Appealing secondary schools:legal advice or consultant help?

[accessorizequeen]

Ds1 was refused his top two choices, we hadn't listed a third so he was given a failing school we hadn't even visited. We have the appeal paperwork for both schools but are wondering whether to seek some legal advice or expert guidance to help us complete it. Ds has aspergers, he's very anxious about the whole thing and we need to do our very best to make sure he ends up in a school that will support him as the top two choices would. The top choice in particular has excellent SEN support, which is why we chose it. Anyone have advice or recommendations? We live in Hull.

I would contact IPSEA for advice on how to word an appeal www.ipsea.org.uk/

Good luck!

If you start a thread in secondary schools you will get lots of good advice. A key thing I have seen is appeal panels do not like 'professionals' being involved.

I am a panelist and chair for school appeals panels. I occasionally see cases prepared by professionals and although some are good most of the time I feel the parents have parted with a lot of money for nothing. We are not prejudiced against them. Quite a few parents come with supporters - social workers, local councillors, even a Senco. That is all fine but we still look at the facts and base our decision on that.

I would say in your case it is crucial to build a case of why your son needs to go to those schools. The appeals for each will be separate. The fact he has been offered a school you don't know or like is not an argument. If you feel his aspergers is a reason gather as much evidence from professionals as you can naming the preferred school if possible.

You will get all the expert guidance you need from posters on Mumsnet if you post details of your case. I would not involve legal professionals the vast majority of whom do not understand the admissions system at all. I know of cases where legal professionals have thoroughly irritated the appeal panel. Similarly most of the consultants offer quite poor advice and are not good value for money. All you need to do is set out clearly the reasons why your son will be disadvantaged if he does not attend the appeal school. Supporting letters from medical experts or similar will be far more valuable than legal advice or consultants.

Thank you all. I appreciate the guidance. Perhaps best to repost with details in secondary edu section, which I shall do.

I've had excellent advice/support from experts here on Mumsnet and also I bought a book called 'How to win your school appeal' by Ben Rooney which really helps with setting out an appeal. Whatever happens with our appeal, we do feel as prepared as we can be, which is the most we can hope for at this stage. Good luck!

You also need to set out clearly what the school(s) you want can offer your DS that is particular to that school and will meet his needs. Don't be negative about the school you have been offered, but research thoroughly what the schools you do want can provide for your DS.