Advice on ICS Reception 2024 appeal

[WaitingForLittleSunflower]

My DC has been offered a place at our 2nd choice school.

Our first choice is where she currently attends pre school and is incredibly oversubscribed (over 90 1st choice applications for class size of 30)

The pre school identified that she appears to suffer from anxiety which they have been supporting with. I have also been liaising with school SENCO and my HV on possible referral for ASD/ADHD however no referral has been made at this stage.

We are very far down on waiting list so only hope to get a place in this school would be appeal.
I understand it is incredibly difficult to win ICS appeal so after some advice on strength of our case.

I have a letter from HV and GP stating that due to her anxiety a move would be very difficult and disruptive and that she needs consistency with support and also consistency with the setting as well as her peers who she has built relationships with.

The school have also identified that she struggles socially. It has taken her 12 months to build relationships with her classmates so to move her now would be detrimental.

As I said above, she has not yet had a referral made and there is no EHCP, however the school, HV and GP all aware and supporting concerns

Has anyone been in similar position and won an appeal? Or am I completely wasting my time, energy and mental capacity!?

Any advice hugely appreciated x

An ICS appeal is only a review of the process. Unless there was a 'special consideration' criteria and you produced the letter from your HV at the time you applied, the decision not to offer a place was not perverse.

@WaitingForLittleSunflower if this was a prejudice appeal, you'd have a great chance. Unfortunately, as it's ICS, the letters don't help. Unless a mistake has been made that cost your child their rightful place, the panel won't be able uphold your appeal.

I'm afraid without an EHCP you're highly unlikely to win. Whilst I totally understand your arguments for why the school she currently attends nursery would be the best place for her, I'm sure there could be many many children who the same could be said for. Unfortunately, there simply won't be space for all of them. As long as the admissions criteria was correctly adhered to, you won't win. Sorry.

I would contact the school she has been allocated and ask them about their transition process. Make them aware of her needs and enquire if there's anything additional they can offer to help make the process as smooth as possible for her. Many schools send their SENCO to visit children identified as having additional needs in their nursery setting, in addition to the teacher visiting in order to start to build that relationship. If you wish to apply for an EHCP, you're going to need to school onboard from the off in supporting you. Them getting to know her asap will help with this.

If it's an oversubscribed school I'm guessing not all of her nursery peers got in? Are you aware of any others going to the school she has been allocated? Even if they're not her close friends, I would try to make links with those parents to arrange playdates and encourage new friendships with familiar children.

I know it's a daunting thought but I've known of so many children over the years who have been identified as likely to struggle with transition who really have surprised us (I teach Reception). I really hope your daughter is able to take this new start in her stride and surprise you too.

Personally I would start mentally preparing yourself for her to start at your allocated school as that's the most likely outcome here. Make those early links to give her the best possible start.