Primary School Places 2013

[AMitch87]

Hi all,
I was looking for some advice, I received the email confirming the school place given to my son to Start in September however he did not get any of the choices I requested. I would like to appeal the decision but not sure if the grounds I am basing it on would be successful.

I don't want my son going to the school he has been placed in firstly for personal reasons that half the mums around there scream, shout and swear at their children as I have seen when driving past! the main reason is my mum will be taking my son to school a couple of times a week and she doesn't have transport so I would take over 30mins to walk there but she also suffers with a bad knee. Also my son is struggling with his literacy and this was pulled up in the schools Ofsted repot that children are behind due to the teachers, obviously I do not want my child falling behind in any subject but if he is already struggling with literacy and the school are unable to teach to a high level in this subject I really do not wan that for my son!
Any advice would be much appreciated :)

[lsh87]

Hey, I don't really have much advice to give, I only wanted to say, I am in exactly the same position and it just sucks right now! I don't know much about the appeals process either :(

[PatriciaHolm]

You don't appeal against a school, you appeal for the one you want, so your reasons won't be relevant.

Your appeal will differ depending on whether the school you want has 30 children in reception. If so, the appeal will be under class size regs, and very hard to win. Essentially you have to prove an error was made that cost you a place; did the LEA measure the distance from your house correctly? Should your DC have been in a different admission category?

Not liking the school you have, transport issues etc are irrelevant I'm afraid. Everyone could say they don't want a school with a poor Ofsted, so that is irrelevant too.

If the school you want has less than 30, appeals are slightly easier, in that you need to prove that the prejudice to school to admit one more is less than the prejudice to your child for not attending. For example, if classes have been higher in the past, this would demonstrate that classrooms can take another pupil.

[AMitch87]

Thanks, how do I find out how many pupils are in the class? Could I turn it around the other way so say as my mum will be taking my son to school 3 times a week that the school I want would be idea as it is directly opposite her house? What sort of things can help win an appeal?

[TheWoollybacksWife]

There are some fabulous experts on this site who will be able to advise you. I suggest that you initially accept the place that you have been offered - it has no affect on your appeal and if you reject it then your LA may not be able to find you another place if your appeal is unsuccessful. Go and visit the school - I get the impression from you post that you have not visited yet. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Then ask to go on the waiting lists for the schools you applied to. There is likely to be some movement before September and you may get a place.

Finally look here for some great advice about appeals. The grounds for successful appeals in oversubscribed schools are clearly defined and this will give you an idea of whether you want to proceed with an appeal.

[PatriciaHolm]

The LEA will be able to tell you why you weren't admitted to the schools you preferred, and how many children there are. Transport issues are very rarely relevant for appeals though.

[AMitch87]

Thanks all, very much appreciated! Will book in to view the school and go from there :)