Another appeals rant/query

[Grantaire]

We are in the middle of appealing against our DS not being admitted to our first choice of schools. It's an ICS appeal.

We were told that the appeal would likely be July 1st. We've found out today that they are doing it on July 20th because they can't get a panel together in time for the original date.

July 20th is the last day of term. Which means that regardless of outcome, DS will absolutely miss out on any chance for settling in days, meeting a teacher, visiting a school. I mean, what the heck happens if we fail (likely given the stats)? How do we sort out alternative arrangements when everything shuts down locally on the day of the appeal.

Also, the deadline for submitting notice of appeal was May 16th. I thought the appeals code necessitates that appeals be heard within 40 school days of this. I think, using rudimentary maths, they are not fulfilling this.

This is SO stressful. Another month and in the middle of all this is a 4 year old boy who I want to prepare for school. I have NO idea what's going to happen and won't have until after the end of this term.

And there's nothing I can do.

Omg I'm so sorry!! Will look at my pm's cos you put your address already, I'm such a scatty mare.

I remember it all now, please please keep fighting for this, have still got books :)

Please don't apologise. Really. You've done nothing but be lovely.

I don't think they are missing a deadline - think they're just inside. Got to remember 40 school days doesn't include weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.

By my reckoning July 20th is 47 weekdays after the deadline. Round here the only holiday has been half term which was also bank holiday week - 5 days. So that would put them just outside the deadline. It could, of course, be different in other parts of the country.

I'm sure I remember now....I think your circumstances and timings thereof, combined with the admissions policy of the school you applied for, made it impossible for the LA to deal with this sensibly.

You should lose the appeal, because whilst you could demonstrate that the allocated school is unreasonable on the grounds of safety, you can't demonstrate that the school you are appealing for is necessary above any other, and therefore, you fail to fulfil the criteria that failure to admit was unreasonable.

Is there any school in the locality that would have spaces for both DD and DS? Alternatively, is there a school further out that could take DS safely if he had transport?

Bear in mind that the LA may come to appeal with a suggestion so you need to be able consider all the possibilities - too often parents get so fixated on the school that they can't get in to, that they won't even listen to the LA's suggestions and that doesn't look good. (I know the appeal is for school X, but often an appeal is based on an argument that school X 'is the only school DS/DD can go to', so when a LA says 'what about this one?' it helps to at least think and say 'thank you, but that would be difficult because....')

Yes, I agree with you, Prh. 47 week days with 5 deducted for HT. So 42. But let's face it, even if the LA said 'Oops, sorry, we'll hold it on the 18th July instead', that's not going to help Grantaire.

They're definitely outside the 40 days. And we do have good reasons and evidence that the school we want can cater to our needs in a way no other local school can. Not unless they expect him to go 20+ miles away. I've addressed that in our statement and evidence but I won't be combative and will listen to suggestions. I'm utterly reasonable.

Being outside 40 days doesn't impact my individual appeal but it is making this whole thing very stressful. It's 3 months of anxiety in total. At least.

It may be that the LA has had difficulty in getting a panel together. Panel members are volunteers and can't be compelled to attend. My own LA has been inundated with appeals this year, and some panel members and chairs are hearing appeals for 4 or 5 days for weeks on end.

How are you getting on op?

Aw, thanks for asking.

Nothing much has changed tbh. Still had not a single communication from the LA. I only know the appeal is tentatively scheduled for the 20th because the school administrator took pity. The limbo is tough. DS' s friends are all off to settling in sessions and meeting teachers next week. I can't tell him anything concrete.

I'm resigned to failure. 42 appeals in this county last year. 0 upheld. I've more chance of sprouting wings.

I'm horribly anxious. Even dinnerladies and Victoria Wood aren't helping and that's my guaranteed comfort viewing.

I am a member of an appeals panel. Earlier this week I sat on twelve appeals for reception places.Only one was upheld and that was because the little girl concerned had severe medical problems and it was in the child's best interests for her to remain at the school where she had been in nursery. A support system was already in place.
Unfortunately I know this isn't encouraging but the appeal panel have their hands tied. The government say the maximum number of children in the Reception Class is thirty. This cannot be exceeded unless there are strong reasons why a child should attend that school. If the admissions criteria has been followed correctly then you cannot use that as a reason why your child should be admitted.Usually this is:
1 Children with statements
2 Looked after children
3 Children with siblings in the school
4 Children living close to the school without siblings in school
4 Other children

Church schools and others will be slightly different.
It isn't very often where a Reception class is filled by criteria three but this does happen. If there are more children with siblings than there are places then distance from the school will be applied.
We on the Appeals panel do have empathy with the parents appealing.It is heartbreaking at times but we have to abide by the guidelines set down.
If your child has been allocated a school within a reasonable distance then the LEA has fulfilled its obligation.
Good luck with your appeal.. If there are very exceptional circumstances you may win but you have to convince the panel. Take all the paperwork if there are medical or social reasons.

I know the whole thing inside out at this point. I am not remotely hopeful.

I have the utmost admiration for panel members. It is voluntary and I really appreciate the kindness of every person who I've spoken to so far.

It is horribly distressing though and I'm going to be in a v tough situation come September.

Grantaire..I am amazed there were only forty two appeals in your county last year. We have that many and more in one week in our local borough alone.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/04/15/successful-school-appeals-fall-by-a-fifth-as-figures-reveal-post/

See this article. We live in a rural county where there is little competition for school places usually. Here, under subscription is the norm.