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Original poster

appeal advice from panel members please

41 replies

appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 11:07

Hi, our appeal is in 2 days, am prepared, documentary evidence sent with my statement and have questions to challenge the school's prejudice.

Ds diagnosed with asc/suffers with bad anxiety.
What I'm wondering is this- do panel members tend to form a judgement from just reading the papers sent to them in advance? As in this is a definite no or this has a good chance.

I'm basing the appeal on the needs of my ds and as per admission criteria for medical/social category " why it's the most suitable school and the problems that would be caused if the child had to attend another school "

64 appeals to be heard, chances are not great but last year there were 51 and 5 were successful, all medical/social.

Any advice would be gratefully received, allocated school too far and no decent back up so got to give it my best shot.
Thanks

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 11/06/2014 12:25

I have come across people taking photos to appeals. I have also come across appeal panel members saying that it felt like emotional blackmail. It is one of those things where I think there is no real upside and a lot of potential downside so I wouldn't risk it.

Personally I would talk naturally with some notes to remind me of the important points so that I didn't miss anything, so I'm with you. I know some parents can't cope with that and have to read their statement. I don't think it really makes any difference to the outcome. The only thing I would advise against doing is reading the case you submitted. The panel will already have read it so that would just be a waste of everyone's time.

Hope it goes well tomorrow.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 11/06/2014 10:04

Thanks to you both for advice re:pic, hadn't thought about it that way and prh have you come across this before?
I do not want to do anything stupid to jeopardise our appeal so will not be taking picture.
A girl I met won an appeal last year in a different part of the country and did this and advised me to do it. Obviously this made no difference to the appeal and it was won on its own merit.
Prh do you find it better if a parent reads from a prepared statement or just talks naturally,, I'm going for the latter.
Really just need to calm down lol.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
Onesleeptillwembley · 11/06/2014 09:16

I was also going to advise against the picture. You need to remember, much as it seems that way, it is not emotional or personal. Trying to make it that way will waste your valuable time to put your appeal and yes, could alienate them. Stick to facts.

prh47bridge · 11/06/2014 09:08

I'm also intending to take a picture of ds so the panel will remember him

Please don't. Many appeal panellists would look on this as a form of emotional blackmail. They and the clerk will have taken notes so they remember the individual cases. At best taking a picture of your ds won't help you. At worst it may alienate the panel meaning they are less likely to give you the benefit of any doubt.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 11/06/2014 07:15

Matlow, hope today goes well for you:)
I would ask today about pupil numbers for current years 7-11, it may just throw the school a bit.
You're right to concentrate on balancing stage, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow.
I'm also intending to take a picture of ds so the panel will remember him as they're not making their decisions until next Wednesday and are hearing a lot of appeals.
Mumsnet has been a hive of information for me over the last 3 months, some lovely people here, I'm otherwise new.

Good luck!!!

OP posts:
Matlow · 10/06/2014 21:35

Thanks appealtakingovermylife. Yes the same small site, overcrowding, corridor circulation, no sports grounds, finite resources etc. unfortunately have been unable to get actual class numbers from school. Will try the Ofsted thing and ask how many recorded or reported accidents due to overcrowding etc but will also be concentrating on balancing stage. Fingers crossed for everyone going through this process and heartfelt thanks to all those who have offered words of wisdom along the way.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 20:41

Hi Matlow, it depends really on what your appeal school's case is, ours pretty much focuses on overcrowding, lack of toilets etc etc.
Do you have any specific grounds for appeal because that can help in stage 2 when the panel have to see who's case is stronger, yours or the school.

To be honest I'm not expecting the panel to find the school not full so have concentrated on why it's best for my son.

I've wrote things like "why weren't these overcrowding issues mentioned in the last ofsted report and there were actually more children in the school?"

" average pupil numbers per year is 165, why is the pan set at 150? "
Blah blah.
Good luck tomorrow and come back and let us know how it went. I won't sleep tomorrow night:)

OP posts:
Matlow · 10/06/2014 19:26

Good luck with your appeal. I just wondered what questions you have to challenge the schools prejudice? Our hearing is tomorrow and I am really struggling with how to chip away at the schools position, which is pretty water tight given their almost 100% success rate at appeal.

HPparent · 10/06/2014 13:06

I sent you a pm

HPparent · 10/06/2014 13:01

I don't think your case is weak but I think it is one of those that could go either way. If you argue the things that you have stated in your posts above you are in with a good chance. I hope it goes well for you.

cestlavielife · 10/06/2014 12:54

the travel is a big issue which you can push ie if desired school is walkable or just one bus to deal with. that is a big argument.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 12:45

Just to add, allocated school non religion and his anxiety issues regarding this school concern the travelling.
His anxiety rockets with changes to his routine etc, appeal school has a chaplain for counselling too as ds been through a lot last couple of years,, losing very close family members, rejection issues from his dad just to name a few.

OP posts:
Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 12:39

Thanks HP, I didn't provide professional documentary evidence in original application, just the diagnosis letter confirming my ds has asc.
It's the only school that is mixed sex catholic excellent Sen dept and reputation for excellent pastoral care, everything that he's used to in primary so basically stability consistency continuity etc.

Allocated school is 5 miles away but two buses each way on his own and ds lacks social skills/awareness and the route is very very busy.imo he's not capable of travelling alone ( I don't drive )

Really have focused on the fundamental reasons with slight comparisons to allocated school. Is my case weak? Starting to panic now!

Thanks

OP posts:
HPparent · 10/06/2014 11:51

I am a panelist and of course the papers you receive in advance help you form a judgement, but I always remember a case that looked hopeless but was won by the strength of the parents argument. Personally for anxiety issues I would be looking for reasons why it had to be that school as potentially any would be able to support your son.

I would be asking you questions about why it had to be that school - worrying about the allocated school isn't really a reason. I would also wonder why the schools didn't allocate a place under med/social to begin with. I expect the school will answer that one in their opening statement.

You have to convince the panel why that school is the best one to d/w your sons issues. Think carefully about exactly why you want that school.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 11:38

Hi SecretSpy, thanks for your message, there is a medical/social criteria that will admit max of 5 dc, they've allocated 4.
My professional letters don't say that the school is the only suitable school but give reasons to back up everything I've said, it's hard to prove that it's the only school as opposed to the most suitable school.

Also saw asc specialist recently for a review ( she wrote an initial supporting letter ) and she wrote another supporting letter which the clerk has sent to panel, and this states my ds anxiety issues have rocketed due to worrying about the allocated school etc etc.

My nerves are gone:(

OP posts:
SecretSpy · 10/06/2014 11:19

I'm not on a panel

does any of your evidence include professionals saying that in their opinion School X is the only suitable school because...

many schools have removed medical and social criteria from their admissions criteria.

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