Appeals experts! Would you give my letter a once over?

[NotQuiteSoOnEdge]

I'm a long time lurker, and have avidly read the appeals threads for 2 years as I knew getting my son into a suitable secondary was going to involve an appeal, unless I was extraordinarily lucky (which I wasn't).

I've tried very hard to follow the standard advice here, but it's due on Tuesday and I'm now going cross-eyed from working on it, and I feel quite sick with stress. There's a lot of medical info in it, so PMing it to someone would prob be best.

Will anyone help? I can type up a rough outline if you guys prefer. Thanks.

Thank you so much, Tiggytape. I'll send it through right now.

If you want a second opinion then please PM me.

I just PM'd you too, admission. Thank you for your time.

If you want a third opinion I would also be happy to take a look.

Thank you prh47bridge. Any insight you can offer is invaluable. I have just pm'd you.

I just wanted to publicly acknowledge the amazing and detailed advice I received from all three of you. I am so grateful. I have tried to incorporate it all into my letter. It's still too long, I think, but I don't know how to make it any shorter.

I've PM'd the final draft to you all. Any comments gratefully received, but regardless, I feel indebted. Thank you so much.

Mumsnet at it's best :)

I would like to add that when I was involved in the appeals process (some years ago) the success rate of those that attended the appeal hearing personally was a lot higher than those that didn't attend.

I haven't read your letter but - are do you know that the points you are appealing on actual reasons that the school has to consider?

Do you know what grounds for appeal the school can - and can't - consider?

My mum used to sit on appeals boards. Every time she said it waa such a shame people didn't seem to understand the process - loads of people applied on grounds they simply couldn't consider.

There was one on here a while back for example, appealing as it would be massively inconvenient to have 3 DC at different schools miles apart. This might have been a monumental pain, but they were never going to win on those grounds as it's not something the appeals board can consider.

Are you able to say in general terms why you're appealing?

Hello silvernutgoldenpear.

I do have solid grounds, and tiggy, admission and prh47 have absolutely pulled it into shape for me. You are right that people find it hard to understand what basis can be considered. I have post-graduate qualifications and I have still struggled to get all the information organised for the panel, and to argue along the lines the panel can go. I don't know how most people manage it without the experts here.

I won't go into detail, as it largely rests on my son's mental health and history, but I had every bit of evidence to show where he needed to be, except for an EHCP. An EHCP acts like a magic key, and unlocks the application process so that the additional needs of your child can be properly considered. Without it, no amount of overwhelming evidence makes a blind bit of difference, meaning your child is placed without any reference to need.

Our LA has recently lost a tribunal due to their reluctance to award EHCPs. I couldn't get the one piece of paper that meant all the others would be looked at and used. It has been the most frustrating and aggravating process I have ever been through.

I really can't thank the above three enough. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Pleased to see MN at its best!