Please can someone help me with my appeal?

[lookout]

Some background...

We have just moved to a completely new part of the country, as I'm studying to be a vicar and will be training at theological college here for the next 2 years. We have been unsuccessful in getting a year 8 place for our eldest. I am appealing for our closest school, which is Catholic.

My argument:

1. As we are only here for 2 years, a school less than a mile from our home would help socially as it would allow him to build friendships with those in our community
2. Pastoral care is high which is essential as our child has moved into a new area and does not know anyone
3. The Christian ethos fits with our own values

Does this sound any good? Are there other things I should say? I am terrified about the whole thing.

Thanks tiggytape. This is very helpful. I am just writing my letter to lodge the appeal. It's not until beginning of October so I have a couple weeks to prepare. We are going to the Open Evening in a few weeks so will find out relevant info.

One of the things we want to argue is that, as it is a specialist sports college, it would suit our sporty son. However, I read everywhere that we need to provide evidence of this. Does this mean I need to contact all his previous extra curricular club leaders for letters? It sounds extreme!

All the catholic schools I have come across stipulate that the child and at least one parent must be baptised and practicing catholics.
Aletter from a priest confirming this is required.
I am in London so prepared to be told this isnt the case elsewhere.
I assume you are not a catholic family if you are training to be a vicar?

endofthelinefinally they definitely do accept kids of all faiths and none. As non Catholics, we would be under the very last criteria on the admissions policy though.

Children are disadvantaged when appeal places are granted unfortunately.

No you do not need to contact your old clubs for letters but if son has been in formal teams then you should mention them in your appeal document. It is matter of how far to take it because panels get quite negative if the parents try to make it very personal. So being presented with a picture of the child and told that you have to remember you are considering their darling child tends to go down a bit like the Titanic. If your son for instance was in the County football team then it might be appropriate to put in the appeal documentation some confirmation of this, lots of pictures of son in the year 5 football team at school will carry no weight at the appeal. Look out when you are at school for the things that are different in the school to do with sports because all schools will be doing football, rugby etc.

tiggytape of course. It was more in response to the comment about Catholic admissions.
admissions very helpful, thank you. I will be casting a very beady eye around the place when we go in 2 weeks.

As an aside are you really thinking about removing him and starting him in a new school for year 10? That's potentially a poor decision which could affect his exam success. Can't you stay on till he's finished year 11?

tiggy good advice. I'll get on it.
titchy we don't have a choice.

Is that the only school in the area? Are you saying that there is no place at all, or just no place in your preferred school?

Foxyloxy there are no other available places that we have been able to find. I have tried 8 schools.