2024 waiting list/appeal support thread

[Hopeful88]

I thought I'd start a support thread for everyone in the same position - either waiting on appeal outcomes or hoping for a secondary school place from a waiting list.
I've read all the advice I can and I'm doing the best I can but I'm still struggling with the unknown.
We're currently in the 20s on the waiting list for our first choice school and an unknown number for the second choice.
Fingers crossed for everyone in the same position. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I will also argue that they are not already 25 over PAN as the operational capacity is their PAN

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 says that admission authorities must comply with parental preference unless doing so would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. It goes on to say that there is no prejudice if they are under PAN. It therefore follows that, when a place becomes available, they cannot refuse entry to whoever is at the head of the waiting list. To hold back places for successful appeals is therefore unlawful.

Thanks this is really helpful!!

Dose anyone know if schools work the same way as nursery’s you have a building ratio so as long as the staff ratio is right in the building they do not have to be in the room
so say reception pan is full but they have space in year 1,2,3 ect can them spaces be used for the full reception class as the school is in ratio ?

No, they can't i'm afraid. The fact year 1 or 2 are undersubscribed doesn't mean reception can take more, numbers are set per year.
Especially if it's a class Size appeal where the legal maximums per teacher apply.

Hi everyone
another question sorry
how many days do the council have to reply and set up an appeal hearing?

For in year or late applications, within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged; for appeals for normal admissions rounds, within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals (ideally this should apply for late applications too, to get them heard in the same round as on time, but this isn't always possible).

Just to update I had my appeal this morning, it couldn't have gone any better. Had my decision letter at around 4 and I won it. So massive relief (and glass of wine) for me .
Good luck to everyone waiting for appeals or waiting lists.

@willowtolive congratulations ours is tomorrow but don’t see us winning it

@willowtolive Well done! It is an amazing feeling. Hope it's in time for transition day for you! @Mummyk13 Will keep everything crossed for you!

Thank you @Mummyk13 good luck with it thanks @dodi1978 transition day is Monday so really went to the wire! So grateful for the quick result

Well done

We had our appeal they started 40 minutes late and would not let us talk about the child being aloud to start a year early or the waiting list being off
it didn’t go well I ended up crying so embarrassing now for the dreaded not accepted email to come
then it’s back to the waiting list we are 4th
I did not realise how much this has all
effected me x

Hi everyone

we moved to our new house 3 weeks ago and daughter due to start year 7 in September but have been refused all of our choices.

i will be appealing. We are places 48 in our best and nearest option.

we haven’t got a place in time due to home move out of our control. How have others got on with appeals this late on? And what is the likelihood of getting a space when you are place 48! Slim I imagine

thank you

Congratulations, what a relief. 🎉 Let's keep the good news coming.

As long as your main points were written in your original appeal then the panel can look at them. I think it's normal for people to fall apart in appeals.

Hope you are doing ok. 😔

48 is very high but there should be lots of movement over transition days and in late August. Have you looked at other nearby schools? You can put yourself on lots of waiting lists. I hope it works out for you. 🤞🏼

I thought as much and that’s our best chance sadly! There isn’t really much else going that would be a feasible journey.

I just wanted to see if there is any hope as currently anxiety super high and worried she won’t get in anywhere

What are chances of getting into preferences late on

The LA must find her a place somewhere, though that may not be in a school of your choice. Unfortunately at this point any appeal will most likely be heard in September.

@alexa good luck with your appeal and a tip from me if possible in your area get in touch and make friends with the council admissions and get all of the info you can about numbers. My personal case was strong but definitely didn't hurt that the school were ill prepared and I was able to pick their numbers apart. @Hopeful88 thank you!
@Mummyk13 sorry to hear that and yes it really puts you through the mill doesn't it. 4th on waiting list is still hopeful, good luck

@Alexa0909 also if the school you've been allocated is ridiculous to get to , you will have a good chance at appeal at a closer school. All I can say is research every thing you can and go in armed with info and a good case of how it will affect your child.

I have to disagree with that. Transport difficulties don't generally win appeals.

Thank you our intention is to appeal for many reasons really. Worst case I presume we look at home schooling where feasible.

it’s very stressful and quite a sad process as I’m sure many in the group feel too!

I just hope for a light at the end of the tunnel

I think transport difficulties need to be framed in the right way. Not as 'it's convenient / child can't get to allocated school / journey takes ages' but as 'shorter journey to appeal school will have positive educational effect as child is still able to access extracurricular educational support (or similar)'. Always make a case about the child's education rather than convenience, and make a case for the appeal school rather than against the allocated school.

One of the cornerstones of our successful appeal recently was transport / journey. We argued that appeal school made his extracurricular OT support accessible to him without impacting his schooling too much. It would have taken him quite a bit longer to get back to allocated school after his sessions and we argued we were unable to drive him.