Another school appeals thread

[TidaQuel]

Many thanks for any words of wisdom....

Ds1 is due for secondary school in September.
Our preferences were listed as schools 1, 2 and 3. We got none of these and defaulted to the local, catchment which is not only struggling and on requires improvement, it has a long standing bad reputation.

In all previous years, until last years intake, we have been in catchment for schools 1, 2 and allocated school.
Although school 1 was our first choice, school 2 is a bit closer. Either would’ve been totally acceptable to us.

What are my options? I want DS to go in the waiting list for both schools 1 and 2. Do I need to appeal? We don’t have any real grounds but is it worth doing anyway? Most local parents (all up in arms) say they will appeal. A lot will also have no grounds but would those that appeal get places before those that don’t if they become available?

I don’t think our lea give out wait list places, but would love to know just to see if our hopes are realistic or not.
With no documented reasons to appeal, can I build it around reasons I feel he’ll struggle at this school? The school has a high % of children on catch up funding (40%) and a shortage of staff and support staff. They appear to be active in the community but don’t do school residential trips at all.

Any advice gratefully received

When you appeal, it’s FOR the school you eantvand think your child needs to attend, rather than AGAINST a school you’ve been given and why your son will struggle.

This happened to us and middle school, we got in from the waiting list about a month later when all the acceptances and declines were in and before the appeals had been heard.

If children win appeals then it can affect the waiting list, only because if it takes the school over PAN, they need more children to leave before an actual space becomes available.

I hope that makes sense. Good luck.

Thank you, yes I realise I need to turn all the reasons I think he’ll struggle at allocated school into reasons I feel he is better suited to school 1 and 2. Can I appeal for both or only one?

Can anyone throw some great reasons at me?

My childminder lives near to school 2.
If allocated school doesn’t offer certain subjects, would it matter if ds didn’t go on to study them? How could I prove his interest?

You can appeal for both.

The childcare argument won’t help (I’m a childminder) but the subjects is a good one.

Ok, lots to consider. Ask to join the waiting lists for school 1 & 2.

You can appeal for both 1 & 2. You need to draw up a list comparing all 3 schools against each other. Look at everything you can think of:

• childminder
• subjects offered
• any particular subject that the school is strong in and your child enjoys.
• extra-curricular activities offered
• reasons why your child will benefit from attending the school.

From that, you'll be able to put a supporting statement together.

The first thing to say is that if you are on the waiting list then you have a chance of getting an offer from either of your preferred schools. You should also appeal for both schools, no matter your concern over not having reasons other than concern over the allocated school. The reason you should do this is that there is always a chance of success but there is no chance if you do not appeal.
One reason to appeal you have mentioned and that is residential visits at preferred schools - you can talk about wanting your child to have the widest possible education. Also look at the websites of the schools to see what they are saying are the unique qualities of the schools and turn them into positives around your child

Thanks so much for all your wise words, I clearly have a lot of work to do.

Based on what I’ve heard, we are around 500-600 metres outside of the catchment. Definitely not top of the list but the out of catchment area radial includes a heavily forested area with no housing, the catchment of a well sought after school and the town centre and an industrial park so I’m hopeful we may be nearer the top than the bottom!