SCHOOL APPEALS

Despite promises of ever greater parental choice when it comes to choosing schools last year around 10,000 children did not get their first choice school; for many it was the end of the process but for others they appealed and were successful in overturning the decision of the Council / School.  

 

School Appeals can be time consuming, emotionally draining and won!

 

There are different types of appeals but briefly you will have to show that the impact on your child will outweigh the impact on the school. Persuading the Panel that there is space in the school for your child is half the process but this is often overlooked by parents and is probably the single most common reason parents fail to win on appeal. 

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After persuading the Panel there may be capacity for your child in the school you will need to explain to the Panel Members why it is the only right school for your children - this could be for educational reasons but also that they have friends attending, that you are seeking a fresh start from those who may have caused problems for your child in primary school, that the journey to school / child care aligns better with your current family logistics.  

 

Briefly everything you share with the Panel must in effect answer two key questions - 

1. Will the school still be able to provide efficient education if my child is admitted? 

2. What makes the school uniquely right for your child?

 

Our Free eBook - A Guide to School Appeals - outlines the process in more detail but briefly there are three stages to the Appeal Process.

 

Within twenty school days of receiving the allocation you will need to lodge your appeal - this is essentially an admin process and can be done at any time within the first twenty days.

 

You then have several additional weeks to prepare your appeal case -this should typically extend to about 6 - 8 pages of evidence that answers equally the two questions above. 

 

Finally you will have an opportunity to appear before the Appeal Panel, either in person or more commonly now online. The Appeal Hearing itself is in two parts - firstly the school will explain to the Panel why they are too full to admit your child; you and the Panel can ask questions to challenge this.  Thereafter the Panel will ask you to explain to them why your child must attend the school even though it is already technically full.  Again the Panel and the school can ask questions of your case. 

 

We can give you the very best chance of winning a place for your child at your first choice school.  In the past year we have won Infant Class Size Appeals, Grammar School Selection Appeals and Appeals to both Primary and High Schools; whatever Admission Appeal you currently face we can help you give your child the best possible chance of attending the school you want.  ​We offer a range of support options - please see below.