School appeals - help offered

Christmasshopper

Sarah_Dylan wrote: »

Christmasshopper wrote: »

I wish I could think of something to help you. From what I remember reading in Ben Rooney's book I think the number of children in a primary class is fixed and cannot be altered.

Hi Christmasshopper,
:j :beer: :rotfl: :T :cheesy:
We got a letter in the post this morning offering my son his catchment school place!!!! HOORRAAYYY!! What a releif.
Thanks for your advice:T

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Fantastic news. It feels good doesn't it?

Karrie

Congratulations - bet you feel on top of the world right now

nmarsh_2

sorry its taken so long to get back to you but my computer was having problems,i found out today that my appeal is going to be tuesday next week and i have not recived the school's statement giving their reasons why they can't except my daughter but i do no its because its over subscribed.
i have also been told that my appeal is being herd as a lone appeal and not in a group i dont't no if thats a good thing or a bad ? i can just see it now i will get all tounge tied as soon as they start asking me questions does anybody know what they might ask me so i can try and prepare myself ? i am getting so nervious i feel like i am going on trial.

Karrie

from memory you are supposed to receive documentation from the authority 7 days prior to the appeal. I would ring them tomorrow and ask them where it is.

Good luck

Christmasshopper

nmarsh wrote: »

sorry its taken so long to get back to you but my computer was having problems,i found out today that my appeal is going to be tuesday next week and i have not recived the school's statement giving their reasons why they can't except my daughter but i do no its because its over subscribed.
i have also been told that my appeal is being herd as a lone appeal and not in a group i dont't no if thats a good thing or a bad ? i can just see it now i will get all tounge tied as soon as they start asking me questions does anybody know what they might ask me so i can try and prepare myself ? i am getting so nervious i feel like i am going on trial.

I went to a group hearing to hear why the school couldn't accept anymore children and an individual one to plead my daughters case.
I didn't find the individual hearing as intimidating as the group one. The panel were already familiar with my written statement and gave me the opportunity to discuss it in more detail. The panel made me feel very comfortable. There were no trick questions, and they let me say as much or as little as I chose to.
Don't worry. The panel will understand that you are trying to do your best for your child and they will help you to give the information they require.
Good luck. I hope it goes well for you.

Christmasshopper

nmarsh wrote: »

sorry its taken so long to get back to you but my computer was having problems,i found out today that my appeal is going to be tuesday next week and i have not recived the school's statement giving their reasons why they can't except my daughter but i do no its because its over subscribed.
i have also been told that my appeal is being herd as a lone appeal and not in a group i dont't no if thats a good thing or a bad ? i can just see it now i will get all tounge tied as soon as they start asking me questions does anybody know what they might ask me so i can try and prepare myself ? i am getting so nervious i feel like i am going on trial.

Any news yet nmarsh?

nmarsh_2

yes the day before the appeal they offered me a place so i never had to go to the appeal after all that!! thanks for all your advice i have the little black book if anybody would like it please pm me and i will send it to you.

Christmasshopper

nmarsh wrote: »

yes the day before the appeal they offered me a place so i never had to go to the appeal after all that!! thanks for all your advice i have the little black book if anybody would like it please pm me and i will send it to you.

That is fantastic news. It must be such a relief. :j :T :j :T

I have sent you a pm.

linzz_2

I stumbled across this thread when I had already submitted my appeal form. Our appeal hearing was on Tuesday and found out yesterday that we were unsuccessful! Looking at a few of the posts I think we were probably too personal at the appeal. I could have got letters from doctor and health visitor but didn't think we'd need them! Think I should have read 'the book' aswell. Felt ok yesterday but a bit down today.

Good to hear other people have had good news!

macca

Hi - hope you can help.
We move to a rented house on the 10th of August. My child starts in reception year on 4th September.
He has been allocated a place at a local school (to where we are living now) which will be 10 miles away when we move house.
I have applied to the new area's catchment area school, been refused a place and am awaiting an appeal date - 21st August has been suggested.
The letter from the LA gave no reason for the refusal - which I now realise is wrong of them. The school are saying this is because they are already full.
However the DFES guidelines are as follows:
The class size legislation makes allowance for the entry of an additional child in
very limited circumstances where not to admit the child would be prejudicial to
his or her interests (‘excepted pupils’). However, every effort must be made to
keep over large classes to a minimum. These circumstances are where:

58
a) a child moves into an area outside the normal admissions round and no
other school would provide suitable education (i.e. provide access to the
National Curriculum) within a reasonable distance of their home. Before
admitting children under this exception, admission authorities must consult
their local authority who are in a position to advise whether these conditions
apply;

There are no schools under a 2 milke walking limit wwith places available, there is possibly one in a 3 mile wasling distance but that's a terrible school. So what are the chances of me arguing I should get a place at the catchment area school literally just around the corner.
Without a place at this particular school I cannot co-ordinate a school, a nursery pick up and work and so will have to stop working which I have put on my appeal form.
Will I be in the nightmare situation of having to ferry him 10 miles back to where we live now?
What a nightmare - all help gratefully accepted - including what I should concentrate on telling the appeals panel.
Thx in advance
Macca [URL="javascript:winopen('emailmoderator.cfm?threadid=31930&catid=57&messid=113299&startpage=1&vchCustomName=Macca1&dtmessagedate=2007%2D07%2D19%2020%3A53%3A28%2E0','emailmod',500,350);"]Report this to a Moderator[/URL]