Oversubscription Secondary Appeals - admitting over PAN

[Shattered04]

As mentioned elsewhere, DD missed out by 64m (on a nearly six mile distance) to get into her chosen school. We are going to appeal*

We have solid reasons for wanting her there rather than our local comprehensive. She has ASD, and her best friend got in and she didn't, and she has social difficulties, plus the SEN provision is far better. We also have some sound, convincing academic reasons for things this school offers that our local doesn't that DD is talented in, so I'm hoping we have a decent case based on that.

However, from looking through the history back until 2015, the school has never admitted over PAN. And for appeals in our situation in that county, only 13% were successful last year.

What kind of counters can I use if the PAN has not been exceeded historically? Do we even have a chance?

Thank you!!

*whilst hoping against hope we get a waiting list place, but there was no change in the distance last year

the county where I live admit all qualifiers with a statement

That happens everywhere. It is the law. If a child has an EHCP or a statement naming a school they must be admitted even if the school is full.

MumofTwo - sadly not, as that would have made life much easier! She was literally diagnosed a few weeks ago, although I was sure she had it for many years now. It took two years from referral to diagnosis.

I'm not even sure she could get a statement, as she is doing very well academically (and currently even reasonably socially at her primary because a) lovely children and b) very nurturing school) so I'm not sure what the grounds would be.

I think I will email them anyway for advice, thank you!

The council has replied very quickly (I guess as my query is time-sensitive compared to most) saying that it's fine to apply under that rule and the diagnosis counts as a change of circumstance as I assumed, but I'll need to get everything in by Thursday.

No pressure..

I'm assuming the focus for this application will have to be more on the SEN aspects than other factors such as extra-curricular or academic. And no comparisons with the allocated school either I presume. I can still put some of that in my official appeal though.

Genuinely frustrated it's rule 5 rather than rule 2 like it is in so many other places, including all the other schools we applied to and many of the others in that county too! Then again maybe they'll be a bit less strict if it's rule 5 as the gains are not as high?

Yes, for getting in under medical/social it is all about SEN.

Thank you! I will contact the SENCo there I think, and find out what they can offer DD based on her report. That'll be useful for appeal as well.