When it comes to finding out about secondary school places, it’s often hard to tell who’s more nervous: the child or the parent. It’s either going to be a day of celebration and relief – or one that might result in a few tears.
So if your child doesn’t get the place they (and you) wanted, what do you do?Well, the first thing to remember is that you’re not powerless – even though it probably feels that way.
Here’s how to give it your best shot.
1. Accept The Place You’ve Been Offered.
First up, in order to appeal, you need to have accepted the place you’ve been given (yes, even if you have no intention of taking it). If you don’t, the local authority doesn’t have to offer you an alternative and your child could be without a school in September.
2. Get On School Waiting Lists.
As soon as you can, get on waiting lists for any schools you would prefer. Places often become available between National Offer Day (March), and the start of term (September) – some people may decide to send their child to another school, or move. You should contact the school or your local authority if you want your child’s name added to a waiting list, advises gov.uk.
3. Know Your Rights.
You are legally entitled to appeal to all the schools you named on your preference form, according to the Good Schools Guide. For example, if your child was given their third choice school, you could appeal to the other two schools you prefer. If you get offered a place at one you like, withdraw your appeal from the others.
Next, you need to lodge your intention to appeal with the admission authority for the particular school(s) – this will either be the local authority or school’s governing body. Details of how to appeal should be included with the letter you received with the bad news, and sometimes an appeal form is automatically included. However, you can also find out more about the appeals process by going on your council’s website (like here).
4. Work Out Your Grounds For Appeal.
There are two reasons why a school appeal might succeed: 1) If the school’s admissions procedures were applied wrongly – eg. if the school prioritises siblings, and your child has a sibling but this was ignored; and 2) If there is potential harm to your child, such as religion, family circumstances, bullying, poor transport links, special needs or significant health issues. It is more likely you’ll be able to make a case under point 2, so concentrate on how the given school may impact your child’s education or wellbeing.
It’s also worth showing you’ve done your homework, Sam Murray from the charity ACE (the Advisory Centre for Education) previously told HuffPost UK.
Look at the reasons why the school hasn’t offered a place and find out all you can about your preferred school – including whether or not they’ve taken on more pupils than expected in the past, and any effects this has had (positive or negative). If the school is still getting outstanding Ofsted results, despite consistently going above its PAN (planned admission numbers), this might be something you can bring up.
5. Gather Your Written Evidence.
Many local authorities require you to provide written evidence as to why your child would be best suited to a particular school. If it’s down to medical reasons, for example, ask for a written document from your child’s GP, therapist or consultant. If it’s to do with impossible transport links, bring in bus or train timetables that prove it.
6. Know Your Timelines.
The admission authority for the school you want your child to go will set a deadline for submitting information and evidence to support your appeal. If you submit anything after the deadline, it might not be considered and may result in delays to your hearing.
The admissions’ authority tries to hear appeals as soon as possible – the government states that appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal. You should hear the outcome of your appeal in writing within five working days.
7. Be Professional.
There will be a panel of three or more people at the appeal hearing. The admission authority will explain why they turned down your application, then you’ll be able to give your own reasons why your child should be admitted.
The panel that hears your appeal will pay more attention to the points of your particular case than an emotional display. So hard as it is, try and stick to the facts, advises the Good Schools Guide. Be thorough and polite – and truthful.
8. Be Realistic.
Research shows that only one in three school appeals are successful, so manage your expectations. You can ask your local authority for up-to-date figures on the success rates of appeals at the schools you’re interested in.
9. And If Your Appeal Is Unsuccessful...
Stay on the waiting lists for other schools, appeal next year or refer the case to the ombudsman. Or, you could consider going private: lots of independent schools have bursary or scholarship schemes for gifted and talented children. Find out what might be available to your child.
And most importantly... good luck.