Waiting for secondary school appeal dates and advice on what to expect

[Mayjane5]

we have put in two school appeals and now just waiting for the appeal date! Who else is waiting? Is the not knowing that’s the hardest. Anyone who has gone through the appeal any advice for what to expect on the day?

Ive been there…….and honestly, the waiting is one of the hardest parts of an appeal
When I went through the appeal process, our hearing was scheduled around May so if you haven’t heard yet, that’s completely normal. If it’s a popular school, the admitting authority will usually hear multiple appeals together…..often called a group stage. This is where they explain why the school is full and can’t admit more pupils. After that, your individual case is heard. On the day itself, try not to worry so much although it will be natural to be nervous but the panel are independent and there to listen.
What really makes the difference is showing why that specific school is the right fit for your child. Try and provide clear, strong evidence as and wheee you can and demonstrating why the prejudice to your child outweighs the school taking another pupil . You’ve done the hard part by submitting the appeal ….so now it’s about being prepared and confident in your reasons. I wish you luck

Thank you, yes I just want it be here sooner than later but I understand the process. I’ve read so many appeal stories and gone through the appeals code, I feel like I have a good case and supporting evidence I’m just worried I won’t get my points across clearly as I’m not a good speaker when put on the spot. Do they ask questions that can trip you up so to speak?

You need to be prepared! We sat down in front of the panel and were asked for our opening statement, the chair of the panel then asked the reasons a place was not given which is always ‘no prejudice was shown’ then we got asked for our reasons why we feel prejudice was shown, then they went in disagreeing with us and picked holes in our argument. Then finally we got to ask questions.

The hearing lasted just under an hour and was so much more intense and formal than I thought it would be! Luckily my husband is great at coming up with ‘things’ on the spot if I was alone I would have looked a right idiot and only had one page of resons!

we didn’t get the place!

We are doing 3 appeals! The appeals clerk has emailed me this week about 2 of the 3, they are bein held in May (1 week apart).
In both cases the stage 1 is on the monday, for school A the stage 2 will run all week! I think they normally have about 100 appeals. we will have 20 mins.
School B is only running stage 2 over 2 days, we will have 25 mins. so I think maybe 25 appeals. Be aware you only have about 8-10 to present your case!!

What would you put in the opening statement? A summary of child and reasons? Or do you leave the reasons until later and just introduce yourself? That’s what I’m worried about for them to pick apart our reasons. I’m preparing questions and answers

We are appealing to two schools but reasons are the same, I’m going to prepare a statement and questions etc it’s the on the spot questions that the panel ask that may throw me. Should get the date after the school holidays for May

The unknown questions from the panel was honestly the hardest part for me.

After my appeal the key thing I took away was the panel aren’t trying to catch you out, they’re trying to understand why your child needs that school specifically, not just why it’s a good school.
The “on the spot” questions can feel intimidating, but they’re actually quite predictable. These are the kind of questions I got: Why do you feel this school is the most suitable for your child? / What difficulties will your child face if they attend the allocated school? / Have you considered how your child would cope at the allocated school? / What makes this school able to meet your child’s needs? / Are there any medical / social / logistical factors we should be aware of? / How would the journey to each school impact your child?

One that caught me slightly was:
“If we don’t uphold your appeal, what would your next steps be?”

It sounds simple, but they’re testing how strongly your case stands. My biggest advice is dont panic about the questions…..bring everything back to your core argument every time. Even if they take you slightly off track, always link your answer back to why that school is necessary.

And remember, lots of parents feel exactly the same going in, but once you’re in there, it’s more of a structured conversation than an interrogation.

Thank you very helpful I’ll have a think about suitable answers. Would you just say to how they would cope that no they would find it hard to cope etc I have already given reasons why the allocated school is not suitable in comparison to the preferred school but have tried not to mention the allocated school too much as the focus is on the preferred school if that makes sense

The panel are certainly not trying to catch you out!
Regarding questions, some parents submit just a couple of lines and no supporting evidence.
In those ones, I ask if the parent would like to make some sort of statement or would they prefer the panel to just ask questions to help them put across their story.
About half prefer to be asked about their situation rather than make a prepared statement. Both ways are fine.
It's good you realise that it's an appeal FOR a school, not an appeal against the offered school.
The "plan B" question is pretty common - what is the plan B if your appeal is not successful?
Many think that answering that they will home school may sway the panel - it won't. If they answer that and are unsuccessful, the letter will give details on how to get assistance with home education.

thank you I’m going to prepare a statement and reference the supporting documents, and prepare any additional answers that may come up. My answer to the plan b would be to leave them on the waiting list for now and hope a place comes up also look at any other schools however there isn’t many near us.

May I ask what would be the best answer to that question (what would we do if Appeal is unsuccessful)?
My answer that I already decided on is, as we're quite high up on the waiting list -see how that unfolds and then remain on the waiting list whilst homeschooling. But I will add that homeschooling would not be ideal option as my child learns and progresses most effectively through peer mirroring and interaction(ASD child).
I'm not planning to use homeschooling option as pressure on decision but because it is really the next step

The best answer is - always - honesty. If that is your intention, explain.

