School refusing information re waiting list

[Zingy123]

I believe my Dd missed out on a waiting list offer as the school handled it wrong. As tiggytape suggested I asked them for a log of the dates the rejections and applications were received. They have refused to give me this information and have just sent me an email detailing the process. What can I do now?

I am feeling even worse as I have found out a girl I know got in and never goes to church. Our priest is too soft and signs all forms apparently. It is all so unfair. We bother to go, applied on time and still haven't got in.

Have they absolutely refused the specific details, and on what grounds?

Is it possible that they didn't read the requests properly and just sent standard response? If so, point out they did not answer the question.

Did they misunderstand your request as asking for names, which they can't give out obviously?

I think the next steps depend on the reason for their refusal, or if they haven't give one, to ask for a reason.

The reason for refusal is irrelevant.

The Appeals Code is clear that they must provide any information you reasonably request to help you prepare for your appeal. If you think they have mishandled the waiting list these dates are clearly vital.

I suggest you ask them again and refer them to paragraph 2.8 of the School Admission Appeals Code which says, "Admission authorities must comply with reasonable requests from parents for information which they need to help them prepare their case for appeal."

If they have still failed to provide the requested information by the date of the hearing you should tell the panel that you have been hampered by the school's refusal to provide information. Explain that you believe the school mishandled the waiting list and should have offered a place to you. Tell the panel you asked the school to provide dates so you could check but they refused. The panel can force the school to provide this information.

You should also raise your concern about the priest signing forms for people who do not meet the church attendance requirement, especially if you can prove this. It shows that the admission arrangements are not being administered correctly.

Thanks. School is now shut until after Easter. Appeals clerk has asked if all information be in by 30th April for the appeal. Will email the school again and make it clear what info I want. Our LEA sent details of new applications and ones who had applied after 31st Oct on 18th March to school. We were 5th place from 3rd March and still were on 24th March. They reallocated 8 places on 31st March but we had moved to 10th place by then. I think they allocated them unfairly.

Our priest is just one of the signatories as this school is not in my area. This mother has admitted they don't go to church. I will mention this if we get to appeal without a place.