Has anyone used Schools Appeals Services, were you successful?

[Justtrying]

Gathering all the information to collate our appeal for not getting first choice primary for reception. Considering a private alternative and have just come across School Appeals Services.

Has anyone here used them and were you sucessful? How much did it cost? Obviously if it helps get dd into our school of choice we will look at pretty much anything especially if it saves school fees.

Many thanks

If it's an infant class size appeal, the only way you are likely to win is if you can prove that the LA made an error and that if they hadn't made that error you would have got a place. You can usually do that without the help of a third party. If they haven't made an error, then using someone else isn't going to increase your chances of winning an appeal, you'll have just chucked a load of money away.

There is another category of proving the decision was unreasonable. But the definition of unreasonable is so high that most people aren't going to meet it.

My advice would be to do the appeal yourself. You will get plenty of good advice here if you post details of your case. I can't comment on School Appeals Services specifically but I have come across many cases where "professional advice" has not helped and, sadly, some cases where the advice was so poor it turned a possible win into a guaranteed loss.

These people run a business and unless they operate a " no win no fee" policy then it's in their interest to tell you that you have a case, whatever.
There are at least 3 posters on this thread who give excellent, free and impartial advice so you would be better asking them.
It's also very hard to prove that this service is directly responsible for the success of the appeal, you could have won anyway if there has been an error and it may be that a place opens up for other reasons and they claim the credit.
If you think you have grounds for appeal ask prh or tiggy or admissions ( apologies if anyone missed or incorrect) and they will help you FOR FREE.
Be warned though they will tell you the truth rather than what you what to hear.

Thanks for your advice, it's not an infant class size appeal as pan is only 25. No combined classes until year3/4. Current reception size is 25, year one 27 and year 2 24. Class size was reduced from 30 in 2012. Has been oversubscribed for last 3 years.

Last years furthest distance non sibling was 1.9 miles this year it is 0.199 we are 0.461miles.

Allocated school is 2.5 miles away, this is our second closest school, with one bus an hour and across a busy main road with no cussing patrol, it has a new name and management team this year and is hopefully coming out of special measures. It was our second choice but the best of a bad bunch. Last year the police had to take action as there was drug dealing at the school gates.

Our first choice has breakfast and after school provision for reception, allocated school has a shorter breakfast club but no after school provision for reception. I work shifts and am often away overnight with work so school run will fall on dh who also works hence wrap round care essential.

Dd is an only child and we would like her to make friends in the village.

Feeling a bit lost even though dh and I are professionals in our own fields.

Don't think there have been any errors, we are 5th on the waiting list, yes I know that can go down too.

When I visited the school last autumn the head told me if unsuccessful to appeal as in the past additional children had been admitted.

Just feel so useless.

If it isn't ICS then there might be more possibilities. As said, you should post details here and ask for help, as you've done, and Prh47bridge, Admission, or Tiggytape can talk you through how to best present your case. As said, they will be very honest (but that's what you need the most).

I'm afraid you won't win an appeal based on your need for wrap around care. Appeal panels should not consider child care or transport issues. Your desire for your daughter to make friends in the village is also unlikely to be a winning argument.

You need to avoid being negative about the allocated school. You are appealing for the school you want, not against the allocated school.

To make a decent case you need to show that your daughter will be disadvantaged if she doesn't attend this school. Find things this school offers that are missing from the allocated school and that would be particularly relevant for your daughter.

Why has the school reduced PAN? If there were no physical changes to the school an appeal panel may well decide that the school can still handle 30 children per year, in which case at least 5 appeals should be successful.

On the transport issue, note that if the allocated school is more than 2 miles away by the shortest safe walking route your daughter will be entitled to free transport to and from school. This is just for your daughter, though. The LA doesn't have to pay for you or your husband to travel with her.