Any tips for primary school appeals?

[smallmotherbigheart]

This is my first time doing this, and I want to do this right. My son didn't get into any of the preferred schools that we listed? Has anyone done an appeal before?

...however, you may be near the top of the waiting list if the school operates sibling priority.

Hi,

I?m new to this site and have read this thread with interest. I know it?s from a couple of years ago, but hoping that someone might be able to assist with my query:

We have not been allocated any of our 4 preferences for primary schools (intake 2013/14). We are on waiting lists and considering appealing for our first choice school.

Our first choice is a Catholic school with a class intake of 24 pupils. In the junior years, the school has one mixed aged class (it skips Y5 I believe and spreads children in Y4 and Y6) as it is lacking in one classroom.

The school have requested funding to gain an extra class room to address this situation and apparently this is being planned for next year, so that the intake can increase to 30. I think that they are going to face a problem any way as the infant classes already within the school in future years, will mean splitting the classes within the junior years becomes a challenge (in take is currently Reception 24; Y1 ? 24, Y2 ? 24, Y3 ? 24, Y4 ? 20, Y5 ? 20, Y6 ? 20)

We are considering basing our appeal on that adding another 6 pupils to the 2013/14 intake can?t be an infant class size issue, as they are going to have to face this anyway soon, so why not increase to 30 now.

Does anyone have any advice on whether this is a sound argument ? what sort of evidence would we need to support our appeal?

Thoughts greatly appreciated.

prh47bridge - Thank you for your sound advice - It's very much appreciated. Just one more question (and im not even sure if you would know this), but are the reccommendations for floor space for each child (currently set at 2.3m square) an absolute legal requirement? The reason I ask is their their main reasons for setting their PAN at 17 is that:

1. There would not be enough floor space as per the reccommendations above (which they have admitted is already not adequete for 17, let alone any more, so why is it ok for the space to not be big enough for 17 and not 18 or 19? Surely if it's a safety issue they should have set their PAN to 15 or 16 so that the space was adequate?). AND;

1. That the head teacher has advised that an additional pupil would impair the teachers ability to create a stimulating, attractive and safe learning environment. If that's the case how can the government stipulate in state schools that a fully qualified teacher is capable of teaching up to 30 pupils. Is this Free School employing sub-standard teachers or is the Government employing 'super' teachers?

Do you think I can use this as a part of my argument for them to accept more pupils? I know that there are a number of unused classrooms in the school and feel that they could make some alterations to accommodate more children.

Thanks again for any advice you may have.

tiggytape - Many thanks for your response. Yes, I have read that the infant class law was only valid within the infant stages (which makes sense based on the name!), so can't see that they would have an argument based on it impacting junior class numbers. Although an extra classroom isn't guaranteed to materialise, it has been really pushed this year; the school want it and the LEA need it for the huge admissions they'll have to place next year and in future years.

prh - very interested to see what you think.

AJ1976 - On the basis of what you have posted your appeal will not be an infant class size case. However, that doesn't mean the panel will admit another 6 children or that yours will be one of them. If they are going to have 30 per class in the current classrooms that certainly counters any argument that the classrooms are too small. However, as Tiggytape indicates, that only works if they are going to use the current classrooms. If there is going to be some building work to allow them to admit more next year that does not justify admitting more this year.

You need to make a positive case as to why your child should be admitted, not simply argue that the school can cope with more pupils. Otherwise there is the danger that you will convince the panel that the school can take another 6 children in Reception but they will decide that other parents have made a better case so your child will miss out.

Love81 - No the floor space per child is not a legal requirement. Many older schools don't meet the current standard. However, that doesn't mean they can just go on cramming more and more children into the space. The panel will have to take a view as to whether or not the classrooms can reasonably be expected to take more than 17 children.

I agree with you that their second argument is really a non-starter. I would be surprised if the appeal panel was impressed by the school's argument on that point.

