Hello, can I ask for your advice and wisdom, please.
I am really struggling at the moment on whether to go forward with yet another secondary school appeal for year 9. This would be our third appeal for this school, obviously the previous two were declined and a ombudsman appeal also declined.
My child wants us to appeal as he is so unhappy at his current school, but my husband thinks it is a waste of time and has said a strong no. I am willing to override him if I thought we stood a chance.
Background as follows.....
We are in the catchment for said school but as the year had large cohort we were denied. Went forward with appeal, as did 48 others. The school was at PAN ,but had agreed to take extra for this year group. After appeal process they were just under extra admission, after allowing several in with FAP and ECHP and SEN. 6 places still available to reach extra admission. Which I know they don't have to reach.
Our first appeal, we focused on how our child was affected by not going to this school and that his was the only child from his primary school not to go. Also the school he was going to go to was 8miles out and was difficult with my health to get him to bus stop. We had supporting letters from Dr's and friends and family.
Second appeal for year 8, we understood a bit more on what the panel wanted to hear, how the school in question would benefit our child and override the prejudice to the school and resources.
We did speak about this with a mixture of personal reasons on how he was still unhappy and grades were declining, due to him not wanting to be at this school.
We spoke of if the school was full and not allowing any more children in because of the prejudice to resources etc. Why had they then let several more children in.
This time, I understand even more, I have information on class room capacity. Can argue more on the prejudice affecting my child outweighs the prejudice to school . How the school offers activities in and out of the school that the his current school does not have.
Have all the information on safety within the school. Including accident reports, which are zero.Have information on classroom sizes and TA that are needed.
My point being after reading numerous threads on here and understanding now that you have to prove and argue the prejudice point stronger.
Should I, for the sake of my son's happiness and education, as he will only get one shot at a good education with results, put ourselves through this nightmare again.
Any advice I would welcome.