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Original poster

Making appeal cause for st .Paul’s Catholic College sunbury .

33 replies

kinkylasmile · 05/05/2025 17:46

I am preparing for my son’s secondary school appeal next week ,I had not submitted supporting documents when I made his school application as I didn’t know I had to (new to the process) I sent his Catholic practice plus Catholic baptism certificate with application but didn’t include the supporting documentation started below . He is currently placed no 19 on the waiting list as school was oversubscribed this year and distance from school is reason for not getting a place.He was offered a school which is now deemed Inadequate in all areas by OFSTED.I have supported my appeal with reports from:
-CAMHS diagnosing him with Emotional needs which state his struggle with managing change and specifically mention how this can provoke stressed and anxious specifically transitioning to secondary school.
-Assessment diagnosis for Tourette syndrome (TICS) which he is since started management session to help manage his tics (the disability Causes him to be very impulsive .ie .talk of killing himself at school due to hearing negative talk from close friend complaining about not liking his home life and expressing his intention of dieing this cause my son to feel overwhelmed and anxious and made him want to do the same .He is prone to been bullied due to his disability (TICS), He takes flight when overwhelmed and anxious and needs adult support.
-Sen report from school stating his needs (SEMH)
I have a fair idea how to word my case to the appeal panel but i would really appreciate if i can get further help from anyone who has experience with secondary school appeals or any offer of advice .Also ,given this reasons above would you say I have a strong case as school only starts they lack space for an additional student and how it will affect the learning of other students .
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 28/05/2025 09:58

@poppybuttonsSuch lovely words .Many thanks.🌻

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poppybuttons · 28/05/2025 09:14

@kinkylasmile , congrats, it's a great school and I'm sure your dc will thrive.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 27/05/2025 22:55

Many thanks 🌻.@Poonu.

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Poonu · 27/05/2025 22:53

Amazing. Well done you and all the best to your DS

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 27/05/2025 22:49

Hello lovely ladies,
Just a quick update regarding my appeal .My appeal was successful and he has been given a place at St Paul Catholic College. 😊

Mums keep advocating and continue to be your children’s voice even if you do not have a solid support network your voice and strength to keep going for your children is enough and will pay off .🌻

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 21:18

Gosh … this is tiring how some of ye just want to pick out whichever bit you want and not acknowledge the entirety of my response . I am thoroughly appreciative of all the positive and kind feedbacks received.I believe at this point I no longer need anymore inputs . Massive thanks @everyonefor all your help.

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viques · 06/05/2025 21:17

kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 21:13

@viquesExactly because it’s not a treat . It’s my decision as I know why I would rather have my child safe than cost him his metal health and having him exhibit/ non verbal communication his worrries through more impulsive behaviour which could result in him losing his life . So yes it’s my last resort as his parents. I have first hand experience I have friends who teach in the school and so it’s not what I have heard it’s what I have witnessed.As previously mentioned I have appealed two other schools and he’s no 10 on waiting list at one sch and the other is a out of borough school.Also as previously explained , I have no intention of bringing up the other schools at my appeal .Many thanks for your input .

Well good luck.hope he gets a place.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 21:13

@viquesExactly because it’s not a treat . It’s my decision as I know why I would rather have my child safe than cost him his metal health and having him exhibit/ non verbal communication his worrries through more impulsive behaviour which could result in him losing his life . So yes it’s my last resort as his parents. I have first hand experience I have friends who teach in the school and so it’s not what I have heard it’s what I have witnessed.As previously mentioned I have appealed two other schools and he’s no 10 on waiting list at one sch and the other is a out of borough school.Also as previously explained , I have no intention of bringing up the other schools at my appeal .Many thanks for your input .

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 20:58

@SlagPit
” A holistic approach to learning “ As I explained above he had benefited from this style of learning in his previous Catholic primary sch . Working on a child’s entire body his physical , emotional ,moral ,psychological and spiritual attributes to help the child assess his learning and not only focusing on his limitations basically not expecting a regiment style but being open minded and approach each child personal and most suited learning style .

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SlagPit · 06/05/2025 20:40

What do you mean by "a holistic approach to schooling"? Can you explain what you mean by this and why you think it would help your son?

viques · 06/05/2025 20:26

The panel will not see your threat to “home school if he does not get the place “ as a compelling reason to offer a place, you have already turned down the place you were offered, so technically homeschooling is your only current option if you don’t win the appeal.

Bad mouthing the offered school is another poor strategy, you don’t know what connections the panel members have to the offered school, and your knowledge is built on rumour and an OFSTED report , not direct experience.

