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Original poster

Secondary appeal

30 replies

bushra83 · 03/03/2018 08:09

Hi I am looking for some advice please in regards to school appeals my daughter got her third preference and I am looking to plead for the first preference I am looking for any advice u csn give in regards to how to win a appeal I have a young child who suffers from hyperinslinism and is tube fed and needs constant monitoring and one of the things I was going to use in my appeal was that because I have no family where I live I have no body to reply on and I will be in great difficult trying to get my daughter to school along with my younger children to primary school I know they will prob tell me that my daughter can get the bus into school i can get medical evidence and supporting letters from my baby consultants nurses etc to confirm his medical conditions I am looking for any advice anyone can give me pls hope this msg makes sense

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PanelChair · 03/03/2018 21:03

As others have said, you do think carefully about what you will say when - as they probably will - the panel ask why you didn’t apply for the catchment school. Saying it isn’t good enough is a weak answer. It’s better to focus on why it doesn’t meet your child’s needs and why the preferred school does.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 20:02

no my lo situation hasn't changed but my own personal circumstances have

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LIZS · 03/03/2018 19:22

Has the situation with your lo changed since you made the application?

PotteryLady · 03/03/2018 19:19

I don't think you will win on distance as it was your 3 preference and it was 22 miles away when you didn't even put your local school. This will be used against you to disprove your argument. Sorry you will need another argument.

PatriciaHolm · 03/03/2018 18:58

No one wants their child to go to an underperforming school. However, by putting a school so far away on the list, you may be indicating to the panel that it's more important to you that she avoids the local school than it is she goes somewhere local despite the medical issues.

It's not insurmountable, but a panel will ask questions about it. You need to build a strong case around her needs for the appeal school, aside from being close to home as that alone won't carry much weight.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 18:13

Thank you everyone
Yes u r right I didn't put my catchment area school down But why would I when it is extremely under performing I still want my daughter to have the best but my circumstances are as such that I do need her to be closer to home I can't put her in a school that is so bad

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prh47bridge · 03/03/2018 16:25

Can OP use the fact that the school is too far away...

She can. The fact she named it as a preference when other schools were closer undermines her case a little but it isn't necessarily fatal.

bushra83 - I am happy to help if I can. I agree with PanelChair regarding the arguments you should use.

Hersetta427 · 03/03/2018 15:33

Sorry to play devils advocate but there was a school much much nearer to your house but you didn't even list it because it is underperforming, and you say it is important for your daughter to be home quickly but you didn't list your catchment school and listed one 22 miles away instead ??

That makes no sense.

RedSkyAtNight · 03/03/2018 15:28

(question to admissions experts out of interest) Can OP use the fact that the school is too far away for her DC to reasonably get to when she actually chose it asher 3rd preference (and had closer schools she could have chosen)?

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 15:13

Thank you for all ur help it's much appreciated

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PanelChair · 03/03/2018 14:52

We have already given you lots of help by suggesting how best to approach your appeal. To sum up, your arguments will be

  • your daughter is a young carer so needs a school close to home
  • travelling 22 miles to school is unreasonable for any child and especially for her
  • other reasons why the appeal school is the most suitable for her - what’s on the curriculum, pastoral care support, whatever

Gather as much evidence as you can to support these arguments.

If you have other specific questions, we’ll do our best to answer them.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 14:17

Hi would u be able to help me st all pls

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LIZS · 03/03/2018 12:29

Are schools 4 or 5 any easier logistically? Might be worth checking their waiting list situation as well as 1 and 2. LA will have allocated your highest preference for which your dd qualified within the places available.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 11:53

I put down all five different schools because I was worried that she wasn't gng to get into a school and I would be left with my catchment area school which is a very under performing school

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LIZS · 03/03/2018 11:39

Out of interest why did you list a school 22 miles away, had you hoped to move?

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 11:34

prh47bridge Pls could u help me

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prh47bridge · 03/03/2018 11:03

Meant to say helped many other parents to win appeals!

prh47bridge · 03/03/2018 11:03

Yes, I have appealed successfully and helped many other parents to appeal.

If the school is really 22 miles away that could be a big point in your favour. The LA will have to provide free transport. However, if the journey takes more than one and a quarter hours each way it is unreasonable according to government guidance so that would give you a strong argument for needing a school nearer home. And if your daughter is needed at home to help provide care that is also a point in your favour.

I would still look at what this school offers and build a case that your daughter will be disadvantaged if she does not attend this school. It all helps.

tiggytape · 03/03/2018 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 10:51

Thank you so much for ur advice I will defo take everything on board had anyone had a successful appeal? I have so much stress in my life I really could have done without this added stress

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tiggytape · 03/03/2018 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 10:38

The school allocated is approx 22miled from home the school I want is under 3 miles away
Yes my daughter would need to care for siblings who do u think I should get a letter from to support this ? Thank you again for all ur advice
Things are very tricky at home and this is why I need my eldest to get a school closer to home the other two schools that r closer to home are very under performing schools and I do not know of anyone who attends those schools where I would have someone to reply on should my baby end up in hospital

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tiggytape · 03/03/2018 10:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

myrtleWilson · 03/03/2018 10:20

Hi Bushra things do sound tricky at home, I hope your younger child is doing ok. What is the distance from the allocated school to home as opposed to preferred school to home and are there any others that are closer to home that may have spaces?
As others have said, logistics don’t usually factor into appeals but if the distance is extreme you may find a sympathetic panel but I would recommend building a case on why preferred school meets your daughter’s educational needs better than allocated school. Good luck

Original poster
bushra83 · 03/03/2018 10:12

The child going to school doesn't have medical needs I am a single mother with four children my child who has medical issues requires constant monitoring and looking after he could end up in hospital at any time and this is not of the reasons I require a closer school to home so that my daughter who is my eldest can get herself home safey and be there for her other siblings too and be close to hospital if she needs to get there I have spent a number of months in hospital with my baby and I have no family support as all family live about 300 miles away I understand that the panel won't be interested in the fact that she needs to be closer to home for this reason but I have spoken to my baby consultants nurses etc and they also believe my daughter should be at a school that is reasonably close to home also I have some friends who's children attend the school I want so I know if I was to ever be put in a situation where I am in hospital my other children would be looked after and could be brought home safely I'm looking for any advice I can use to help with my appeal I thank you guys for all ur advice

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