Appealing - School Addmission

peterpan01

hello
I would like some advice. I have two children both started Year 7 in secondary school this september term. I want them to move schools as they are not happy, are being bullied and have made little to no educational progess. I would like them to attend on of the Harpenden school. I am out of area and the schools are fully. My only chance is to appeal.

My children
In Year 6 (Junior school) the kids where on many school sports teams, They were Perfects, House Captains, sat the selective level 6 English exam, always had above average school grades and reports. they children where ideally pupils and had friends.

education
The secondary school they where given is awful - they're are too many supply teachers and the lessons are very disruptive. they got the children sets all wrong. e,g my son was placed in engliah set 3, i rang three times before he was moved to set 1 (after 3 months). i knew he was in the worng set as he sat the selective level 6 english exam a 2 months before. this happened in maths and science too.

Also the children, dont put up their hands to answer questions anymore as they have be teased for wanting to learn.

bullying
both children have been physical and verbally bullied eg my daughter was injuried twice by two different students or different days in one week. the school has helped to a point but there seems to be a new isuess very week.
my son has now been refered to the childrens mental health serivces as he cant cope.

Safty
the children dont feel safe attending school and always walk togther to stay safe. my daughter refuses to join the after school sports clubs as she doesnt feel comfortable or safe to join in. My son did join the football club but has since stop due to the same reasons.

do i have a chance in winning the appeal on these grounds. the children are suffering so much, its cause my a lot of stress and upset even to send them to school.

silvercar

Does the school you would like have places? If so, then a transfer is easy, if there is no room you need to find out their admission process and whether there is a waiting list.

Did you appeal last year when places were allocated. A few years ago since mine moved to secondary, but Hertfordshire used to have waiting lists for individual schools that you could add your name to if unsuccessful at application or appeal.

peterpan01

they are on the waiting list at places 11 and 12 for one school and 12 and 13 at another.
the council told me, my only real chance would be to appeal. Im at witts end so i am going to appeal. i have never done anything like this before so any help will be great.

my appeal paperwork is the following:
appeal forms
personal statement
certicates from year 6 showing the children where high achievers
emails to the school regarding bullying
police report when my daughter bike was stolen from the school shed
2 doctors letters regarding my sons and my mental health

notanewuser

peterpan01 wrote: »

they are on the waiting list at places 11 and 12 for one school and 12 and 13 at another.
the council told me, my only real chance would be to appeal. Im at witts end so i am going to appeal. i have never done anything like this before so any help will be great.

my appeal paperwork is the following:
appeal forms
personal statement
certicates from year 6 showing the children where high achievers
emails to the school regarding bullying
police report when my daughter bike was stolen from the school shed
2 doctors letters regarding my sons and my mental health

None of that covers anything in the schools' admission criteria though, so won't stand for an appeal. The only grounds for appeal would be if they'd let someone else in that should have come behind you in the pecking order.

If they're full, they're full. You need 12 other children to leave before yours would get a place.

pinkshoes

You would be better off finding a school that isn't full, rather than waiting. The wait could take a long time...

I teach at a good state school, and our Y8 and Y9 are totally full, and we have a long waiting list. We cannot physically accept any more kids.

Move house?

Home educate?

DaveTheMus

Send your kids for boxing lessons...it will be great for their confidence and fitness and they will make friends there as well...

If someone tries to pick on them after they're learned a few basics they'll do it once and never again.

GwylimT

Unfortunately the things you state are not important where an appeal is concerned, you need to show why the specific school they are at isn't suitable and why your preferred school is e.g being better placed to meet SEND needs.

grey_lady

I don't think you can appeal on those grounds.

Is home-schooling an option until something comes up?

Mrs_Soup

I don't think you have any grounds for appeal based on what you have posted.

mrcow

None of the reasons listed are reasons for appeal for entry to the alternative school.

They are, however, very good reasons for you wanting to move your children. Good luck with it. You need to keep on, openings come up all the time. And consider other schools too.

Don't give up with the complaints to your existing school. The bullying etc needs to be dealt with properly.

peterpan01

DaveTheMus wrote: »

Send your kids for boxing lessons...it will be great for their confidence and fitness and they will make friends there as well...

If someone tries to pick on them after they're learned a few basics they'll do it once and never again.

love it:rotfl:
however the children already have three years of ju jistu under their belts. Ive told the kids not to use it however, if we dont win the appeal - i wont hold them back, in hope the bullies will stop seeing them as easy targets.