Just had our appeal

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New Appeal Parent

Just had our appeal

Post by New Appeal Parent »

We just had our appeal heard and thought that it was all going fine until we were asked whether we had appealed for any other schools to which we answered yes. However we added that the three schools of our choice all had the same specialist status, of which we were appealing for 1st and the 2nd choice. The appeal hearing was for the 1st choice. It felt that the panels' faces dropped as soon as we said we had appealed for more than one. Would this jeopardise our appeal? How is the decision made? Do the panels of the two appeals talk to each other? Our choice of school still remains 1st and 2nd choices as on the original application. The other question asked was did we accept the school offered? The ansered was yes again which we did as we were required by law! Any advice?

New Appeal Parent
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

This should NOT affect the appeal - if you don't get the result you want I would ask for the case papers. If this DID sway their decision I think the ombudsman would take a dim view.

PS You do not have to accept the school you are offered - we didn't as it was one we had not even listed!!
New appeal parent

Just had our appeal

Post by New appeal parent »

We are offered the school not on our list at all and the panel were aware of this, but the offer letter said that we had to accept even if we were going to appeal, otherwise we would be allocated some other schools far away from home! This school still have loads of places unallocated! How can we apply for appeal case notes?

New Appeal Parent
guest4

Post by guest4 »

yes i'd like to know how you see notes from appeal too. We were asked some very inappropriate and irrelevant questions by the panel. The school's paperwork says we have no right to see the clerks notes but gives details of the ombudsman. Is this the only way forward?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Have a look at:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... php?t=2567

The clerk's notes are discussed, starting with Alex's post on Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:07 pm,

Regards
Etienne
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Just to add to the above post - Try writing to whoever organised the appeals, requesting the clerk's notes "under the data protection act", and offering to pay the appropriate fee (usually £10).

If they refuse, ask for their reasons in writing.

Depending on the reasons given, it might be worth pursuing the matter with the Information Commissioner.

The Information Commissioner's website is here:
www.ico.gov.uk/Home/what_we_cover/data_protection.aspx

If you go straight to the ombudsman about the way the appeal was conducted, and he decides to investigate, you will probably get to see the clerk's notes anyway.

The advantage of seeing the notes first is that they may satisfy you that the panel acted properly, or they may even raise additional concerns.

For information about complaining to the ombudsman, see:
www.lgo.org.uk/pdf/howcompcouncil.pdf
Etienne
New Appeal Parent

We just had our appeal

Post by New Appeal Parent »

Thanks Etienne. We will wait for the outcome of our appeal hearing for both which is expected to be in two weeks. One was supposed to be finalised a week ago however the panel had not finished all the hearings due to unavoidable circumstances therefore the decision has been postponed for a further three weeks. However we found this out from other parents - we have not been notified formally. We had strict instructions not to phone!

One more question, which I have not yet received a reply from the forum which is "Do the panels of the two appeals talk to each other? Our choice of school still remains 1st and 2nd choices as on the original application".

New Appeal Parent
Appeal Mum
Posts: 2049
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: Wirral

Post by Appeal Mum »

Our choice of school still remains 1st and 2nd choices as on the original application

From an outsider looking in:

How can you possibly be doing anything wrong appealing for 2 schools that were higher up in your preference than your allocated school.

I'm sure nobody would hold that against you.

AM
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: We just had our appeal

Post by Etienne »

New Appeal Parent wrote: One more question, which I have not yet received a reply from the forum which is "Do the panels of the two appeals talk to each other?".
New Appeal Parent
I've never heard of two appeal panels talking to each other about an appellant - it would be quite wrong of them to do so. Each appeal ought to be considered on its own particular merits.

I can see no reason why a panel should take account of the fact that you are appealing for another school as well, and think it very likely that the ombudsman would rule this to be irrelevant.

Regards
Etienne
New Appeal Parent

Just had our appeal heard

Post by New Appeal Parent »

One of the parent told me who was the last appellant for the school appeal which is our 2nd choice and said that the LEA person made life so difficult in the meeting and her reply to all the questions asked were "I don't know" or "it is hard to say". After the meeting as both the parties left the room, she mentioned that there were about 6 places available and it is a matter of deciding who is going to have it!

New Appeal Parent
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