Secondary school appeal- are these circumstances plausible?

[Bettyknocker]

DS was offered a place at the school we expected, which is a short walk away from us. It was our 4th choice, but definitely the closest. The one we wanted (1st choice) we are out of catchment. They are both the same size/ non faith.

We are looking to appeal it, for a few reasons but the main one is my job role. I work with at risk youths in pretty much all of the secondary schools in our area- but have never had a referral from the preferred choice school so no conflicts.

I offer weekly interventions to the students in school. My concern is if the young people I support find out my son is a classmate that it would no longer be a safe space or anonymous professionals they are talking to about sometimes emotive and highly personal topics. Our surname is very unusual, so it wouldn’t take long.

The programme I deliver is only in my area so can’t transfer out. I have done this role for 5 years, so know a lot of the children and the staff across all year groups.

Sometimes difficult conversations with school if they aren’t meeting needs, and incredibly challenging meetings with parents and carers. I am not sure it wouldn’t impact on my DC, the young people, my ability to create trust and do my job successfully.

I can’t find any info about this online or on here. I am not sure if it’s grounds to appeal. We have a sport he plays in a club for, that preferred school offers in curriculum and as extra curricular (where other doesn’t). He has ASC and ADHD, the school he was offered isn’t great for SEN but that’s my professional experience and nothing I can ethically evidence.

Anyone ever had similar?? Any advice??

I think it is certainly worth a shot. There are exceptions made based on a parents employment and safety/welfare impacts this might have on a child. Add in the sport as a back up as that’s another valid reason, however all schools are expected to support SEN needs, so that one won’t fly!
Good Luck!

Is the fact that you haven't had a referral from your preferred school by design or coincidence? I think you'd have a much stronger argument if the preferred school is one that wouldn't send you a referral, rather than simply hasn't to date.

Will there never be a referral from this school?

I've been on appeal panels where these type of issues arise, some have been successful, others have not. I agree with @Lougle that your case would be stronger if you could make the case that you wouldn't get referrals from the preferred school (e.g. it's in a different county/borough). Can you get any kind of supporting letter from your employer that would back up your case?

Definitely add in the sports element. SEN you could mention, although all schools should cater for ASD/ADHD - is there anything that the preferred school has that would make a particular difference for him (e.g. lunchtime clubs, quieter environment, organisation of pastoral support?).

Thanks both. @Louglethats a great question, it hasn’t to date. They could though, I have a colleague who can take any from that school. And I could stop taking new referrals from the school offered but I still have young people there I can’t end support within the next 6 months- even then I still have the history with them. It would be devastating if that made them uncomfortable after the trust they have given me.

I think this is very good grounds for an appeal. The fact that in 5 years there’s not been a referral from the preferred school is defo a good thing- but if they ask what you’d do when there was a referral have a good answer. Also, does this mean you don’t know the school very well/staff etc?

As PP said- get letters from work or even the schools you work with that in their professional opinion it would cause you or your son issues

Definitely worth a shot, op.

@toomuchcarrotcake- Thank you, my manager could write a letter to back it. She agrees it would make the work difficult in that school.

They have a centre attached to them, but students need an EHCP to access it. DS doesn’t have one, but I feel the culture of the school is highly impacted by the values and working of the centre and so they adopt a flexible tailored approach. They seem to go above and beyond. We have friends with DC there who have been very happy.

I think this is a valid reason for appeal and governors do have some leeway when it comes to staff/connected kids. We have a kid who is due in yr7 in Sept who we have worked with other schools to get a place elsewhere for, because of mum and older sibling in school which would cause conflict (send involved) and parents wanted the child to have a fresh safe space from themselves in another school. Sometimes these things just make sense - but sense that doesn't fit in a form.

@DillyDallyingAllDay- yes! Very well and unfortunately I have had some tense meetings with some of the senior staff there. I am hopeful this wouldn’t impact on how they treat DS, but they were tense conversations for a reason… on balance, they have some amazing people working there who I trust would treat him as any other student.

I think if you can get a letter from your manager to say that you would not have to deal with referrals from your preferred school, and that it would be detrimental to the therapeutic relationship with existing service users if you were to have a child at the school, then it would be very helpful for your appeal.

@Stickysock I work in about 6 state schools locally. The ones I have in this school have been open to support for over 18months, it’s long term support.
I put 5 schools on the application, I have current young people in 4 of them, I couldn’t stop taking referrals. There’s only 2 of us offering the support.

@Stickysock- I understand where you’re coming from.
I couldn’t have stopped taking referrals from 4 out of 6 schools I work in for the last 6 months. My colleague only case-holds up to five at a time so she couldn’t have taken all the ones I have since then.
The referrals come from different stakeholders, but mostly the police or social services.

@Stickysock not solely my decision, the consultation process for a referral is multi disciplinary. They are allocated to me based on needs. So whilst I can say no to one school, because my son is currently on roll there, I don’t have the authority to blanket refuse 4 of them.

I think this would be a strong case based on what you have said. But the panel would delve further and ask challenging questions so would then make a judgement about balancing your case against the schools

Aside from your appeal, would it be possible to be known by your first name or use a maiden name for these visits? Kids you already see might assume that you've married or divorced and not think anything much of it after the first few seconds of seeing you use a different name.

It would be an even bigger betrayal if they thought they were talking to "Claire" but were actually talking to "Archie's Mum".

It's a long time ago now but a friend of mine who is a police officer won an appeal for her DC on similar grounds so I think it's definitely worth trying.

I agree with @Lougle and @toomuchcarrotcake. If you have a letter from your manager saying that they would ensure you never got a case from this school, you have a good argument. It isn't guaranteed, unfortunately. I have come an appeal panel that rejected a case where there were clear safeguarding concerns. Thankfully, that was an exception, but you should always present anything else you can come up with that shows your son will miss out if he doesn't go to this school.