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Original poster

Appeal application-please read

27 replies

4men1lady · 03/03/2017 13:18

Hello everyone,

I posted the other day and got some fantastic advice about what to put in an appeal for my child who didn't get any of our 3 choices.

I've been doing a lot of research on how to make my child more suitable for chosen school and I am going down the route of what the school offers in terms of subjects that my child is good at, and in comparison it does offer more than the school we've been given. So was wondering if anyone would read my appeal before I send it today. The school has advised me to get it in asap.

Here goes:
As a family, it is felt that dc would be better suited at school for many reasons.
Dc excels in many subjects, maths, drama and PE. School can provide and extensive range of enrichment and extra curricular activities is these subjects which will greatly benefit dc and lead him on to gain gcse's in these areas. The school that has been offered to us doesn't quite provide the same amount of opportunities which won't enable dc to reach his full potential.
Dc is proud to say his favourite subject is maths was is eager to take part in the many extra curricular activities on offer that school provides that other schools don't.

That is where I have got up to so far, it is only a rough draft but won't be super grateful if anyone can help.

Also, I have since found out they normally take 240 pupils per year but last year they took 263, do I include this in the appeal?

Thank you.

OP posts:
lougle · 03/03/2017 13:41

I can see what you're trying to do, but you'll need to be very much more specific if you want to succeed, because so far you're basically saying 'this school is better than the others and my DS deserves a good school to help him reach his potential', which is what every parent would say. The official line is that all schools can cater for children of all abilities other than children who require special school.

So you really need to find out what specifically is different about your appeal school. Is there a particular after school club? Is there a subject on offer? Does it offer a particular enrichment scheme? Does he attend an after school activity that links with the school?

Yes, mention the numbers.

TeenAndTween · 03/03/2017 13:39

I'm not an expert having never appealed.
But:
It doesn't read as being very specific to me.

Can you show his interest in drama for example going to outside drama groups. Can you be specific about the extra drama at allocated school, e.g. runs a y7-9 drama club on Mon pms, offered school offers no extra curricular.

Similarly maths. Has he taken part in primary maths challenge or anything similar? What specifically does preferred school offer over and above normal lessons? Does it currently also offer Further Maths in y11 (though this might go anyway).

PE. What sports. Has he represented school or outside clubs. What does offered school not do that your preferred one does?

I also don't think you should rush to appeal. Better to build a good case and take a week or two to prepare it. There is probably a date to appeal by, and then they will hear all appeals together later on.

No doubt panelchair, tiggy, admission and prh will be along soon with better advice.