Appeal Panel Questions

PanelChair · 10/05/2026 13:42

There is no set list of questions, and what the panel asks will depend on what the parent (and the school) have said in their statements. The panel will be trying to build a picture, ultimately so they can decide whether the prejudice (detriment) to the child if not given a place outweighs the prejudice to the school in having to cster for an additional pupil.

Where the parent’s argument centres on neurodiversity, the panel’s questions are likely to focus on what it is about the preferred school which makes it better able to meet the child’s needs and why (in the parent’s view) the allocated school is less able to meet those needs. Given that neurodiversity is not rare amongst the school population, and the school will almost certainly be arguing that all schools can support neurodiverse students, the panel is likely to be looking for what (in the parent’s view) makes the preferred school distinctive.

Original poster

Mia2026 · 10/05/2026 14:16

PanelChair · 10/05/2026 13:42

There is no set list of questions, and what the panel asks will depend on what the parent (and the school) have said in their statements. The panel will be trying to build a picture, ultimately so they can decide whether the prejudice (detriment) to the child if not given a place outweighs the prejudice to the school in having to cster for an additional pupil.

Where the parent’s argument centres on neurodiversity, the panel’s questions are likely to focus on what it is about the preferred school which makes it better able to meet the child’s needs and why (in the parent’s view) the allocated school is less able to meet those needs. Given that neurodiversity is not rare amongst the school population, and the school will almost certainly be arguing that all schools can support neurodiverse students, the panel is likely to be looking for what (in the parent’s view) makes the preferred school distinctive.

Thank you. It’s the robust sen and pastoral care not just in school but social time that the school we are appealing provides. Having quiet zones and a Green room in particular. Also as much stability is needed as her ASD could escalate and this could be detrimental to her social and mental wellbeing.

The allocated school doesn’t have the same provisions in place though am aware all schools have a requirement to support.

OP posts:

MarchingFrogs · 10/05/2026 14:37

Apologies if you have already thoroughly researched this, but...

If your case for your DC to be admitted includes anything along the lines of, Because this school has amazing facilities for DC like mine, please make sure that your DC would actually have access to the those facilities (for example, DS2's old school now has an 'ASD hub', but access to this provision is strictly for pupils with an EHCP naming the school).

Expect to be asked how you specifically know that your DC's needs can't be met / the accessible provision is much less at the allocated school - have you (or the SENDCo at the primary school) actually had a conversation with both the appealed for school and the allocated school about your DC's needs and what it can or cannot do to meet them. (You would possibly be surprised by the number of appeals which essentially say, 'Everyone knows School X is better than School Y', when the parent hasn't even visited School Y, or even had much of a discussion with School X).

Original poster

Mia2026 · 10/05/2026 14:45

We have visited the school and assessed the provisions. The SENCo has provided a letter also saying the school we are appealing will best meet my child’s needs

OP posts:

Original poster

Mia2026 · 10/05/2026 15:04

i just didn’t know death how much detail I need to go into as an aware the panel will say all schools have to meet her Sen needs.

I was also going to appeal on basis the school has access to further maths but read that all schools should provide the same curriculum but allocated school doesn’t and my child has excelled in this area- be interested to know thoughts

OP posts:

Mayjane5 · Yesterday 10:40

Mia2026 · 10/05/2026 15:04

i just didn’t know death how much detail I need to go into as an aware the panel will say all schools have to meet her Sen needs.

I was also going to appeal on basis the school has access to further maths but read that all schools should provide the same curriculum but allocated school doesn’t and my child has excelled in this area- be interested to know thoughts

Hi @Mia2026 similar to our appeal and I’m worried about these questions. As all schools have sen provision so it’s proving how one would be more beneficial than the other. I have other points that all tie in together so it’s not just one thing that the school has or doesn’t have. Very stressed we have another month to wait for our appeal

Putneyparent · Yesterday 16:00

Mia2026 · 10/05/2026 08:58

Anyone provide examples of questions the panel asked on an appeal?

maybe around neurodiversity needs of a child

We appealed on the same grounds @Mia2026 - DC with SEND/neurodiversity. Had supporting letters from school Sendco, GP, head etc.

Panel said "all schools cater for SEND children" and asked specifically if we or DC's Sendco had spoken to allocated schools Sendco to find out how they could cater for my DC's needs.

I went into the hearing thinking I had a strong case, but I felt they'd made up their minds even before I spoke.

Make sure you have 2/3 key points that you think will win your case. Ultimately we were was unsuccessful.

If you haven't had your appeal yet, my advice would be to ensure you've spoken to the allocated school and really get into the detail of what they do and don't provide around Send etc so you can better answer any questions in that regard.

Good luck.