Primary Appeal in absentia

[charltonchick]

We have been given a primary appeal date that we can't make as we're on holiday (with my parents so they can't go). I can't think of anyone obvious I could ask to go (we live abroad, are moving to a new town where we don't know anyone) so am going to have to let it go ahead in absentia. Is there anyone out there with enough experience to know if we are damaging our chances by not sending anyone?

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with the appeal if we have no representative? We will submit further written evidence 5 days before but do we have the right to see the school's evidence and comment on it?

You can ask for another date.

If it is impractical to offer another date they will deal with the appeal purely on the basis of the written submissions. You will receive the school's submission before the hearing.

You will definitely get the schools case before the appeal date and you can submit extra evidence up to the time of the appeal by email. Although in theory it is for the panel to decide whether they will accept further submitted evidence, most panels would accept the evidence submitted in such circumstances.
The LA will almost for sure want the appeal to go ahead because they need to get all the appeals completed.