Appeals advice please

[lovelychops]

Hello all. I have an appeal tomorrow for my daughter and I am so nervous and worried. I feel that so much is riding on how I present our case and the huge impact it may have if I don't get our points across successfully.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice on what to expect from the panel and any tips on how it will be done?

Thanks so much

You and the person presenting the case to refuse admission will enter the room together. The chair of the panel should then introduce everybody. The case to refuse admission will then be presented, following which you will have a chance to ask the presenting officer some questions. The panel will usually also ask some questions. You will then present your case, following which you will be questioned by the presenting officer and the panel. They will ask about anything they didn't find clear and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of your case. The presenting officer will then sum up, then you will sum up. You should use this to briefly emphasise the main points of your case and any weaknesses in the school's case. You and the presenting officer will then leave the room together.

It is unlikely you will get a decision during the hearing. The panel should not decide any case until they have heard all appeals for this school.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for replying. I'm veering between thinking we have a strong case and utter despair!

There is only one thing to say and that is go into the appeal believing that you have done everything that you can to get your child into the school of preference. If you do not succeed it is not your fault, you have done all that you can.
So be positive in the appeal hearing

All our appeals are online with decisions being made at the end of that day simply due to the large amount and availability of panel members across the country. Parents are not notified until after all the appeals for that school are completed. But with some schools having 14 days of appeals we can't have the same panel across the school. The system of decision days was simply not doable this year. Quick toilet break and grab a cuppa when we are able.
Hope it went smoothly.

At mine, everyone was very nice. Lots of explanation of who was who and what was going to happen.

I found it really emotional which I hadn't expected to happen and I had to force myself to keep it together. Even though I knew what we were all there for somehow it was really odd that we were all sitting around talking about my daughter.

I had notes of what I wanted to say which I was glad of.

Remember to stick to the facts of your appeal. Appeal for the school you want and don't say anything about the one you don't want. Don't dilute your appeal by telling them things that aren't appeal-worthy for want of a better phrase.

The panel asked me some questions and there was an opportunity for me to ask questions too.

How did you appeal go?

Still waiting for the verdict.
Hard to tell ? I wish I could have been clearer... I'm so worried