Shocking experience!!

<p>Good Day,</p> <p> </p> <p>I started an application process for my daughter in (Grade 1) in May 2017 when I was planning our relocation. I was assisted by a very helpful Mpho from your registration office. Weeks later I started liaising with Minenhle Ncane who finalised my application process. She also issued / followed up on the acceptance letter which I received in June. The entire application process was online and I just kept liaising with your office for guidance.</p> <p> </p> <p>However, exactly 2 days before I received the email confirming my daughters acceptance to the school I forwarded an email to both Mpho and Minenhle stating that I have found a place to live closer to Randpark Ridge, and I needed them to apply for her at Randpark Ridge and no longer Ferndale. 2 days later, Minenhle called me and said she had just seen the email which I sent and that it was too late to apply at Randpark Ridge as my daughter had already been accepted at Ferndale. She then said she was going to apply for a TRANSFER to Randpark Ridge. She didn't foresee any problems with the transfer process as there was space for 3 pupils at Randpark Ridge, Grade 1. She did however mention that this transfer would serve as the only FREE transfer I have, thereafter, any transfers which I will request, I would be billed for. I didn't complain, even though I had sent the request prior to the confirmation of the acceptance to Ferndale Spark was sent.</p> <p> </p> <p>She advised me to follow up with her in the first week of the 3rd term, in July.</p> <p> </p> <p>2 days after the schools re-open in July, I called Minenhle to follow up on the transfer, and she sounded like she didn’t even know who I was, never mind the request I had made. I had to relay my whole history to her (to my dismay) only for her to say she would try to follow up with both Ferndale and Randpark Ridge and get back to me. Exactly 3 days later, I hadn't heard from Minenhle. I called again and asked to speak to Mpho, (as I obviously was not going to get anything constructive from Minenhle) who was able to pull up my emails and go through my requests. He checked on registrations for Randpark Ridge and Ferndale, and my daughter's name didn't appear on any of the lists. He apologised, promised to make sure that they add my daughter’s name onto the Randpark Ridge list, as they at least still had 1 space available. He asked me to follow up with him on Monday afternoon when he would make sure that the people who are responsible to allocating transfers would have captured my daughter’s name for the transfer.</p> <p> </p> <p>Getting hold of Mpho on the promised Monday – 31 July then proved to be a painful process. He was not phoning me back, neither was he taking my calls. I was on the phone for close to 3 hours, constantly on hold for Mpho to pick up on the other side.</p> <p> </p> <p>So, my daughter was supposed to start school on 1 August, at Spark Randpark Ridge and till date, she hasn’t started school.</p> <p> </p> <p>I am appalled that such a reputable school with an excellent syllabus which is still trying to grow its footprint in Gauteng and nationally treats its customers in such a manner.</p> <p> </p> <p>I am expected to drive all the way to Ferndale whilst I drive past a Randpark Ridge branch which is within my proximity. The traffic and long distance to Ferndale would frustrate my child and myself on a daily basis – not to mention the unnecessary delays we should experience when there’s just 1 non-functioning robot. It is logistically not a viable option for me to drive to Ferndale – especially after I was promised so many times that I would be allocated space at Randpark Ridge.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have had to return the school uniform I bought for R1, 295.00 back to Rufarro Garments, as it’s clear that my child won’t be going to Spark schools anymore.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have been placed in a terrible situation of having to explain to my 7 year old daughter the reason she can’t wear the school uniform she fitted and loved, anymore.</p> <p>And why she is still sitting at home a week after the schools have opened.</p> <p> </p> <p>I am appalled at the experience I have had with Spark Schools!</p> <p> </p> <p>I just want my deposit and registration fee back as there was obviously no point in registering with a school that cannot even communicate its own allocation constructively!</p> <p> </p> <p>Highly Disappointed Mom!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>