Appeal deadline looming and no solid grounds for appeal..... help!

[TidaQuel]

We are in West Sussex, automatically go into waiting lists for the schools that we didn’t get into. We applied for school A, B and C but got D which is our RI catchment. Want to appeal A and B, the results from both schools are much better, I think the learning environment is better and the teachers are better supported.
West Sussex don’t tell you where you are on the waiting lists, at least that’s what they say. Would possibly be in top 20-30 for school B. School A more likely to be 60-70.
If we appeal, and either were to add a bulge class, would we get priority as had appealed? Same goes for waiting list, will appeal put you above those that don’t appeal?
Allocated school doesn’t offer triple science. Schools A and B do- we could use this but DS isn’t showing any likelihood of wanting to be a doctor or scientist- does it matter?
School D possibly doesn’t give the opportunity to do residential trips (at least I don’t think it does). We are visiting the school next week but so close to appeal deadline.
TBH, the schools website and social media is always littered with mistakes and we’ve just had years of admin errors/ data breaches/ bad grammar and no proof reading throughout primary and would really like to think that some schools get it right.

[prh47bridge]

If we appeal, and either were to add a bulge class, would we get priority as had appealed? Same goes for waiting list, will appeal put you above those that don’t appeal?

No. Both bulge classes and the waiting list are decided by the admission criteria only. You do not get moved up the list just because you have appealed.

Allocated school doesn’t offer triple science. Schools A and B do- we could use this but DS isn’t showing any likelihood of wanting to be a doctor or scientist- does it matter?

Yes, it matters. The school offering triple science won't help unless you can show that triple science is particularly relevant to your son and he will be disadvantaged if he doesn't have that option.

School D possibly doesn’t give the opportunity to do residential trips

Even if that is true, it will only help if you can show that your son has a particular need to go on residential trips.

You don't need to give your grounds at this stage. I expect the form will ask but you are perfectly entitled to simply say that your son will be disadvantaged if he doesn't attend the appeal school and that your detailed case will follow later. That buys you time to do some further research and find some points that are more likely to fly.

[PanelChair]

It’s very much as prh47bridge says. So far, you’ve identified things that make your preferred schools more desirable in your eyes, but you need to translate that into reasons why they are better able to meet your son’s needs and why he will be disadvantaged if he does not attend.

[ooooohbetty]

Going to appeal makes no difference to waiting lists. Being on waiting list makes no difference to your appeal.

[TidaQuel]

Thanks for your help. I’ve still not submitted, I really don’t think I have a case.
Is there movement on the waiting lists before appeals? I keep being told so much conflicting stuff.

[MarchingFrogs]

Is there movement on the waiting lists before appeals?

Schools can't freeze waiting lists pending appeals, so there will either be movement, or there won't, depending on whether or not people turn down their places at the school.