Over subscription Policy

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hopefulandstressed
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 pm

Over subscription Policy

Post by hopefulandstressed »

Please note that Background information is available in the Appeals Box

Please can you advise if the Admissions Authority for a school have to state the level of prejudice created by admitting additional students over subscription?

When actually is a school 'over subscribed'?

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

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by Alex »

Every school has a Published Admission Number for each year group. When that number of places have been filled or allocated, no more places can be given except in exceptional circumstances. Therefore if a school has more applications than it has places available according to its PAN then it is said to be oversubscribed.

At appeal, however, it is not sufficient for a school to say that it has filled all its places for that year group. It must also present evidence to show that accepting any more pupil(s) would "prejudice" the education of other children or not allow the efficient use of resources.

It is not unknown for schools to state that they feel they can cope with x number of additional pupils but that prejudice would occur if any further pupils to that number were to be admitted. It is for the appeal panel to decide, however, whether they consider any appellants' reasons for wanting the school place outweigh the possible prejudice to the school in admitting any further pupils.
hopefulandstressed
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 pm

Reasons to include in Appeal

Post by hopefulandstressed »

We have our appeal on Friday and would appreciate some advice on whether we should mention the following in our appeal ...

DD has high qualifying score, on 1 March were advised we were unsuccessful in gaining a place, due to over-subscription, but were 2nd on waiting list. On 1 April, were advised 1 place had become available after re-allocation so now 1st on waiting list. No movement for next 6 weeks or so, then recently 2 students have come along from other counties will higher qualifying scores so have gone ahead of us on waiting list. Have been infomed today that 2 places became available (one yesterday, one the week before), so both students that joined the list ahead of us have been given a place. We are now yet again first on waiting list, but with appeals starting in Friday VERY unlikely to gain a place now, and obviously once appeals start waiting list becomes irrelevant.

Should I bring these facts up in appeal? It feels like the past few months have been a completely torturous rollercoaster ride. Had DD have failed test, or not got such a high qualifying score the situation wouldn't be so awful, but as it is, it's feel hard to move on from.

Any advice would be appreciated. I really am struggling with the whole thing now. :cry:
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Reasons to include in Appeal

Post by Etienne »

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... school#c17" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
An appeal panel must not be told anything about where a child is on a Waiting List.
You need to take a deep breath, and read through the Q&As ....... :)
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
crazybutsmiling
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:54 pm

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by crazybutsmiling »

So is the rule that NOONE can tell panel where child is on list, or that just the authority can't tell them, I am confused. What would happen if h&p mentioned her place and torment?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by Etienne »

When hearing appeals, panels must not take account of where the admission authority has placed a child on the waiting list
So, even if they are told, they cannot consider it when taking their decision.
Etienne
hopefulandstressed
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:00 pm

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by hopefulandstressed »

Would it go against you if you were to mention it then?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by Etienne »

Not in itself - it's just that they cannot take any account of a child's position on the waiting list.

My main concern would be - if you start raising points that are not relevant to what the panel can consider, it risks diluting any valid arguments you wish to put forward.
Etienne
Alex
Posts: 1097
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by Alex »

The thing to remember is that the rollercoaster ride you have had since allocation day and where you are on the waiting list are not factors the panel can take account of, so why waste energy and time on them? You may even run the risk of detracting from your main arguments. Concentrate on the important issues which can make a difference – the reasons why your child should have a place at this school. It would be worth mentioning, however, that your child’s score is very close to the cut off score and so academic ability should not be an issue.


edited to add: I see Etienne has beaten me to it - :)
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Over subscription Policy

Post by Etienne »

Alex wrote:why waste energy and time on them? You may even run the risk of detracting from your main arguments. Concentrate on the important issues which can make a difference – the reasons why your child should have a place at this school. It would be worth mentioning, however, that your child’s score is very close to the cut off score and so academic ability should not be an issue.
Alex sums up the situation very well! :)
Etienne
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