School appeals - help offered

MrsTandCo

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I honestly can't remember whether my visits were with or without DCen, but I'd have taken a dim view of any school which said no to a request to visit WITH them. I do remember that half-term was different here to what it was there, so we had a pre-move holiday here for a week and I definitely made visits then.

I am not sure how much weight (if any) would be given to a child's (alleged) quotes. I'm not saying you're making it up, but how do they know you're not making it up?

I'll enquire tomorrow about the possibility of us visiting with him. You're right about the quotes in that they won't hold any weight, but if I include them verbatim, they'll know I've not scripted them and they're only snippets to give them a feel for his character. I don't have many quotes to go on though, as trying to even get him to talk about his schooling was like trying to get blood out of a stone.

LIllylid

Hi
I am appealing for my son ... he's been refused due to oversubscription. Not sure I stand much change on these grounds, but got to try and he's very anxious getting a bus to his offered school due to an incident which happened last November and it's filling him with such fear. I just want to check, when I send off my appeal, do I enclose all documents / reasons in that appeal or wait until I have the "appeal meeting" to disclose these?
Sorry new to this and no clue.
Thanks
Lillylid.

silvercar

LIllylid wrote: »

Hi
I am appealing for my son ... he's been refused due to oversubscription. Not sure I stand much change on these grounds, but got to try and he's very anxious getting a bus to his offered school due to an incident which happened last November and it's filling him with such fear. I just want to check, when I send off my appeal, do I enclose all documents / reasons in that appeal or wait until I have the "appeal meeting" to disclose these?
Sorry new to this and no clue.
Thanks
Lillylid.

I would disclose as early as possible, it may result in an earlier place.

Your reasons for appeal would be primarily why the rules haven't been followed (if this is possible).

Remember that there is a chance more places will be offered if places are turned down from initial offers.

Savvy_Sue

LIllylid wrote: »

I am appealing for my son ... he's been refused due to oversubscription. Not sure I stand much change on these grounds, but got to try and he's very anxious getting a bus to his offered school due to an incident which happened last November and it's filling him with such fear. I just want to check, when I send off my appeal, do I enclose all documents / reasons in that appeal or wait until I have the "appeal meeting" to disclose these?

the first thing you do is ask for your child to be placed on the waiting list! And you ask where on that list your son's name is - it's not an exact science because another child may be given a higher priority than yours, but if, for example, you are 30th, then you've got to consider the alternatives.

silvercar wrote: »

Remember that there is a chance more places will be offered if places are turned down from initial offers.

and that's why you want to be on the waiting list! It's separate to the appeal process.

LIllylid

I've also found out that over the past five years they have accepted approx 35 children over appeal, yet exam results have not suffered ... in fact 5% rise in results on the year they accepted the most children in appeal ... do you think this is good to use? Thanks

kair2754

My youngest son has not been allocated a place at the primary school where his brother currently attends (year 2) and where he currently attends in the afternoon session.
We are out of catchment and out of 7 Children with Siblings out of catchment, only 2 were allocated a place. We are currently in position 2 on the waiting list, with a friend of my sons in 1st place, as they live nearer the school.
I completely understand why we are in this position as more children in catchment applied this year, but I feel that there are a number of reasons why it would impact my son and family life if my youngest son were to go to a different school, even if temporarily while we see if anyone refuses a place.
It has been suggested that we Appeal on the main point that my Son currently has a SEND support plan in place in nursery and he has been struggling emotionally( which has impacted his bahaviour) with the transitions between his wrap around care and AM session at a private nursery on the school site and going to the school nursery in the afternoons. We feel, as do staff, that to remove him from surroundings, staff and children that are familiar to him would be detrimental to his well being. There are other factors that we will also include and hope to gain letters from both of our employers and the nursery who currently provides my sons wrap around care and morning session (on the school site).

I would be grateful for any advice you can give. Many Thanks!

kingfisherblue

Kair2754, in my area, children with SEND are always given priority. The only higher priority is children who are in care (LAC).

What is the priority criteria for the school? It should have the information either on the website or in the application booklet.

Savvy_Sue

kair2754 wrote: »

My youngest son has not been allocated a place at the primary school where his brother currently attends (year 2) and where he currently attends in the afternoon session.
We are out of catchment and out of 7 Children with Siblings out of catchment, only 2 were allocated a place. We are currently in position 2 on the waiting list, with a friend of my sons in 1st place, as they live nearer the school.
I completely understand why we are in this position as more children in catchment applied this year, but I feel that there are a number of reasons why it would impact my son and family life if my youngest son were to go to a different school, even if temporarily while we see if anyone refuses a place.
It has been suggested that we Appeal on the main point that my Son currently has a SEND support plan in place in nursery and he has been struggling emotionally( which has impacted his bahaviour) with the transitions between his wrap around care and AM session at a private nursery on the school site and going to the school nursery in the afternoons. We feel, as do staff, that to remove him from surroundings, staff and children that are familiar to him would be detrimental to his well being. There are other factors that we will also include and hope to gain letters from both of our employers and the nursery who currently provides my sons wrap around care and morning session (on the school site).

I would be grateful for any advice you can give. Many Thanks!

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Kair2754, in my area, children with SEND are always given priority. The only higher priority is children who are in care (LAC).

What is the priority criteria for the school? It should have the information either on the website or in the application booklet.

And did you flag his SEN on the application? They can only go on the information in front of them, not what you haven't told them.

If you DID tell them and their stated priorities have not been applied, then that's a much easier appeal.

silvercar

kair2754 wrote: »

My youngest son has not been allocated a place at the primary school where his brother currently attends (year 2) and where he currently attends in the afternoon session.
We are out of catchment and out of 7 Children with Siblings out of catchment, only 2 were allocated a place. We are currently in position 2 on the waiting list, with a friend of my sons in 1st place, as they live nearer the school.
I completely understand why we are in this position as more children in catchment applied this year, but I feel that there are a number of reasons why it would impact my son and family life if my youngest son were to go to a different school, even if temporarily while we see if anyone refuses a place.
It has been suggested that we Appeal on the main point that my Son currently has a SEND support plan in place in nursery and he has been struggling emotionally( which has impacted his bahaviour) with the transitions between his wrap around care and AM session at a private nursery on the school site and going to the school nursery in the afternoons. We feel, as do staff, that to remove him from surroundings, staff and children that are familiar to him would be detrimental to his well being. There are other factors that we will also include and hope to gain letters from both of our employers and the nursery who currently provides my sons wrap around care and morning session (on the school site).

I would be grateful for any advice you can give. Many Thanks!

Round here for primary schools, siblings are higher up the list than catchment because of the difficulty for families getting kids to different schools at the same time!

kair2754

Siblings in catchment as 2nd on the list, Siblings out of catchment 4th. We are not catchment and more children this year than ever in catchment