Best format and structure for secondary school appeal submission - what do panels prefer?

[Putneyparent]

Hello,

can anyone who’s been through the process or sat on an appeals panel, advise on the best format to submit the written appeal?

Do panels generally prefer a straightforward continuous letter, or is it better to break it down into headed sections, bullet points etc.

I want to make it as easy as possible for them
to read but I also want it to come across as informal or disjointed.

I also have 2/3 supporting letters.
Any tips on structure or what worked well for you would be greatly appreciated.

I’m aiming to submit everything tomorrow.

Thank you very much.

As a panellist - bullets/sections are better than a long continuous letter, but however you feel you can make your best argument, honestly.

Several dense pages of text can make it harder to break out your key points, but you will also have the opportunity to make your case verbally (and the panel will be able to ask questions).

As long as it’s reasonably easy to understand the format really doesn’t matter.

If you have several separate arguments it will obviously help to keep them separate. And cross refer in the submission to the relevant supporting letters.

But honestly the main thing is putting it all down. Informal is fine. Broken up and bullets is fine if it makes it easier to read.

Also if you have looked at other local schools and they either didn’t have space or didn’t offer what the appeal school offers, do include that. As many panels will ask why other schools won’t do instead.

Thank you Patricia.

May I ask; Is there an optimal length ie should I be aiming for 2/3 sides of A4. How much is too much?

Also how much of the supporting evidence should I reference in the letter. I’m worried about repetition.

Bullet points and as succinct as possible. I got an 18 page letter last week most probably written by AI which repeated the points over and over.
Good to hear that you have supporting evidence.

Thank you Minipie.

Thank you Raera, is that a maximum number of pages you like in the letter ideally.

As others have said, make it as succinct as possible, while covering all your main arguments. Panel members should read all the paperwork before the appeal, so there’s no minimum or maximum length, but (as in the example above) they won’t thank you for a waffling, rambling 18 page statement if it could all have been condensed into far fewer!

We are using a consultant to help us with the appeal and he has said to make it 'report' style

Hopefully far less!
ETA far fewer as I hope to avoid the grammar police!

The most valuable thing you can do is to attend the appeal.
The panel will have read all the information and the conversation we have with parents is how we can fully understand your position.

As an appeal panel member, I do hope they're doing it on a No win, no fee basis.

Thank you @OutofIdeas86 , and good luck with your appeal. What is it the consultant is helping you with that you don't think you would be able to do yourself?

As others have said, there is no "right" style or length. The important thing is to make sure you get your best points across so that the panel understand how your child will be disadvantaged if they don't get a place at the appeal school. How you do that is up to you, but don't ramble. I saw an appeal statement once that ran to 60 pages but could have been summed up in 2-3 sides. The appeal panel have to read all the paperwork, so they won't thank you if you submission challenges War and Peace for length!

We've only paid him for 2 hour consultancy so far and I have found it really useful. I've paid for another 8 hours to use in April. We are appealing to 3 schools so he is helping with overall structure of each argument, what should be added, format. He has provided about 20 examples of appeal reports of winning appeals. He has said 2 of the 3 have potential, and advised against proceeding with 1 - but as that school is first to host appeals, i will still go for it independently.

The appeals process is intended to be used by parents without the need for professional support. That doesn't mean that professional letters are unhelpful (quite the contrary), but you shouldn't need a consultant, advocate, solicitor, etc.

You are allowed to submit any evidence you feel is helpful. However, a longer appeal isn't necessarily better. For example, if an appeal statement simply said "my child was refused a place on distance grounds, but he has a sibling at the school so he should have been given a place under category 3", then as long as the child does indeed have a sibling at the school, and the school did have a sibling priority, that one sentence will win the appeal.

Lists, bullet points, etc., are all great. A continuous letter is fine as long as your points can be easily identified.

Also, do look at your LA's guide to making appeals. There's no point in making really in-depth, convoluted arguments about transport arrangements if logistics is not an argument that is considered.

Advice for parents and guardians on school admission appeals - GOV.UK https://share.google/v6z7foWNHtAwZebtJ

Your LA may also have a link to this.