School appeals - help offered

IyaBeji

This is helpful, thanks both.
@pinkshoes They were both NOT offered places and are on the waiting list.  I am preparing to appeal and because one of them has medical, am trying to appeal the decision not to rank that twin under the appeal criterion which is higher than the distance criterion.  I had assumed that if we're successful in our appeal, the other twin automatically gets a place, as is the case for normal admission round (as in your example).  I've just been advised by Admissions that we'll have to make separate a appeal for each twin.  I will go down the route of arguing that if a place was offered on medical grounds initially, other twin would have likely been offered a place etc.
I'll keep monitoring the waiting list, thank you.

@TripleH This is a small school (150 intake) so I'm guessing they would be strict about how may extra they can actually admit.  The point that "appeals are used to look at individual cases" is very helpful and I should concentrate of making a strong case to counter the school's case.

happyandcontented

There is a danger that by stressing too much the 'medical need' the appeal will run the risk of failing. The school will/could argue that that need will take up too much time for an already at 'full capacity' class teacher, and so disadvantage the other class members.

As a school governor, I have seen an appeal fail for that reason. It is a fine line and a balancing act to state the need, but not give the impression that it would place an onerous burden on the school/class teachers to meet that need.

TripleH

Agree, the panel would most likely question the school to see if it had special facilities to deal with said condition. Your arguement could well get weakened if the LEA demonstrate the school you were given was far better equipped for your daughter's needs.

IyaBeji

@happyandcontented @TripleH Thanks both - very good point.  We've also been trying to balance this e.g:
- child is very eloquent and pleasant, and appears like other children, so challenges aren’t immediately apparent
- tries best with academics, extracurricular (musical instrument, singing/music festivals, a bit sports) so does not require 1-2-1 (which I hope, addresses point you made about capacity)
- not on medication and does not require frequent visits to hospital just requires annual hospital reviews usually booked months in advance, unless emergency.
- School size works well for us to avoid getting overwhelmed and "lost".  SENCo has explained this.  Letters from Consultants have covered this too.
I'll read through our statement properly to be sure to get the balance you mentioned.
THANK YOU

Savvy_Sue

IyaBeji said:

- School size works well for us to avoid getting overwhelmed and "lost".  SENCo has explained this.  Letters from Consultants have covered this too.

One weakness I see with this argument is that ALL year 7 children are in a new and comparatively huge new environment, and all schools take steps to settle them in, encourage new friendships, have buddy systems etc. Just think how you word this. Good that you have medical evidence. 

desperatemumm1

Hi I was wondering if I can get some advice.

Background
First of all I stay in Scotland. My son is due to start high school. We had put in a placing request for our local school.  It has been refused. Our current catchment school is in a different town over 4 miles away but they provide buses. My son attends a primary school which when we moved out of the catchment area we asked for a request to remain and this was allowed. He has been with his primary school for the full 7 years.  All his friends and established support are going to this school. We have no family around.
Now the catchment school gets a bad name and has a higher amount of pupils. This isn't the reason I dont want him to go (although I wont deny that it gives me slight hesitation)
I have a daughter who goes to the local primary and when she is older I would be more than happy for her to attend the catchment high school because she will be going with her classmates and have support with them.

The reasons I want my son to go to the high school and had put in a placing request is that all his friends are going there. That's his established support and yes I know he will make new friends but my boy is a sensitive soul and a "easy target" should he have any worries or anxieties at least he wont feel alienated and have that already established support.
The catchment school currently has 1800 pupils with our local school having 1400 pupils 

The local school have gave places to students that stay in other towns which are further away. 

My boy refuses to go out in the local area he only goes out in my back garden with a locked gate because when we first moved into the area a couple of boys were asking if he were a girl as well as some other derogatory things because he appeared timid with his hood up. One of the boys then unprovoked punched my child as he was trying to return home. I witnessed this and ran out but the hooligans were laughing and even trying to call me names. Why this is relevant is if my child gets the school transport provided to our catchment school these boys will be on the bus providing opportunity.

Now before this lovely virus decided to basically turn our world upside down my son would go to his classmates after and before school and his would feed him dinner  before I picked him up. I'm a nurse so I do 12 hour shifts. Theres no childcare facility open at half 6 and finishes at half 7. Although my child will be in high school I am not comfortable leaving my 11 year old to get up in the morning and get himself dressed and to school and then come home and make his dinner.

My son also has anxiety that has never been diagnosed because I have been able to help him at home with his panic attacks. This starter at puberty where he gets chest pains feels like hes having a heart attack and needs help to control his breathing. He has never stayed out because of this and I was so proud of him when he went on a residential break with his school. I did let his teacher know my concerns  and inform her at the time and he only had one panic attack on the second night in his bunk bed but his friend helped him with his breathing.
My other reason for me wanting to attend the local school other than that where his support is and i feel like it would have a detrimental affect on his anxiety is that the school is closer and he could wall to school. He would not need to get any transport he could walk home with his classmate to their house
I have written all this in appealing and have been asked if I want to attend by virtual video,telephone or written to the appeal. The letter regarding the appeal all looks very official and daunting .

Do I even stand a chance for my son? Is there anything that could support me? I have got a letter from the local MP and Msp to ask that my childs situation be taken into consideration.
Am I better to "attend" the panel or just have my written declaration sent in?
The fact that we are in a pandemic and the risk of infection with transportation could that come into play? They have to spread out  the transportation because of social distancing and if my child goes to the local school that is one less child on school transport or would this not matter as it is a temporary measurement 

sheramber

What reason did the school give for refusing the place?
Did you advise the council of why you wanted the placement?

desperatemumm1

Hi they have said overcapacity.
I have given my reasons in the appeal as they dont ask before when doing a placing request 

sheramber

https://www.gov.scot/publications/choosing-school-guide-parents-nov-16/pages/4/.     

kconnell82

Hi I know this is an old thread but praying that you reply. 

My daughter attends a catholic school. We applied for secondary school places and was offered a school 18 miles from home. Meaning my daughter would have to leave the house at 6.15 am to then endure 2.5 hours on 3 different buses and a 20 min walk to school. 

We have appealed to the school where all of the children in her class was offered a place. 

They declined the appeal. 

My daughter is in remission from a brain tumour and her main symptoms are seizures. 

This information was attached to the appeal and yet they have still declined it! What do you advise?