School appeal splitting up twins

[BlessedbytheSon]

I am supporting my sister who is in a real predicament and really hope you can help. She has twin girls; one got into the selective school and the other missed the mark by 0.03 and is now facing the possibility of going to a failing school. The LA appeal was not upheld, is this really the end of the road? Our whole family are really sick! Any advice or wisdom you can provide is greatly appreciated.

@admissions @prh47bridge @panelchair

[prh47bridge]

Your sister's options from here are limited.

She could complain to the ESFA if this is an academy or free school or the LGO if it is some other type of school. However, they won't rehear the case or look at whether the decision was right. They will only step in if there was a problem with the appeal process that meant your sister didn't get a fair hearing or the panel did not follow the correct process in arriving at their decision. If they did intervene, they would normally order a new hearing with a different appeal panel.

Your sister could go for judicial review but that could be expensive, particularly if she lost. If your sister wanted to go down this route, she would need to consult a solicitor. Judicial review is unlikely to be appropriate.

You have posted this in special needs education but haven't indicated whether your sister's daughter has any special needs. If she has, your sister could see if she can get an EHCP for her. If the selective school is named in an EHCP they must admit.

However, if the appeal was run correctly and your sister's daughter doesn't qualify for an EHCP, I'm afraid this is the end of the line.

[BlessedbytheSon]

My apologies for the delayed response. I just wanted to thank you for your advice and guidance. She wasn't able to reopen the appeal but she has now found a suitable school for the other twin.