Rhys wrote:
We did also apply to a catchment area school as a back up for the grammars, the catchment area school is the one where all his class friends are going to so we are also now appealing that school as well.
Having spoke with the grammar school today the admissions officer told me I have no grounds for appeal on oversubscription as I submitted the application late and our child sat the exam late, is this correct?
Our primary school is supporting the application and the head teacher is drafting a letter for our appeal.
If the above is correct re over subscription what other criteria should we appeal on?
I'm not sure I really understand - the school cannot argue that your DS is not qualified for consideration for a place, if there is a pass mark and he did better than this. So the school's argument is that when your application was considered, they were already full with those who applied and were qualified on time. In other words, oversubscription? What you need to demonstrate to the IAP that your DS's need for a place at the school outweighs the prejudice to the school of having to admit an extra pupil into year 7, over PAN, i.e. the number of pupils for whom resources have been planned and put put into place (etc). Unfortunately, with this being a main round appeal, even if (in balancing the school's case and your DS's, individually) the panel agrees that your DS has a good case, quite a few other people may also be appealing, whose DC may also, individually, have a very good case and then the panel would have to make a decision as to whose needs were greatest.
If you have applied for a place at a school and been turned down, you have the right of appeal. It's up to you what reasons you put forward as to why your DS should have a place.
Unfortunately, not knowing anyone else going to the allocated school is not a reason for your DS needing a place at the grammar school - lots of new entrants at any grammar school will be the only one from their primary school, for a start. And the allocated school has a poor Ofsted? 'Good' or even 'Outstanding' doesn't necessarily mean that a school is the best fit for a given pupil, nor that a 'poor Ofsted'school may not be a good one for reasons unrelated to the Ofsted rating. Apart from that, you are appealing
for a place at the grammar, not
against the allocation of the place you have currently.