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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Appealing for a secondary school placement

12 replies

beaney684 · 03/03/2025 13:55

Hello,
Help please.
My son was not given a secondary school place in any of his 3 preferences.

My son is a high achiever and always is in the top percentile for exams etc. The school that has been offered has been classified as Requires Improvement - its an awful school even though we are in catchment.

The main reason is my eldest daughter was sexually assaulted there and the school were awful in dealing with it. as a result of which she has lots of mental health issues and we ended up moving her to a different school.

Secondly I have another child who is disabled - she has lots and lots of hospital appointments. The school I prefer is near grandparents and they do alot of after school care for me.

Do you guys think I have grounds for appeal and should I try and do this myself or hire a lawyer/expert.

Thank you in advance

OP posts:
toomuchcarrotcake · 03/03/2025 14:11

I'm sorry you're disappointed with the offer.

Here's my advice (as an experienced appeal panel member):

  1. Accept the school you've been offered. If you turn it down, you may end up being given an even worse option, come September.

  2. Make sure you're on the waiting list for schools you prefer. Think again about the schools you listed - maybe there is a nearer one that is better than the offered school, which you might stand a greater chance of getting a place at. Adjust your preferences accordingly. There's often a lot of movement between now and September - do not give up hope of getting a place through the waiting list.

  3. Do not hire a lawyer for a school appeal. They rarely add anything of use, and it's a waste of your money. Panels don't look for how well polished your appeal presentation is, they are looking at what the issues are.

  4. Unfortunately, from what you've said, you are unlikely to win this appeal. A school that "Requires Improvement" is irrelevant - some children will have to go there! And there may well be a change in senior management that leads to improvement. The issues faced by your other children aren't really that relevant, and we generally expect secondary age children to make their own way to and from school and look after themselves after school (unless there are e.g. SEN or special circumstances). You might as well put in an appeal, but be realistic about the chances of success.

Bluevelvetsofa · 03/03/2025 14:18

I agree with @toomuchcarrotcake.

Unfortunately, the logistics of your child care arrangements, though important to you, don’t carry any weight in an appeal.

BendingSpoons · 03/03/2025 14:27

Sorry to hear about your previous bad experiences with this school. Unfortunately you are very unlikely to win an appeal based on what you have written here. It being a rubbish school will carry no weight as other children are going there. His sister's issues with the school will be seen as separate to him. Childcare won't be seen as a valid reason, as again it is logistics and not directly about him. It will also be presumed he can travel alone.

If you decide to appeal, you need to find reasons specific to why your DS himself needs that school.

As PP said, you would be better off putting your energy in to looking for alternative schools you prefer and getting on their waiting lists (or possibly getting a space if any are unsubscribed).

SheilaFentiman · 03/03/2025 14:34

I am so sorry about your DD.

Is there any sibling preference at the school she moved to, is this the school that you put down as one of the 3 preferences?

prh47bridge · 03/03/2025 14:44

I'm afraid I agree with @toomuchcarrotcake. You are unlikely to win with this case. This is all about why you don't want the school offered and the logistics issues. Logistics issues don't win appeal cases, and you need to remember that you are appealing for the school you want, not against the school you've got. To stand a realistic chance of winning, you need to come up with a positive case for why your son needs to attend this school.

skkyelark · 03/03/2025 15:18

What do the school you want offer than the school you've been offered doesn't? For example, you say your son is academic – if he's STEM-inclined, you might argue that the school you want offers further maths, has active maths/physics/robotics/etc. clubs, and so on (depending, obviously, on what the school does indeed offer!). Or similar, for whatever his areas of interest are.

Original poster
beaney684 · 03/03/2025 15:52

Thank you all for your responses - I think I am having a mental reaction to the school offered as we were treated quite appallingly at the time. Lots to think about - thank you

OP posts:
TobaccoFlower · 03/03/2025 16:01

I hope you get in on the waiting list for another school

LIZS · 03/03/2025 16:15

If you appeal you need to make it about what preferred school can offer your dc . He would be expected to travel independently regardless of where he attends. Go on wl in meantime.

hotfirelog · 04/03/2025 00:27

SheilaFentiman · 03/03/2025 14:34

I am so sorry about your DD.

Is there any sibling preference at the school she moved to, is this the school that you put down as one of the 3 preferences?

This

Original poster
beaney684 · 04/03/2025 11:31

@SheilaFentiman @hotfirelog due to my DD's experience i had to move her to a girls only school.
Ive placed my son on waiting list and Ill try the appeal route as well.
x

OP posts:
hotfirelog · 04/03/2025 23:51

Makes sense. Gosh I hope it works out

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