Primary School Appeal

[AliM87]

Hello

I'm just wondering if anyone can offer me any help with my appeal?

My son didn't get any of the 3 schools we requested, the school he has been offered cannot be considered due to some very difficult family matters concerning his half sister who (by complete coincidence) attends the offered school. We are therefore appealing to the school of choice however if our appeal is unsuccessful where would we stand? As I cannot accept the offered school, could they reject the appeal but offer other schools? Or would we need to appeal to a number of schools? I have already put him on the waiting lists for a number of schools.

Thank you for any advice

If you reject the school that has been offered the LA is under no obligation to come up with another offer. It doesn't matter that you say you cannot accept the offered school due to family matters. The appeal panel will not award you a place on that basis and neither will the LA.

Thank you for your response.

So basically we just have to get him on as many waiting lists as possible and hope that something becomes available?

We cannot accept the offered school due to a very difficult situation with his half sister, my son attending the school would cause her great stress and anxiety and we cannot risk putting her in this position therefore unfortunately we 100% cannot accept this school.

It's a very messy situation unfortunately.

We are appealing to chosen school on grounds of religion, distance, childcare etc, however I am aware the chances of a successful appeal are very slim.

I have already got him on a number of waiting lists, hoping and praying something becomes available!

If you really won't accept the offered school you are indeed reliant on waiting lists. You can also look around to see if there are any schools with places available. Unfortunately you will not be entitled to free transport if it is further from home than the offered school regardless of how far away it is. If nothing comes up by the start of term following his fifth birthday I'm afraid you will either have to send him to a private school or home educate.