Question for admissions/appeals experts please

[suitcaseofdreams]

Hi there,

If the reason a child didn't get a place at 1st preference secondary school is down to parental error, can anything be done?

Eg parent ticked the wrong faith box so child has been placed in the wrong admissions category. If parent had correctly ticked the box, child would have been in much higher category and likely to have been given a place.

I know if it's the LA Admissions team who made the error they must correct it, but what if it's the parent who made the error? Is it waiting lists/appeal or is there any other course of action possible?

Thanks for any suggestions :-)

Not an expert.

Whatever else you do, get the correct category applied to the waiting list place. Then the DC will be at/near the top and likely to get a place from there anyway.

If it’s parental error, the remedy is to provide the correct information (with documentary evidence, as required) to ensure you’re in the right place on the waiting list.

You could appeal, not on the basis that you made an error (because that’s not something the appeal can rectify) but on the basis that this is the best school for your child and they’ll be disadvantaged if they don’t attend. You could mention that they might have got a place if you hadn’t made an error, but that’s not what the appeal will focus on.

Surely if faith (and a particular faith, at that) confers priority in the oversubscription criteria, the school would ask for a Supplementary Information Form to be completed, with evidence such as a baptismal certificate / minister's reference or whatever? If all one had to do was tick a box, wouldn't everyone do it?

Thanks all - not me, was asking for a friend. Have passed this on and she’s made sure the category is correct for the waiting list. From last years looks like they’ll be top of waiting list so hopefully it will work out.