Appeals ...Waiting Lists ...??

[bluegiraffe]

Hi
Can anyone help me work out if we don't get our first preference for DD primary school - do we just get to go on a waiting list or would we have right to appeal?

We are out of catchment for the first preference school and would only get place by 'any other reason for preference' category (lowest category).

Asking as I heard that another family (also out of catchment) have been given advice about how they could appeal if didn't get a place - so, having been under impression that all we can do is go on a waiting list ... just wondered if we should be 'gearing up' for something more intense!! ;-))

thanks!

If you are out of catchment and do not fit any of the other criteria (i.e siblings, SEN) then I don't think you have any valid grounds to appeal. Where I live in London some boroughs put you automatically on the waiting list of any schools you applied to, other boroughs expect you to phone up and ask to be put on the waiting list.

Hardly any appeals are successful and you would have to have very very good grounds (distance being measured wrongly or something) I would think.

You only have a right to appeal if you can prove that the school has not followed it's own admissions criteria. You have said yourself that you were bottom of the list for a place so you won't have a chance if the school is oversubscribed. You can ask to be put on the waiting list but it is worth checking where you stand on that list, if there are 15 or more on the list I doubt you will get in especially when you consider that if a new family moves into the area and fits the highest admissions criteria they can be put on the list ahead of you. It is really a priority list rather than a waiting list where you wait in order and move up progressively. Hope that makes sense.

You always have a right of appeal if you don't get a place at your preferred school. If you fail to get a place at your first choice school the letter telling you this will include details of how to go about appealing. However, at most primary schools this will be an infant class size appeal which means your only chance of success is if you can show that a mistake has been made, e.g. placing your child in the wrong category.

You should automatically go on the waiting list for any higher preferences than the school to which you are admitted. However, some LAs aren't very good about doing this so it is worth ringing them to make sure you are on the list. As Tinytalker says, the way waiting lists operate means you can move down the list as well as up it.

Yup, makes sense - we applied as, although oversubscribed, they have taken a number from the last admission category each year for last few years (i.e. out of catchment) - so we stand a chance ... or may be near top of a waiting list (lot of movement in this area with state vs independent choices)

but .. if someone in our position (same category) was to appeal as well as wait on the list, would they stand a chance of getting in on appeal, even if they were below us on the waiting list (by distance measure)?

A person's position on the waiting list doesn't prevent them being successful on appeal, if they have a case that outweighs the decision not to admit them.

So yes, in theory, a child below yours on the waiting list could be successful at appeal.