General Appeal questions

@Whimsocal is wrong. There is nothing in the Appeals Code requiring anyone to provide appellants with a process to counter claims. I can't say it never happens, but I have never come across an appeal where such a process has been provided.

However, contrary to what they say, there is a standard rule across the country set out in the Appeals Code. Any documentary evidence must be submitted before the hearing. The clerk normally gives a deadline for this. If either side (school or appellant) turns up to the hearing with new evidence, the panel may decide to adjourn the hearing to a later date to give everyone time to review the evidence. That won't help you. So yes, if you have the minutes of governors' meetings and you want to use them, you need to send them in.

If you have documentary evidence you must send it in.

..and yes it is the first opportunity for direct questions, though , like the appellants, we have read the schools case on paper beforehand.

Both parents and panelists will question the school. Who goes first is up to the chair!

In stage 1 of the appeal (grouped ones as multiple appeals) do the panel question the schools case or do they leave it all up to the appealants? would this be the first time the panel get a chance to question the school case

@Whimsocal no, just joining the general discussion

Oh no @Maiyakat really sorry to hear that. That’s not a dissimilar number to those appealing for the school we want 😬
So were you the last set of hearings? I’m surprised you found out the result so quickly. Ours is due to be heard over 3 days with the panel making their decision on the 4th day. I’m hoping we find out by the Friday as it’s half term week after that.

@SuperSue77 appeal refused 😞 there were around 25 appealing, school very over subscribed.

@Maiyakat I’ve heard of panels asking what your “plan B” is, so maybe that is another way of them asking that question. I think they also like to see that you have explored the offered option and not just dismissed it out of hand as it wasn’t preferred school. How did it go otherwise? Where there many appealing?

Had DD's appeal hearing today. The questions from the school seemed a bit strange to me: had I accepted the place at the allocated school, had I made contact with the senco at that school and did DD have any friends going to that school. After everything I'd read on here about focusing on the school you were appealing for not the one you had been allocated I wasn't expecting this line of questioning. Is this normal?

The only opportunity you will have to address the admission authority's representative directly is when you are asking them questions after they have presented their case. You therefore need to stick to questions.

@SuperSue77
I'm happy to share anything that may help.
There were lots of things I would not have thought of without the help from professionals, not to mention all the research I did.
I absolutely did not dramatise or make anything up - I didn't need to (and I wouldn't have done this in and case), as my child's needs are such that my appeal is quite strong.
Anything else I could think of that adversely affects my child just adds weight to the appeal.
Definitely download the ACE appeals document from their website. For £4.99, it is worth its weight in gold.
And get as much from professionals as you can.
Luckily I have some documents with 'X child needs to attend X school because of X reasons'.
Really think of absolutely everything - whilst travel generally isn't taken in to account, if you add in very good reasons why travel for your child is an important factor, then use it.
Same with friends going to X school - this isn't generally something that holds weight. But if your child would be disadvantaged by not being with their support network, then use this too. And make sure you state reasons why, and try to get a letter from school to back this up.
Like I said, think of everything, think outside the box, throw everything at it, as you get one shot.
And if that isn't enough, at least you know you've fought your hardest and could do no more.
Good luck.
Please let me know how you get on!

@SueSue12 have you seen the thread in this section called Summing up by the appellant? On it @NatM70 gives a recount of her appeal experience and you might find some of it useful. Good luck! I am wondering a lot of the same questions as you, so following all your posts!

Hi - looking for some advice about how to challenge the school's case without coming across rude/aggressive/confrontational!

For example if in the schools case they havent mentioned anything about going over PAN in prior years but I know that they have. Should I say.............

Have you been over PAN in prior years?

or

I know you have been over PAN in prior years

IE should it always be a question?!?!??!?!!?