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A UK Pregnancy, Parenting and Lifestyle Blog
May 28, 2018

We Got A School! Primary School Late Application

I’ve had a lot of questions recently about updates on our school situation with Little I, who is starting reception in September, so thought I would do a little update post.

To hear the full story of our primary school admissions drama then click here, but in a nut shell we didn’t get any of our chosen schools and got allocated a catchment school which we just didn’t see her going to. I really didn’t get the right vibe from it at all. I’m sure it is a great school for some children.

What I ended up doing was booking onto an open day to see a local independent school and phoning up admissions religiously to see where we were on the waiting lists for our chosen schools (9th and 28th). I LOVED the independent school. Loved the small class sizes, loved the ethos, loved the setup, loved the facilities, pretty much loved everything about it. Just didn’t love the thought of not being able to save for a house deposit anymore due to the fees (even though they were really reasonable for a private school!).

I wasn’t holding out any hope on the waiting lists, and so was about to pay the registration fee and deposit for the independent school, when a few friends shared a social media post from another school saying they had places. It was a really great school, just in a different town from us so we had never even thought to apply with being so far out of catchment.

I also went back to see the catchment school for a second time, just to see if anything would change my mind, or if I’d just gone on a bad day last time. Unfortunately, although I saw a few more things than last time, it still didn’t change my mind.

I called up the new school to see if I could go have a look around. They asked when would be good and I went ‘this afternoon!!’. I got away from work for an hour to go see it and really liked it. The setup is great, they do a lot of outdoor learning and have a HUGE outside area for reception, there’s a lot of extra support and service family support, they mix with other year groups, it’s right next to the Junior school too for the future, lots of great things going on. Quite a few different members of staff randomly came up to introduce themselves and answer any questions, which was great as well. All in all I just got that vibe I was looking for. The illusive vibe! I feel like R Kelly every time I say that word – viiiiiiiibe – haha.

They have no idea why they’ve got places this year! They are always oversubscribed apparently. They do have three reception classes, instead of the two a lot of other schools have, so I’m sure that helped. Whatever the reason, I’m very grateful.

I had brought a completed late application form (late applications have to be done via post in our county) to the visit and the school posted it off. I called up admissions to say that it was on its way and was told I’d probably hear within a week via email. I waited two weeks then phoned up and was told that actually they were still working on late application forms from almost a month ago and that I’d hear via post in the next three to four weeks.

Panic set in slightly that we wouldn’t get the place and a lovely girl who follows us on Instagram, who actually works at the school, messaged to say she’d ask to see whether the school would hear first. I got a reassuring phone call from the admissions lady at the school who said not to worry, and that a place would be offered to us. She sent out the registration forms and gave us the dates for all the transition activities etc.

At the end of that week we got a phone call from the county admissions office to say they could offer us the place and did I want to accept it? YES PLEASE! OH THE RELIEF! The official letter came through a couple days later.

It’s a bit out of the way commute wise, especially with L still being in nursery, but it will be worth it!

I’m so happy that we can now focus on the fun and exciting parts about Little I starting school. EEK. SHE’S TOO GROWN UP!

Did you have any primary school application dramas at all?

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Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫 Kisses and cuddles with my faves 💖💫
‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in c ‘Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in creating a better world for our children.’ - Nelson Mandela ❤️
It’s not enough though, is it? We’ve always h It’s not enough though, is it?

We’ve always had diverse toys in our house (not enough, but I’m working on it ❤️), but when questioned ‘why do you buy your kids Black dolls?’, I’ve faltered and answered incorrectly. I would respond saying ‘because that’s the doll Isla liked the best. What does it matter? We’re all human’, rather than questioning why that person is questioning it in the first place.

In a massive learning curve this week, where I am actively trying to become an anti-racist ally, not just anti-racist/non racist in general, I have found so many shortcomings in my effort to educate my kids and in my own attitudes towards race. But this isn’t about me. So here are some resources I’d like to share on top of the ones shared in my stories.

