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Secondary education

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Original poster

appeal advice from panel members please

41 replies

appealtakingovermylife · 10/06/2014 11:07

Hi, our appeal is in 2 days, am prepared, documentary evidence sent with my statement and have questions to challenge the school's prejudice.

Ds diagnosed with asc/suffers with bad anxiety.
What I'm wondering is this- do panel members tend to form a judgement from just reading the papers sent to them in advance? As in this is a definite no or this has a good chance.

I'm basing the appeal on the needs of my ds and as per admission criteria for medical/social category " why it's the most suitable school and the problems that would be caused if the child had to attend another school "

64 appeals to be heard, chances are not great but last year there were 51 and 5 were successful, all medical/social.

Any advice would be gratefully received, allocated school too far and no decent back up so got to give it my best shot.
Thanks

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 11/06/2014 21:33

I have been flamed for saying this before but I have never seen a case won because a parent proves the school can take more children.

I have also seen it. But it is rare. And I would never flame someone for saying that. The only time I've flamed a panel member on Mumsnet was when one described deciding cases in a way that was clearly contrary to the Appeals Code and left parents at a massive disadvantage.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 11/06/2014 21:52

Thank you lougle. That makes sense.
I'm one of 64 appeals, they started Tuesday so the principal has prob heard everything under the sun and will have answers, I'm ready:)

OP posts:
admission · 11/06/2014 22:58

As a chair of appeal panels please do not take the photo, it is emotional blackmail and will not help your case.
I have sat on a good number of panels where the school was deemed not to have made their case that they were full. I think the largest number we admitted was 34 in a large secondary school where the head teacher seemed to contradict everything the LA rep said.
With 64 appeals, there is no chance that all will be admitted but the number who are admitted will depend on the level of prejudice that the panel thinks there is to the school. If the panel thinks the prejudice to the school is high then they may admit nobody or just a very few very deserving cases. If the prejudice to the school is low then there will be likely to be more appeals that overcome the prejudice to the school. So whilst you are unlikely to win at stage 1, every little brick you knock out of the prejudice wall that the school puts up is reducing the prejudice to the school and therefore more admissions. You need to attack the schools case.

Matlow · 11/06/2014 23:12

Good luck tomorrow Appealtakingovermylife. Good advice to stay calm and not emote. Unfortunately I emoted! I can't believe it but I cried! Had to leave the room for a few moments to pull myself together, it's a strangely intense experience. My dp was brilliant though and I think we did put a big dent in the schools position and covered all the points we wanted to regarding stage 2 so hopefully my weeping and wailing won't go against us. The hearing did seem a little staged, especially the panels questions to the school rep but we did feel we were listened to. We realise that the odds are heavily stacked against us and we probably won't win but fortune favours the brave and we are glad we gave it our best shot for our DS. You are well prepared and I am sure you will do your DS proud whatever the outcome.

lougle · 12/06/2014 06:56

"The hearing did seem a little staged, especially the panels questions to the school rep but we did feel we were listened to."

Hearings are a little staged at points. There are some questions a panel will know the answer to, but ask the question so that the answer is on record and the parents know that the point had been considered. E.g. A school may seem to have a spare teacher and has several NQTs. The panel may ask why they have a spare teacher and why they can't have extra children as a result. The answer is that the NQTs get 10% extra PPA time, the classrooms don't have capacity for extra children because the building is old and rooms are less than 49m^2 in most cases and all rooms are used throughout the school day. The panel knows the answer from the net capacity report attached to the bundle and the staffing summary, but parents won't necessarily understand the significance of those documents, so the question is asked to clarify the school's position. Conversely, a panel could ask the same question and it could become clear that there is space, but as others have said, it's rare.

prh47bridge · 12/06/2014 09:21

In addition to the point made by Lougle, where there are a number of appeals for the same school many panels will ask the same questions of the authority's representative in every appeal. That way all parents hear the same answers so it is fair on everyone. If you are the 25th appeal the panel will have asked those questions 24 times already and heard the same answer every time. So yes, it will feel a little staged.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 12/06/2014 15:07

Hi everyone, just a little update. It went very very well today:)
As I sat down the panel chair said that My case was very well presented and it was obvious I had done my research.
School reps stated overcrowding, I asked several questions but stumped her when I said "is the school officially regarded as overcrowded by an agency such as the HSE? " she just said "erm... no "
I didn't take the photo, hardly mentioned "emotional stuff" all the focus was on my ds needs and the school being the most suitable, I went as far as to say it's the only school.
At the end, the panel said I've done my son proud, waiting game now!

OP posts:
Onesleeptillwembley · 12/06/2014 15:10

Well done you!! Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 12/06/2014 15:13

Matlow, I needed tissues too.

OP posts:
PeterParkerSays · 12/06/2014 15:28

fingers crossed for you OP. It sounds positive.

HPparent · 12/06/2014 15:29

That all sounds very positive, well done!

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 12/06/2014 21:59

Thanks everyone, so weird to spend an evening not working on the appeal!! Feel so relieved it's over. Pass me the bottle;)

OP posts:
Matlow · 20/06/2014 11:59

We lost our appeal but have no regrets about trying. Heartfelt thanks to all who offered advice and guidance and in particular PanelChair and Tiggytape. Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear. There seems to be quite a few success stories so stay positive.

Bagpussss · 20/06/2014 16:21

So sorry to hear this Matlow.

woodlands01 · 21/06/2014 13:08

Sorry Matlow, not good news.

Original poster
appealtakingovermylife · 21/06/2014 16:37

Matlow, I'm really sorry to hear that:(
I will feel the same if we lose ours, no regrets
Thanks for the support.

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