School Appeals - what questions were you asked? What did you ask?

blue_monkey_2

Hi, I have an appeal coming up and wondered what questions you asked (the panel/govenors rep) and also what questions were you asked.

Thanks.

blue_monkey_2

Just bumping this up again to find out of anyone has been through an appeal at all. Thanks.

mspig

We went through our eldest sons appeal on the 4th and got a place at the school, one of 13 who got a place through the appeal process, there were 77 in total.
We wanted to know why the net capacity for the school and how many will be on the books in september was different by 34 places.
Our son was predicted all 5s in his SATs results and we stated that he would be an asset to the school, and that the school we wanted him to go to had great grades while our local school only had a 14% A-C gcse grade, which we said that the school would bring him dow if he had to there.

We kind of bigged up the school, but we weren't actually offered another school as we got turned down for all three schools we put down so we didn't have to show the difference between the two schools.

Sorry not much help as the panel we had were great and did all the asking to the education authority.

We were asked if my son was artistic, if he did any school plays, if he played a musical instrument. We also got a letter from his head teacher which was really lovely.

Look to why you want your son/daughter at that school, if you need any help could you post on here your reasons why, and maybe some people could put their points accross what they did in that situation.

pinkfizz77

we had our appeal yesterday and were told the same time we had won!!!
make sure you tell them all the reasons your preferred school is better for your child (pastoral care, friends there, classes offered, clubs, distance, school policies)
my arguments were basically that it was best for my dd (for reasons put above), it was easier for me to get to (for emergencies, meetings, events etc). don't slag off other schools and don't base it on academic results (mention by all means but they cannot take this into account too much or every child would go to best schools!!!). if school speciailises in subject your kid enjoys, big it up!
do your research!!!!!!! check out ofsted reports, school websites, papers everything you can find to back up your case. I would recommend having look round the school to get a feel for it and ask questions (I didn't get chance to but they understood why I hadn't)
we asked about distances to school, class sizes, net capacity of school
we were asked about family circs (because of my argument re getting to school based on being sp and having two toddlers), asked about dd (her personality, which classes she liked etc),
they really do make it as pain free as possible, I was terrified but it was ok, don't worry about crying lord knows I did, it is emotional discussing your childs future so don't fret on it. best advice I was given was not to be rushed into answering questions, take a deep breath and read your notes. Don't be afraid to ask questions, I had to ask for some of the wording on their argument to be explained (cos it was double dutch to me), better to ask for it to be defined than base an argument on the wrong definition!!!!!
my best advice is to list all the reasons this school is best for your child and speak from the heart, they don't like lots of facts and figures, best to be honest as you can imho
I honestly didn't believe we were going to win, and were told in no uncertain terms we had no chance, but we did!! you've nothing to lose and everything to gain

blue_monkey_2

Thanks mspig, yes that is useful really. I can't see what questions they can ask us as we moved to a HA house 4 days before being evicted, so there was no time to ask. it is a small school, they say class sizes are 20 and they cannot accomodate more than this yet they have 21 going into reception (my son would make it 22) and 23 in year 3. So the way I see it, they CAN accomodate 22 children as they already have/are. I've checked out all the other smaller schools and they are all full, the one I found for my son made it clear they did not really want him there (another story for another time!!) and forced my hand to take the kids names off the list. DD will be at the local school in year 1 and DS is oing to be at another schoool 25 minutes DRIVE from that one to star at the same time!! we was unable to apply at the usual time you see.

My question is to why they have oversubscribed the reception class by one pupil in catagory 8 (8 being 'others' outside the village, church, social/medical need, etc..).

The school is perfect for my son, 200 yards from our house, small classes as he has social, communication and behaviour problems. Another child in the class will have the same thing - they are not allowed to discriminate against his disability but this child will be having a teaching assistant who will also be there to help my son if he needs it (his IEP says he will).

Any thoughts that you can think of?

My children currently attend a C of E school that has close links with the church. My husband is not religious at all but I was bought up going to church (but do not go now) I would like that my children have close links to the church, they are both christened and both children like being part of the church where they are now but I am not sure how to word this as they have the same school/church relationship at the new one I am trying to get DS into.

