Dr challoners headteacher

[Najaf]

Does anyone on here have any feedback on the new headteacher in the admissions process? I supplied evidence of address ( but late) but he's having none of it to consider for admissions- he's saying I have to go to appeals

You have to admit that is about the most suspicious-looking error you could possibly have made.

Use the appeals procedure. Gather every scrap of documentary evidence you can find. Be apologetic and emollient (ie do NOT harbour a grudge against the head or anyone else). Cross everything.

@TorkTorkBam thanks for your reply. That is a good point. I admit, I am a bit raw and frustrated. Let me take a deep breath!

@ArriettyJones Good advice thankyou. I had submitted all the evidence already and I think that was why I felt like I wasn't being heard.

Still attach the evidence again to any correspondence and take copies of EVERYTHING of there is a face to face appeals hearing.

You mentioned you had been unwell at the time of application. Evidence of this being true may well help them to see why you made the mistakes in the first place. It may also help them to see that you are not a useless nightmare parent, you just had an awkward moment - that shouldn't affect their decision based on the facts but if you get in then it will help with your ongoing relationship with the school.

Whatever you do though, OP, please try to be less arsey in your communications with the school than you've been on here.

The only way to resolve these issues is to go to appeal. It might seem frustrating but you need to follow the process

The rules are very clear and have been there for some time. There is a process you will now have to follow, regardless of what your particular circumstances are - the head individually does not decide, there's an admissions panel. There is a bit of movement each year but not that much, certainly with two Dc you may be better off looking to CGS or RGS.

The policy not being legal would be something you would challenge at appeal. The onus is on you to provide the evidence to do this.

@HugoSpritz the school is not involved in the appeals process. Why would their attention be drawn to the thread when I have raised the issue with them direct and the matter is under appeal. The reason for the thread is to ask other people's opinion based on the experience that they have had. The question is whether the matter had to go to appeal when evidence was supplied. Prh has given me advice via private message and what makes you think I haven't taken on board all the Other comments?

I think he is referring to libel where you have identified a person and implied he unfairly dismissed your application.

@ HugoSpritz I've just been reading your posts that you have responded to in the past! Do you do respond to random posts for fun? 😂😂

@HugoSpritz people do when someone pops up! There are an enormous amount of trolls on here.

OP - of course you need to go to appeals, you didn't submit your application correctly and you were found out, what did you expect?

@underneaththeash I wasn't 'found out' - I asked them- my fault is that I supplied evidence late. They accepted the evidence but they said it was submitted too late- Let the appeal decide!

OUTCOME: appeal was upheld. Both twins got the place at dcgs. I think we can agree that most people on here did not think I would win this. The appeal was simple and legally based. If a mistake is made, it should be allowed to be rectified and timing is everything in reacting to a mistake. Details will follow shortly or I may do on a separate post

To all of you who stated that " you made a mistake on the form so tough luck you won't win"
Thankyou to all the useful replies to my post.

I can tell you that I won my appeal for TWO spaces at dcgs. By law, if a mistake is made on a form, it is allowed to be rectified. Any form which is submitted, can be replaced and resubmitted- regardless of deadline. It is unlawful for any
" body" to act unreasonably or partially. Dcgs did not allow a mistake to be rectified and nowhere on the form does it state that if you fill the form incorrectly/inaccurately your place is in jeopardy.

Another thing, seeking legal advice, for me was invaluable. It certainly ruffled feathers for the panel ( and rubbed them up the wrong way) but if a procedural error is made by an appeal clerk, this is the only thing which would help at the next stage at the ombudsman/judicial review and therefore does provide back up.

I do believe that dcgs somewhat play hard and fast with admissions rules as someone was allowed into the school in the third round who lived out of catchment(rule 6)!

I do think the 4 year catchment rule is wholly unfair and this needs to be looked at via the ombudsman/ judicial review

Key documents for anyone undergoing appeal

School admissions policy
Coordinated admissions arrangements
School code of admissions
The appeal code for school admissions

Well, I feel a bit sorry for them to be honest. God only knows what hoops you will be demanding they jump through for you and your child over the next few years. You sound incredibly entitled when all the mistakes were entirely your fault.

If this is your attitude at the start of their school career I feel rather sorry for the school...

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn @Maladicta you sound bitter. I am not sure why. Have you lost a school appeal or did your child not get into a school of choice as it certainly sounds that way!?

No one asked anyone to jump through hoops. Thankfully, The appeal outcome is a decision based on intelligent argument and law than a bitter mum from mumsnet!

My post is there to assist people on appeal, not to try to give the wrong advice to people ( nor to be bitter - no names mentioned!!!)