The issue panellists have is when appellants use home schooling as a threat - a "well I'm not sending them to any other school so they will just sit at home until a place comes up...."... thinking it will sway the panel towards giving the child a place. It won't. Ultimately homeschooling is a choice, if you choose to turn down the offered school.

@PatriciaHolm Thank you 🙏🏼

Totally agree with @PatriciaHolm
Just tell the truth, if you don't know, it's fine to say that as well.

So how do you answer if we are saying the allocated school is not suitable but if you don’t win appeal they will have to go there anyway? I’m think I’m overthinking it all. It’s had when we are the only child from our primary who didn’t get a place so can’t talk to the other parents about it

I think it’s probably necessary to be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses. I am actually confident at public speaking (sometimes I do fall into the ‘should shut up’ category), but knew that the stress of the appeal would lead to me wittering on. And I wasn’t sure that me launching into tirade about the iniquities of the selective system was particularly likely to help my DS’s grammar appeal. So DH was going to present at the appeal.

In the event DS got a place off the waiting list before the appeal date.

Oh yes I know my weakness is the opposite I’m a terrible public speaker and therefore worried about saying not enough or not saying things clearly enough to get the point across. It’s obviously a huge pressure that this one meeting will determine your child’s life for the next 5 years. I’m preparing my partner to speak if I don’t feel confident enough. I’m currently writing the speech, I don’t think we have a chance on the waiting lists

Good luck with the appeal. And if it doesn’t go your way, good luck with the waiting lists.

A common one is 'what will you do if this appeal is unsuccessful?' — the answer doesn't need to be elaborate.

i feel, for your opening statement, the frame that tends to land best is: what does the preferred school offer that is specifically right for this child, that the allocated school cannot match in the same way? The more concrete and evidenced that is, the stronger.

Focus on the preferred school, not on why you don't want the allocated one.

If public speaking is a worry, it helps to write bullet points rather than a full script — it keeps you from losing your place, and panels probably respond well to parents who sound direct rather than rehearsed.

Bringing a partner who is calmer should be fine as well.

Lastly, You are allowed to read directly from notes. Most parents do.

Thank you for the tips, yes going to keep bullet points on my notes and refer to my evidence. I think the answer to what if appeal is unsuccessful my answer is to stay on the waiting list I don’t see what other answer we can give. I’m definitely putting the focus on the preferred school

All the best!

if you would prefer, I can write up a draft speaker notes ( template ofcourse ) for you to practice. Let me know.

Would you mind posting bulletpoints on questions to ask the school also? There are quite few of us anticipating the Appeal and quite clueless on what to ask the school and the speech we need to give... Thank you 🙏🏼

The independent appeal panel members will almost certainly commence the questioning of the school's case for not admitting any more pupils into the relevant year group, (stage 1) so firstly, take note of the responses to their questions and don't repeat them if your question on they specific area has been answered, and secondly, don't stray into questioning that pertains only to your personal case.

(Re the first, you may find that you really don't have anything left that you have to pluck up the courage to ask about, iyswim).

Of course — here's what I can think of. but please take this as additional opinion and not guidance. Every appeal is different, but the structure should be fairly consistent

Qs -
Note: You don't need to ask all of these. Pick whichever feel relevant to your situation.
my point of these is to test whether the school's case actually holds up, or whether they're just saying no because of unknown reasons.

1. Has the school ever admitted above its published admission number in previous years? — because if they have, it weakens their argument that one more pupil would cause harm.

2. Are any Year 7 classes currently sitting below 30? — because if there's space in even one class, the case for refusal is harder to justify.

3. Were any children admitted outside the normal round this year? — because if they've already made exceptions, it shows the school can flex when it chooses to.

S-Notes:
I would keep the speech short, and simple enough because it is not the first time, panels have seen nervous parents before. So even if you need to take these notes with you and carryon, nobody will think less of you for it.

1- Start with your child. Who they are, not a list of achievements — just a real sense of them as a person. Why: the panel is deciding about a child, not a file. Making them real matters. Probably something like - Child has great learning aptitude or great in the things which matters most to your child and parent as well.

2- Then why this school is right for this child specifically. Not "it's a good school" — what does it offer that genuinely fits them? A subject, a club, a way of teaching, something you saw on open day. Why: this is the heart of your case. Generic praise doesn't land, specific evidence does. For example - on open day you have interacted with students and you genuinely liked the confidence with which the students carry themselves etc.

3- Then the gap. What the allocated school can't provide in the same way. You're not attacking it, you're showing a mismatch. Why: the panel needs to weigh what your child loses by not attending — if there's no clear gap, there's no strong reason to overturn.

4 - Close with something simple. "We believe [school] is the right place for [child] and we'd request the panel to admit them." That's it. Why: a clean finish sticks. Rambling at the end undoes good work and again panels aren't trying to trip you up.

Wishing everyone the best with it.

Thank you that’s some great points, we’ve got another week of school holidays before getting the appeal date once they are back. So will use this time to write the speech, we also have a meeting with the primary head who will give us some pointers too.