Any help? I've been changing my sttement for hours, LOL!! It is on Thursday morning. I only got a weks notice!!

blue_monkey_2

Hi pinkfizz, congratualtiosn. We got told it was like an interogation so kind of worrying!! I think what will be will be. I think more that DD has a place at the school yet DS is going to be going to a school 15 miles away will make a difference. I found this on the admissions criteria, fingers crossed:

2.18 Families must be at the heart of the admissions system and the Government
expects the admission authorities for primary schools to take the needs of
parents with young children into account in deciding which oversubscription
criteria will be used. At primary schools it is good practice to give priority to
siblings. Admission authorities should ensure in their oversubscription criteria
that, as far as possible, siblings (including twins, triplets or children from other
multiple births) can attend the same primary school, as long as they comply
with the infant class size regulations.

mspig

Not being nosey but you state they can't discriminate against his disability. What is his disability and does the school know about it? Just that on our letter regarding over subscription criteria, it has categories wrote as:
1) "looked after" by the authorities
2) children with statement of education
3) children who live in the catchment area who have a sibling at the same school and address.
4) children who live in catchment area.
5) children who live outside the catchment area and have a sibling at the same school and same address.
6) All other children depending on their distance in a straight line to the school.

Just wondered if he had a disability which would require a statement of education or one pending.

Kimitatsu

When we had our appeal (back in April but we were told within the week) we had to sit in front of a panel of three independant people who were not connected to the school.

The school had sent us their statement as to why they could accept no more children so that did not need to be read out again.

The panel then asked us to explain why we thought out child was an exceptional case, so we explained that his transport was an issue (he would have to travel 45 minutes each way to his nominated school as opposed to 20 minutes to this school) and there is no road, he would have to cross a major A road to get to the bus stop, and walk along the grass verge to do so.

We explained that all of his friends were going to this school (out of 12 there were only 2 that were turned down for this school as we were both out of catchment) and that socially that would set him back.

And then we linked it into every child matters on the basis that he could return to the child minder in the event that there was no-one else home (we live in a very rural area with very few neighbours)

We also gave them letters from the head of his current school, instructors from the clubs he attends etc.

It was one of the most nerve racking things I have to say I have ever done, but I saw the head of the school the next day and his advice was that we did the right thing and told them everything we thought was relevant. It is the only chance you get to tell them, so talk about the stability that he needs given his condition, that it is close to the school (and you can be on hand if needed), that his home life has been disrupted recently and that he needs to be settled rather than having to move in a year or two, and that financially it is damamging the family unit (they have to take those things into account too!).

Good luck with it, the panel are usually really nice people, who want to see the best done for each child.

silvercar

I would emphasise the sibling factor and the cost to the LEA of providing approriate transport to the other school if you weren't given a place. HAving 22 in a class designed for 20 may breach the school intake numbers, but infant schools are allowed upto 30 children by law.

In fact you could get the transport people on your side before the appeal. Phone them up and enquire about the provision they would have to provide if you didn't get a place. Make it clear that you want a place at the school so that you don't need transport, but that you want to warn them of what they may have to provide, as per their published policy. Tell them the date of your appeal and chances are they will make a call before the appeal, suggesting the school finds room.:)

blue_monkey_2

Thanks everyone, sorry I did not get back earlier, another day out of the ouse - it is so draining but I am counting the days until the end of term - for more reasons than one though!!

That advice is great, SC, I saw your message too late, I have tried to call transport and ask about funding but no-one called me back. The Health Visitor told me I would be lucky to get a return call as well!! Kimi, thank you, I might nick some of that if it is OK and add it onto what I have said already.

MsPig, we are not sure. At the moment he has been given the help ad-hoc when he needs it but he is in Nursery so there is a huge difference of going in to play for a few hours and going in to work for a day. I am not sure as his current school said to see how it went as he got older, but how this school will deal with it is another matter I guess. He cannot sit and do anything for more than 30 seconds and he is vry steadfast in what he wants to do. i went into the school today for open day and all over the book it said 'Ryan was asked to draw a flower, he drew a hamster cage instead' and he was asked to draw an animal but he wanted to draw a car', while things like this do not matter now they will later on as he gets older so I guess it is just a case of waiting to see how he settles.

While I can enquire about the funding - all the other schools are full so I am sure he can get it - I really would not want him to go into school by taxi or bus, he is way too young for that and I still would prefer to take him at my expense if need be.

blue_monkey_2

Ooh, I just wanted to add our criteria:
1) Looked after children
2) Children who reside at any address in the civil parish, priority is given to those that have a sibing at the school at time of admission
3) Outside the parish but who have siblings at the school
4) Children whose parents are practising members of xx church
5) Children whose parents are practising members of any other anglican church
6) Children whose parents attend Churches Together
7) Social Medical or educational ground
8) Any other children

HTH.