Is there any real point in appealing?

[4strings]

Dd was allocated her 2nd choice school. I’ve accepted the place and she’s on the waiting list (in position 32...). She desperately doesn’t want to go to the allocated school, and while on paper it’s a good school, I don’t think it’s the right fit for her. We aren’t blessed with many secondaries in this area that aren’t faith schools so realistically it was probably our only option.

She missed out on a place by 300m and frustratingly last year she’d have got a place. She’s a talented musician and the allocated secondary has truly appalling provision which seems to have got worse since we started looking. She won’t be able to play any part of the musical life of the school because the two ensembles available are for instruments she doesn’t play. Musical achievements are never reported; there are pages and pages of sporting achievements noted in newsletters (yes I’ve been reading them!). We can’t afford to move (plus we like our house).

Our first preference has far, far better musical provision and facilities. I know of several dc at the allocated who play instruments and who are too embarrassed to admit they play, and aren’t allowed encouraged to, eother. This was from the parents themselves.

Is it worth appealing to attend the other school?

Appalling typing - they aren’t encouraged, not allowed encouraged!

Yes - talented musician (can you demonstrate this with grades, experience etc?) who wants a school with good music provision seems exactly the kind of thing worth appealing on. Good luck!

Yes, I can demonstrate that.

Yes, you have the makings of a decent appeal case there. Just under one in four appeals for secondary schools succeed. There are no guarantees - sometimes the school is so full that no appeals can succeed, no matter how deserving. But you won't lose anything by trying and you may get a place for your daughter. Go for it!

This is hugely reassuring: I thought something music wouldn’t be factored in at all.

Something like music.

No, that’s actually the kind of stuff that does count at Secondary (Infant/Reception appeals are a whole different ball game!)

You have very little to lose by appealing (time and energy), but you might gain a place

How long should my statement be? I spoke to someone at the LA who also suggested dd write a letter. Is that really a good suggestion?

Your daughter writing a letter is a VERY bad suggestion. That would go down like a lead balloon with most panels.

There is no right answer for how long your statement should be. Remember that you will get a chance to present your case during the hearing so you don't have to put everything into the statement. Some peope put lots into the statement, some just provide a set of bullet points. Both are acceptable. Just make sure your statement doesn't turn into War and Peace! Remember that the panel has to read all the evidence before the hearing so they won't thank you if your statement is unnecessarily long.

I thought that was a little odd too so we’ll definitely not do that!

Oh, and is there a rating system for appeals? In other words, do they read them all and throw out any that won’t go further, or do they all get considered?

All appeals go to a hearing in front of the appeal panel. They are not filtered at all.

@4strings I don’t know if this will help:-

When I started secondary school I played one instrument, by the time I left I played four! Therefore I played in the school orchestra, wind band, jazz band and brass group. As well as this I also auditioned for and was accepted for county orchestra, wind band and jazz group along with many of my musician friends!

I don’t know how it works in your area, but as well as lessons the school offers, opportunity to play in different groups, playing for school productions, GCSE and A Level exams (music and drama supporting candidates), it’s worth seeing what links the school has to out of school music provision- for example a high percentage of my high school attended these music groups, yet my catchment school sent only 3 pupils in the whole time I participated. Like wise my high school (which is now ds’s), send their pupils every year to perform in the USA and another European country.

Just an idea of different avenues of how your child can participate in music at their appeal school, which may not be available at the school offered, that you could look at that may help your appeal. Good Luck to your dd, I hope she she can get a school where music is seen as an assist and not stigmatised!

That was a bit harsh about the letter prh. I agree it won't make any difference, but parents like to feel it has been read and acknowledged by the panel.

double check things like GCSE music and A level music, if your allocated school doesn;t offer them, you have a really good case

@eddiemairswife I don’t think prh47bridge is being harsh at all. He’s being honest and factual, explaining that something will not work, it won’t look good, so don’t do it. He’s better qualified than most people to know this!

I agree it won't make any difference, but parents like to feel it has been read and acknowledged by the panel

Appeal panels, however, hate it. At best a letter from the child doesn't work. At worst it feels to the panel like an attempt at emotional blackmail, which will not go down well.

Parents may want to feel that a letter from their child has been read and acknowledged by the panel. If that is what matters to them, fine. But I advise parents on how they can give themselves the best chance of winning their appeal. From that perspective, a letter from the child, a photo of the child and samples of the child's work are all incredibly bad ideas and should be avoided like the plague.

This is all so helpful. In terms of the groups offered by the school, there's a brass band a guitar group: she's a string player with no desire (or time!) to diversify. She does have out of school music activities but it seems a pity that she won't be able to show her musical talent at school.

steppemum they do offer GCSE music, at least, but I'd have very grave concerns if there are any requirements to do any ensemble playing.

No schools have sixth forms round our way so I'm not too worried about A-Levels yet

I went to an appeal panel. You get your chance to speak and they don’t rush you. I was brief on the appeal form and then didn’t have to talk for long in the actual meeting, just explained briefly how the school we wanted had much better facilities/enthusiasm for/expertise in the subject my child was good at which the catchment School couldn’t provide.
Don’t denigrate the catchment school, just explain how your son will be denied something his skills require if he doesn’t get a place at the superior school. They’ll ask you a few questions. They were really nice.
We got the place. I think your situation sounds quite similar. Good luck.

GCSE does ask for ensemble playing. My friend's daughter ended up with an ensemble made up of her, her music teacher and the school receptionist who played as hobby. It was the only way they could find an ensemble of suitable musicians, so I would use that as one of your points.
It may be worth finding out which peripatetic music teachers they have coming in, if there are no strings lessons for example, then she will not get the support she needs