Dartford boy, 11, left without a secondary school (From News Shopper)

I no it's very unfair on your child but there are still other good school that are not grammer in the areas that u could maybe fight for...children do well in schools if they have it in them to do it ...

FFS this is part of what's wrong with this country.

failed his 11 plus by just seven points - A fail is fail. Doesn't matter by how many points. Maybe spend some time with your son doing extra maths.

he has travel sickness issues. - What utter rubbish.

"He will not develop" - Part of a parents job is help educate your child not just leaving it to the school. Getting him reading and discussing issues in the news / on TV. Interact with your child.

Don't belive everthing you read in an Ofsted inspection!

I'm not saying he should be treated any differently to other children." - No I'm just ringing the local paper to make a big song and dance about it. Maybe this will embarrass KCC into doing what I want.

Yeah great parent!

can i just say both my children go to hextable and they are getting on brilliantly which is now an up and coming school by the way. They have a great relationship with all teaching staff ,if your child wants to learn like my two do they will get on at any school they go to ,loving the other posts so true.

This is not a grammar issue this is a any of my 4 schools issue. In fact have applied for 6 nearer schools and been unsucessful . As for being a great parent yes I am thanks . All of you making dergatory remarks - really cant comment unless you have been in the same situation. As for hextable, it might be a great school for many children but is not the right one for us

on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

irisheyes58 wrote:
on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

Oh how wrong can one person be?
Travel sickness - or motion sickness as that is the correct term, can be solved or helped by doing a number of thing in the journey differently.Just look it up plenty of info out there. It could be how the mother drives or how the lad is sitting.

Maybe you should re-read my comment and take some time to think about what I have actually written. Where did I say ignore the report???? That's right I didn't!

Here it is again -
"Don't believe 'everything' you read in an Ofsted inspection"........ Ofsted is over-reliant on number crunching, using test data which are fundamentally unsound.

Parents shouldn't solely base their decisions on these reports.

You strike me as the type that would be up that school every 5 minutes to moan about every little minor matter.

Are you his Nan?

wow somone needs anger management !!! Just to confirm I have no idea who irish eyes is (btw thanks for your comments tho). "dont believe everything you read on google" medical definitions and treatments - thanks but feel that my GPs recommendations are far more reliable ! Would suggest if this article upsets you so much perhaps you shouldnt read it ?

swimmer1971 wrote:
wow somone needs anger management !!! Just to confirm I have no idea who irish eyes is (btw thanks for your comments tho). "dont believe everything you read on google" medical definitions and treatments - thanks but feel that my GPs recommendations are far more reliable ! Would suggest if this article upsets you so much perhaps you shouldnt read it ?

LOL yeah GPs have never got anything wrong.

Why do I need anger management ? I haven't used swear words or used capital letters. I'm chilled, if that's your response then I have hit a nerve and maybe more to the truth.

The only thing I'm upset about is my lack of attention to my typing.

Firstly, can I say how sorry I feel for mum & son who have not been allocated one of six requests for a local school.You both must be going through hell and for some time now too! I cannot believe the comments I have read and I must agree the individual needs anger management to feel the need to attack someone, when all they are trying to do is their best for their son. Is that not what we do for our children? is that not what makes a good mum? Well done, for fighting for something that you believe is right for your son. Surely you know best, you are his mum? everybody else why wouldn't you support a mum and son who has been refused 6 local school applications I cannot believe you could call yourself mums! Imagine if you were in that situation? doesn't bare thinking about does it? Good luck mum and son in your chosen school applications.

Proudmumoftwo wrote:
Firstly, can I say how sorry I feel for mum & son who have not been allocated one of six requests for a local school.You both must be going through hell and for some time now too! I cannot believe the comments I have read and I must agree the individual needs anger management to feel the need to attack someone, when all they are trying to do is their best for their son. Is that not what we do for our children? is that not what makes a good mum? Well done, for fighting for something that you believe is right for your son. Surely you know best, you are his mum? everybody else why wouldn't you support a mum and son who has been refused 6 local school applications I cannot believe you could call yourself mums! Imagine if you were in that situation? doesn't bare thinking about does it? Good luck mum and son in your chosen school applications.

'feel the need to attack someone' .... Please do point out the what, were, and how I have attacked someone?

Poor you, you've read something that you don't agree with get over it or go back to mumnets. Better still start a facebook page about it all.

This is the comment section for comments. If you go to a newspaper to tell your story then take the rough with the smooth.

