Supporting info for School Appeal

[Readysteady123go]

Hi

We’ve just moved out of London to another borough (2 hours away) earlier this month.

We applied for 4 primary schools for both DC aged 4 and 8.

All applied schools are heavily subscribed due to Ofsted rating etc and we are within the catchment for first 3 choice schools.

DC2 thankfully got our 1st choice school. However, DC1 currently has no school lined up as the council haven’t been able to offer any of our choices or offer any non preferred schools either.

DC1 is currently number 3 on the waiting list for DC2s school and hasn’t yet had the sibling link added. I’ve been told this will only be added once DC2 is on the school roll.

I’ve submitted an appeal on the grounds that DC2 has ASD and having the children at 2 different primary schools is going to be an added challenge for the school run.

The council told me that a senior member of the school will form part of the appeals panel. DC1 is very bright and grammar school material.
Would this information have any bearing on their decision? We have 2 grammar schools in the area which we are also in the catchment for.
I was considering to attach his previous schools End of Year Report which shows he’s above track on the core subjects.

Can anyone share their suggestions on how to strengthen my appeal and the supporting information please?

Many thanks!

Sadly I doubt either dc2 asd, logistics or dc1 academics will be relevant. What interests do they have, are there clubs or activities to support them. Has the school previously taken more than 30 in year 4(?) classes?

Have you been offered a place at any school for DC1?

I agree that being academic is unlikely to be grounds for an appeal. You have to show that the detriment to the school of admitting over numbers is less than the detriment to your child being offered a place. They're saying the opposite.

When DC2 is on roll and sibling rules apply, things might change.

The council have to offer you a place somewhere (even if it's not a preferred school). Have they been able to tell you when they will do this? Not having a place at any school would definitely be something to use in an appeal.

Academics are not an argument. The school cannot give priority to a more highly achieving child.

As others have said, the council must come up with a place for your child somewhere.

You say a senior member of the school will be part of the appeal panel. If you mean a senior member of the school for which you are appealing, that is illegal and means you will be entitled to another hearing with a different panel if you lose your appeal.

Your child's academic ability is irrelevant. Raising it won't help your appeal and could hinder it. Concentrate on things the appeal school can offer that are particularly relevant to your child.

If the council still hasn't come up with a place before the hearing, that will give you a very strong case.

@Readysteady123go what does the letter / email actually say? I would be very, very surprised if a member of SLT at the school being appealed for were actually be one of the panel; as @prh47bridge has pointed out, this would be illegal.

However, it would be appropriate for a member of the SLT to act as the school's Presenting Officer (the person putting the case for the school) if the school is its own admissions authority (and if it's a local authority school, I believe that although someone from the admissions team will be the actual PO, in some areas someone from the school will also be present).