Primary admissions appeal

[Ecrox]

Hello,

I'm after advice on my potential primary admissions appeal.

We have been refused our first choice as it is oversubscribed. Intake is 13, there were 8 siblings and 5 allocated on distance - up to 0.31 miles. We are 0.64 miles away. We are on the waiting list but suspect others are too who are closer - given 18 put it as first choice.

We weren't able to apply for our closest (0.11miles) school for reception as my daughter is summer born and starting at compulsory school age. I had a long battle with that academy last year and am not looking for advice on that.

I suspect my grounds for appeal aren't very strong - our next (third) closest school is not one we want to consider for our daughter (but is undersubscribed).

Walking to school is extremely important for us and all other schools we'd consider we would drive to. Our second choice which we have been allocated is a long way away just because we felt the school would be a great fit and if we have to get in a car we may as well go to one we like, but we do feel strongly that being close will be very good for her sensitive disposition.

We had quite a traumatising year last year due to the ultimately unsuccessful fight with our closest school to start in reception this year - sadly this meant our daughter almost started but she really wasn't ready so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to delay for a year. We were then assured by the head of our next preferred school (the one we have been refused this year) we would get a place and had started telling our daughter but it appears to be a very unusually high sibling year.

The head is very supportive and has confirmed they have some years higher than their intake of 13 and thinks we would be able to appeal to get the intake increased to 14.

Does anybody have advice on what sort of thing we should submit for the appeal to make it as strong as possible? Or guidelines as to what admissions authorities will consider? The head suggested that because we can't consider our closest, and they are the second closest we should be able to argue it... But obviously he has no direct influence.

Just to reiterate, although it is relevant regarding our not being able to apply to our closest school, I am not requesting advice or comments on the fact that our daughter is starting at compulsory school age :)

At this stage it doesn't matter what the admission authority will consider. That ship has already sailed. The question is whether you can persuade an appeal panel.

The good news is that, with an admission number of 13, this should not be an infant class size case. That means you can win by showing that the disadvantage to your daughter from not going to this school outweighs any problems the school will face through having to cope with another pupil. Arguments about wanting to walk to school are unlikely to carry much weight. You need to find things the school offers (extra-curricular activities, facilities, subjects, etc.) that are missing from the allocated school and that you can show are particularly relevant to your daughter.

If the school is represented at the appeal and doesn't put up much of a fight, you may win with a weak case. But it is best to go with the strongest case you can come up with.

As prh47bridge says, the fact that the admission number is 13 - and so this doesn’t seem to be an infant class size appeal - helps you. You need to identify all the reasons why your child needs to attend this school and will be disadvantaged if they don’t.

It sounds as if the school might not argue very forcefully against admitting your child, which might help tip the balance in your favour.

Thanks both, I will draft something and post here when I've got more, your expertise and experience in this is greatly appreciated :)