Help for appeal for KS2 sibling

[settledandsmug]

I've been asked to help a friend prepare an appeal for her son in Y4 to move to the school that she has just moved her son in Y3 to. I am by no means an expert, but I can write letters.

I've read lots of appeal threads and I know that the appeal needs to focus on the benefits of the new school.

However, the reality of this move is that School A (the orginal school) is in a very bad state. It is in special measures, has recently been turned into an academy under a new sponsor who don't appear to have the ability to stem the loss of teachers - 4 classes out of 7 have experienced changes in teachers this year, and 3 more teachers are leaving at the end of this term. School is dropping to 5 mixed age classes. Those are the real reasons for leaving but I know these won't win an appeal.

So far, we have looked at some developmental issues this child had in early years and why these have impacted the childs self esteem which means the child would benefit from a place in a larger primary school with excellent enrichment opportunites and sports clubs etc.

Obviously he also has the sibling link.

I know this appeal is a long shot - there is loads of pressure on local places recently - but does anyone have any advice on grounds for appeal which might actually help my friends case? thanks.

Thanks. I forgot to mention that we have found evidence that they have 61 in one year group already (not the one appealed for). We'll have to focus on the confidence issues and my friend is hoping to enlist medical support on this.

Thanks again

Was the reason for the younger sibling being moved the same or different. If it was different, say for bullying, then there is an opportunity to, as a minimum, link the reasons for the younger sibling moving to be your concerns that the same is now happening with the elder sibling.
You also need to understand that there will probably be someone on the admission panel, as at least one needs to be considered as being knowledgeable about education, that will know about some of the issues at the other school. I think you might be best mentioning the issues but saying that the main focus is because.............. rather than totally ignoring the obvious. It is not an argument that will win you a place but if you come across as "reasonable" about the reasons it tends to give you more credibility with the panel.

Unfortunately, younger sibling was moved for the same reasons. I'm sure that at least someone on the panel will be aware of the issues. This is a school that will have experienced 8 headteachers of one description or another in the space of 4 years! Lost count of the number of teachers who've been and gone!

However, we are working hard to make this childs' individual case stand out over and above any potential appeals from class mates and so are focusing on issues of self esteem and confidence which have been a developmental issue for the child since early years. We are identifying how the new school will help with these issues, eg through consistency and extra curricular activities (the child concerned is very keen on football). The new school has an excellent record in these.