Year 3 appeal - Stage 2 evidence

[Masonj377]

Hi

I have asked a zillion questions in relation to stage 1 of hearing and woul like to briefly run through my stage 2 evidence - any advice is appreacieted. I ve always stated from the start that I dont feel I have a strong case but I have to at least try.

Basic background - my daughter has been bullied since reception in variety of ways. Had meetings with teachers, heads etc tried a change of class but it continues. My child was diagnosed with anxiety in reception and this has got worse as time has gone on. My child now gets abdominal migraines triggered by fear of school, and has been referred to pediatrician for this and also to cahms. All local schools are over subscribed.

I received a copy of my in year transfer form and my daughters current school state that my daughter has no medical problems - which is untrue she has asthma and anxiety both confirmed y our GP and they hold inhalers on site. The school also say they are unaware of any problems with my daughter - but say she had probems settling in reception. This is also untrue but the school have never admitted in writing that bullying exists. On my daughters attendance record it states absence due to anxiety and bullying and in June 2017 the school phoned me to attend a meeting to discuss which class I wuld like my daughter to be in for the new school year, luckily I followed that up in a letter to the school - whilst I know I should not be over negative towards my daughters current school Im not sure whether to include this or not in my appeal ??

These are my reasons :-

medical needs - ketters / reports / referrals from GP
ongoing bullying issues - diary notes, photographs, letters to school, meetng notes etc
details about my daughter her interests, skills, personality etc

school applied offers consistent class groups - current school mixes classes so each year with diff groups of children - be easier to maintain friendships. Knows several children at the school in various year groups - would help her to settle in easiliy and always have a friendy face around.

daughter needs a fresh start - stated by GP

recent ofsted report - mentions several times about pupils feeling happy and safe, likened to a being part of a family. Excellent KS2 results above national standard in every subject (july 2017)

More support teachers available to identify and support learning needs

school has sports and music facilites - partnership with a gym/sport club
offers perfrming arts - these would supplement my daughters extra curricular activies

distance of school - near to my mom who helps to look after my child due to my ill health /disability
school is nearer to our gp surgery
regular visits from school nurse plus regular drop in sessions with her

Bump - can anyone advise please ?? xx

Bump

An in year transfer triggered by bullying is one of the few occasions when it is reasonable to be negative about the child's current school. I would give all the evidence you've got to show that she has been bullied, that the school is aware of the bullying and that they have failed to do anything effective to deal with it.

The extent to which the letter from your GP will help depends on how it is worded. If it explicitly says that, in the GP's opinion, your daughter needs a fresh start at a different school that will be helpful. If it just says she needs a fresh start but doesn't mention the need for a change of school that would be less helpful.

Don't mention the KS2 results. That smacks of "my child is special and needs a good school" which won't go down well. You also need to be careful about how you use the Ofsted report.

I wouldn't give too much time to the distance argument as it is unlikely to carry much weight. If the panel shows interest in the subject you can elaborate.

You need to explain why your daughter particularly needs to be at a school that is near your GP surgery and why she particularly needs regular visits from the school nurse, etc. Without that explanation those points won't help you.

The rest of it looks good to me and gives the appeal panel plenty of justification for finding in your favour. That doesn't mean they will, of course. That depends on the strength of the school's case. But you've got the makings of a decent case there.

Thank you so much for your advice and time xx My daughters school have been awful to try and work with in trying to resolve matters.
The GPs letter named the school we are appealing for and mentioned that a fresh start is needed. He also said that the longer my daughter remains at her current school then mental health would continue to deteriorate etc
The ofsted report mentions that pupils reported that they felt safe and well looked after and that being a part of the schcool was like being part of a family. It mentioned that last years KS2 results exceeded national averages in every subject - i was going to raise that as the school is above PAN in 4 of its KS2 groups so if they exceeded national averages being above PAN admitting above PAN has proven it doesnt impact on the teaching / education etc.

I can factor in why it is important to have regular school visits from the school nurse etc etc

Thank you so much for your help xx

The GP's letter sounds like just the evidence you need.

I think it should be ok to use the comment in the Ofsted report in that way. The important things are to avoid relying too much on the Ofsted report. Do not mention Ofsted's rating of the school.

Similarly the KS2 results should be ok the way you propose to use them. It is up to you but personally I wouldn't put that point in your written case. I would use it as a question to the authority's representative - something like, "You say that the school will struggle if it has to cope with an additional pupil yet you still exceeded national averages in KS2 results last year despite being over PAN in 4 of your KS2 groups. How was this possible?"

Thank you I will do as you suggest re ofsted. I'm lucky our GP is really supportive xx Just a shame our current school haven't been xx