Telephone Consultation Service

Introduction

The school secondary transfer process is now upon us, and many parents are looking for independent advice on what to do next, what their chances are of gaining admission to particualr schools, or which schools and in which order they should list them on their application form. Others will want to know how realistic their chances are at appeal for individual schools, after decsions are made next March.

I am independent of schools and the Local Authority, so am able to offer frank information and advice to Kent and Medway parents based on my local knowledge, expertise and experience on all issues covered on this website, but please look at the relevant section below, first. Please do not make payment until you have checked with me via my contact me page that I can assist you. Let me have as much information as possible to help in this. Most issues can be covered in a half hour session, but I will advise if this is not the case.

Payment arrangements are at the foot of this page.

At all times of year, some of the main users of this service are families moving house and wishing to make preliminary enquiries about school transfer or appeals. I am advising an increasing number of expatriate families seeking to return to this country and a state school.

As an example of the information I seek, for those wishing to appeal after a non-selective decision in the Kent or Medway tests who wish to talk with me before submitting an admission form, this might include:

Your child's individual test scores (available from the primary school);
Was there a Kent headteacher assessment (available from the primary school), or a Medway Review (details sent with your decision)?
The town or village where you live;
Your child's current school;
Schools you are considering:
Any other relevant factors;
Times when you are available in the next few days, and your contact telephone number;
Whether you require half an hour or an hour consultation.

Secondary School Admissions

Secondary School Admission forms need to be submitted by the beginning of November. I have included considerable information and advice on the Secondary Admissions pages, but this is unable to consider individual circumstances and particular schools. I can provide clear objective advice in some detail on issues such as: the consequences of 11 plus tests in Kent and Medway, including the likelihood of a successful appeal and what action you need to take in advance; for both grammar schools and non selective schools I can advise on the likelihood of being offered a place; consideration of other schools you may not have considered; your personal circumstances relating to school admissions; special needs issues; your family wishes, your location and any other factors you consider should be taken into account.

Kent used to offer free independent advice through a Choice Adviser who could provide valuable advice in general terms, but this service has been withdrawn for 2012 entry, because the government grant to offer this has been cut.

Secondary School Appeals

Whatever you are told, the reality is that for many secondary school appeals, if you have a good case you are likely to be in a competitive situation with other parents. To quote the Code of Practice for Admission Appeals: "If there are several cases which outweigh the prejudice to the school and merit admission, but the panel determines that the school could not cope with that number of successful appeals, the panel must then compare all cases and decide which of them to uphold". Therefore I do not offer this telephone service after Christmas, when I am giving priority to those clients who are signing up for my full service. Where parents wish to follow through a telephone consultation with my full consultation service, the cost of the former will be discounted.

Primary School Admissions

This service normally runs over the winter months, up until the closing date in January.

I have included considerable information and advice on the Primary Admission page, but this is unable to consider individual circumstances and particular schools. Through the telephone consultation service I can advise in some detail on issues such as: the likelihood of being offered a place; consideration of other schools you may not have considered; your personal circumstances relating to school admissions; and any other factors you wish to take into consideration. I also have some unpublished data on each school.

Primary School Appeals

As you will see from the Primary Appeal page, these can be very problematic. Many parents wish to talk issues through with me to see if an appeal is worthwhile and I am able to assess and advise on whether there are arguments that may convince an Appeal Panel. I am happy to discuss such matters from decision day towards the end of March. Where parents wish to follow through a telephone consultation with my full consultation service, the cost of the former will be discounted.

Other issues

Please fill in the contact me form, giving as much information as possible and I will let you know if I am able to help, together with a brief comment on your situation if possible.

The service is suspended completely for February and March as I give priority to my personal clients and have no spare capacity. I am sorry if this appears quite restrictive, but I am a sole professional with limited time resource and need to give priority to my personal secondary transfer clients at key times.

Many parents have taken advantage of the presentations I have given to primary and secondary schools in Kent and Medway where I have provided advice to parents based on their local situation both as a group and individually. This service provides similar opportunities in other parts of the county.

Fees and Process

My fee is £45 for a half hour telephone consultation; £80 for an hour consultation (ignore lower price on payment button below). After I receive details of your case, I will then email back which of the options I recommend as most suitable (for most cases it is the half hour option). However, if I consider your issue is a straightforward one, I will respond free of charge by email, as soon as possible. Please make payment by credit card or Paypal using the online facility below. If you subsequently use my services for an appeal, I will reimburse the £45 half hour fee.