisfied with what you are given fight it!

Websailor

Hi Websailor

He seems to like the one he saw last best. I think he persuaded himself that the best performing school wasn't as good as the all-boys school. I'm not certain about all-boys schools. I was told the one I saw would be better for boys because they taught in a way to suit boys better. I know I was thankful to go to a oo-educational school - because girls could be very catty.

We went to se the all-boys school again last night. Little was so excited he was running around all over the place and at the end of the evening, after the headteacher had given his speech, he ran up to him and told him 'You've convinced me!'. I was also impressed by his passion and commitment to raising standards for his boys and to their whole development. There seems to be support not only for gifted and talented boys, but also for those needing support and for those with needs such as dyslexia and those needing handwriting support - and they recognise that boys can be both gifted and talented and need support in other areas at the same time. I was impressed by the teachers and by what I saw.

We're still going to have a look around at other schools, but I do feel much happier. As this one is our closest state school, I don't think there will be any problems getting him a place if it's our first choice.

Hi my two favourite

That is what I love about little His wonderful enthusiasm.

I am sure that he will be offered a place at every one of the schools he likes.

With affection

Christiane

Yes, Christiane he is very enthusiastic about this particular school. We went to two today - a comprehensive in a neighbouring borough - OK but no cigar - and a very nice private school that would cost 1/3 of my gross salary a yer - there are means-tested bursaries, so it may cost about 20-30% less than that. There are also scholarships. He'd have to pass an entrance examination first in both instances. We'll see.

We went to another school this evening and found that due to a misprint on the brochure, we'd turned up a day early. Hey ho!

Thank you for your reply. It must be great fun going around looking at all the schools. I did not realise that one was allowed and persuaded to go and visit prospetive schools. It is right and correct that this should happen.

Good luck in your search.

With affection

Christiane AR1

My dear Christiane,

Well, little and I have visted eight schools (one twice) and a ninth which had a misprint about the date, so we didn't get to see it. We've chosen a top two and ranked the others 3-6. I have a bit more work to do before we can submit the form, however I expect to have it submitted by the end of tomorrow. Then it will be a question of waiting to see what place we are allocated.

Both little and I have found it a bit stressful. Now I have a better idea of what to expect, it's not so bad. The school I'd really like him to go to is very popular and I need to fill in a form saying why he should go to this school. I think they can give him the extra support he will need with his writing and personal organisation and also push him to do well in the things he already does well. You will know how articulate he is and how he can't always get things down on paper.

Now all I can do is pray that he will get into the best school to support him to achieve his potential.

I am sure he will do well and be happy wherever he goes, with you as his Mum.



Websailor

Thanks, Websailor

I had a meeting with his teacher yesterday to go over some things with her. He's being seen by a speech and language specialist in just over a week's time. I can't remember exactly, but there are some things which might be helpful to him. He also had a diagnosis of 'moderate learning difficulties' vis a vis his dyslexia. That might help him get the extra help he needs. We'll see.

I had thought that I would get to know what school little was going to go to today. I had rung Admissions to ask when and they told me I'd get an email today, as I'd done the application online. So, I came home early to have a look before I picked him up from school. Sure enough, I had an email, but won't get to know until tomorrow what the results were. Little was very disappointed as I'd told him we would know today and his tummy is all upset because of it.

What a shame. There is no thought for what the delay puts children and parents through is there?

and a big for little

Websailor

The woman I spoke to told me that I'd get an e-mail today and had said that if I applied in the normal way, the letter would be posted today. I did get an email, but I expected that the results would be there at the same time.

I thought she'd said that the results would be online today. Maybe I misunderstood. And yes, poor little . I had him kicking and shouting on the bed that he didn't want to go to secondary school. I think it was just the tension getting to him.

Loving thoughts with you both.

Big s and much

Christiane and K,

Likewise



Websailor

Hi Christiane (and of course K) and Websailor

Well the results are in. He's got my second choice school - and his first, so he will be delighted (and I think relieved) when I tell him. I'm feeling a bit despondent about it and I wish I were happier. I know that it is a good school run by a very dedicated headteacher who is very committed to his boys.

I'm not going to appeal against the decision. I think it would be best to accept it and start looking forward to going. First things, I think will be looking for the best way to get there - it doesn't seem to be a particularly easy journey - and also looking to see what school uniform he is likely to need.

Hi Honey,

Don't be It is wonderful that it is your second choice and his first. That is great.

there may be some sort of bus which goes around picking up the pupils. One never knows.

Much to you both and congrats on getting a first and a second!!.

Christiane and K.

Oh my goodness, they don't make it easy, do they? I'm sorry to hear that you've had to do so much running around and even then not got the result you'd hoped for.

Still, 2nd isn't so bad particularly as little is happy with the outcome.

I hope that it proves to be as good a school as you hope and he imagines

Btw, was your 1st choice, little 's 2nd choice?