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

Appealing a secondary school place

59 replies

Mevy · 01/03/2024 11:15

Hi,
I have been offered a place for my daughter her second option. I wanted to ask can i appeal for the first choice solely just on what enrichment activities they offer and how it will be beneficial for my daughter who loves those subjects? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mevy · 01/03/2024 11:53

@Bluevelvetsofa they have so many that my daughters interested in which current school doesn't offer just wouldn’t know how to word my appeal

OP posts:
Sundaysunshine22 · 01/03/2024 11:53

You can only appeal if the legislation or admissions process hasn't been applied correctly not just because you didn't get your first choice.

Original poster
Mevy · 01/03/2024 11:52

@OShoey thanks for your help and information any help is appreciated.

OP posts:
LondonWasps · 01/03/2024 11:51

prh47bridge · 01/03/2024 11:38

Whilst you should check that the admission criteria have been applied correctly, the rest of @OShoey's post is wrong. If this was a primary school appeal being heard under infant class size regulations they would be correct. However, secondary school appeals can also be won on "balance of prejudice". This means that you can win by showing that the disadvantage to your daughter from not attending this school outweighs any problems the school will face from having to cope with an additional pupil.

You absolutely can appeal based on the enrichment activities this school offers. Provided you can show that your daughter will be disadvantaged if she does not have access to these activities, your appeal may succeed.

Presumably all children allocated the other school would be equally disadvantaged?

Original poster
Mevy · 01/03/2024 11:50

@prh47bridge thank you for your help. Just a quick question how would i show she would be disadvantaged if she does not have access to these activities? Any help would be appreciated.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 01/03/2024 11:38

Whilst you should check that the admission criteria have been applied correctly, the rest of @OShoey's post is wrong. If this was a primary school appeal being heard under infant class size regulations they would be correct. However, secondary school appeals can also be won on "balance of prejudice". This means that you can win by showing that the disadvantage to your daughter from not attending this school outweighs any problems the school will face from having to cope with an additional pupil.

You absolutely can appeal based on the enrichment activities this school offers. Provided you can show that your daughter will be disadvantaged if she does not have access to these activities, your appeal may succeed.

Bluevelvetsofa · 01/03/2024 11:38

You can be placed on the waiting list for your preferred school.

Does the school you wanted offer subjects that your daughter excels in and the other school doesn’t? For example, she speaks Mandarin and the offered school has no tuition in that, but the preferred school does. Or a sport that the offered school doesn’t have, or any particular talent your daughter has that she needs to continue and can’t at the offered school.

Littlecatsfeet · 01/03/2024 11:37

OShoey · 01/03/2024 11:32

You need to look at the admissions criteria and see if the place has been allocated in accordance with those. If everything has been done according to the criteria, then no, you wouldn't be successful at an appeal.

When I worked in appeals it was always stressed that they were preferences and not choices you were submitting. Choosing the school with enrichment was a preference, that you and your child can make, but the allocation is made on the criteria, usually distance from school, siblings at school etc.

Unfortunately you don't get an allocation because of subjects and enrichment (unless there's a scholarship route?) If you still want to pursue a place at the other school the only option really is to see if there's a waiting list and where your child would be placed on it.

I may be wrong, but I believe this is only true for primary admissions, not secondary. OP, I believe you can appeal on those grounds. But hopefully someone in the know will chime in soon.

OShoey · 01/03/2024 11:32

You need to look at the admissions criteria and see if the place has been allocated in accordance with those. If everything has been done according to the criteria, then no, you wouldn't be successful at an appeal.

When I worked in appeals it was always stressed that they were preferences and not choices you were submitting. Choosing the school with enrichment was a preference, that you and your child can make, but the allocation is made on the criteria, usually distance from school, siblings at school etc.

Unfortunately you don't get an allocation because of subjects and enrichment (unless there's a scholarship route?) If you still want to pursue a place at the other school the only option really is to see if there's a waiting list and where your child would be placed on it.