What grounds for appeal could I POSSIBLY have?!

[faraday]

First up I have to say I won't be appealing DS2's imminent 'rejection' of application for the current Y3. What I mean is, we are moving a mile or so to get DS1 into our preferred secondary, and we'll be 250m from a good primary. DS1 is currently Y5. We were going to start him at the start of his Y6 but have been persuaded it'll be in his better interest to start after this half term as there's a place (there are 3 or 4 places, actually).

We're also putting in for DS2 but the year is full which we know. There are twins ahead of DS2 BUT the thing is, come after half term, DS2 will go to the head of the waiting list, having 'a sibling at the school' by then.

The lovely woman who showed me around the school said 'Put in the application, we'll have to reject it, of course, being full, but you then write stating you want to go on the waiting list, but you would stand a good chance of getting him in on appeal'. I didn't want to ask her why- what grounds we'd have as it seemed I'd be saying 'Tell me how to come across as all 'entitled' and combatative as MY DC is obviously MORE IMPORTANT than anyone ELSE'- bearing in mind SHE suggested appeal!

I thought the only grounds for (successful) appeal were that the LEA had applied the rules unfairly? Which they evidently haven't!

As I stated first up, I won't be appealing in that the drive to 2 primaries is 'doable' for a term or so and I'm sure DS2 will get in soon enough. Both schools are very similar in demographic and 'feel' so there's no real 'need'- til it comes to October 2011 when DS2 will need to be in a feeder school!

I should add I SAY I won't appeal but that might change after 2 lots of inset days, 2 lots of sports days etc and that drive!!

Yes, but you have to apply and be rejected to get on the waiting list. the travel between two schools is a reason for appeal.
And from your point of view, Your "DC is obviously MORE IMPORTANT than anyone ELSE'S"

I think the rules for number are more lax for keystage 3 so perhaps if you were to appeal on it being "bad for the family" to have them at different schools then they would allow him in. Also if they know someone is leaving in the summer then the LEA would be able to make an exception because if it' for less than a year they can have more pupils than the PAN.

What is the PAN there anyway?

The lady did say one's chances of a successful appeal are far smaller in KS1 than in 2 which is where DS2 is at- but that may be because of the class size limit in R and Y1 perhaps?

Yes, I know I have to apply and get rejected in order to get on the waiting list which is what we will be doing but I was surprised that this lady thought we'd have a chance at appeal.

Frankly I suspect the time it took for an appeal to be heard, a place will have come up anyway!

Not sure what the PAN is to be honest- I would assume they're at it or there'd be a place for DS2.

Finally- re my DC being more important than anyone else's... my first assertion would genuinely be that I don't feel that way, that if one feels that 'might is right', there'll always be someone bigger coming along to put you straight! BUT however, I must also say that I can afford to be magnanimous because this isn't about fighting tooth and nail to get my DC out of a dreadful, dangerous 'sink' school into the best in the area, it's merely about a bit of inconvenience for me (but DS2 being able to stay a bit longer in the happy environment of his existing school!).

It's really up to you if you want to appeal. My own experience of the appeals process is that it is quite stressful (you have to first write your appeal and then go before the panel). The majority of people who appealed for our secondary school were rejected. I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been absolutely necessary (disabled child allocated place in non-accessible school). We also found that we had to provide lots of supporting letters to explain why our child was a special case.

Still, it is possible that your LEA is more easy-going.

I would start by applying and see what happens next.

Yes, I will apply and see what happens. I feel confident that the DSs going to 2 different schools won't be an issue for the 5 odd weeks of the last half term of this year, and I am prepared for a term after that but I admit I AM expecting that SOMEONE will pull out of Y3 or 4 by then!