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Original poster

Urgent appeal: Faith criteria incorrectly applied

88 replies

aquarimum · 01/03/2024 08:06

Hi,
A school we are on the waitlist for has incorrectly applied the faith criteria- it changed this year to prioritise baptism over siblings, but siblings have gotten in ahead of baptised eldest children. How do we challenge this?
Can provide links if necessary
thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
aquarimum · 01/03/2024 10:51

Thanks all. They will have to re-do the entire allocation process if they've got this wrong, as they'll have to re-check everyone's eligibility!

OP posts:
EduCated · 01/03/2024 09:30

If you do believe a mistake has been made, contact the admissions authority (LA if it is them) as soon as possible, and also lodge an appeal. In theory they should correct a mistake without making you appeal, but many won’t.

prh47bridge · 01/03/2024 09:28

Appeal. If they have failed to apply the criteria correctly and your child should have got a place, you have a very strong case. If the panel accept that the school got it wrong, the only reason you should lose is if there are more children affected by this mistake and appealing than the school can handle. In that situation, the appeal panel has to decide which appellants have the strongest case. You therefore need to look for other reasons your child needs this school.

You should also complain to the school. If they accept they have got it wrong they should admit without needing an appeal. They have the chance today and tomorrow to withdraw offers from those pupils that should not have got in and offer places to those that should. After that, it gets a bit harder as they would not be able to withdraw offers.

Original poster
aquarimum · 01/03/2024 09:26

Soontobe60 · 01/03/2024 09:25

The minister should not be discussing other children! That’s appalling.

Read my other post - we were all in the conversation together!

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 01/03/2024 09:25

The minister should not be discussing other children! That’s appalling.

Original poster
aquarimum · 01/03/2024 09:22

Also - it turns out there are several families in this situation - they aren't all adopted/LAC/EHCP!

OP posts:
Original poster
aquarimum · 01/03/2024 09:09

Soontobe60 · 01/03/2024 09:00

How do you know this? Why is a minister telling someone whether children have been baptised or not???

Show quote history

Because we were all in the same conversation! No cloak and daggers. Definitely not adopted because we all knew each other when families were pregnant with elder children!

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 01/03/2024 09:00

aquarimum · 01/03/2024 08:53

None of the siblings are baptised - the elder (unbaptised) siblings got in before the rules were changed. Rules definitely in force this year. Parent of unbaptised siblings and minister have both confirmed that the unbaptised children are unbaptised!

How do you know this? Why is a minister telling someone whether children have been baptised or not???

TeenDivided · 01/03/2024 08:53

They may also get in under other criteria such as Adopted. Some families choose to keep adoption secret, so unless you have known them from birth you may not know.

Original poster
aquarimum · 01/03/2024 08:53

None of the siblings are baptised - the elder (unbaptised) siblings got in before the rules were changed. Rules definitely in force this year. Parent of unbaptised siblings and minister have both confirmed that the unbaptised children are unbaptised!

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 01/03/2024 08:42

aquarimum · 01/03/2024 08:06

Hi,
A school we are on the waitlist for has incorrectly applied the faith criteria- it changed this year to prioritise baptism over siblings, but siblings have gotten in ahead of baptised eldest children. How do we challenge this?
Can provide links if necessary
thanks!

Are you sure the siblings aren’t also baptised? If their older brother/sister was, why wouldn’t the siblings be?

But agree with @LIZS to wait for the letter

AuditAngel · 01/03/2024 08:32

Our school incorrectly treated DD2 as out of parishes that counted for priority, but they had already realised this by the time I spoke with then 2 days later.

they immediately offered her a place without forcing us to appeal

LIZS · 01/03/2024 08:20

Submit an appeal. But do check when the change applied from, it may not be immediately effective. Wait for the letter stating why you were refused and details of the appeals process.