Appeals Question when basis is GCSE subjects offered

[KimGa]

Hypothetically thinking ahead to getting rejected by nearby but not near enough outstanding secondary next year and needing to go to appeal…. If my reasons for appealing were: it offers French and Photography at GCSE which my daughter already studies in her own time, and the school we will get doesn’t offer those at GCSE, would it be to my disadvantage that a (requires improvement) school in the same town is likely to have spaces and does offer those subjects at GCSE? I wouldn’t put that school on my list of choices. But would they question why I don’t send my daughter there instead?

I don't have any experience of appeals - but from reading other threads, no I don't think it will. The appeal focuses on the school you're appealing for -not what other schools may offer. There are lots of experts on this site so I'll tag a couple in for you @prh47bridge @patriciaholm

At an appeal, the only schools that should be considered are the appeal school and the allocated school. The possibility that other schools may also be able to offer what you want shouldn't enter into it. However, that is a "shouldn't", not a "won't". I have known admission authorities and appeal panels ask questions about this kind of thing. It would therefore be useful to have an answer up your sleeve just in case. Is there, for example, something else that the appeal school offers that is missing from the other school that has French and Photography?

Agree with prh - I have seen people ask whether other local schools can meet the need, though it's not relevant. The other issue with using GCSEs, especially slightly unusual ones, is that there is no guarantee the school will be running them in several years time when your child gets to that point, so it's always good to have others points as well.

Very helpful, thank you