Grounds for appeal

[cece]

My DS1 has been given his second preference school. I am OK with this but still hanker after his first choice, which for a couple of specific reasons, would suit him better.

I have put him on the waiting list. However, lots of people have asked me if I am going to appeal. Now I do not believe a mistake has been made in the admissions process - we live outside catchment area and on asking they have not offered to anyone outside the catchment area. I therefore thought I was unable to appeal. But now I am wondering if I can; based on the two points that I think make this school more suitable for DS?

1. They have a specific handwriting support member of staff - something DS really struggles with - he has been seen by OT and has handwriting IEP
2. He is a very keen rugby player and the PE staff are very keen on rugby

So do I have grounds for an appeal?

The deadline for putting in an appeal is 13th April

Not technically correct. That date is a date set by the LA for their convenience in setting up appeals. Whilst they might want to portray it as a deadline it is not. The regs actually are all about how long the LA has as the admission authority to arrange the appeal not how long the parent has to appeal.
What the deadline means is that all those appeals who come in by the date will be heard as appeals together. If the appeal document comes in later then it might get done on the same day but could easily be later.
You also do not have to get all your appeal documents to them by the set date. All you need to do is say you want to appeal because of the advantages that the preferred school can give to your child. You can then take your time to write up a full appeal and submit it, two weeks before the appeal date.

oh I see. in that case I'll sort it out over the weekend.

although ds is having a wobble and says he now prefers the school he's been given.

admission sorry to butt in! If I wish to lodge an appeal to a secondary school, can I just literally advise them by the stipulated date, ie 27 March, that I wish to lodge an appeal, without giving any reasons, and then submit full documentation by the second date in mid April. Or do I need to state our reasons for appeal?

I want to make the school aware of our decision to appeal, but am not 100% certain of our proposed grounds (have more than one avenue) until we've taken advice on Friday.

Thanks!

I'm not Admission but the answer is yes, although a simple statement such as the one in Admission's penultimate sentence (i.e. because of the advantages the preferred school can give to your child) would be better than not stating a reason at all.

Thank you!

I have been trying to finalise my paperwork before I send it off tomorrow.

Can I put proximity as one of the reasons? Even if it is in fact not my nearest school. Indeed the one we have been given is nearer (as is another school). The one we have been given is also the one that DD attends so in fact it well may be easier for me if they went to the same school.

So should I put it down or not as one of the reasons? I am leaning towards not!

Distance is never a good argument for appeal unless your child has mobility problems and you are appealing for the nearest school. As the offered school is nearer than the appeal school saying anything about proximity won't help you and could damage your case. I wouldn't mention it at all.

That's what I thought. I'll take it out.

Appeal in the post. Fingers crossed. Looks like we haven't been given a place from the waiting list as no letter, phone call or email has arrived.

I wouldn't rule out a letter. I have not had one yet and it is only because I was in contact with the school (an academy) that I know one will be forthcoming. I contacted the LA yesterday who said that they were unlikely to get around to letters until Thursday at the earliest. Fingers crossed for you.

Ah OK I was told that letters would arrive by the end of March - perhaps I am taking them too literally.

Update - the letter of an offer arrived on the 10th. DS1 promptly burst into tears. He has been thinking about it. He is torn. He loves the school but none of his friends are going there. So yesterday we went on another tour of the school. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. So this weekend a decision has to be made. I am inclined to decide for him. DH thinks it should be DS1's decision. To some extent he is right however, my view is an 11 year old needs guidance in this - DH thinks I should stop 'influencing' him. Arghhh!

So pleased for you, Cece. I agree with you that your DS needs guidance.

The form has been posted and the offer accented.