Secondary School Appeal Help

[lillylid]

Hi.
I've got my sons appeal shortly and just had a huge panic. The school I appealing for has continued to be successful in exams and accepting children over the PAN has not had a detrimental effect on the school. However, do I need to follow a year (eg if you started year 7 in 2012 and your exams were in 2017 - with 3 over the PAN - is that how I need do show this) or do I just go on the past 5 years exam results when they had over PAN generally and not just in the year taking exams? I hope that makes sense .. it's difficult to explain..... eagerly awaiting any help... thank you

You are unlikely to convince the appeal panel that there is no detriment at all from the school taking additional pupils. You are trying to minimise the detriment to the school.

What does the school's case say? That is what you need to attack. Unless they argue that exam results will suffer you don't need to address that point at all. Concentrate on the fact that they have gone over PAN in previous years. That suggests they can cope with a few additional pupils.

Hi thanks prh47bridge.

School are saying over subscription.
Other reasons I have is:-
*Offered school 1 hour on 2 buses - my son witnessed a gang fight on a bus (with knives) last December and is terrified to get on a bus ....never mind 2 buses alone for an hour each way (I was with him at the time of fight). Appeal school 15 mins walk.
*Distance - I have O.S. map that they have not done the correct route to school and reduce mileage significantly
*Offered school does not do DofE - he is training for this already and something he always wanted to do (climbs Snowdon etc)
*My son attends animal care days at a North Shropshire College ... something he is very interested in and wishes to have career .... offered school offers nothing on this ... appeal school has a farm / agriculture
*No record of overcrowding in OFSTED infact they say "pupils walk calmly around the school" and there are no recorded accidents due to overcrowding.
*they have smaller classrooms !
*Keen and top 6% in country in maths (SATS) and offered school better for him to continue this.
In short, although I can't say it ... his offered school is dreadful and takes on other pupils who have been expelled with no other school to go to. Has awful attendance and sends pupils to off site venues due to behaviour to continue their work. My son is extremely quiet and bright with 100% attendance throughout primary school - never been off, never been late .... but all the above also... thanks.

Before we get into the rest - this one -

Distance - I have O.S. map that they have not done the correct route to school and reduce mileage significantly

Have you spoken to admissions about this? If they have genuinely made a mistake AND this has cost you a place, you shouldn't have to appeal (though some admissions authorities will still make you)

You need to be sure you are measuring the same way they do though, and any map you have won't be as accurate as the systems they are using. The most common error here is when criteria say something like "shortest walking route" and they don't account for a paved lit footpath, for example. The criteria should be explicit about what is included (though many still are not..!)

Agree with PHolmes that you need to be pursuing the issue now with the LA. If you get not where with it before the appeal it does not stop you bringing it up again at appeal but you might well gain some useful intelligence about what the LA have done in terms of measurements that you can use to your advantage at the appeal.
There is also a danger if it is not bought up until the appeal. The school will simply argue that they have measured it correctly and the panel will be left with the problem of what to do. I suspect they well adjourn the hearing until they can get more information from the LA. So it makes no sense to delay raising it.

If you would like to PM me with more information I'll be happy to check the admission criteria and the routes to make sure your route meets the LA's requirements.