Some books to read:
Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge.
How to argue with a racist - Adam Rutherford.
Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch.
White Fragility - Robin Diangelo.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo.

Diverse kids books:
Anti Racist Baby - X. Kendi.
Riley Can Be Anything -Davina Hamilton.
Look Up - Nathan Bryon.
Mae Among The Stars - Roda Ahmed.
The Mega Magic Hair Swap - Rochelle Humes.
Let’s Talk About Race - Julius Lester.
Welcome To Our World - Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas.
This Book Is Antiracist - Tiffany Jewell.
The Extraordinary Gardener - Sam Boughton.
Let The Children March - Monica Clark-Robinson.
Ruby’s Worry - Tom Percival.
A Kids Book About Racism - Jelani Memory.

Some things to watch:
When They See Us.
13th.
Who Killed Malcom X.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story.
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap.
Dear White People.
I am Not Your Negro.

My to do list:
- Sign more petitions.
- Donate to more causes.
- Listen to podcasts and share.
- Encourage changes in the school curriculum so that my children, and their classmates, get a better, much more rounded and diverse education.
- Call things out.
- Have honest/open conversations.
- Share content.
- To keep educating myself, whilst never expecting others to do it for me.

It’s just a starting point.

Thanks for listening x
Black Lives Matter. I can never pretend to unders Black Lives Matter.

I can never pretend to understand, but I will always stand.

I’ve been on a huge learning curve this week and have, shamefully, come to the realisation, which I should have a long time ago, that it’s not enough to just not be racist. We must also be actively anti-racist and do everything in our power to ensure our children are too.

Today is a day to stop, listen, support, educate ourselves, donate, sign petitions, take action in any way we can, big and small, to make sure that everyone knows we stand with our fellow humans, family and friends. But we can’t just do this today. We must do it each and every day going forward ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
And breathe! First day without both my babies for And breathe! First day without both my babies for the first time in 10 weeks today and it couldn’t have gone better. Both had wonderful days and were full of stories when they got home. I said over on stories last night, which got an incredible response so thank you to everyone who reached out, that I am completely comfortable with my choice to send the kids back to school and nursery but would never, ever judge anyone who felt different. We are all in different boats in this storm we’ve found ourselves in and what works for my family, might not work for yours. I have deliberately stayed out of the ‘are you sending your kids back or not?’ debate as it started to feel like another toxic discussion, in the media and on social media, that was resulting in yet another parenting divide.
I could have had the kids in this whole time, under key worker provision, but tried my best to hang on till the phased reopenings that I hoped would happen when they did. They were what I was aiming towards. Don’t get me wrong, I have LOVED having the kids at home together for such a sustained period, we have made lots of memories and learnt so much more about each other, but mixed in with the nature of my job and the fact that @thisdadalife is deployed and so I’m on my own with minimal support, I couldn’t have gone on much longer.
When I got in from dropping them off today, and as I went upstairs to work at my desk, I literally collapsed on the stairs and almost cried in relief. Relief that we made it through, as dramatic as that sounds. I don’t think I realised the toll it was taking mentally as I was constantly running on adrenaline.
I am so happy to get a bit more balance back and to, most importantly, feel like a better mum again. Not a snappy trying to juggle it all 24/7 with no break mum.
If you sent your kids back today, whether you wanted to or not, I’m with you and support you.
If you have kept them home in your bubble for longer, I’m with you and support you.
If you’re still unsure what to do and are undecided, I am with you and support you.
Nobody knows the full extent of someone else’s circumstances and we have to stop and realise that before we judge anyone else ❤️
Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅 Ibiza vibes in Puerto Gardeno today 😂☀️😅
This is the first year in YEARS that I have felt ok wearing a bikini. And I feel like it’s more down to how strong I feel, rather than how I look. Whatever it is, I hope it continues ❤️
On another note, how tanned does the @filterbymollymae fake tan make you look! 🙌🏻
(Both bikini and cover up are from last year).
#losingmyboobstho #youwinsomeyoulosesomehaha
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