Secondary in year appeal

[miller599]

This is a substitute thread as my phone broke and could not find old thread anywhere

DS currently attends a very good school in the borough and is currently in yr8. However we are realising the school is not right for him. They teach students to become leaders and take control of their learning making them take control of their learning, ask questions when help us needed etc. However ds is unable to do this and lacks self esteem and confidence. He often day dreams in lessons and does not have the confidence to ask for help when he needs it. The students are not pushed enough in middle sets and attention is given to those in top and bottom sets where they are pushed more where as middle are left to get on with it. Have spoken to the school and they are less supportive saying its for him to take control. I want to change his school however the borough said their is not one school in the borough which a place in his year group. He has been suffering headaches regularly because of the stress it has on his learning The school I want to apply for which off course is oversubscribed offer smaller classes in core subjects which is what he needs as well as the fact it's a smaller school overall. Ds interests are math and ict which is subjects he wants to study for GCSEs which he seems to be doing ok in these subjects however the level if work they are doing seem unlikely for him to achieve his predicted grades. These two subjects are one of the specialisms of the chosen school. They also play hockey which he lives and plays at weekends in a local club which his current school does not offer. The school say they have a span of 210 however they have had a brand new school built few years ago and the span is still the same would that not change. I also know that they can admit one more without prejudice as they had an appeal upheld last year. Academically the school produces very good results despite being oversubscribed. They have had appeals upheld over the years yet still manage to produce good results increasing year by year. Is it worth me appealing this school and do I have any grounds to appeal on.

It is always worth appealing. If your appeal succeeds your son will get a place at your preferred school. If it fails you are in the same position as you are today.

Your appeal needs to convince the panel that your son will be disadvantaged if he doesn't attend your preferred school. Be positive about what that school can offer that is particularly relevant to him. Don't be negative about his current school. So don't talk about his current school not pushing him enough but do talk about the preferred school providing greater challenge for pupils to help them succeed.

Having a new school won't necessarily affect PAN. That depends on the number and size of classes. However, if you mean they have added classrooms you can certainly argue that PAN is now artificially low and they can cope with additional pupils without too much difficulty.