Appeals 2014- Did your DS/DD Not Get Any of Their Secondary School Choices

[JohFlow]

Let's share ideas on how to appeal successfully.

Open forum - but no school names/identifiers please.

For parents that are facing this this year - how are you doing? What questions do you have?

Any parents that have been through the process previously are most welcome to share what works.

I put down two schools with a solid reputation and was offered one that is going through special measures with OFSTED and has had to merge with another school to stay open! I knew competition for the first two schools would be tough and we are on the border as far as travelling distance goes. We were prepared to travel for a good education.

I have a strong education philosophy (being a teacher myself) but if I am strictly honest the two schools chosen are personal preference based on quality standards and where I see my son fitting in. Do I need to come up with more water-tight reasons for my appeal paperwork...?

Over to you...

Can I have some advice please, can you only put 1 reason you want to appeal for on the appeal form, or can you list a few, eg need, proximity to the school, and possibly an error made by admissions?, thanks.

Another thing, I have emailed admissions regarding how many classes they have and how many children in each to find out if they have gone over PAN in previous years, havn't heard back yet, but I assume I don't put my case forward regarding this until the appeal date, and is not something I put on the form, is that right?.

Would it look better to hand write the additional information supplied as there is only a little section to write why I am appealing, or would it be ok to submit typed reasons?. I have typed what I want to submit, would it be possible to PM or email it to someone to read over and tell me if there is anything I need to change.

Thanking you in advance for any advice

You can put as many reasons for appeal as you want.

Your case should be about why your child needs to go to this school. You don't need to put anything on the form about the school going over PAN in previous years. You can bring this up in the hearing.

You can submit typed reasons. You can also submit a brief outline of your case now with a full version to follow later.

If you want to PM me your case I will give you a quick opinion.

Thanks, will PM you :)