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Original poster

Appeal hearing - panel did not ask me any questions

56 replies

butterfly8888 · 20/05/2014 15:32

Hi there,
First time posting here.
I had my appeal hearing yesterday. I was very prepared, did tons of research. Appealed on medical grounds to a faith secondary school. I felt it was a very strong case and in addition I tried to weaken the school's statement that admitting additional children would cause prejudice.
However, the hearing didn't go as I expected. I expected the panel to ask many questions. I planned to read up my presentation, but they said they'd read it and they didn't need to hear it. No questions were asked at all. It all felt rushed and seemed like they were trying to brush me off and they'd already decided it was a no and didn't want to waste time on it.
Surely if they felt it was a strong case they would've asked some questions?
I am really upset about this.
Any advice from anyone?

OP posts:
Original poster
butterfly8888 · 20/05/2014 22:52

Thank you for your reply HPparent. So do you think lack of questions means they didn't consider my case strong enough? My child has a rare genetic disorder with a number of symptoms and it also affects her appearance. Appeal school is our nearest, easy walking distance and very close to gp, allocated school very far with no direct public transport. I don't see how this wouldn't be a strong case. Compared to the cases I've read on these forums I believe it is a strong one.
I wouldn't say the panel was rude, but I did feel rushed. This whole school admission and appeal has taken over my life, I spent so much time writing our case, read 3 different books and I was so nervous before the appeal I just felt really disappointed how they asked nothing.

OP posts:
HPparent · 20/05/2014 21:21

You can complain to the local govt ombudsman but all they can do is order a new appeal with another panel if they agree with you. I am surprised you weren't given the names in advance, they normally go out with the letter from the clerk informing you of the time and date.

Sounds like the panel wanted to go home. Very rude, as a panellist I would never treat someone like that.

Unfortunately even with hospital letters etc there may not have been strong enough grounds to allow the appeal.

ginmakesitallok · 20/05/2014 20:01

Just to say we were at our appeal for primary school place today too. Not too hopeful, school is full and no special needs, just a sibling there. On a positive note we found out that dd I is at the top of the waiting list, so hopefully there'll be some movement when all appeals are heard and she might still get a place. Fingers crossed.

Original poster
butterfly8888 · 20/05/2014 19:06

Thank you for the feedback. Well, every point of my case had supporting evidence from doctor, hospital consultant, bus maps, etc.
But I still expected them to have some questions. It just felt like they were brushing me off. I was the last case of probably many as it is an extremely popular school. Last year they had 32 appeals, 1 successful.
I also question their independence especially that I was not informed who the panel members were before the hearing. They were briefly introduced at the beginning of the hearing.
The weakest part of my case was that my child is not a church goer, which is why she wasn't admitted in the first place. I wasn't sure how much that would be taken into account given that every other aspect of my case was very strong.

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 20/05/2014 18:07

Or alternatively if they thought it was a strong case maybe they didn't have to ask questions?

prh47bridge · 20/05/2014 18:00

If you were simply going to read your written case I'm not surprised the panel didn't want to hear it. They will have read your case so hearing you read it out loud would not have added anything. I would always recommend giving a summary of your case in the hearing highlighting the important points rather than reading your written case. I am, however, surprised they didn't ask questions. They should test the strength of your case. The lack of questions could call their independence into question.

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