URGENT please! Appeal for place at faith school, didn't submit a SIF

[awishes]

Hello, grateful for any advice please!
Posting in behalf of a friend who has been ill, at the time of applications and since, very challenging family circumstances and therefore did not submit a SIF.
Appeal hearing is in 2 stages, not sure if this is usual, but this stage cannot be anything personal. Then if the appeal reaches the 2nd stage, Mum can raise personal circumstances which led to the error.
The school hasn't done anything wrong, the criteria has been correctly applied, so how can she get past Stage 1?

It is the normal format when there are a lot of appeals for either Reception or Year 7 - which is it?

Unless the school has not shown prejudice to the children in the school (when all the appellants will get a place), it will always go on to stage 2.

Thank you, it's secondary, year 7.

@Appealpanelist any words of wisdom? I assume she can't speak or put any case at Stage 1? It all happens at Stage 2? Or have I misunderstood?
Thank you again for replying

At Stage 1 she can chip away at the school’s case, once you know what it is. For example, if they have stated overcrowding as an issue, question whether there have been any documented accidents etc.

However, you are unlikely to show that there is no prejudice to the school, so it will typically go to Stage 2.

Imagine it as a set of scales - the school will add weight to their argument. You may be able to take some of that away, but ultimately you are aiming to outweigh the prejudice to the school by adding weight to your arguments.

Sometimes there may be one, very compelling argument, however you can try to add to your arguments with other things that are pertinent and relevant to your child - extracurricular, academic subjects etc. Take a look through other appeal threads on here.

Thank you, much appreciated

Agree with @EduCated. The majority of parents just listen during Stage 1. Any questions that are asked help the panel in judging whether the school has shown prejudice. It does not matter who asks them.

Re Stage 2. My advice would be to write down what you want to say to help make sure you cover everything. If you have evidence ( eg of ill health, challenging circumstances) then send it in assuming there is time before the appeal.

Has your friend submitted the SIF now to move up the waiting list?

Mum can raise personal circumstances which led to the error

She can, but she won't win her appeal that way. The panel can't award a place on the basis of her mistake. Since there is no suggestion of an error by the school or the LA, she needs to show that her child will be disadvantaged by not being admitted to this school. She needs to identify things that her child will miss out on if they go to the allocated school rather than this school and that are particularly relevant to her child.

Yes the priest has sent in the form to support the appeal.
Thank you

Thank you, she's gathering info from her GP and the hospital to take as evidence to show it was at the time of the admissions window.
I know there's months to apply but ....!
Thank you
I'm still confused as to how she can prove her error is showing her DD is disadvantaged?

She can't. As per my earlier post, if she builds her case around her failure to submit the SIF she will get nowhere unless the school's case is extremely weak. She needs to identify specific things that the appeal school offers that make it more suitable for her daughter than the allocated school.

Send it to the school now as well and ask if this new information/evidence can be added to the application/have it reassessed. No guarantees, but it is possible (just as they do with late applications/changes of address after NOD) that they may change the category now there is evidence of faith and an exceptional need.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread, they won the appeal!

Delighted to hear.

Well done. I hope the advice offered on here helped them.

Certainly did, thank you