Appeal advice please

[Ginty3]

Hi. My DD has been offered her second choice of school. It is a faith school which at the time of application she (and us) were happy about, However, over the past few months she has really turned on her faith (due to some family things) and really does not want to attend this school now. She is very very upset and has become very quiet (not like her at all). We are on the waiting list for our first choice (number 26 now number 10) but I think it's unlikely we'll get a place from that. I am going to ask to be placed on waiting list for lower preference schools now but we're even further down the list for those.
I am going to appeal but I don't know how to explain this and where to start. I feel so bad for her. How can she attend this school when she doesn't believe in their teachings any more.
I am also going to try to make in-year applications to other schools when I can. I'd appreciate any advice please. Has anyone ever been in this predicament? xx

Is this a standard state secondary faith school?
Almost none of the kids there will have a faith.
Some will have parents who do, and have been brought up going to church - but most of the children themselves won’t.
Is she aware of just how big a role faith will or won’t play day to day in her school life?

I’ve never heard loss of faith as an appeal point - fascinated to know if that’s a thing!

Did you submit an appeal before the deadline? Not sure how it works for appealing for September if you haven’t already submitted one.

An appeal based on wanting or not wanting a faith school won’t succeed. Look for positive reasons why your child should attend the school you now prefer, whether that’s curriculum, extra curricular clubs, pastoral care or anything else. Also make sure you’re on waiting lists for any other schools you’d be willing to accept.

The deadline for appeals is purely for administrative convenience. An appeal must be heard even if it is submitted after the deadline.

As a reason that (lack of faith/antipathy towards a certain faith) won't fly OP. Lots of primary school children are allocated faith schools if they are the catchment school in their area - nothing can be done about it.Bear in mind she can't before to participate in worship or believe.

Ahh, I didn’t know this! Thank you!

However, please bear in mind that in a faith school students are required to take religious studies GCSE whether they want or not

They cannot be forced to do so. Parents can withdraw their children from religious studies. And, since religious studies must be included in the curriculum for all registered pupils by law, many school expect students to take the GCSE. After all, if they've got to study it anyway, they might as well get a qualification for it.

in my daughter school everyone has to take RE GCSE