Appealing school place

[Nicoteno67]

Hi, we have been offered a school which we didn’t choose that is 3.5 miles away. Our three realistic choices are under a mile, the nearest school being 11 min walk. We are appealing but I don’t know what grounds we have other than the distance is far greater to a school we know nothing about other than it was downgraded by ofsted this year. What I wish to know is: can I mention the offered school that I don’t want (and my reasons) in my appeal to the school I do want?

No. Your appeal is for a school, not against one.

You need to show that the detriment to your child of not attending is greater than the detriment to the school of taking another pupil. Transport issues are rarely relevant, and the OFSTED/performance of the offered school is definitely not.

You need to look for things like subjects and clubs the desired school have that suit your child specifically.

You say that the 3 options you put down were realistic. Is it possible a mistake was made by the local authority when processing your application? This may not necessarily win you a place but it is well worth pursuing. If you were declined on distance, look at the distance (remember they will be using a more accurate software program than Google maps), and ask for information on the furthest distance given on offer day if it isn't already included in the pack sent to you. As @PatriciaHolm says, you need to appeal for the school you want - the panel will not take into consideration the ofsted rating of the two schools.

Could the lack of place be an error or did you not meet admissions criteria of other schools? Have you asked the council why you didn't get any of your 3 choices?

I know how worrying it is when you don't get the place. Have you asked to be put on waiting list of preferred school, if so do you know your waiting list number? There can be movement between now and summer so don't give up yet.

And whatever you do, accept the school you've been offered, THEN appeal for another one. DON'T turn it down!

3.5 miles is a reasonable distance. The lA will provide transport, probably in the form of a bus pass.

You can appeal, of course, but transport is not a reason that will succeed, nor is OFSTED grading.

The first step is find out everything you can about the offered school. It may not be as bad as you think. Then compare it to your preferred school. Use those elements of the preferred school that are better to build your case.

Did you apply to your nearest (or catchment) school @Nicoteno67? That's not clear in your post, sorry. I know you mention "the nearest school" but you could mean the nearest one you put on the list.

The reason I ask is that if you don't put your nearest (or catchment, if there is one) school on the list somewhere, the LA might not offer free transport to the allocated school. I assume you live in a very urban area if you have three schools within a mile (I live in a city and only have one secondary that near) so my question is not ridiculous.

Agree wrt not refusing the offered place. And go on as many waiting lists as you can.

Three schools within a mile and no offers indicated high applications in a very tight area. Would you have gong in previous years? Hopefully you'll get a wait list place