School appeals - help offered

Charlie23

Thanks. Tonight is going to be a long night. think i will be crying for most of it!

sara400_00_1

Don't know if anyone can help me. My son has been declined a place at the same secondary school as his older brother because it is a catholic school and we are C of E. Non-catholic siblings were ranked after catholic siblings, practising catholics and non-practising catholics in the admissions policy.

However, when DS1 gained a place at the school in 2007 the school had a different admissions policy, where the first priority was given to "siblings" of any faith. This was one of the reasons I decided to go with this school in the end, because I was assured DS2 would be offered a place.

The school has since changed its admissions policy. However, I believe that the school should have written to all the non-catholic parents at that point and advised them that the admissions policy was being changed and how it would specifically affect them. We received no such advice and the first we knew of the policy having changed was when we came to submit our application for DS2. Did the school have a legal obligation to write to those parents who were going to be particularly affected by these changes at the time they re-wrote the admissions policy?

I am appealing on the grounds he already has a sibling at the school and it will be very difficult for us as a family if the boys are at different schools, but should I bring up the matter of the policy being changed and non-catholic parents not being provided with sufficient information on how this would affect them?

poet123

sara400_00_1 wrote: »

Don't know if anyone can help me. My son has been declined a place at the same secondary school as his older brother because it is a catholic school and we are C of E. Non-catholic siblings were ranked after catholic siblings, practising catholics and non-practising catholics in the admissions policy.

However, when DS1 gained a place at the school in 2007 the school had a different admissions policy, where the first priority was given to "siblings" of any faith. This was one of the reasons I decided to go with this school in the end, because I was assured DS2 would be offered a place.

The school has since changed its admissions policy. However, I believe that the school should have written to all the non-catholic parents at that point and advised them that the admissions policy was being changed and how it would specifically affect them. We received no such advice and the first we knew of the policy having changed was when we came to submit our application for DS2. Did the school have a legal obligation to write to those parents who were going to be particularly affected by these changes at the time they re-wrote the admissions policy?

I am appealing on the grounds he already has a sibling at the school and it will be very difficult for us as a family if the boys are at different schools, but should I bring up the matter of the policy being changed and non-catholic parents not being provided with sufficient information on how this would affect them?

If the school had informed you of the change when your eldest son was already in situ what would you have done?

sara400_00_1

I have just liked to have a bit more time to think through all my options.

poet123

sara400_00_1 wrote: »

I have just liked to have a bit more time to think through all my options.

Presumably when you applied or put your son's name down for the school you obtained a prospectus? At that point had the criteria changed?

Savvy_Sue

Are you sure you weren't told? Is this not the kind of thing which would be reported in the Governor's annual report / at the annual meeting (if still held) to which parents are invited?

My lads were also at a faith school, and various changes to the admissions policy were shared with us, but never, as far as I remember, via a letter just about that subject. It was mentioned in newsletters too.

I didn't get a prospectus before applying for places for the younger two ...

poet123

The usual way to communicate these issues is via school website, newsletter, church bulletin and the Prospectus (which is available on request a full 12 months before the date of admission) If there is a legal requirement that would certainly satisfy it.

The LEA is also informed of any changes.

Plans_all_plans

Not sure if you're practising Anglicans or not, but if you are, then maybe a letter from your Vicar would help? It might not, but you could try it!

ETA: I've just seen that Anglican siblings came after non-practising Catholics in the revised admissions policy, so by the looks of it a letter wouldn't do much good even if you are practising. It's a difficult one. If I was in your shoes and practising my faith, I'd still put a letter in on the off chance, as quite often different faith groups in the community have good links with each other.

flea72

sara400_00_1 wrote: »

I am appealing on the grounds he already has a sibling at the school and it will be very difficult for us as a family if the boys are at different schools, but should I bring up the matter of the policy being changed and non-catholic parents not being provided with sufficient information on how this would affect them?

unfortunately, the logistical nightmare of having children at two different schools, isnt grounds for appeal. especially when you hit secondary school, as at that age children are more than capable of getting themselves to school without parental supervision

as already stated, schools do not change their admittance criteria without the full consultation of the governors, and as such all parents would have been notified via the minutes, should they choose to read them. but even if they hadnt, this still wouldnt be grounds for appeal

would you really have reconsidered your older childs choice of school, had you known that your younger child wouldnt get a place in the future? i doubt it, seeing as you obviously opted for the school due to its academic record, rather than choose a school of your own denomination. you just happened to be lucky first time round, that the school wasnt oversubscribed.

come september your eldest will be in Year 11, and as such is definitely more than capable of getting themselves to and from school

F

chrismal

I was hoping to get some sound advice on school appeals and propose my case to you guys to get some opinions too.

Our son was declined a place in our preferred school, we're not sure on what grounds. We are disappointed, we feel they haven't even read our reasons for wanting to send our son there. I'll outline my argument below.


THE SCHOOL;

Our preferred school is a catholic faith school.

It is also the school of excellence in the Spanish language in our city. It's Spanish program is very comprehensive, with a full time Spanish teacher and other members of staff being bilingual. Other schools only offer 15 minute lessons a week. (We know this as my wife is primary school Spanish teacher, she gives these lessons personally.)

It is in walking distance of all my family members, we live a little further, one and a half miles away.


OUR SON;

Our son was christened in the local parish associated with the school.! We attend the church service on Sundays and out sun the Sunday morning preschool session.

He is also mixed race, British - Hispanic, his mum is South American, I am British. No other school in the area can cater for his language and culture needs. Children of other ethnicities have their needs catered for, why not mine?

We only live one and a half miles away from the school, and both have cars. Taking him in the morning will be no problem, but picking him up will be as we both work until 5:30pm. We will be relying on my family members to collect him from school 3 nights a week until we find a property in the area, we're currently looking.

They are our main reasons, religion, language studies and having someone to collect him.

Any help or honest opinions would be appreciated. !

Chrismal