Has anyone had experience of using a paid expert when preparing a school appeal?

[Kaybush]

My 11 year old son hasn't been offered his first choice secondary school in Brighton and is bitterly disappointed. I'm currently starting the complicated appeal process and read about John Chard, who runs an appeal advisory service. He reviews your appeal and also helps you prepare a response to the reasons the authority will give for not offering the first choice. The reviews on his site are really encouraging, but I wondered if anyone on Mumsnet in Brighton has used his service before, as he charges £150.

Is it no win no fee?
Also, no matter who you get to appeal for you unless you have grounds to appeal it is a waste of time.
I think it more important to look at what you are appealing for? on what grounds?

I always advise people not to use paid experts. You can get plenty of free help from experts on here. Some of the paid experts are really very poor, giving incorrect advice and alienating appeal panels. Save yourself the money and do it yourself.

Of course the reviews are great, he isn't going to publish anything that says anything negative is he!

The overwhelming consensus from those on panels (both here and those I know in RL) are that these services can't do anything you can't. In some cases they can be detrimental, as they tend to be more aggressive than parents and focus on the wrong points (eg nitpicking areas of policy rather than the reasons a school will be the best for a specific child)

Panels aren't looking for perfect public speakers, or lawyers, they are looking for the reasons your child needs this school. They know you aren't used to this, maybe very daunted by it, they see it all the time. Save your money.

Re. 'You can get plenty of free help from experts on here.'

I'm pretty new to MumsNet and I've been also told verbally that there are some experts on here with great advice on appeals, but I'm not sure where or how to find specific threads. Are there any titles/links/threads (not even sure what to call them!) that you can recommend?

Your's and the others' comments were really helpful by the way - think it confirmed my fears that using him could actually hinder my appeal!

Kay, start your own thread asking for help! Then people can help with the specifics.

Kay, start your own thread asking for help! Then people can help with the specifics.

I'm a lawyer. I used to advise on educational appeals when I was more junior. I agree with the comments above that you can do it yourself, but if you are busy, then a professional can help you put your best possible case together in a way that means something, help you with your evidence, recommend experts eg ed pysch reports etc.

I have helped friends with appeals to grammar schools - they were successful. I would not pay anyone because I think it needs to be personal and I think a panel will expect it to be a personal appeal too. Get your advice from MN but be realistic about what you can achieve.