Just heard DDs appeal was unsuccesful, feel so sad

[drivinmecrazy]

Was always going to be a long shot, and I know we did the best we could, but feel as though we have let her down. I know it's completely irrational, but am feeling a complete and utter failure and just want to cry. So disappointed.
We are (very slowly) moving up the waiting list and have moved from 13th to 9th since places were offered.
DD is going to be so disappointed too. I don't know whether to tell her when she gets home tonight or put it off till she asks me.
Feeling so low and angry with the whole thing. Please tell me this will pass. Lovely weather and I'm just sitting here feeling crap and more than a bit sorry for myself

So sorry to hear that, drivinmecrazy. I've been looking out for your result and hoping you'd be successful.

The waiting list sounds more hopeful, although I guess it depends if any appeals were upheld. Did they tell you if anyone was successful?

I'm sure you know this, but the best thing you can do for your DD is to get behind the allocated school and start to ensure that she believes it will be great, whatever you think of it. Can you go back and visit it together again or anything?

Really sorry. I hope something comes up from the waiting list.

Thank you, don't know how many were successful, so in theory we may not have actually moved on the list at all.
We have stayed very positive about her allocated school, so DD will take it all in her stride I'm sure.
Am going to make an appointment to see her new head of year next week, will hopefully reassure us.
Admissions people I spoke to regarding the waiting list this morning were very positive, but it still means holding our nerve possibly til the beginning of the new term. Was hoping the appeal would draw a line under it all, but I guess the uncertainty continues.
I had just about pulled myself together, until 10 minutes ago when my Mum called from Spain to see if we had any news and i just burst into tears.
Have a lovely bottle of wine cooling in the fridge for after i pick the girls up so am just holding onto that thought .
I don't have any regrets or 'what ifs' though, cos I know we put our case as strongly as we could, will have to take some strength from that, we gave it our best shot. Still feels like a huge failure though

You did better than we did with the allocated school, then. We went to the open evening, were ignored by everyone, slunk home, and on the way I said "Don't worry, you won't have to go there...", so I don't think I could have handled it any worse!

The uncertainty is really hard to handle and it will probably be very difficult now that SATS are over and they are looking to the future. My DD got very upset when others started talking about which house they'd be in etc and she didn't even know which school she'd be going to. I don't say this to alarm you but to warn you to be prepared :)

Enjoy the wine and the sunshine - sounds like the best plan for now anyway.

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't think you posted the details of your case but, from what you did say, I think you approached the appeal in the right way. Does the appeal letter state why your appeal failed? It should give details, not just a bland "prejudice to the school outweighs the prejudice to your child" statement.

If you feel like fighting on I would consider referring the matter to the LGO on the grounds that the panel asked inappropriate questions (your occupations and why you hadn't applied to another school). This suggests they may have taken into account matters they should have ignored in arriving at their decision. Going to the LGO doesn't cost you anything and there is no hearing so stress levels are low. If the LGO decides the panel acted inappropriately they would probably recommend a fresh appeal in front of a different panel.

Thankyou prh47bridge, will have to give that some thought over the week end. The reasons stated where that 'your preference would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources as defined in section 86 (3) (a) of the school standards and framework act 1998. In reaching the decision the Panel took into account of the narrow corridors and stairwells and the need for staff to manage movement around the premises and that a number of classrooms are undersize and cannot accomodate more than 30 pupils'.
I think I might send a letter to the LGO, just to cover all bases and know I have exhausted all options.
Again, thanks to you and all the other experts who have advised and reassured many of us through the process, it has made all the difference.
Am now waiting to hear from a couple of friends who also appealed on different grounds, one in particular I really hope has been succesful.

The stated reason gives you more to take to the LGO. It reads as if they have decided there would be prejudice to the school if any more pupils were admitted and stopped at that point. That is not good enough. They are required to consider whether the prejudice to your child through not being admitted outweighs the prejudice to the school. The decision letter suggests they didn't bother doing that. It isn't conclusive, of course. It may just be a badly written decision letter. But it is definitely worth asking the LGO to take a look.

They talk about a number of classrooms being undersize. Was this quantified? Did the school say how many classrooms and how big they are? Did anyone ask them about this? The panel should not simply accept such a statement from the school. They should test it to make sure it is true. Similarly the narrow corridors and stairwells. If the panel has just taken the school's word for it without any evidence to back it up this is something else to raise with the LGO.

Thanks agin prh47bridge. Will certainly consider your points. The letter did read to me as if the schools argument suggested that admitting any over PAN would be impossible, so I'm left wondering why we appealed at all.
For my own peace of mind I think we will complain, if only to get a more satisfactory and clear explanation.
I am not one to kick up a fuss over anything (would rather have a private grumble and move on) but it's amazing the strength you find when it affects your own child. Onwards and Upwards

The decision reached is simply something that you could write for practically every secondary school in the country. The panel appear to have taken the easiest options as what to base the decision on. Having said that it is unlikely that the LGO would go against that decision that the school could not admit all those that appealed, as the panel have stated their decision and given reasons even if they are flimsy. The issue as PRH has said is what they have then done in terms of your personal reasons and if they are not saying anything about them it is definitely worth talking to the LGO. They will then establish from the notes made at the appeal whether this was done correctly and it is bad letter writing by the clerk or a major error by the panel.

drivinmecrazy very sorry to hear your appeal wasn't successful . You certainly have the right to wallow a bit; appeals take a lot of physical and mental energy and we wouldn't go to all the trouble if it wasn't so important to us. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next. if I were you, I would certainly be interested in seeing the minutes from your appeal...

Just to add (although we hear next week about our appeal, so not sure of the exact format) we have been told that we will get two letters. The first will be a straightforward yay or nay, and then a few weeks later, we will get a longer letter explaining how the panel came to their decision. Could this be the same for you?

drivinmecrazy have you thought any more about whether you want to take things further?
Have you spoken to your DD? Any more news on waiting list?