Appeals: submitting evidence in advance

[wreckingcrew]

Thank you to all the appeals gurus on this forum, I've learned a lot just by reading older posts. You are doing a great thing.

Our situation is that we've recently repatriated to the UK with DD 8 and DS 3. For DD we've been unsuccessful with Year 4 in-year applications for 8 schools and are preparing for appeals hearings. We need to submit any additional evidence in the next few days and although I've submitted a number of FOI requests to the LA, it doesn't look like we will get answers in time for the submission deadline. Most of the data I've requested is in response to reading the school's statement about why the place was denied - specifically:

• School building measurements including classroom sizes
• Historical data of number of pupils per class pre-2022 (I can find the most recent data online, but pre-2022 the school-level breakdown doesn't seem to be available)
• Most recent school Net Capacity Assessments including minimum and maximum workplaces
• Classroom layout in terms of number of tables, number of pupils that can be seated at each table, etc

My main question is: if we don't receive this data before the submission deadline, but do receive it before the hearing, can we still mention any relevant points in the hearing? In other words, should we be making our best effort to provide evidence in advance to argue against the school's rationale for rejecting the place, or can we do it on the day?

If anyone knows where I can find any of the above data online that would be an amazing help. I've read various posts suggesting it's available, but no joy so far in my searches.

A final question: if we are unsuccessful in appealing, its very likely that DS will end up in a different primary school to DD, which then feeds into a different secondary school. Can the displacement and separation of our children - moving back to the country, DD going to a school in different part of town, and DS going to different schools altogether - be useful at all as part of our argument in the appeals process?

Any advice on any of the above is hugely appreciated!

Your experience is nothing like that of @savoycabbage . You have a school place, you just don't like it.

Good lord… have a day off 😂 I said our experience over the last few months has been very similar - i.e. before we were offered a place and while we were dealing with Fair Access team and LEA, we experienced similar lack of communication, struggle to access information, etc. When did I say I don’t like the school place we’ve been offered?

I’m flattered by the attention but I’m not sure you have much to contribute. Why not do something productive with your time?

To be honest those stats won't really help, the schools full that's a fact and arguing it's not is pointless. If I was you I would concentrate strongly on why your child would benefit from that school and the impact on her and your family if she does not get it. In my opinion arguing against facts will use your and the panel member energy when it's not helpful. Paint the picture of your family and the disadvantage to you not getting a place.

Panel members are volunteers - don't go in all guns blazing, go in to tell your story and be human x

Thank you, this is exactly what we intend to do. The stats just helping in asking the right questions about the school’s position - for example, in previous years they were seemingly able to cope with more pupils in the same class, and today all classes in the years above have more pupils than those we are applying for. I understood from doing my research on here that these are salient points to ask questions around. I agree that the school and appeals panel deserve respect, not a confrontation, and the crux of our appeal is a positive case based around the needs the school can meet for our child.