School Appeals -What to expect

Vikingfan

Just wondering if anyone can help.We have recently appealed for a change of school for our 5 year old son ( I won't go into details),but what can we expect at the appeal and what questions are we likely to be asked,if there is anyone who can help who may have been through this process.

sarymclary

Hi, I can't answer your question, but I'm sure someone else wiser will come along soon. I just thought I'd 'bump' your question before it disappears several pages down the threads!

As an aside, I moved my 2 youngest children to a different school within our town because I was unhappy with the standard of teaching (and the general attitude at the school). They were in Reception & Y2 at the time. I got them places at the school of my choice by approaching the headmaster at the other school in writing. I was invited in for a meeting, where I expressed my worries, and asked to have my sons considered for any places that became available. I was given a mini tour of the school, and it was arranged for my boys to have a visit to see what they thought too (I told their other school they'd got a dental appt). I was lucky to be given places for both my boys, and it was the best decision I made. It is a much happier school, with a far better attitude to the children, their wellbeing and how they are taught.

Good luck!

poppet

We appealed against our child being refused a place at our school of choice due to the school being over subscribed.
I presume you are going to appeal becasue you have been turned down by your school of choice?

The appeal process begins with form filling and ends with a face to face meeting with the appeals board. In our case this took place at the county council offices and consisted of us sitting in a meeting room across the table from a panel of 4 officials, we were asked some questions and given opportunity to give our "case" verbally, then we were asked to wait outside while they made their decision.

galvanizersbaby

I had to lodge an appeal with our catchment school as they refused my son a place in reception due to all the places being filled by children out of catchment but who attended the church they are affliated with.

It was just a formality really I knew they wouldn't offer a place as they were full but I was advised at the time by the education authority to launch the appeal anyway.

From what I remember there was the headteacher and 3 independent bods and myself at the appeal and I put my case forward - i.e. we were in catchment and I would have to send my son to the next available school (45 mins walk as I didn't drive then and am single parent)
The headteacher put her case forward - i.e. they were full basically and the 3 independent bods mainly asked the headteacher questions.

I was told in wriiting the following week that my appeal had been unsuccessful due to the fact that government legistation states there can only be 30 pupils in reception class.

I hope you have more luck!

Vikingfan

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

I had to lodge an appeal with our catchment school as they refused my son a place in reception due to all the places being filled by children out of catchment but who attended the church they are affliated with.

It was just a formality really I knew they wouldn't offer a place as they were full but I was advised at the time by the education authority to launch the appeal anyway.

From what I remember there was the headteacher and 3 independent bods and myself at the appeal and I put my case forward - i.e. we were in catchment and I would have to send my son to the next available school (45 mins walk as I didn't drive then and am single parent)
The headteacher put her case forward - i.e. they were full basically and the 3 independent bods mainly asked the headteacher questions.

I was told in wriiting the following week that my appeal had been unsuccessful due to the fact that government legistation states there can only be 30 pupils in reception class.

I hope you have more luck!

Thanks for the replies

I think it's going to be a formality in our case also.
We were told to appeal ,but the evidence that we have recieved already suggests that the school has filled the criteria of 30 pupils for that year,we don't have to attend but have already replied to tell them we would be attending.

galvanizersbaby

Vikingfan wrote: »

Thanks for the replies

I think it's going to be a formality in our case also.
We were told to appeal ,but the evidence that we have recieved already suggests that the school has filled the criteria of 30 pupils for that year,we don't have to attend but have already replied to tell them we would be attending.

Good luck anyway - guess all you can do is go along and state your case.
Having said that I did find out after the appeal that because I had appealed to the school once I would not be able to appeal again which wasn't a problem as it turned out but I did at first have DS on the waiting list and if I had been desparate for him to go to that particular school I might have wasted my one and only appeal for that particular school if that makes any sense?! - as I appealed knowing I wouldn't win
Just thought I'd mention that just incase