School appeal process

[LittleDyn1982]

Hi all.

We were unlucky and didn't get any of the 4 schools we requested.

Has anyone done a successful school appeal? If so, what reasons did you give on the form?

Thanks

ah yes I see what you mean now - we agree!

One problem though is that until you do a bit of digging you don't always know if there has been a procedural error. I guess I would adopt a middle ground and make some specific enquiries. Keep a close eye on the waiting list, particularly when it is passed over to the school. I have seen a number of errors, one of which was used successfully as grounds for an appeal in reception. I am sure such errors are rare well except in that school but if you don't dig around a bit they won't come running to you. Not worth going to a full appeal unless you have some good evidence but sometimes you only get that by going to appeal or at least triggering the process.

It doesn't happen very often but I do know of cases where the parents hadn't found any evidence of an error but something came up during the hearing that showed a mistake had indeed been made. You are unlikely to win an appeal unless you have evidence of a mistake so you need to be realistic about your prospects but there is no harm trying. You never know what will happen.

I think some people think that they are unhappy with a school though and just appeal because it doesn't seem fair. I think you've got to have some idea that the process has fallen down, that a distance wasn't calculated fairly etc?

I think you've got to have some idea that the process has fallen down, that a distance wasn't calculated fairly etc

You are unlikely to win an infant class size appeal unless you have evidence that the process has fallen down. However, unlikely is not the same as impossible. I have known cases where the admission authority tried to argue it was an ICS case when in fact it was not. I have known cases where the parents had no idea a mistake had been made but it became apparent in the hearing that the admission authority had indeed got things wrong. I have known cases where a sympathetic appeal panel has awarded a place even though the rules said they should not do so (although, even with a sympathetic appeal panel, you need a better case than "I really want this school"!).

My advice is always that you should appeal if you want to do so. You won't lose anything by appealing and you might gain a place at your preferred school. However, if it is an infant class size case and you don't have any evidence of a mistake you need to be aware that the appeal is a long shot.