You need to be more proactive in obtaining a school place, you might well lose the appeal so what other schools have you investigated, are you on their waiting lists?

poppybuttons · 06/05/2025 19:50

For other posters, the 3 schools are next to each other in Sunbury. St Paul's is Catholic and highly sought after, Bishop Wand is C of E and has a church attendance criteria in admissions, it's also highly regarded. Everyone else who is non religious, lives too far away etc goes to Sunbury Manor, it has recently had a terrible Ofsted, it's a SAT, it has a new head and hopefully lots of resources are being directed its way. You can imagine how many parents are appealing when they were allocated Sunbury Manor.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 19:07

@MissJeanBrodiesmother
I do appreciate every help I have received so far ..I did say that i was naive regarding the process and did not include any supporting documentation with his initial application. Every child who has TICS does not experience the same symptoms. A child who has such disability needs to be in a very secure and accepting environment to help them to manage it which this school provides.The least I can do now is make my appeal and put this across to the panel and let them decide as I did not provide the LA all the documents required at the time hence they placed base on what they have .I have asked for help but your response didn’t offer me any pointers or how to present it to have a better chance of arguing my case infront of the panel .I do not want people to agree with me I just needed some help as to how to present these factors which to me are serious reasons and fears regarding my child moving up to y7. I will regret not trying.I apologise for my response to your input .Many thanks for your input and advice.

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MissJeanBrodiesmother · 06/05/2025 18:36

Oh dear. I was trying to help you see that the panel might see things differently. It can then help you to prepare your arguments and tailor them accordingly. If you just want people to say yes your case is brilliant and you will definitely win your appeal then fine. The fact is not everyone does win their appeal and many think they have brilliant cases.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 18:11

@MissJeanBrodiesmother
All I know is the appeal is a chance for me to present the evidence I did not include in the original school application process.I am a mum of a child who has a disability if you know extensively about Tourette syndrome and SEMH and you are confident all schools know how to educate children who have it that your opinion.I know the impact and difficulties my son is facing even at his present school as teachers and stuff do not have extensive knowledge about it and put it to behaviour .This particular school has a holistic approach to learning which is better suited for my son .He thrives in his previous school which offered the same style approach to learning and that is what my son needs . As a mum it’s my job to undo my mistakes and exhaust all avenues I can to make sure my child gets the best environment to assess his learning.What everyone else believes or doesn’t believe is none of my business.I am an advocate for my son .I truly have no idea what your response is meant to serve.

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MissJeanBrodiesmother · 06/05/2025 17:44

Quite a lot of your post is based on the fact that the offered school is inadequate in lots of areas. Surely all schools are expected to educate children who are anxious and have tics. The desired school having nicer labs and higher ratings from ofsted are not likely to be good arguments. Otherwise everyone whose child liked science or had anxiety or send needs would believe they should be admitted to the desired school.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 06/05/2025 00:06

@poppybuttonsMany thanks ☺️

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 05/05/2025 23:57

@100PercentFaithfulYes , I only thought to highlight it just to give a picture of why I do not think it is a good fit for my son . Many thanks for outlining this .

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poppybuttons · 05/05/2025 23:30

Best of luck for both appeals but other wise take Sunbury Manor and keep on the WL for the other 2.

Original poster
kinkylasmile · 05/05/2025 23:05

@poppybuttonswe moved from whitton where my son was in a Catholic primary and was placed on waiting list here in ashford the two years he was was out of a catholic school he regressed greatly hence why I am so eager to get him back into a familiar place/school where he can assess his learning I had picked Bishops one as his second choice he is placed no 10 but as the waiting list has a lot of movement I am yet to receive any information regarding where he is placed now .I have placed an appeal bishop Wand school as well .
. Many thanks for your support.

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 05/05/2025 22:58

@HollyhedgeAh ! Many thanks for this ….there are other factors which I have refused to include.we have lost my partner and I have been dealing with all this in addition to son’s Sen issues the bereavement caused him a lot of trauma but I refuse to include that as I don’t want to veer from the main reason for a place in that school which I know can support his needs . Hearing this has made my month it’s been a difficult couple of months. Thank you so much for your kind words.

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Original poster
kinkylasmile · 05/05/2025 22:52

@LIZSI do not intend to it’s only for the purpose of this thread for you to have an idea of why I think the first choice school is well suited. I will refine from bringing up the offered school unless I am asked. Many thanks for your helpful response.

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poppybuttons · 05/05/2025 22:39

@kinkylasmile , are you in a primary in the same MAT as St Paul's? It won't
make a difference to your appeal though.
Sunbury Manor isn't a bad school, if you aren't Catholic and can't get into Bishop Wand (its C of E) it's an ok option.

Hollyhedge · 05/05/2025 22:12

I was on a panel for a Catholic primary, I think you have a good case. There is flexibility to go above PAN. We would have been sympathetic to your case. Good luck

100PercentFaithful · 05/05/2025 22:09

It’s not about the school you have been allocated and it’s performance.
It’s about why you need the other school in particular.

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