Can one appeal against missing a place on the grounds of preferring a non-faith school?

[GingerC]

We have been offered a place in a C of E faith school. When applying to a non-faith school as first preference, we mentioned its progressive, inclusive, modern approach to teaching and to all faiths in the "social reasons" section of the application.

The school we have been offered is a very old-fashioned faith school, with crosses everywhere, mentions God all over its literature, and really celebrates Easter and Christmas, with trips to local church, and so on. The headmaster told us that R.E. is compulsory, taking precedence over subjects such as music, if there we timetabling conflicts.

Over Easter our son became really confused and a bit scared about the concept of Jesus, and his "resurrection", due to what he'd heard at nursery. We happily talk about these matters with him objectively, telling him what people of all faiths believe, and that what we, as agnostics believe, or otherwise.

We would rather he learns about religion in a neutral, objective fashion, rather than having it "shoved down his throat".

In general I don't think faith schools have a place in state-funded education, in this modern day and age. We would much prefer our children to be exposed to all cultures and faiths, and make their own minds up.

Is any of this grounds for an appeal?

This may sound like I'm taking a long shot at coming up with a reason for an appeal, but it is a genuine concern for us.

Regards,
C

So you put this school down as one of your preferred schools, and are now shocked that you've been given one of your preferred schools.

Why did you choose it if you didn't want it?

That aside you're into the realm of ICS appeal which means its extremely unlikely you'll be successful.

True, but if the faith element is the sticking point why select a faith school.......

True, but if the faith element is the sticking point why select a faith school.......
Because it is preferable to the alternatives, all things considered.
He'll probably end up going the the faith school. It's not the end of the world. This is all about preferences.

t4gnut- because it is the closest school. In large parts of England you can be lucky to have any school close to you which is not a faith school (because the Victorian's were too mean to set up schools and the C of E did it as part of their Christian duty).

I know a local C of E school which is pretty much 100% Muslim.

Having listened to advice on the radio, at the beginning of the week, about appeals it will not be grounds for an appeal. There are very few grounds and you really need a legal help, even then it is very few that succeed.

Quite right mummytime - before 1870 all schools tended to be run by the church.

I'm 44 and still don't fully understand the resurrection . Church schooled , not religious , no harm done .
My kids were in a church school , and I loved how they learnt about all religions, there class is was pretty mixed culturally they also celebrated Mayday big time - pagan and learnt

Whoops , dropped phone.
I'm glad they have had exposure , they are still not religious , wouldn't bother me if they now were.
If it's a good school it's a good school .

The Gov.UK site tells you about appeals here
What it explained on the radio was that reception are supposed to have no more than 30per class, so whatever the grounds if a school is full it is full. Choice is really a myth. The most likely thing is to be told that it is your right to withdraw from assembly.

I found it all quite depressing because unless you can prove they didn't follow the guidelines correctly there was very little chance of success.

OP, the BHA have had some success supporting parents to appeal in your circumstances. See the 4th question here: humanism.org.uk/education/parents/frequently-asked-questions/

People who feel strongly about the issue of faith schools should perhaps also consider giving a donation to support the BHA's work in this area.

Use of the word 'choice' was switched to 'preference' a few years back, but it still means people believe that they can pick their child's school when they can't really. You will be allocated the closest school to you that has space after people closer or fulfilling a higher criteria. Your preference is only taken into account if you qualify for more than one school, in which case they'll see which of those you listed you most prefer.

BHA are unlikely to be much use - they tried a major campaign last year or so, annoyed the OSA considerably and the government changed the rules over who could appeal to the OSA (ie not the BHA).

The BHA document linked above refers to one appeal in 2006 (does not specify if under ICS rules or not) and that shows it is not an appeal-winning argument in itself.

It's a bit like people who win their appeal and in the course of that appeal have mentioned their transport difficulties. It doesn't mean that transport was the winning argument.

14gnut it was the Fair Admissions Campaign rather than the BHA that ran that campaign (though the BHA are one of the main backers of the Fair Admissions Campaign). And the rules on who can report admissions policies to the adjudicator haven't changed yet - there's likely to be a consultation on that soon. Either way that has nothing to do with who can appeal over admissions decisions - that clearly has to be a parent.

Meditrina to have any chance at l of winning an appeal the OP would need a letter from a suitably qualified professional explaining why the non faith school is the only one suitable for the child. The BHA might be able to help with that as well as with more general advice about how to frame the appeal. Of course knowing that hasn't worked much in the past might make many people not bother, but if the OP makes a stand they at least add weight to the growing numbers of people speaking out about a bad situation. The OP might prefer to do that than simply put their head down and accept what's on offer.