Successful appeals at Kingsdale School

[Worrywart]

Hi,

I am in the process of preparing to appeal to Kingsdale School on social/medical grounds.

I'd love to hear from any parent who has appealled to this school to find out how they found the experience and whether or not they were successful.

[Worrywart]

I'm getting worried, has nobody successfully appealled to get into Kingsdale?

[malleymoo]

Sorry to say worrywart, but when we had our meeting with someone from southwark education at the beginning of the secondary transfer process, she was very clear that there are very very few sucessful appeals in relation to the numbers who appeal. just going on the discussion in our playground there seem to be almost as many people appealing as originally applied !

I think the fact that they have a special meeting about the whole appeal process indicates that there is a sinificant number of people who appeal but cant inmagine many people are sucessful.

Sorry if this is rather pessimistic, dont intend it to put you off as I would try all options if I felt my child didnt have a place at a school that I was at least able to live with

[Worrywart]

Thanks Malleymoo.

Do you know what most people in the playground are planning to base their appeal on?

[Fuschia]

I used to represent an LA at school admissions appeals at one time. I think the success rate was about 1 in 20. I doubt it has changed much... You should be able to find out the stats from Kingsdale.

[Fuschia]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/mar/11/education.schooladmissions

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article1812972.ece

[malleymoo]

Sorry worry wart but I didnt really go into specifics with them about what they felt the grounds for appeal were. I just know there were a huge amount of very dissatisfied parents. I think as i felt fortunate to get my third choice when so many at my daughters scholl didnt get any of their choices I didnt really want to seem insensitive/ questioning of the reason for appeal

[Fuschia]

WW: I think I found your posting on mumsnet. Did you put the SEN reasons down originally on the application?

Shame you can't meet "children with a Statement of Special Educational Need

that names the School in accordance with the Code of Practice," (Unless he has a statement? Would have been very useful)

but you do have a chance at "Where professional evidence indicates that there are

particular psychological, medical or social needs which the

school?s Learning Support Faculty agrees can best be

addressed at the school"

Only it's the school who have to agree that your son's needs can be met there, rather than your view or that of outside professionals. What evidence did you provide initially, do you know if the school didn't agree his needs could best be addressed by Kingsdale, and why not?

I would definitely focus on that point.

[Fuschia]

Did you already provide

"Evidence provided of particular psychological, medical or social needs should explain

why Kingsdale Foundation School is the most suitable to meet the needs and the

difficulties that would arise were the child to have to attend a different school. This

evidence must be substantiated by relevant qualified professionals eg a child or

educational psychologist, a child psychiatrist, a general practitioner, an orthopaedic

consultant or social worker."

[Worrywart]

Fuschia - we did apply on social/medical grounds and enclosed a copy of recent Educational Psychologist report as well as a separate supporting statement from the same Educational Psychologist. Headteacher also wrote a supporting statement as did his private tutor. Apparently Kingsdale's Learning Support Unit weren't convinced!

[Fuschia]

Well having been offered a specific other school now at least you can focus on why attending that school would present difficulties

Good luck

Remember not to talk down the offer you have, so your son feels ok if that's where he ends up

[Fuschia]

Well having been offered a specific other school now at least you can focus on why attending that school would present difficulties

Good luck

Remember not to talk down the offer you have, so your son feels ok if that's where he ends up

[FatherJack]

I am not aware of successful appeals to any school, but when appealing does the panel take into consideration the school

you were offered? If so and it was a school on your original application, surely that makes the appeal difficult as you are appealing for preference not provision.

Given that a number of Southwark children did not receive any school, and many more were offered a school that did not feature on their application this will probably be a very difficult year to appeal to Kingsdale.

[Worrywart]

Fuschia - DS is fine about his offer he has no idea that we are appealing to Kingsdale, I don't think he needs to worry about that at his age.

FatherJack - Kingsdale was our first preference school so I don't think panel can penalise us for being offered a lower preference and accepting it as Local Authority always advises you to do so that you child is guaranteed a school place for September.

[Fuschia]

Usually no, the school offered isn't a factor in an appeal and it doesn't go down well to slag off another school at the appeal

But in this case regarding sen the family are specifically asked to explain why attending another school would present difficulties and if that school does lack facilities kingsdale has there is a case there

I would be realistic though as unless you have new evidence to present the chances of success are very slim

You can ask for info regarding now admitted under each heading

[FatherJack]

WW Sure, but my point and perhaps the appeal panels may be that you have been offered a school

of preference, which I'm assuming can cater for your child's needs as you put it on application,

and you will have to provide evidence as to Kingsdale provision over X School, and as Kingsdale

LSU were not convinced.... it just seems like a tough one to me.

[westof]

Worrywart, Kingsdale is holding an info evening about Appeals this Tuesday (5th April) - you may already know since it's on their website, but I thought I'd mention just in case.

[Worrywart]

Thanks I did know about it and I will be attending.

[malleymoo]

Did anyone go to the appeals evening last night? Was it helpful. I dont intend to appeal, just curious given the discussion that has been happening on the forum about secondary school allocations ?

[Otta]

Surely the panel will wonder why on earth you put down any school that wouldn't be appropriate for your child. And if the school he's been offered isn't inappropriate, then I'd imagine they'll say you have no case, as you chose it. Not trying to be nasty, but dont like your chances.

[Mark Dodds]

I went. A lot of people came and it was useful for me although a friend I went with said she had learned nothing she didn't know already.

It's the only school I've had contact with through the application process that went to the trouble to spend time and effort explaining the system to parents. The information was applicable across the board and would be useful to anyone appealing anywhere. The head introduced the evening and handed over to a woman from Clerks Associates who covered the whole process in detail. It was all about reassuring people, demystifying the whole silly process of being without a place you want.

I think it reflects the rather appealing humanitarian nature of the school. I might be wrong.