Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Lost appeal - help....

84 replies

NotQuiteSoOnEdge · 15/06/2018 11:21

I'm hoping I can reach the appeal experts who were so kind as to help me prepare my appeal. I don't know how to link my previous thread.

I've heard yesterday that I lost my appeal. 60 appeals were heard and 3 upheld.

I'm in shock, as is my DS's school. We are finding it hard to understand how there are three cases 'worse' or more compelling than his. I have a consultant psychiatrists letter explicitly stating that due to the small size of the school in question, the nature of the buildings themselves, and her own experience of the pastoral care offered there, that it will be actively detrimental to his mental and emotional health not to attend. It is the only school like it in the city.

I was in my hearing for one hour. They asked a multitude of questions that I was fully open answering, and they didn't challenge my answers, except in one instance, which I was able to explain what steps I had taken to ensure my information was correct.

I came out feeling that I had done as well as I possibly could, and that the panel were thorough and very interested in his story. I'm honestly feeling sick with shock. I know you aren't supposed to count your chickens etc, but I can't see how this went wrong.

What do I do now? Can you appeal an appeal??

OP posts:
PanelChair · 16/06/2018 08:53

Good to see that prh got here first!

PanelChair · 16/06/2018 08:52

I’ve only got a few minutes before I dash out, so these are just a few comments in haste.

I don’t recall your previous thread, but I can see from your posts here that your appeal centred on your son’s psychological well-being. I can’t speculate on why the other appeals succeeded and yours didn’t. This might have been one of those situations where the panel took the view that the school could admit another three pupils without prejudice and then had to decide which three appeals were the most compelling.

You can’t appeal the appeal as such. If you think there have been procedural irregularities, you can take the matter to the EFA or Local Government Ombudsman, but the most they can do is order a new hearing; they don’t look at the merits of your appeal. I can never remember whether the one appeal a year refers to calendar or academic year, but the other appeals people here will know.

Sadly, you are going to have to make a plan for how your son is going to receive an education from September. Have you accepted a place elsewhere?

prh47bridge · 16/06/2018 08:47

You can appeal once per academic year so you can reappeal in September

No, the OP cannot re-appeal in September. She can appeal once for each academic year. She has appealed for a Y7 place. She cannot appeal again for a Y7 place. She could appeal next year for a Y8 place but that is all.

NotQuiteSoOnEdge - I don't think I've seen the psychiatrist's letter. However, if it says "in my opinion..." rather than "Mrs NotQuite tells me..." that should have been very strong evidence. With so many appeals it is possible that there were 3 stronger cases and that the panel decided the school couldn't handle any more but that seems unlikely. The letter informing you of the panel's decision should set out their reasons. What does that say? Is there any indication, for example, that they have got your case mixed up with someone else?

Middleoftheroad · 16/06/2018 07:33

@prh47bridge @admissions @panelchair @patriciaholm (and anyone Ive missed out sorry) can you please help at all?

Original poster
NotQuiteSoOnEdge · 16/06/2018 07:11

Yes, he's on the list.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteSoOnEdge · 16/06/2018 07:11

If we can appeal once each year, does that mean I can appeal again in September? And would I have to have new evidence, as it were?

I'm trying to figure out what on earth to do. If I homeschooled we would destroy each other in weeks, he has ADHD and I only get 'time off' when he's in school, and I need that time.

Anyone know where the experts are?

OP posts:
Middleoftheroad · 15/06/2018 22:47

I'm sorry to hear this. We once lost an appeal that we thought had gone our way.

I thought you could appeal once every academic year also (as in 2018-19 etc) but maybe thats not the case. Hoping one of the admissions experts on here can help.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 15/06/2018 13:12

I am not sure if it is once per year or once per academic year group - so once for entry into year 7, once for yr 8 entry. In the letter have they clearly detailed what they considered and why they made the decision that they did? Do these match your - son - I.e. they haven't confused him with someone else. There are certain things which they should include. One of the admissions experts might be able to advise you on whether the letter seems as if they have followed the admissions code.

rainingcatsanddog · 15/06/2018 13:06

You can appeal once per academic year so you can reappeal in September. Is he on the waiting list?