Help! Secondary Faith school appeal.

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mumtoone
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 9:47 am

Help! Secondary Faith school appeal.

Post by mumtoone »

My appeal is tommorrow :cry: Don't know if I should just read from what I have put on paper or just speak my mind.
I am going on my own but now wish I was going with somebody. Any ideas on what they will ask ?
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

Hi Mumofone,

I have no idea of what they will ask, but suspect some questions will be based on the information you supply for your appeal.

Speak from your heart but be guided by notes so that you don't forget anything.

The very best of luck to you, I shall *cross* my fingers for you.

Let us know how you get on.
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mumtoone
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 9:47 am

Post by mumtoone »

Thank you Snowdrops. I have taken the day off work to write down what I am going to say. I thought it would not take long but I just don't know how to put on paper what I want to say.
So maybe if I just say it and not write it down :oops: but what if I forget everything when I see their faces :shock:
hermanmunster
Posts: 12817
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Post by hermanmunster »

Hi mumtoone!!!

Is there anyone you can get to go with you? they don;t have to say anything but it might be nice to have some company. If it is a faith school is there anyone from your church that could help ??

making notes about what to say is tricky but will definitely help. Even if you do just want to say what you think it can help to have bullet points as this means you won't forget anything
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

Yes, bullet points would probably be best for you.

The panel are human beings and have been through it hundreds of times so they will know you may be nervous, just remember to breathe and approach each bullet point as you have it written down (that way you won't miss anything off).
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mumtoone
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 9:47 am

Post by mumtoone »

No, I am a single parent and I work full time. I thought I could deal with it but now I feel my childs future is in my hands,if I get this wrong what next. We did not get any of our choices and was given an all boys school which my son did not want and is not a faith school.
I could not prove two year commitment to church due to work but could prove a year but this was not good enough.
But we has got a reference from our church.
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

That sounds like a good case to me (but I'm not an expert I will add!!).

Is there anything more you can back it up with academically - such as the school's specialist subjects?
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mumtoone
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 9:47 am

Post by mumtoone »

He went for the specialist music place ( 5 spaces ) got to the second round but not placed.
Academically he is grade 5 but the school are not interested so I have been told in grades.
hermanmunster
Posts: 12817
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Post by hermanmunster »

How is the bullet point writing going????? :roll: Hope you have stopped for plenty of refreshment.

Even though they don;t seem impressed by the grade 5 (I am by the way) - you must mention it particularly if the school encourages music.

Good Luck

Herman
Alex
Posts: 1097
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Post by Alex »

Hello mumtoone,

Think of the appeal as the place where you get a chance to say everything which cannot be taken account of when school places are allocated according to the admissions criteria.

You can make a list of all the things which are important to you and your child so that you do not miss out anything when you get to the appeal.

You have mentioned faith - you can talk about why the faith school is important to you and why you were unable to meet the criteria for admission under this category, but emphasise your commitment and whatever involvement you and your child do have in your faith.

You have also mentioned music, so although your child did not get one of the places allocated for this specialism, there are still reasons why this school would be particularly suitable for them - grades may not be important in the selection process for those allocated places but they are certainly well mentioning at appeal along with anything else which shows the interest and commitment of your child such as membership of musical groups, school orchestras, choirs etc.
Other things which may be relevant could be:

Medical or social reasons why this school is the best for your child
Any special educational needs which make this the best school for them
The school's academic curriculum, specialism (music I assume?) ethos, religion (which you have mentioned) and extra-curricular activities
The fact that your child's friends may be going to the school, or conversely that there are documented instances of bullying from children going to your child's allocated school
The school is easier or nearer to get to than the allocated school
A sibling or family members attend or have attended the school

Try to tell the panel what your child will get at this school which they will not be able to get at the allocated school and what will be the effect on your child if they cannot get a place at this school e.g. they will not be able to study a particular subject, will not be able to pursue an outside interest, journey will be hard, no friends to go with etc

This is just to give you some ideas to get the ink flowing - some might be relevant for you, others not.

I am sure you will get some feedback if you want to run any ideas past the people looking at the forum.
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