Is this grounds for appeal?

[school246]

Year 7 child starting in British school soon from abroad. Second language English speaker with no reading and writing in English, and otherwise basic reading.

School allocated has no specific reading help (I'm worried they would flounder in this situation), but alternate school has a screening test and pathway for late readers. Would this be grounds for appeal?

Oh, as far as I know the school don't know they are second language english and basic literacy. Not sure if this is relevant

I would personally appeal on these grounds (you have nothing to lose) but whether its a strong case or not, I don't know.

There’s not really such a thing as ‘grounds to appeal’ for secondary. You can appeal on any reason, however what you’re aiming to show is that it is worse for your child not to attend the school than it is for the school to take an additional pupil.

It is likely that the school will argue that all schools should be equipped to support students with English as an additional language. However you may be able to show that this school is better equipped. You can also identify things like extracurricular opportunities or particular subjects the school teaches (which the one you’ve been allocated doesn’t) to strengthen your case.

There are lots of threads about appeals for more general information.

Thank you. There are other reasons for the preferred school including a specific extra curricular activity I shall mention that too.

Yes mention all sorts of stuff like that.

@school246
You have to throw everything at it.

Think of every reason, research both schools to make comparisons.

Definitely visit each school as a Panel will want to know if you've done this.
Think outside of the box, think of everything you possibly can, and use every possible reason.
Make lots of notes from your research to turn this in to your appeal.
Speak to ACE, as they were an invaluable source for me, and I did win ours.
Download theirs appeals booklet - It is £4.99 but worth its weight in gold.
SENDIASS were also a huge help to me. It's def worth giving them a call.
For a strong appeal you have to prove that to deny your child a place would disadvantage them more than it would the school by allowing just one more child in.
Only make it about your child, no one else's.
You shouldn't be negative about the allocated school, but point out why it is not suited for your child, whereas the preferred school would be much better because.....
Good luck!

Thank you :)

School allocated has no specific reading help

How do you know this @school246 ? It sounds unlikely. All secondary schools have intervention procedures for students that don't meet expected levels, including late readers.

The 'ideal' school does phonic screening on arrival and a phonics catch up program for those below expected level. The allocated school doesn't do screening other than the test result at the end of yr 6 which this child hasn't taken. They also don't have any phonics catch up program. They have provision for SEN children but this child doesn't have SEN.

My fear is they'd be thrown in at the deep end with no pathway out. I don't know how the teachers would deal with this in terms of accessing the curriculum in lessons. I know teachers must be used to some children behind and some ahead but this child is about 3-3.5 years behind in reading with English as their second language. I'm wondering if this would be considered exceptional enough be considered to need a different setting.

In terms of the extra curricular, the preferred school has a group which practise their hobby which the allocated one does not. They are quite good and, given they are moving schools, countries, languages and cultures and they will be noticeably behind academically they will no doubt get off to a difficult start. I though this would be a step towards finding their feet, but again, I have no idea so any advice welcome.

My worries are based on the fact that nowhere in the allocated schools curriculum do they mention phonics, either in the main curriculum or catch up for late readers. I have no experience of British schools but I feel that teachers use phonics a lot with teaching spelling etc. I don't know how the teachers would deal with a child who has no experience with phonics.

Have you asked them? Just because it"s not on their website, doesn't nean they don't do it. Also, check if they have an English as an Additional Language (EAL) section on their website - it might be under Equalities.

All schools do that have they told you that they dont?
It is basic practice and wouldn't be on a website
It is also a key focus of Ofsted inspection for Year 7 at the moment

Oh and if they are 3.5 years behind in reading then they would know all of their phonic sounds? So phonics wouldn't really be needed?

They didn't learn to read with phonics. We just read at home so they just do sight words. Their other language hasn't got a phonetic writing system. I will email the schools and ask about it.

@school246 this might help you understand what schools are expected to provide: https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2022/04/28/supporting-secondary-school-pupils-who-are-behind-with-reading/

Thanks, all very helpful. TBH the general standard is very very high. I'm not interested in the top performing school - they are both good, besides I don't know how long we will be here so they might not take any exams anyway. I have looked at the curriculum and various bits of online teaching from the schools and they are way way way above what is taught where we come from. I just don't want them to flounder and give up, or worse, develop masking techniques to hide their struggles. The sense of dread going into a lesson not being able to follow it and it getting worse and worse etc.