Appeals help

@Brill1234 It wasn't meant to be rude, more helpful advice because the people who are good at appeals don't tend to read down to the bottom of the long threads, but if you start a new one with "Appeals" in the title, then they'll probably have a look and offer you individual advice which is worth a lot.

thats rude, and I have it was a mistake.

@Brill1234 please start your own thread for this rather than piggy-backing on someone else's. You can do that by scrolling to the top of the page and selecting 'start a new thread' from the drop-down menu.

Can anyone help with an in year school appeal?
We are having issues with stalking with is being investigated by the police.
my daughter is in year 7 and I believe the person harassing us has children at her school. We have managed to get a place for my daughter who’s in year 6 a place in a new school for September to start year 7 so I’m having to appeal for a place for my other daughter as the year is full. I have messages from my daughter as evidence that she is suffering with her mental health but nothing from specialist as she doesn’t really feel comfortable talking to anyone. She also lives opposite the new school, literally 30 second walk. The police are not able to provide anything until they do a full investigation which could take months. Her attendance at school isn’t great due to our concerns and her bus route constantly making her late causing her more stress because she’s getting in trouble. Can anyone help on advice on what to put in. I’m worried they will say there isn’t any evidence to prove all this but I don’t have time to wait for evidence to come through as I want to remove from the school as soon as possible!! Thanks

I can't see a pm button, is there another way?

Hello, I've just submitted my school appeal for 2022, deadline 1st May, appeals not heard until June. Would love some advice but a bit outing to post on a public forum...

No being on the SEN register won’t affect your waiting list position. Have you heard any more information?

The fact he's on the register (assuming no EHCP) will have no affect on the waiting list.

If the school you are appealing for has some features that make it ideal for your son due to supporting his SEN in a specific way, and you can evidence that, then that is something that should be brought up, as previous posters have said. The mere fact of being on the register won't make a difference.

"@Lougle I think i may have come across like the school isn’t good enough."

@RaspberryStar88 that is the way it reads and it is what I would think if I was on the appeals panel. You really need to focus your statement on the positives of the school you want and avoid at all costs criticising the offered school.

*counselling

Do you know where your DS is on the waiting list? It may not get to appeal.

As per previous posters, mental health is mentioned in a high proportion of appeal and you will need to demonstrate the impact this has on your DS.

It will not be sufficient to ask GP, others etc to put in writing what you told them to say.

I would be preparing your DS to proceed with allocated school just in case the result doesn't work in your favour.

Check what the deadline for submitting your appeal is too. The LA's website should have a timetable of panel dates.

"The offered school has 382 pupils in total 63% are on free school meals, 34% are SEN. The school is rated inadequate from ofsted."

I'm wondering what you think that means for your DS?

~63% on free school meals is irrelevant.
~34% on SEN register means that they are good at acknowledging and recognising SEN.
~An inadequate OFSTED rating means that the Local Authority will be all over them like a rash, with an injection of expertise and resources, so a rapid improvement is likely to occur.

The bottom line is that if you're lucky, the Ed Psych will recommend your preferred school. But they are professionals and they are obliged to write truthfully, so if they think his needs can be met at any school, they shouldn't be swayed by your wishes.

If your DS is the only appellant, then you might win quite easily. But you have to consider what will happen if 11, 20, 35 people appeal...where would your case sit in terms of strength? If a panel decides the school can only admit an extra 6, for example.

I'm glad you're going to approach the schools. You might be surprised at what the offered school tells you. Even if you're not, you'll be more informed.

Apologies, my pp should have said …which obviously won’t help you with the appeal.

I think you will need to show how the school you want can cater for the anxiety. Otherwise the panel will say that children with anxiety can be catered for by any school as they all have a senco and an obligation to meet the needs of children with send. I also think that unless you have other professionals involved, saying your son has a special need on the grounds of his mental health will be challenging. Is he on the SEN register? What does he currently access that is available in school B but not school C?

If you want to get an independent EP report in time for an appeal you need to act quickly. Many currently have long waiting lists, some have waiting lists over 6 months which obviously help with the appeal.

I'm sorry to question you further - I hope you take it as trying to help you anticipate the sort of challenges you might get in an appeal :)
You mention the preferred school's sports and activities and them pushing him to do things like climbing. Do you do sports and activities with him now? Or support him to do any? Presumably a panel will wonder why the school is the only way of him doing this. You'll need to show why in school provision is needed.