Appeal process : help appreciated

[AymaansAppeal]

Hello everyone
I have recently moved to a new area ( an hour away from our previous area) largely because I wanted a better more faith-based education for my children. In the process of selling up and making sure I stayed until my son did his SATs I feel I have been batted between LAs as to when and how I can apply for a place. I have now been rejected for all 3 of my sons high school options and the faith school I wanted him in I am appealing ( I will appeal all of them as the school he has been offered is requires improvement )
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I am really at my wits end with worry, I know he is 3rd on the waiting list, I’m thinking of arguing:

1. I moved him from an environment where I have seen young boys spiral out of control in their high school years and not achieving anywhere near their potential largely because of the society and influences around them , the provision in that area for faith based schools is non-existent hence the painful decision to relocate and sell up

2. I had 2 purchases fall through which meant we were furthered delayed in being able to apply as we had no indication of where we were actually moving too

3. My son has already faced massive upheaval as we have relocated him away from family and friends all in the name of him getting into this school

4. I have relocated my job ( from a well established role ) all so that he could be in the right environment conducive to him excelling

can you guys offer any further help I really am clutching at straws !

thank you in anticipation

Not an expert. I don't think those reasons will help much.

You need to find things in your preferred schools that will particularly benefit your DC that aren't in the offered school.

Faith
pastoral care
Extra curricular
Subjects offered

You need to evidence the benefit. e.g he plays the clarinet, offered school doesn't have orchestra, preferred school does. etc.

Thank you so much !

As a PP has said, you need to rethink this - the panel will not care why you moved, or what school your DS has been allocated. What they want to understand is why your DS's need to go to this school outweighs the schools need to keep numbers within certain limits.

So things like the importance of a faith-based education and strong pastoral care are good (remember that you're appealing FOR the school you want, not against the school you have). Definitely also worth scouring the preferred school website to see what it offers that the allocated school does not - does it offer different courses, a bigger choice of languages, more extra curriculars which are particularly relevant for your DS etc.

The reasons you list won't win an appeal

1. is about reasons for your move which are not relevant. Also you are appealing for the school/s you want, not against any other school, so criticising another school is not going to help
2. the timings of your move (including factors that influenced it) simply isn't relevant
3. the reasons for your move aren't relevant. Now that you have moved, the disruption your DS will face is the same as any school would be new. This is best omitted
4. parental employment is irrelevant

You need to appeal on the basis of what this school offers that would very specifically benefit your DS (that his currently offered school does not provide)

You have to demonstrate why the disadvantage (prejudice) to your DS from not attending this school outweighs the detriment to the school and its pupils by going over numbers.

So as well as showing evidence of what your DS needs, and why only this school can meet that need, you should also look at the strength of the school's case. They are full, but how many pupils are there in his year group? Say for example the PAN (permitted admission number) is 120, and they already have 124 it looks over-full. But if every other year group in the school has 128, then you could argue that actually there is no detriment. (But bear in mind that in itself would not win the appeal - there may be other appellants and the panel will admit those with the strongest case)

Thank you so much I have requested the admissions for the last 3 years from
the LA and this years to see if this argument can hold up , I appreciate your response thank you

Thank you so much for your response I will have a good nosy and start pulling an argument together