Did you get good news in the primary school stakes today?
If you live in England and have a child heading for primary school this September, you've probably been counting down the days until today - National Offer Day, when parents across the country find out which school their child has been offered a primary school place at.
The Guardian reports:
"One in seven children in areas of high demand have failed to secure a place at their first choice of primary school as local authorities continue to grapple with a massive increase in pupil numbers. Though the vast majority of applicants got their first choice, there was disappointment for thousands of others on what has become known as national offer day on Monday."
And according to research quoted by the BBC, less-well-off families are more likely to be dealing with disappointment today:
"The poorest people are losing out on places at the best primary schools in England, research suggests on the day parents receive news of allocations. The least wealthy families have less than half the chance of the wealthiest of sending a child to a top-rated school, analysis from Teach First says."
It's thought that around 12 per cent of pupils won't get their first choice of school, and with the news that all schools will likely be forced to become academies, it's a worrying time for parents and teachers alike.
Every child has a right to a school place and some 300,000 additional places have reportedly been created since 2010 but it seems this isn't enough to meet demand.
If you didn't get the news you were hoping for, it is possible to appeal against the decision.
The Telegraph offers this helpful advice for how to appeal your child's school place offer.
The key thing seems to be to contact the school you were hoping your child would be offered a place at, and ask to have their name placed on the waiting list if they run one.
It's also worth visiting the school that has offered your child a place. While it might not be your first choice, you might find that it's not the bad news you initially thought.
Follow the advice in the letter you received to appeal against the decision, and make sure you read the admissions criteria carefully and outline why your child should attend that school, not just why they shouldn't attend the school at which they have been offered a place.
We want to hear your thoughts about this - especially if your child hasn't been offered a place at the school of your choice. Will you be appealing? Leave us a comment below or join the debate on our Facebook page.
I woke up to An email stating my daughter has been offered her third choice I couldn't help but break down in tears I rang the council and was told many kids live closer or have siblings and appeal however was told it might not get me anywhere #worstdayever