Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

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jksolns
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:48 am

Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by jksolns »

We had an appeal recently but unfortunately was not successful. We would like some advice on what to emphasis on at our next appeal we have coming up next week as this is the last appeal and remaining hope we have to get our son into one of our preferred schools.

Background information has been sent to appeals box.

Thanks for your help
T12ACY
Posts: 800
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Kent

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by T12ACY »

You have had lots of 'views' but no responses, which is probably as everyone is leaving it to the mods as you have sent some background details to the appeals box....

Just wanted to say that last year I too was moving on to a second appeal having failed at the first. In the second I changed my paper submission to detail how suitable the school was for DS because they had different specialisms. But also there were transport issues with the second which weren't applicable to the first so this was covered. In retrospect the second was the more suitable and the first panel did me a favour even though it didn't feel like it at the time!

Good luck :D
Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
jksolns
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:48 am

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by jksolns »

Thank you T12ACY for your reply which was very encouraging.

I have just typed additional information which I will send off before the appeal which stresses points not really considered at the time I submitted the appeal letter.

Hopefully I will hear some good support from the moderators.
Alex
Posts: 1097
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by Alex »

Sadly there is no "magic formula" which will win an appeal. A very few people have overwhelmingly compelling reasons for needing a particular school. Most will have a number of reasons, some stronger than others, why they feel this is the best school for their child. The most important points to emphasise are the ones which "tie" your child in with what this particular school can offer, particularly if this will not be available anywhere else. The reasons can be social, academic, medical, to do with particular special needs or curricular needs or practical in terms of transport, journeys etc. There is plenty of guidance in the Appeals Questions and Answers and it is also worth having a look at feedback from others who have been through similar appeals.

Where a school allocates on score order and your child has missed the cut off then it is worthwhile including any evidence about mitigating circumstances which might indicate that your child could have scored higher, and any particularly strong evidence of academic ability especially if it is related to the school's specialism or recognised strengths.

In Part 1 of the appeal where the school's case for prejudice is being presented, your points should be phrased as questions e.g. "I notice that there are 3 children over the published admission number in Year 7 and 5 over in Year 9. Can you please explain how these extra children came to be in the school?"

or "You have said that the extra children in all of your year groups have come in as the result of appeals rather than by your choice. Have these extra numbers had any adverse effect on your results at GCSE?" or "You have mentioned health and safety concerns due to the extra numbers. Have there been any serious incidents due to the overcrowded corridors and staircases?"

You do have to be prepared for answers which may not really be to your advantage. The vast majority of appeals will come down to the balancing of the prejudice to the school in taking extra child(ren) and the particular child's need for that school so it is always good practice to concentrate on your child and the reasons why only THIS school can meet all his needs.
jksolns
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:48 am

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by jksolns »

Thank you Alex for this valuable information.

Where can I get information on numbers for each year group for grammar schools so I can quote where they have gone over their numbers.
Alex
Posts: 1097
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by Alex »

The numbers in each year group should generally be given as part of the written case for the School, which you should receive before the appeal.
Redsnapper
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:12 pm

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by Redsnapper »

That info will / should be in the schools documents sent to you prior to the appeal. If not you can request it from the school / council
Did you not have this info at your last appeal?
jksolns
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:48 am

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by jksolns »

Redsnapper wrote:That info will / should be in the schools documents sent to you prior to the appeal. If not you can request it from the school / council
Did you not have this info at your last appeal?
Thanks once again for quick responses.
My appeal is next week and I have still not received documents from the school. The borough said they have also chased for these papers.

Having gone through notes received from school of my last appeal , there is no mention of numbers, only the five categories they use for admissions and why they can not go over their year 7 PAN.
Alex
Posts: 1097
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by Alex »

The admission authority should have supplied the clerk to the appeal panel with the papers at least 10 school days before the hearing and the clerk then should send all papers from both sides to the appellants, the presenting officer and the panel members at least 7 working days before the hearing.
jksolns
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:48 am

Re: Unsuccessful appeal , one more to go

Post by jksolns »

Well , it seems they are running behind schedule as the appeal is on Monday.

Thanks
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