Secondary school appeals advice please

[Mamabear0490]

Hi there, I am putting my appeals case together for my child's secondary school place and wanted to know if it is worth adding this point below to my case.

Please note I do have additional points but wanted advice on this specific one.

I am a single mother, with no family support available (as they all live 4 hours away) my only support is my friend who'd child has been offered a place at my child's first choice school we are appealing.

I have to go into the office twice a week and work late on those days. My friend helps me by taking my child to after school clubs and providing childcare until I get home.

If my child goes to the allocated school (not on our list), I will lose the only support I have as the school we have been allocated is over 3 miles in the opposite direction. My child will not be able to participate in after school clubs which she wants to continue in secondary school. The first choice school is much closer and her child will be attending.

Any advice would be great, thanks.

Hi OP, I think that as a rule the expectation is that secondary school children will not need childcare, sorry. Also panels cannot consider logistical aspects like this as part of the appeal, as I understand it.

Can your DC not go to the clubs at the allocated school and then get the bus home?

What are your other grounds for appeal - are they stronger?

Thank you so much for your response.

My DC is in a football academy with my friend's child and she takes them both training on the days I work. Timings for the bus after the clubs DC wants to attent (they is not a lot of choice) would mean DC would be late for training.

I work sometimes until 8pm so I would not be comfortable with my 11 year being alone for that length of time.

The other points of appeal I have are, DC has specific interest and aptitude for school specialism with evidence to support this.

The first choice school has an enrichment program that meets DC's interests that allocated school does not have.

Ah OK I see. No I agree 8pm is late for an 11yo. Surely your friend could continue to take them to football training - it can't be as early as 4pm? Your DC would maybe have to miss after school clubs on those days, but it's not the end of the world. I'm sorry (and I sympathise) but I still don't think it is a ground for appeal.

Your other points are certainly better. External evidence of interest from the child is useful rather than just "my DC would like to do xx subject".

At the age of 11 children can commute to school on their own. Most do. Your argument would stand a chance in primary school but not secondary.

"I am a single mother, with no family support available (as they all live 4 hours away) my only support is my friend who'd child has been offered a place at my child's first choice school we are appealing ... Any advice would be great, thanks ... I work sometimes until 8pm so I would not be comfortable with my 11 year being alone for that length of time."

The problem here is that you are living life on the edge ... relying on a single friend for support. There are very many other single parents in the same position, and the school admissions system can't be expected to compensate. My advice to you would be to either move closer to family, or find more friends who can support you, or change your working hours. Unfortunately, those are the sort of compromises that need to be made when people are parenting alone.

It would be different if your friend was your cohabiting partner, because then your child would usually be considered a sibling for admissions purposes. But having only one supportive friend is not something that you or anybody else can provide evidence of, therefore not a strong appeal argument.

Transport and childcare arguments don't generally win appeals. At secondary school age, the panel is likely to be of the view that your child should be able to get to and from school unaided. Your other arguments are much better.

Thanks all, I really appreciate the advice. I will stick to fleshing out and providing clear evidence for my stronger arguments of appeal. Fingers crossed!

A winning appeals often refer to a kid's physical well-being or psychological if they are diagnosed with ASD, ADHD but not only. You would need to support it with the specialist's evidence - think about it ;)

OP would she get back in time for her lift to academy training? Most people don't realise what a commitment that is. That plus what you have may help

You need to say why the school you are choosing is the correct school, not why the other one isn’t good.

So the school specialism and enrichment programs would be a plus, and you would need to show evidence why this is so.

i don’t think your work pattern is such a strong point, as this can change and secondary school kids are deemed more independent.

Chikdcare options in itself isn’t a strong point. However, saying he plays in a football academy and the desired school would enable this to continue etc perhaps be a positive.