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Original poster

Help with writing an appeal letter.

31 replies

Sunshine35 · 10/03/2015 20:53

Hi,
I really need some help and advice as my LAC (foster child) hasn't got into her first choice of high school. I now have to write an appeal letter and I really haven't got a clue where to start and would appreciate some advice. The school bus that would take my LAC to school is a 15min walk and the school she got into she would have to catch two buses there and back. Also it's the school she would love to attend as she enjoyed her time on the visit. I know the school is an excellent school and has high standards and expectations of the pupils and that is what I want for her seeing she has had a hard/tough beginning. She works hard at school and has jumped two levels in her reading and literacy since coming to live with me. Also she is on target to get her level four for SATs which she and I have worked so hard on.
Any information/advice would be a wonderful help at this very stressful time.

Regards
Sally-Ann

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunshine35 · 10/03/2015 22:26

To address one of the questions asked...yes I did state she was a LAC child when applying and had to photocopy the child's court order as evidence.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunshine35 · 10/03/2015 22:21

Yes I live in England and yes the school is a faith school. The staff children are first in line then SEN children after that it's children who attend church and forth it's LAC. It's a school where parents fight tooth and nail to get their children in and I am aware my LAC has never attended church but I did query this when we went to view the school. This child has had a difficult up bringing so far and has come on in leaps and bounds in the short time she has been with me. I aspire for her to attend this school and hopefully in turn go on to university if she so wishes.

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 10/03/2015 21:59

(I also assume you are in England. If not the rules may be different, so you may need to say if you are elsewhere).

prh47bridge · 10/03/2015 21:56

TeenAndTween is asking the right questions.

If this is a faith school and you failed to meet faith criteria that would be a possible reason for missing out.

If this is a selective school and she failed to meet the selection criteria that would be another possible reason.

If you applied late it could be that you missed out because you went to the back of the queue.

If none of the above apply the only possible reason for missing out would be if all places were taken by pupils with statements of SEN or EHC plans. That is extremely unlikely so it suggests a mistake has been made.

If you can answer the questions I will be happy to give further advice.

TeenAndTween · 10/03/2015 21:35

I don't understand this.

As far as I am aware, LAC and ex-LAC are pretty much top of the priority lists (unless a faith school and not of faith in which case they have to be top of the non-faith bit). (I am aware due to being an adopter)

Can you clarify

  • was she down as LAC
  • what are the admission priorities/groups
  • is it a faith school

(I'm sure an admissions expert will be a long soon, but they'll probably need to know what I have asked)

eatyourveg · 10/03/2015 21:21

Have you heard of ace? they have an appeals pack and you can download