Appeal or not to appeal for WHS First Preference?

[tinabf]

Hello! Here we go again!...Have been reading through general guide etc re appeals and have a couple of Q's please.

1. We have been offered our DD second pref Bec High. We are catchment and slightly nearer than WHS.
2. Based on prev 5 yrs we would have got in to WHS, but this year they have allocated to 6.805 to rule b and some c. But we are OOC and are 6.94 miles out
3. Of course we are lucky to get BHS and are grateful BUT there are key reasons why we wanted WHS:
a) Logistical: no bus place available to BH til 2012( full) and so I will have to drive there and back every day -5.84miles each way c 24 miles per day, whereas DD has place on bus to WH already and it will pick her up at corner of road we live on. My life with my ongoing health issues would be much easier etc
b) Social: She has been member of Wycombe Swan Youth Theatre for past 3 years and has cohort of friends etc in area that she meets on regular basis who were ready to 'welcome' her to school. In both visits to school she felt 'part' of school already. I would also have great support network for lifts etc whereas I have nobody at BHS. As mum whose husband travels and with other DD at Reading school, this is key.
c) Extra -curricular: She is a keen singer and WHS has 4 choirs. She is very into dance, singing, theatre which are well supported at WHS. Also she is keen club swimmer (but not county standard) and swims 2-3hrs per week. if she is at WHS she can continue to do this, but would be much harder at BH due to time/travel etc. She can go straight after school across the road to pool. Thsi has health implication as she had high BMI and was technically classed as obese last year and she has body issues. One sport she loves is swimming. She is 11 year old who cannot find clothes except adult etc.

Q: Do I have a case? What do you think Sally Anne and Etienne?

[hermanmunster]

I expect S-A and Etienne will be along in a while, they are just a bit snowed under at present .

You can appeal to a school, I presume this is for over subscription rather than non qualification. In this case you have to give evidence as to why that school is the one for her, it is most important that it is things that the school offers eg specialisms which may match her interests etc rather than convenience of travel / sports activities (unfortunately ). Have you had a read of etienne's Q&A?

[Etienne]

Do I have a case?

Yes - but there is no way of knowing whether it will be strong enough. (There are all sorts of variables, including probably the strength of other appellants' cases.)

What you need to do now is gather together as much evidence as possible to back up all your points.

[Booklady]

I would go for it! Why not? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! At least thats the way I am looking at it! Of course I am a little biased - as we will be appealing for BHS - so if you win your appeal theres one more place ...........

Good luck whatever you decide!

[tinabf]

Question: Is there any information available about ethnic mix of schools? And is this acceptable as a reason why one might choose a school. My DD has had issues re her ethnicity in a predom white middle class area. Sorry but it is true...That is another - albeit sensitive- reason why we thought WHS was a better option for our DD versus BHS. Any advice as to if this has any weight etc and how I might prove this or not. Or is it an unmentionable subject? I have to ask the question as it has been an issue for my kids. My other DD is at Kendrick which is a melting pot of nationalities and she has had a much happier situation since she went to a school where she saw there were loads of other 'different' kids etc....

[Etienne]

And is this acceptable as a reason why one might choose a school.

Yes, I heard this argument occasionally at appeals.

My DD has had issues re her ethnicity in a predom white middle class area.

It would help if you have evidence to support this - the more, the better!

Is there any information available about ethnic mix of schools?

You could try requesting this information "under the Freedom of Information Act". If it's a BCC controlled school, write to the Freedom of Information Officer, Bucks County Council. If it's a foundation school, write to the Chair of Governors.

[tinabf]

Thank you Etienne and Herman. I shall be following your advice.

And to the lady who wants the BHS place: the very best of luck to you too. I hope I win my appeal so you can win yours! It is so hard for these poor kids who feel their life depends upon these decisions...I am glad that my DD has come back from the depths of despair to feeling more positive about BH (whilst still hoping for a miracle and that she gets to WHS...bless). Heigh ho. Onwards and upwards now...

[Booklady]

Yes good luck to us both!! My DD is also now quite happy about BGS that she has been allocated - she will know lots of people already, and can walk there from home - but she still wants us to at least try for BHS still

Best of luck to all!

[tinabf]

It must be an indication of my insecurity but I am feeling a bit concerned about just how many people might be using legal assistance for over-allocation appeals.

Firstly: am I right in understanding that in Bucks. After first allocation on 1 March, any people on waiting list will be offered places in next allocation in order of admissions criteria

BUT: after this. If we have to appeal based on over-subscription, we will be in same boat as somebody that lives further way than us. Yes?

If we are up against x people and they say for WHS it could be a lot, we all will be arguing for our kids and it all sounds like a bun fight. I have heard that at this stage it might help to have legal help, but it is way out of our league.

Is there a) any indication of how successful solicitors etc are vs us ordinary folk? Are there legal tricks which make a difference?
Also: is the waiting list which will come out late April the same no of people that can go to appeal, or is that different?

Sorry, was talking to a friend today and we both had diff interpretations and now I am just confused!

[Etienne]

It must be an indication of my insecurity but I am feeling a bit concerned about just how many people might be using legal assistance for over-allocation appeals.

In my experience it was quite rare - and as far as I know, still is.

Firstly: am I right in understanding that in Bucks. After first allocation on 1 March, any people on waiting list will be offered places in next allocation in order of admissions criteria

Yes.

BUT: after this. If we have to appeal based on over-subscription, we will be in same boat as somebody that lives further way than us. Yes?

Places could still be offered from the waiting list, but you are right that appeals are not automatically determined by the admission criteria, because panels are free to consider any arguments put forward.

....... I have heard that at this stage it might help to have legal help.

This probably belongs in the Myths & Legends section!

Is there a) any indication of how successful solicitors etc are vs us ordinary folk?

In my experience their outcomes were no better (possibly worse).

Are there legal tricks which make a difference?

No.

Also: is the waiting list which will come out late April the same no of people that can go to appeal, or is that different?

No, the two things are entirely separate. For example, some people might choose just to go on the waiting list, and not to appeal.

See the Q&As:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;