School Appeal

[dibs1973]

Advice from individuals with previous experience would be greatly appreciated. We are currently appealing as my daughter was unsuccessful with regards to choices. Both schools we chose were out of catchment, both have good educational records but were chosen for the pastoral support arrangements and locality to my sisters home. My daughter is a young carer and frequently stays with her aunt when my father is unwell.
This is vital in maintaining a level of continuity for my daughter in regards to emotional support etc. She attends young carers, who have provided a statement for the appeal and the service is actively involved in both of the school's whereas the school she as been given as a poor reputation for pastoral support.
Is this type of appeal likely to be successful?
I'm trying to find the best way of supporting my girlie but also trying to be realistic that she may need to attend the school where none of her friends are attending

[prh47bridge]

Without knowing more about the case it is impossible to say. However, if you are able to make a clear case that she will be disadvantaged if she doesn't go to the appeal school you will have a chance of success. Remember that you are appealing for the school you want, not against the allocated school. I wouldn't say anything about the allocated school's poor reputation for pastoral support. Instead I would concentrate on the things the appeal schools can offer such as their involvement with Young Carers.

[dibs1973]

Thank you, I have focused on facts, children who care can be seriously disadvantaged with regards to education, something which my daughter is not due to the support networks we have put in place with family, young carers and her current school and this is something that we don't want to loose going forward. I have ensured that I have remained positive and just tried to state the current support and why we think that this is vital going forward as my father's health will only decline further with age.

[admission]

You definitely need to focus on the young carer aspect. Interestingly at my recent annual training as chair of appeal panels, young carers was one of the areas that it was suggested needs to be given consideration in any appeal.

[dibs1973]

Thank you Admission, that is really helpful, our primary concern going forward is the maintaining the support network we currently have in order to continue supporting my daughters ongoing success in school

[dibs1973]

We now have an appeal date, wondering how best to prepare! Keep reading about PAN etc. But can't thin where to start x

[prh47bridge]

Make sure you know what you will say when asked to present your case. Don't worry about PAN for that. Your case is all about why your daughter needs this school. Don't read your written case. The panel will have read it already. Instead concentrate on emphasising the strongest points of your case. You will also be asked to sum up your case at the end of the hearing so be ready for that as well.

When you get the case to refuse admission read it and look for any weaknesses you can use. If you aren't sure, post a summary of the case on here and you will get advice.

[dibs1973]

Think I am getting in a tiz as we have two appeals! One has had to go through the LA and one directly to the school, so reading both documents have got my head in a spin.

For school one she is classed as a S5 - out of area no sibling. The PAN is 246, on the reallocations they reoffered no places from the waiting list. In March they did allocate cat 5 places.

The arguments, which I would assume are the norm, are overcrowding, Capacity, workload and exceeding the admissions number.

School 2 - PAN is 120 for September 2018. They state that an agreement was made with LA to accept a further 30 pupils for 2018 to bring PAN to 150. They then state that the school has not increased their PAN which remains at 120. Again she is a child living outside priority area. The current PAN as of May 2018 for year 7 is 141. Again arguments made around space etc.

I intend to say about the needs of young carers, the fact that she will not know any children from the new school which will add to her situation as she will not be able to count on peer support from people who know her and her situation well, leading to possible isolation etc. I intend to build the case around her support needs putting her at the centre and explaining how the current arrangements click into place in order to ensure that she is supported fully. Sound ok?

[prh47bridge]

Yes, that sounds ok.

You are right that the arguments from both schools sound fairly standard. They will be enough to convince the panel that there will be some prejudice from admitting any additional pupils, so they won't admit all the appellants. You need to give it your best shot to make sure your daughter is one of those admitted. Building the case the way you describe gives you a good chance.