KS2 School Appeal

[DillyDallyingAllDay]

Hello!

I wondered if anyone had any experience of doing a school appeal for entry into Y3, to start in September.

We moved a few years ago to an area where schools are over subscribed. Older DC missed entry to reception and has been on numerous waiting lists for the last 2 years. However, have a child starting reception in September, hopefully at our first choice school. This would mean my older DC, due to start Y3 in September, will have increased priority on the waiting list. My understanding is that we would need to appeal in order to secure a place for DC in Y3- even though the school has previously and regularly gone over the PAN (60) for the year groups 3 - 6. Is this correct?

Can anyone guide me on when would be the appropriate time to appeal to try and get DC to start when the new term begins in September? What's the likelihood of being successful? Would DC2 have to have already started school before appealing for DC1 or would accepting a place be sufficient? My reasoning is for wanting the school place is that we are currently driving 5 miles for school, DC can't participate in after school clubs due to the distance and we'd like both DC to be at school together. Would these be considered legitimate grounds for appeal?

It's a bit of a minefield, i'd appreciate any advice or guidance!
Thanks!

I did a secondary appeal and personally wouldnt bother again.
i had great reasons including sen etc. But its literally 3 random people.
Anyway i wouldnt think those strong reasons.
as you have chosen to pick this other school for dc2. And 5 miles isnt too far to do extra curricular activities.

But you will have a better chance on waitlist if your dc2 gets in anyway.

Appeals is completely independent to waitlist places so appeal at any point (but if your dc starts ks2 in sept best to wait till the appeal would be for that yeargroup due to infant class size rules

If they have gone over pan and coped that may help an appeal - but it made no difference on mine...

We did eventually get in having missed the transition day and transition 3 days too.

Surely you would be top of the list once your dc2 gets in?

What grounds are you appealing on? Until dc2 starts your dc1 is unlikely to get sibling priority but you can appeal before then.

You can appeal whenever you like, but for a year 3 start I check on your LA website to see if they suggest a date, if not I would put the appeal in after may half term and make it clear it's for September.

You need to show that the detriment to him of not attending is greater than the detriment to the school of taking another pupil. After school clubs and siblings/transport are pretty weak grounds to be honest, though it would depend on the strength of the schools case. If they regularly go over the 60 in KS2 that shows they can deal with more.

Are there any specific clubs that would be strong importance to him that he is currently missing out on?

Thanks for the advice. I think after may half term sounds right. I don't think I have very strong reasons though, it's largely because we want DC1 to go to school close to home, rather than the current school which is close to where we used to live. I have DC3 who starts school Sept 2025, so having everyone at school in the same place, 5 mins from home as opposed to the other side of our city.

Where is your child on the waiting list currently? Are you in an area children leave state schools for prep in Year 3? I know some area remove everyone from the waiting lists over the summer holidays and invite them to apply again in the next AY if they are still interested.

Wanting a school close to home is unlikely to win an appeal unless the school's case is very weak. You need to identify things that this school offers that are missing from your child's current school and that are particularly relevant to your child.

How long does it currently take to get to the school?

Lots of schools can end up over pan if looked after children arrive or ones with the school named due to sen. It’s not always that they have chosen to admit. They don’t have a choice in some cases. They might not see your convenience as a good enough reason.