Appeals - what are the grounds?

[Swiddle]

Can you appeal only if the school has applied its own admissions criteria incorrectly?
Or, can you appeal if there are very compelling reasons that one school suits your child's needs like no other (even if the criteria have been correctly applied)?

At secondary level you can appeal on any basis but it would have to be very compelling reasons to have a good chance of success.

As Admission says, you can appeal on any grounds you want. You don't have to show that a mistake has been made, although that would be a very strong case. You can win by showing that the prejudice to your child (i.e. the disadvantage to your child) through not attending this school outweighs the prejudice to the school through admitting another pupil. If there are a lot of appeals the panel may also have to judge whether you have a stronger case than other appellants. Note that, unless you are suggesting a mistake was made, your case must be about the disadvantage to your child. Problems for other members of the family generally don't help you win your appeal.

If you believe you have compelling reasons why this is the right school for your child you should go for it. There are no guarantees but you will be in with a chance.