To appeal or not to appeal?

[HolidayArmadillo]

Ok so DD didn't get into our first choice school. The option of perusing waiting lists/appeals is there but I'm just not sure what to do for the best. So you lot get to help.

School A (first choice) rated 'good' OFSTED wise, gets good results (we still have a three tier system) is a feeder school for an outstanding OFSTED rated high school, had a nice feel to it and an approachable staff when we visited, has an after school club on the premises. Is a bus ride away, none of her friends have got in either (actually one did that I know of who has an existing sibling there), was not DD's first choice.

School B - rated OFSTED 'good', on paper does not get the same results school A does, is not a feeder school for the outstanding high, although the high it does feed to is much improving and actually outperformed the outstanding school results wise last year, is the school both I and DH attended, is within walking distance, has no after school club, cousin is attending this school so childcare with SIL could be potentially coordinated in a similar fashion to which we do now (along with after school club that we are now able to use at present), is where DD wanted to go.

DD's best friend also got a place at school B but her mum is definitely planning to appeal, DD would like to be with her friend although this would not be a deciding factor. School B is also planning on moving sites to the feeder high school, although this is still shrouded in secrecy and we don't really have any details as to how this is going to pan out although it will almost certainly happen inthe 4 years that DD would be there.

I'm in a right old conundrum, give me your thoughts please.

To make a successful appeal anywhere, you'll need to demonstrate that the school you are appealing for is in some way better able to meet your child's educational needs and that your child's need for a place outweighs the disadvantage to the school in taking another pupil. The things you mention, such as academic results and after school care, won't carry any weight.

Do you have any other reasons for preferring school A (I presume school B is the school you've been allocated)?

Sorry, yes we have been allocated school B, so if an appeal is not an option am I incorrect in thinking that a waiting list would still be something we could pursue? I just don't know whether getting into school A is the be all and end all, or whether we should just accept our lot and make the best of school B? To be honest it's the upheaval of the moving sites that really concerns me, and the fact that as yet there is no transparency over how this is going to work out.

You need to check whether you're on the waiting list for School A - in most LEAs, you would be automatically but make sure of this. You can also join other waiting lists.

I'm not saying an appeal is not an option. Only you can decide whether to pursue that or accept the place at School B and pin your hopes on the waiting list (or decide to stay put). But, if you're contemplating an appeal, you need to identify something about the provision at School A - a music programme (say) for your talented violinist daughter, a hearing impairment unit if she is deaf etc etc - that makes it the best place for your daughter.

Yeah, in those grounds an appeal is out of the question, I guess I would need to check out the waiting list ting. I just don't know whether to drop the idea altogether and accept and make the most of what we have got.

My daughter has been allocated a place at a horrible school where NOBODY wants to go to... hence there are vacancies. We had SIX schools on our list but she obviously didn't get into any of them. And now??? Well I declined the offer immediately and I will put her on the waiting list of all of them. I'd love to know if anyone has appealed for a place. Is there a chance to appeal if the schools selected provides a subject in the curriculum that no other school offers and that is particularly suited to my daughter abilities. I am referring here to a language ...her mother tongue.

Turning down the place you have been offered does not move you higher up the waiting lists or boost your chances at appeal. Still, what's done is done.

You certainly can use mother tongue provision as part of your appeal, if one school offers the provision and others do not. (Be aware, though, that the panel may be a little sceptical if your daughter is already a fluent speaker and the provision is basic - are we talking about primary or secondary schools here?) However, this doesn't guarantee that you will win the appeal. The panel has to balance the 'prejudice' (ie disadvantage) to your child in not getting a place against the 'prejudice' to the school in taking another pupil.

thanks PanelChair for clarifying this appeal thing a bit. I am a lion mother when it comes to the welfare of my kids...even when this takes a fight;) anyway, worst case scenario it will be home education.