Appealing success?

[Fanserve]

Hi all,

Received the outcome of my lo primary school application and was gutted to find that we’d only got our second choice.
I’m wondering if I should appeal and if there is any chance of being successful?

Has anyone appealed before?
We applied through eadmissions but I’m aware the application system differs from borough to borough.

2nd choice is a good enough school, however we wanted first choice due to my lo’s potential.
Yes, I am probably going to sound like every other parent on the planet, but lo nursery teacher has said lo is very bright, possibly has photographic memory, and is exceeding reception level currently.
First choice school is known to be quite hot on academia (which is what we’re looking for) and I feel lo would be pushed to their full potential, whereas other places lo would be excelling (maybe be top of the class) but not actually encouraged to full potential.

Please don’t come at me for focusing at academia from such a young age, I personally feel very strongly about it and feel it’s important.

Hope someone can shed light on appeals success rate?
Thank you

Is the number of pupils admitted 30 or a multiple of 30?

If so, Infant Class Size rules apply (occasionally also for other numbers, if they have mixed year classes in years R -2)

You can win ICS appeals on 3 grounds only

a) there was something wrong with the admissions criteria (eg giving priority to a group they must not) and your DC would have been offered a place if the criteria were compliant. This is exceptionally rare
b) the admissions authority made a mistake in handling your application (eg overlooking sibling, or measuring distance wrongly) and your DC would have been offered a place if the mistake had not happened. Also rare, but does happen sometimes
C) the decision is so perverse it cannot be allowed to stand - threshold very high - child protection reasons, or placing a DC who uses a wheelchair in a school that is not adequately accessible

Are any of those likely to apply to you?

Oh, and you might want to ask MNHQ to move this thread to the Primary Education topic, as that's where the school admission experts hang out.

Thanks for your reply @meditrina. None of those apply! I was just hoping to explain my lo’s potential and hoped that would help 😩
Also, How do I ask MNHQ to move this please?

Use the 'report' function (which might be at the top of your post, or drop down from the three little dots at the bottom), and explain the free text box that you'd like it moved

I suspect if the admissions folk had a tenner for everyone who tried to explain their child's potential they would have all retired to private luxury islands by now 🤣

I don't think "My child would only EXCEL at the school I've been allocated, but I want considerably more for them" is grounds for appeal.

I had to skip years and change schools due to my ‘potential’ and my parents had to present that in front of a panel. With psych Ed reports, school counsellor and staff reports, a private psychologist evaluation, extensive IQ and abilities assessments and a long list of etceteras. I still remember the box of paperwork.

How exactly were you planning on explaining your child’s potential to a panel? Just saying they have a great potential won’t get you anywhere. All children have a great potential, when encouraged appropriately.

I think it's done purely on distance to school and number of places available.

You might be pleasantly surprised with the school you have been allocated.

You can always stretch by getting them to do music, sport, drama as extra curricular activities.