Reception class appeals

[waynefoy]

Hi Guys,

I have read numerous threads on numerous sites and I still can't tell if we have a strong case for our daughters appeal. (in our eyes we definitely do, but i'm sure every parent feels the same).

Our school is oversubscribed for the first time in 10 years and our daughter is currently #11 on the waiting list. She has been classed as category 6 on the admissions policy and all places were taken in category 3. She has attended the school in various capacities since she was 6 months old, 2 years in the school run parent & toddler group and 2 full years in the school nursery (her birthday is in October and she isn't starting reception until September 2012).

Our son also attends the school and will be going into year 6 in September, a very important year for SATs etc. We have been offered a school in the area for our daughter, however we couldn't possibly get both children to and from different schools at the same time.

The impact on both children is plain to see, our daughter has been friends with her nursery class for at least 2 years (in some cases closer to 4) and to remove her from her peer group now would severly effect her transition from nursey to reception. If we didn't win the appeal we would have to move our son away from the school he has attended from yr1 in the most important year due to the logistical problems, there is also no garuntee that spaces are available in his year group, removing him from his peer group everything he has ever known.

We are seeing the appeals panel tomorrow and will explain all of the above but if anyone has any pointers or advice please send them our way!!!

Thanks

May I add that our school is catholic and our children are baptised c of E, that's why we are so low on the criteria. Although in the statement sent to us by the Arch Diocese they have stated that she is not baptised.

This would only move her up one position on the criteria, however it is a mistake on their behalf.

Honestly? All of the content of your first post will be disregarded if it is an infant class size appeal.

2nd post - moving you up one criteria slot won't have resulted in your daughter getting the place, as it would have moved her to cat. 5, and you've stated that all places were allocated in cat. 3. As such, the mistake is irrelevant.

Sorry...no chance, IMO.

I'm afraid I agree with Lougle that your chances of success are slim. Attending nursery attached to the school rarely gives priority in applications to reception and most schools and nurseries are very clear about this in their documentation.

If the school your daughter has been allocated is more than two miles from your home, you will be entitled to transportation for her. Otherwise, you are expected to make your own arrangements. Many parents have to drop off at more than one school in the morning. Particularly in Year 6, your school may actually encourage you to drop your older child and leave the playground (ours does) so allowing you to get to your daughter's school. Sympathies though, it is a pain to have to deal with two sets of uniform, school rules, sports days etc when you don't want to be in that position.

If this is an infant class size appeal it is unlikely you will win. If I understand you correctly your daughter would not have got a place even if she had been placed in the correct category, so the mistake is not enough to win an ICS appeal. It is, of course, possible that evidence of other mistakes will emerge during the hearing.

If this is not an infant class size appeal you need to talk about how your daughter will be disadvantaged if she doesn't attend this school. The fact that it may be logistically difficult for you will not sway the panel, nor will the fact that your daughter attends the nursery. You need to focus on any features of this school that are missing from the allocated school and will be of particular benefit to your daughter.

Based on what you have posted here I would say you need to be realistic about your chances. But give it your best shot. You never know.

Thanks everyone,

Not too hopeful of being successful after reading all your comments.

Hearing is this afternoon,

Fingers crossed anyway