School Appeals

[jkl05]

Hi. Has anyone ever successfully appealed against a decision to decline a placing request? Or attended an appeal session? No idea what to expect

I've just appealed ( as In submitted documentation) with regard to my daughter's place in grammar school.no idea what to expect 💁

Stressful times

What information is it that you're looking for? What year are you applying for and what are your grounds for appeal?

Applying for a secondary school place and wondering if anyone has been through the procedure. Did they hire legal representation? Did the appeal work? What's the format of the hearing?

Lots of people apply, more appeals fail than win, especially for infants. Legal representation is rare.

The appeal format depends on the year group.

I hope your appeal documents are not quite so vague.

I've done it recently.
Usual format is:
Stage 1 - Local Authority explain why school is full to appealling parents and an independent panel. The parents and panel can ask questions. The panel decide if they accept the school is full. If the panel accept the school is full you move on to Stage 2
Stage 2 - each appeal is heard separately by the panel. They ask questions and you can elaborate on your statement. The LA rep will also be there. It's a bit like a job interview rather than a court. The panel will decide whether to allow your appeal but you won't usually know on the day.

My appeal hearing is ina couple of weeks. I have focused in my submissions on the prejudice it was cause to my dd's education to not get her 1st preference. I'm actually in the happy position of being ok with the place given to her. But she isn't. So I'm giving it a go and focussing, as I was advised, on the prejudice to her learning.

OP, you mentioned appealing against a decline of a placing request, which suggests you are in Scotland? If so the situation is slightly different to an appeal in England as there is a defined list of reasons why a placing can be declined. In many ways they are similar though - you need concrete reasons why your child needs a place at this school.

Yes, I'm assuming Scotland too, in which case most of my usual advice may be irrelevant.