In Year school appeal

[RJ2980]

Please can anyone help me the best way to appeal my sons place, We live 402 metres and are in catchment now. He goes to a school 5 miles away which is has been a logistical nightmare. He has been bullied since year 9 and is now in year 10. any help would be appreciated thanks

When did you apply for a different school?

It's unlikely they would have made an error in handling the application for an in-year application, but that is always the first thing to check. Also, was any other school offered?

If no error, the appeal, as always, will be about why your DS needs this place (it's called "balance of prejudice" - why the detriment to him from not attending the school is greater than the detriment to other pupils by going over numbers.

That he now lives in the catchment isn't likely to be particularly relevant (to an appeal, it will certainly make a difference to position on waiting list)

So what are your reasons for this school? Not transport logistics, but what the school offers that is of particular benefit to your DS?

Year 10?! Yeah don't do it. He stands no chance of getting his potential GCSE grades by moving now.

Why didn't you apply at the end of year 9?

As meditrina says, distance and logistics are irrelevant. However, if you can evidence the fact that he is being bullied at his current school, they are aware of this and they haven't done anything effective to stop it, that gives you a decent case. You should also look for other positive reasons your son needs to be at this school.

I'm not sure it's in your son's best interests to move schools half way through year 10. He'll find it too hard to catch up on GCSE work.

Did he start this school mid year? If so it works differently to normal applications and you pick ( or get allocated ) from schools which have space.
Also it would be hard to argue that a move in year 10 would be beneficial as GCSE courses aren't consistent across schools, they have different exam boards and may teach in a different order.

my son only broke down Monday telling me he is been bullied, he has tried to deal with it face on but cant take anymore. he is very sporty but wont do anything at school as he is scared of the end result from the bullies who are meant to be his so called friends. after been into the school they agree he needs to break free so he CAN focus on his GCSE's as currently his mind is else where. they are going to be speaking to another school. if a child is happy, feels safe and with friends this will impact his focus learning and results. it all goes hand in hand. for a 15 year old to be in student support lunchtimes and hiding from the group in alley ways is unhealthy. thanks for all your advice

If you can get current school to write something to agree he doesn't feel safe in school, then surely that would show the massive detriment to him of staying there?

He may need to accept some disruption to GCSE choices. This could be mitigated by dropping one and using time saved to catch up in others, e.g. if different set texts are being studied or a different order for Eng Lit.

The other potential option, though it may be a misuse of the process, is for your preferred school to agree to take him on as a managed move. I'm only suggesting it as it might speed up moving and reduce need to appeal.

Your best option is to ask the school he is at to facilitate a managed move to the new school (there is a process for this - he'll be dual registered for approx 6 weeks and then can transfer if he feels he likes it)

If the bullying is the reason to move, depending on your catchment school and other local options, try and find a school with the closest matches for exam board by subject - English is likely to be harder due to choice of texts to study, but given they are 1/3 of the way through, it is a lot of work that may have been missed, as schools don't teach content in the same order, so also look to find best fit to work still to be covered. Your nearest may not be the best fit. Shame the school hadn't identified him hiding in the resource centre/avoiding "his friends"

thanks all. a managed move it what they are going to try ti do for him. Monday they're king contact with the new school. fingers crossed

I have explained to him he may have to drop a subject and hell have some catching up to do but we feel his happiness is worth it. its heart breaking to know he's been dealing with this all on his own for so long.

It is more than maybe dropping a subject and catch up, your local school may not be able to offer any of his current options as the classes may be full, he may be in lower sets for core subjects that limit ability to do higher papers or no space in the classes of lower ability to meet his needs. What other options do you have? Are there other local schools? Does the Local Authority have any alternative provision, could he move to year 9 and start year 10 in September? Any options available for 1 year GCSE courses locally. Does a local college have any 14-16 provision. If the local school is an accademy which is popular, be prepared for a no straight away. They may need to be prepared for a longer journey but yes there happiness away from bullies would probably be worth it and fingers crossed your local school says yes and is a good fit, but do some more research in case it is a no and then you can act quickly.

Have you applied for a place? If they have a space and no waiting list they cannot turn you down. Distance is only relevant to the year 7 application process and waiting list. It is a risk moving half way through year 10, could you afford a tutor if they cannot support his options? Even core subjects may have a different curriculum/texts or topics being taught in a different order.