Appeal Primary School Place - Urgent Help!

[Lama3]

I have seen some old threads relating to appeals with some great advise, so I am hoping that some of those people that understand the appeal process are still around to help me with mine.

I have just learnt that my daughter did not get into any of the three preferred schools.

She has been allocated a school that is literally next door to me and is outstanding, however I am worried sick as I truly believe that this school is not suitable for her and so I am wishing to appeal for the first preferred school and am after some advice of what my chances might be and what to fight against.

My daughter has a severe visual impairment with nystagmus and photophobia (effected by the light) and has a visual impairment teacher that visits her at her nursery.

She is extremely capable and gets around areas she knows very well, but her vision is diminished by certain light and especially outside.

The school I wanted her to go to is a new build and also has a special school connected to the building, so there are two levels to it, and ramps where there are also stairs. The outside area is Astro turf and is basically built purposely to help children with disabilities or SEN. They even shout loud about this on their SEND report - and state that all their classrooms have equipment to help hearing and visual impairment.

The school she has been offered is a traditional old school with blocks here there and every where. Although it is predominately one level schooling, there are certain steps intrude narrow hallways, and outside are lots of different areas and steps with a large field with different areas to go to. The classrooms are also more narrow and the area that the whiteboards are located are right next to windows that would make it near impossible for her to see properly. I am aware that the school would have to make provisions to accommodate her, but I think you can see why I am worried about this school.
Knowing my daughter, she will feel more excluded from groups due to the narrow rooms, and lose her independence of going outside as she will need mor whelp to be able to see the depth perception of the steps etc. Don’t forget, she has a problem with this at the best of times, never mind when kids are running and pushing around.

I did note in my application that I was applying for the school under medical grounds and briefly told them why, but this was obviously not taken into account.

I would also note that last year we would have been in my preferred school catchment area, however this year the catchment has literally halved. I am gutted as I wound probably have moved closer had I even thought this might happen, rather naively not thinking it would.

I am also a little annoyed as he visual teacher said there was no point going for an ECHP as she probably wouldn’t get it as she is hitting all her targets but that she probably will for secondary school, but now I am wishing we had tried, because it is all very well her hitting targets now, but It is know good if she starts to not hit then because she is in the wrong school!

Anyway, I know I have gone off a little, but can anyone advise if I have a case and if so, what am I appealing? A mistake with admissions, or that the detriment to my daughter not attending the school far outweighs any detriment to the school in taking an extra child.

I will just add that they school is currently at 30 children so she would be a 31st child if they upheld the appeal.

Thank you in advance for any info x

One query I do actually have, but let’s say we have a miracle and win, is the school going to be a little funny with us because we will have caused them a “problem” or are they generally ok and it is just another day at work as such?

I have been so focused on winning the appeal, I Just had a little panic that their attitude might not be good to us or my dd if we did win?

If we are the only appeal for that school, is there a chance of being told the result on that day, or will it always be the normal 5 school days by post

It does happen sometimes but it is rare. You will probably have to wait for the result.

is the school going to be a little funny with us because we will have caused them a “problem” or are they generally ok

I've never known a school to be funny with parents or pupils just because they have got in via appeal. I can't say for certain that it never happens but it is very unusual and unprofessional if it does.

And thank you for your kind comments.

Well, just a few days left and all this will be over one way or another. I will let you know how I get on, good or bad!!

Good luck!
Out if interest, if the appeal is denied, could the OP theoretically defer her DD start date to 1 year later, then reapply hoping to get a place in her preferred school?

She can defer until later in the year. She can only defer by a full year if her child was summer born. In that situation she may be able to try again for a Reception place but the decision is up to the admission authority. If they won't allow her to apply for Reception she would be applying for Y1, in which case her choice of schools would be very limited. The school she has been offered would not have to keep the place open if she deferred by a full year.

So I had my appeal hearing yesterday and I was SO nervous. I said most of the stuff I needed to, but I think due to my nerves I was probably quite quick speaking, and left the hearing feeling I should have left a stronger closing statement.

Not that it really matters now, but while I am waiting for this decision letter my mind is going ten to the dozen, but I just wanted to know if the panel would have read my appeal letter and evidence prior to the hearing, or they would just have taken what I said in the hearing?

My statement was really well written and said everything I needed to in a clear and precise way, so hoping that they will take that into consideration at the same time of why I actually said.

I am just so annoyed at myself for not presenting it as good as I would have wanted to.

They seemed to agree with me in a number of issues, but at the end of the day, their hands are tied extremely tightly, however I have seen posts on here with people that have one on what appears to be less of a case than mine, so am just hoping, even though the reality is I won’t win.

Prh, I thought you should also know that the documentation from the LA DID actually mention the fact I had applied for 3
Other schools AND they even brought it up in their statement in the hearing.

Fortunately I brought it up with them to explain my reasons for it, but I felt straight away that they may question why I was doing that if I am stating the preferred school is the only one she should go to. I felt so awkward and I do question why they should put that on there as surely it is irrelevant to the appeal!!?

Just a waiting game now!!

The panel will have read all your written evidence before the hearing.

The LA mentioning that you applied for 3 other schools and bringing it up in their statement is naughty, to say the least. If the appeal panel should disregard that completely. It isn't relevant.

One of the panel members who obviously hadn’t heard me explain about the decision to go on the waiting list of other schools (after being forced to do it due to the la), actually brought it up at the end of my statement and asked if I had visited these schools and why if I want the preferred one had I applied for them!!

It really was a big deal and did feel extremely uncomfortable from it. He also brought a couple of other things up which I thought was out of order and I think the other two panel members were annoyed by him, so I feel if I do win, it will certainly not be a unanimous!!

Thanks for your comment again.

Well, I have literally just walked in from our week away holidays to find the appeals letter on my doormat.

I was extremely nervous to open it, but I cannot believe it as we WON!!!

I am beyond excited and am going to struggle to sleep now, but happy would be an understatement.

I honestly wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the amazing advice I have been given on mumsnet, and in particular Prh47Bridge at the end!!!

There is nothing I can do or say, but THANK YOU!!

You should sleep well at night knowing that you have made a significant difference to people’s lives!!!

Is it a little early for a drink to celebrate!? 🍾🥂 😂 xxxxxxxxx

Congratulations!

Well done, I'm very pleased for you and her!

Well done. Really pleased for you and your daughter. Excellent news.