School appeals - help offered

Christmasshopper

Ben Rooney's book says remember you are appealing for the school of your choice, not against your allocated school.

Karrie

Christmasshopper wrote: »

Today, on the way to the appeal, I was thinking of that episode of the Simpsons where Homer gave up his job at the nuclear power station then had to ask for his job back when Marge told him she was pregnant. Mr Burns put a sign up over Homer's workstation saying Remember You Are Here Forever. Homer covered it with pictures of his beautiful daughter and altered it to Do It For Her.:happyhear
I'm not sure if I was being sentimental or if I'm just losing my marbles.:D

Nope you're not losing it. Childhood affects the people we become and that is important. You are doing all the right things for your child.

Hopefully, you should hear some positive news by tomorrow. Let me know the outcome won't you? As said, fingers are crossed. Oh and sod the housework, just chill.

Christmasshopper

Still no news. I'm trying not to think about it too much.
I was going to read the bit in Ben Rooney's book about what to do if the appeal fails, but I can't find the book. Goodness knows where I've put it. I have spent hours searching for it.

bj-sailaway

I haven't read the whole thread, but I prepared an appeal for a mum at our catholic high school.

Use Ben Rooney's book, google him, you'll find his telephone number on his website, he's really helpful.

Write your appeal clearly, address each point of the admission criteria in turn, follow the admission criteria in order by heading as the basis of your appeal document. Don't just waffle, THEY CAN ONLY UPHOLD YOUR APPEAL BY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA RULES.

PROVE THAT IT IS MORE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHILD TO NOT GET IN, THAN IT IS TO THE SCHOOL TO GO OVER THEIR ADMISSIONS NUMBER BY 1.

Get references, doctors, friends, current teachers, club group leaders testimonies to personalities and interactions with other kids - anything, I mean anything! If it's a church school, go to the bishop.

Don't go in fighting, go in saying your there to put right an error of the system, which you understand cannot be taylored to get it right every time - but in this instance it is imperative that the child is allocated xyz school because .........

Don't take distance as read, measure it yourself. Check the schools published admission number is the same as the councils admission number for the school, I can't remember the term, but it's in Ben's book. Our school admits 8 less kids a year than the coucnil say they have room for!

GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

Soph

Soph wrote: »

Also, there is a 'small but significant proportion' of disruptive and antisocial behavior at this school which we feel may have a detrimental affect on our step son - he can be very impressionable, easily led at times, and we feel that strong guidance would be beneficial, which shows as lacking at the allocated school.

Thanks for your comments bj-sailaway. About the proving that it is would be more detrimental for our step-son not to get into our preferred school, what do you think of the above as a reason - is this something that would be considered part of a good argument, or do you think it is too negative and may possibly draw attention to a weakness that the school may use as a reason not to admit him? It's not something that is a problem at present at all, it's just something that we feel could potentially be a problem if he ends up going to the school we have been given.

Also, when you say 'address each point of the admissions criteria in turn' what do you mean by that? As far as I can see, the admissions criteria is the a-e priority list for the order in which places are allocated. Our step-son does not fit into any of the top 4 and is simply in priority e which is children that live outside the normal catchment area so I don't see how we can address each of the other criteria as none of the other ones apply. Have I mis-understood the term 'admissions criteria'?

Many thanks

Karrie

Any news Christmas Shopper?

Christmasshopper

Karrie wrote: »

Any news Christmas Shopper?

No, we are still waiting to hear. I think the appeal process is designed to cause the parents the greatest amount of stress possible.:rolleyes:

Christmasshopper

:dance: :j :T :beer:
We just got the letter this morning. Our appeal has been successful and our daughter can go to the school where we think she will thrive.
Thank you Hayley for all your help. :A
And thank you everyone else for your support which has kept me going throughout the past few months. I couldn't have done it without you all.:beer:
Good luck to everyone who is still going through the appeal proccess. It is not for the faint-hearted.

bestpud

I've been watching this thread with interest as will probably be doing it myself in a few years. We were lucky that dd got the primary we wanted for her but know we will have a bigger problem with the secondary school.

I'm very happy for you, it must be a massive relief. Been biting my nails for you the last few days. lol And best wishes to your dd in her new school!

Bestpud

Elle00

I've been wondering about an issue for a little while and reading this thread I presume this is an appropriate place to discuss a school placement issue? Even though it's not an appeal, it might become one if I don't sort this out for the future!

My son is not quite 2 however I have naturally been thinking about nursery and primary school etc. I live in a small/medium sized rural town where I grew up and don't really want to leave. The drawback to staying in my home town is the quality of the local schools. There are four regular primary schools in the town and the only one I remotely rate is the one I myself attended; but it's quite far from where I currently live and would cause difficulties if my son attended as my youngest sister would still be there when he started and I've been estranged from my Mother for some years now (she's a tad evil).

The school I would like for him to attend is a Catholic primary school not too far from where we live (in fact I believe it's the closest one to our present home though we may have moved before he starts nursery/school). I would also like for him to attend the Catholic upper school in a nearby city that the children usually go to after the local Catholic primary school as our local upper school is appalling.

The thing is though, whilst I hold the Catholic values highly, I would be lying if I said I thought the bible was "real". My personal belief is that this Jesus fellow did exist but was a bit of a conman who's life was embellished over the centuries. I also find the biblical views towards women very hard to stomach. I just don't have it in me to lie to an admissions board but really do think this better quality of education would give my son a better start in life than if he attended the regular local schools (which score horrendously with OFSTED decade after decade with no change).

Is there any way round the religion issue in gaining a place at a Catholic school? And does it help that my Great Uncle is a retired Catholic Priest that has served the church for sixty-five years? A friend suggested I convert to Catholicism early on and start attending church but that seems a bit extreme?!