school appeals

[KateCon]

We have found ourselves in the terrible position of not getting any of our three choices of secondary school. We have no choice but to appeal. Our choices were in this order; Cathedral, Ashton Park and John Cabot. Does any one have any experience of appeals? It seems a daunting task but my son is so devastated I have to do something. Any advice will be so gratefully received.

Hello. I know 2 people who appealed for John Cabbot last year and were not successful. I also have heard that 8 children got places at Cathedral last year on appeal. I know of 1 definately. Hope that helps. Good Luck.

I would telephone Ashton Park and the Cathedral school to see about going on their waiting list as well as submitting an Appeal.
Also for Ashton Park try looking up the distance from your house to the school using google maps or a website such as www.upmystreet.co.uk and then put in your postcode and it tells you the distance to various schools.
A child in our street (with no older siblings or SEN) has been offered a place at Ashton Park and we live 2.8 miles away. Hope this helps.

Dear KateCon

I was in a similar position with reception child. What I learnt about the whole horrible process (and seeing friends going through this recently with secondary) is that things do change. It is very early days yet. Try not to let the worry consume you. Easier said than done I know when you have an 11 year to console.

There will be a second round of offers by early May by which time you will have a more realistic view about your chances of getting into Ashton Park and John Cabot. But I know of people who were offered places in late summer (after the school 'trial' open days). Also 6 kids moved to Cotham after the first half term of year 7. If you stay on the waiting lists (and re-register on the waiting lists on 1 September) if a place comes up you may be lucky.

In terms of the appeal, it is unlikely to make much difference unless there a clear grounds for the council making a mistake with their criteria. But it may make you feel that you are doing something.

thinking of you.

I have not had direct experience of appeals, but my dd's friend got her place at cathedral through appeal. Her mum felt very ill prepared for the appeal as her reasons were vague, so she was very surprised to win the appeal! Is your son musical? BCCS obviously offers a lot of music, in particular this year they have started a scheme for endangered instruments, where children take up a brass instrument for free for a term (school supplies the instrument and free group lessons for 1 term). I would imagine this is a very unique scheme, but your son might not be into this at all, so a tricky one to use....
Good luck, do go on the waiting list and prepare for appeal as best you can, you might be lucky!

I don't have any advice, apart from to try and stay positive. There are such a lot of private secondaries in Bristol and it is likely that many of the children places at your 3 school may end up going private but they are hanging on to the state places just in case. Have they actually offered you a school or do you have no offer of a place anywhere?