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Original poster

High school appeal

15 replies

Piffpaffpoff · 26/03/2018 13:22

Has anyone on here successfully appeal the denial of a Scottish High School place?

Been turned down due to school being full, I don’t think it is. I’ve asked for lots of detail about numbers, reserved places etc etc but I’d love to hear from anyone who has managed this and how they went about it. Thanks.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 26/03/2018 14:02

Was it a placing request?

user1487194234 · 26/03/2018 14:03

Is it a placing request Are you in the local authority area

IHaveBrilloHair · 26/03/2018 14:05

I did but it was for an S5 place and Dd was in care at the time so an unusual case.

Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 26/03/2018 14:44

Yes, placing request to out of catchment school, no elder siblings, lowest category of priority, missed out due to distance. Our address is being rezoned to this school next year and my younger child will get in as catchment so trying to get the elder one in so they are at the same school. Don’t think I’ve much hope of winning but I’m going to give it a bloody good go.

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 26/03/2018 15:04

Will your youngest get into your now catchment school with the eldest if she goes there?

Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 26/03/2018 15:26

We don’t have a place at our catchment school, it’s full and we are on a very long waiting list of catchment children with a very low chance of getting in. If eldest gets in, they’ve said they will ‘try’ and ringfence places for siblings but they legally don’t have to. Given the performance of the council on this matter so far, I have low confidence that younger would get a place at our current catchment school. It’s a bit of a shambles all round.

Elder son has been offered a place at a school in the next town a bus ride away. Catchment and placing request options are walkable.

OP posts:
user1487194234 · 26/03/2018 17:22

It's very unusual for a lot of kids not to have a place at their catchment school
Has there been a lot of building

Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 26/03/2018 17:33

70+ not got places at their catchment school and on waiting list. Loads of building and much much more ongoing and no action been taken, despite this being known about for years.

Out of the official reasons for denying a place, we’ve been turned down on them having to take another teacher on and ohaving to make changes to the fabric of the school to accommodate DC. I’ve asked for a wide variety of numbers but can anyone help me formulate the arguements. It’s really just for the additional teacher part, I have an answer for the extending the building bit.

OP posts:
OOAOML · 28/03/2018 14:25

Not got high school appeal experience but we were due to go to appeal for primary but got in due to movement on the waiting list - suspect this is less likely at your stage.

Can you go to local councillor surgeries? Check if any of your councillors are on education committees - they might have more luck getting information.

We went through the process with a local councillor who looked at our statement and advised us which were the best grounds. There should be a policy document somewhere on your council website covering the allocation and appeals process - I know for primary, our council can be instructed at appeal to take a child, even if that pushes them to create another class. Not sure how that works if the school is totally at capacity.

Pinkponiesrock · 28/03/2018 14:30

In my experience it’s very very unusual for a younger sibling not to get into the same school as an elder one.

Our primary schools within our town are being re zoned but they have assured parents that all family groups will be kept together.

QuiteLikely5 · 28/03/2018 14:35

If there are 70 kids on the waiting list you will never win an appeal!

Kicking up a stink also means they might sneak your placing request to no 70 on the pile

IHaveBrilloHair · 28/03/2018 14:39

Anyone else really nosey and wants to know which school?Grin

Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 28/03/2018 16:02

Yes you want to know so that you don’t move here and get embroiled in it all. Grin

I shall try my councillors. I have the admissions policy. I’m still looking for anyone who has successfully argued on the grounds for refusal needing to take on a new teacher or having add temp accommodation.

To clarify, the 70+ waiting list is the catchment school. The placing request school is allegedly full, but they won’t disclose any waiting list for it. In previous rezonings they have ringfenced places for existing siblings but this time they have now said no siblings will get in to the current catchment school as from next year as they will be out of catchment by then. Catchment siblings will continue to get in. Great, isn’t it?

I’m pretty sure I have no chance of winning the appeal, but trying costs nothing I guess.

OP posts:
Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 28/03/2018 16:03

Oh and @quitelikelyt, I have no doubt that your second suggestion is quite likely so I’m treading very gently!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Piffpaffpoff · 28/03/2018 16:04

Oh, I meant @quitelikely5 obvs.

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