Hi - according to their rules they have 15 places for 'in Parish' pupils and 15 not in Parish. I suppose I would need to know if the people who have received places but live further away than we do applied for church places or not. I do remember the head saying that if all the church places didn't go they would be given to none church parents, but I must presume this has not happened. We have two more rounds to go through so I hope that at least one of the school we want will have a place come free. I will request the details as you suggest. Thank-you for taking the time to answer.

A friend asked me to write a letter to support her appeal as her child was refused their 1st school choice. My older daughter already attends this school and she is one of minority ethnic children in the school. She entered the school as an EAL child and she is doing tremendously well. Her child is also from a minority ethnic and he also has English as an additional language and she would like me write a letter on the ethnicity and EAL grounds. Is-it a realistic ground for an appeal knowing that the school is not in our catchment area?

If it is an infant class size appeal then no, this is not realistic grounds for an appeal. An appeal is only likely to succeed if a mistake has been made and your friend's child should have got a place. If it is not infant class size then it may work but it depends what the appeal panel think. If the preferred school has special provision for EAL children that will help. If not they may take the view that there is no reason to believe the preferred school is any better than the offered school for EAL children.

Hi, Dd didn't get our first choice on grounds it was oversubscribed. They have admitted 45 but I don't think this is an ICS appeal as last year they had 48 and we were told by her nursery teacher before Easter that they had 50 places available. DD is top of the waiting list (of 1!). Do we have much chance on appeal? She attends the nursery and is the only one not going into the reception and it breaks my heart as she is very shy and has made some very good friends.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks Tiggy. The reason I didn't think it was ICS was that the teacher told us the number had gone down to level out intakes across the LEA. They only increased from 30 last year with the intention (we were told) of having two classes every year.

The LEA wouldn't tell me when they decided on this number, not sure if it would make a difference.

Sorry, should have said that last year they had 48 1st preference and all accepted, no appeals. That's why it seems odd that this year they had 46 but one got refused.

My youngest son's primary school has a PAN of 50!

Please help, we have been assigned our DS's new primary school this week. Not only is the school not one of our six choices it is the worst in the area.

Our DS at the age of 4 has completed all areas of EYFS up to 60 months (not sure if this is relevant but please read on).

The schools we chose were not the best in the area but meet his social and emotional needs.

The school he has been allocated has a majority (70%) number of students from a particular minority background of which it is stipulated that these students are still all in the early stages of speaking English when they start reception.

The students are mostly from deprived backgrounds with a large number of students with learning difficulties. I understand that this is last years report and things progress, however, I know that sending DS to this school where he will not be able to communicate with others will break him and the abilities of other students will move his own abilities backwards rather than forwards.

Further the progress of students at this schools does not progress to those of average students either.

I am trying to keep this factual rather than emotional, however, it is difficult. I am not arguing that the LEA made a mistake I would like to argue on the grounds that this move would harm our DS. Do I have a case. Further to this I will be declining the position offered to us at this school, please advise as to my other options.

Many Thanks.

Thank you for your speedy response, please could you advise what would happen

1. If we moved closer to our first choice
2. if we moved to another area altogether

Thanks again

Really useful thanks, is it possible to find out from the LEA which schools have places available. If so how do we go about asking for such information.

Thanks again

Thank you tiggytape, all really useful information. Worst case scenario we will pay for our DS to go to a private school. I do have real problem with this as I believe he has right to a free rounded education, however, I am more concerned with my DS's well being than my principles or bank account. Thanks again. Caggy1

tiggytape and prh47bridge - many thanks to both of you for your responses. It's very helpful - I shall build my appeal based on your advice and let you know how we get on. Thanks again.

Hi All,

Need some advice. We received a offer for our first choice school for the little one to start reception on 17th and we accepted promptly. But in the weekend our landlord communicated to us that we need to vacate the house by July. We are now worried what will happen if we does not managed to find something to rent within the catchment area. Please advice.

Thanks