Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Anyone got any experience of what to do if you're not offered a place at any of 3 chosen schools? School we were offered is the worst in the area quelle surprise I know we can appeal (have the forms) just not sure what other options we have?

Cheers, TX.

Hanley

You have 2 options.

Appeal or move house.

We were refused our first choice and were successful in an appeal so it is possible, it's not an easy process though and you will need a legitimate reason, i.e. not "This school is better than that one"

Good luck.

coupe_20vt

iTrader: (2)

As above. Either move or appeal.

We appealed and won.

Get the paperwork started and make sure you have some bloody good reasons for not accepting the school offered.

The Zohan

Appeal is your best option, a well written and thought out appeal will go a long way.

Hanley

Agreed, the appeal needs to be thoroughly thought out and extremely accurate with the facts.

Rest assured the appeal panel will have heard every concievable excuse and will easily root these out.

deepy

iTrader: (1)

Get your GP to diagnose an illness which would be made much worse at either of the two other schools. Used notes in a plain envelope should work.

Lee247

I had to go to appeal with both my kids. I won both. Second one was due to sheer incompetence by the Council. They lost the original form and tried to say I had not sent it. They got short shift at the appeal, I can tell you.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Ok ta. What sort of things can form the basis of an appeal then?

Cheers, TX.

coupe_20vt

iTrader: (2)

You have to be 'economic' with the truth and BS a little bit Such as -

Friends are going there.

The chosen school is more suitable for your child. i.e. It specialises in certain subjects or it is smaller and more intimate (may not be the case).

If appropriate mention transport. You or your partner may drive past it every day, so getting your child to said school is easier than the one offered.

When you looked at all the schools in the area, your child felt the most comfortable in the one you chose.

As a parent you liked the head teachers passion for the school.

You have to be able to make the smallest reasons for your child attending said school seem like necessities!

Do not slag off the other schools. That's a definite no no.

There are a few 'helpful' websites that may be worth a look at.

http://www.schoolappeals.com/

http://www.schooladmissionappeals.co.uk/

http://myschoolappeal.co.uk/

speedking

Also if your child has a demonstrable interest in an activity / sport, e.g. plays for the football team, plays a musical instrument, does drama, and the school you like has better facilities in that discipline.

If the child is to walk / cycle to school, does the route to the preferred school involve less major road crossings etc.

Rather than just saying that friends are going there, show that you would share lifts hence reducing your carbon footprint.

Lee247

Oh hell, thats a tough one. My kids are 18 and 21 now

The school I selected was a Sports College, so I based most of my preferences on that. Saying my Son had been on the junior football team etc. Also the fact I passed the chosen school on my way to work and that it had a good reputation, which was important for my kids. I did not slag off the school they selected, just said it was not appropriate where it was.
I remember being quite light hearted about it all and managed to make the panel smile by saying said school would benefit from having kids in there
They did smile at that one.
I used a similar stance with my daughter, who was a fantastic runner. Again, ending on a bit of a joke, saying they would be glad to know we had no more kids and would not be seeing us again