I wonder if Robbie was predicted a substantially higher score than the one actually achieved in his 11 plus exam, and if so, were there any extenuating circumstances which might warrant an appeal against non-qualification - this would be a separate issue to 'over subscription'.

I can only applaud the perseverence of Robbie's mother in what must be a terribly stressful situation for them both. For any reader to pass comment on and/or make assumptions about your parenting skills is absolutely rediculous.

I hope he finds a suitable school in the near future, and goes on to enjoy a very successful secondary education!

Enough is enough. Get your son to hextable. Tell him to work hard and keep his head down. You have made your point, so now let him have his education. Education comes in many forms, not just books you know.

the wall wrote:

irisheyes58 wrote:
on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

Oh how wrong can one person be?
Travel sickness - or motion sickness as that is the correct term, can be solved or helped by doing a number of thing in the journey differently.Just look it up plenty of info out there. It could be how the mother drives or how the lad is sitting.

Maybe you should re-read my comment and take some time to think about what I have actually written. Where did I say ignore the report???? That's right I didn't!

Here it is again -
"Don't believe 'everything' you read in an Ofsted inspection"........ Ofsted is over-reliant on number crunching, using test data which are fundamentally unsound.

Parents shouldn't solely base their decisions on these reports.

You strike me as the type that would be up that school every 5 minutes to moan about every little minor matter.

Are you his Nan?

"oh how opinionated can one person be" You seem to be the authority on many things not least to include medical issues, learn to drive, and educational issues. Im impressed ! Bet you have a lot of letters after your name (T.W.A.T). Bet you havent even got kids of your own and here you are berating a mum who is trying to do the best for her son and making assumptions about the type of parent that i am ! Honestly people like you make me laugh. No im not his nan, and by the sounds of it this boy is fortunate that you are not a family member ..thank god for small mercys

irisheyes58 wrote:

the wall wrote:

irisheyes58 wrote: on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

Oh how wrong can one person be? Travel sickness - or motion sickness as that is the correct term, can be solved or helped by doing a number of thing in the journey differently.Just look it up plenty of info out there. It could be how the mother drives or how the lad is sitting. Maybe you should re-read my comment and take some time to think about what I have actually written. Where did I say ignore the report???? That's right I didn't! Here it is again - "Don't believe 'everything' you read in an Ofsted inspection"........ Ofsted is over-reliant on number crunching, using test data which are fundamentally unsound. Parents shouldn't solely base their decisions on these reports. You strike me as the type that would be up that school every 5 minutes to moan about every little minor matter. Are you his Nan?

"oh how opinionated can one person be" You seem to be the authority on many things not least to include medical issues, learn to drive, and educational issues. Im impressed ! Bet you have a lot of letters after your name (T.W.A.T). Bet you havent even got kids of your own and here you are berating a mum who is trying to do the best for her son and making assumptions about the type of parent that i am ! Honestly people like you make me laugh. No im not his nan, and by the sounds of it this boy is fortunate that you are not a family member ..thank god for small mercys

Name calling how grown up. I rest my case.

the wall wrote:

irisheyes58 wrote:

the wall wrote:

irisheyes58 wrote: on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

Oh how wrong can one person be? Travel sickness - or motion sickness as that is the correct term, can be solved or helped by doing a number of thing in the journey differently.Just look it up plenty of info out there. It could be how the mother drives or how the lad is sitting. Maybe you should re-read my comment and take some time to think about what I have actually written. Where did I say ignore the report???? That's right I didn't! Here it is again - "Don't believe 'everything' you read in an Ofsted inspection"........ Ofsted is over-reliant on number crunching, using test data which are fundamentally unsound. Parents shouldn't solely base their decisions on these reports. You strike me as the type that would be up that school every 5 minutes to moan about every little minor matter. Are you his Nan?

"oh how opinionated can one person be" You seem to be the authority on many things not least to include medical issues, learn to drive, and educational issues. Im impressed ! Bet you have a lot of letters after your name (T.W.A.T). Bet you havent even got kids of your own and here you are berating a mum who is trying to do the best for her son and making assumptions about the type of parent that i am ! Honestly people like you make me laugh. No im not his nan, and by the sounds of it this boy is fortunate that you are not a family member ..thank god for small mercys

Name calling how grown up. I rest my case.

"Touche" !
Robbies mum - appologie's your plight seems to have been taken over by pointless comments ! I wont be commenting any further and I sincerely hope your situation is sorted out quickly - and remember you ARE a good mum, dont let anyone tell you otherwise !

irisheyes58 wrote:

the wall wrote:

irisheyes58 wrote: on the wall- you obviously have no idea what your talking about ! Travel sickness is awful. As a responsible parent you would have to consider ofstead reports (this parent has obviously done her reserarch regarding suitable schools ). Good luck to her and her son, i to would do "a song and dance" if my child has applied to 6 local schools and not got a place !!

Oh how wrong can one person be? Travel sickness - or motion sickness as that is the correct term, can be solved or helped by doing a number of thing in the journey differently.Just look it up plenty of info out there. It could be how the mother drives or how the lad is sitting. Maybe you should re-read my comment and take some time to think about what I have actually written. Where did I say ignore the report???? That's right I didn't! Here it is again - "Don't believe 'everything' you read in an Ofsted inspection"........ Ofsted is over-reliant on number crunching, using test data which are fundamentally unsound. Parents shouldn't solely base their decisions on these reports. You strike me as the type that would be up that school every 5 minutes to moan about every little minor matter. Are you his Nan?

"oh how opinionated can one person be" You seem to be the authority on many things not least to include medical issues, learn to drive, and educational issues. Im impressed ! Bet you have a lot of letters after your name (T.W.A.T). Bet you havent even got kids of your own and here you are berating a mum who is trying to do the best for her son and making assumptions about the type of parent that i am ! Honestly people like you make me laugh. No im not his nan, and by the sounds of it this boy is fortunate that you are not a family member ..thank god for small mercys

You have attacked someone who may have more knowledge than you and does have a different opinion. That's really big of you. What are you afraid of ? They have not claimed to be an authority on anything. Not everyone has the same opinion, and how boring would life been if we all did.

In fact some of what this person has said is true. Some of the OFSTED inspector are people who were thrown out of their job in schools. I know of one who was head teacher at a school attended by a relative or mine. He was forced to resign because of incompetence when the governors of the school lost confidence in him. He wasn't out of work for long. Weeks later, he was an OFSTED inspector, and was casting judgement on the performance of other teachers and head teachers. Its whole approach is wrong. It has caused a culture of fear and loathing across the education sector, at all levels and school leaders are spending most of their time running scared of OFSTED rather than running their schools for the advancement and achievement of their pupils.

gosh its been busy on here. Just to set the record straight. This is NOT an issue about grammar schools. I applied for 6 local schools and have been unsucessful in any of those applications. I do not wish to insult anyone who attends or works at Hextable school. The fact of the matter is that in life there is benchmarking in all aspects - eg holidays , trip advisor, education - ofstead/gcse results etc. I also had personal refrences regarding the school. It isnt the right school for my son, and as his parent that is my choice to make.
"on the wall" - you say you are not angry when in fact you were the first person to comment on my situation and your opening comment is "FFS", forgive me for taking this as an angry gesture ? I appreciate that sometimes something written appears harsher that when it is said but really you appear to cast doubt over evrything and every comment that is not in agreeement with your own opinion. You are right in that it is a story in a paper so everyone has a right to express their opinion. I have no issue with this .However you question my ability as a parent, you dont know me or my son therefore are not in a position to challenge my parental adequacy. You have not hit a nerve and not anywhere close to the truth, I am bemused by your comments.
"needs a life" - i can assure that this has been about more than just trying to make a point. This is my sons education. I would not have edured the last 6 months just to make a point .
"Irish eyes" "proud parent of 2" and "heggo81" - thanks for your support and sorry for the hostile comments you have recived as a direct result of that support (its a crazy world )! It appears that as long as you agree with the more negative comments than that is ok.

Think you should check you facts. Elsa123 was the first person and the walls opening comment is ' FFS this is part of what's wrong with this country'.
So no need to try and twist things.

Of cause you don't have to answer this and it's just out of intrest but what education is your son getting at the moment ?

The headline is a bit misleading really. It seems to suggest that this child was not offered any school. Clearly not the case. Unfortunately, you can't always have the school you want. He failed his 11 plus hence has no right to go to a grammar school. Should have accepted the school that was offered.

Why was Haberdasher's on the application? The school is a Bexley school not a Dartford one.

The headline says "Dartford boy, 11, left without a secondary school" but paragraph three says "... he was offered a place seven miles away at Hextable School"

Either the article and headlines are written by two different people who don't see each other's work, or the headline writers are told to ignore the facts and just write a catchy headline. But then again I suppose "boy offered place at school" is hardly news.