My daughter has been refused a place at all three prefered schools.

I was wondering if anyone had appealed before and been successful/ unsucsessful?

It will be an infant class size appeal - I know it is extremely difficult to win these, and only in exceptional circumstances has a place been given.

Does anyone know what counts as an exceptional case?

Any information/advice on school appeals would be much appreciated

I can't help but my child was refused her first two preferences and the school she has got into is ages away! I don't drive so i will have to get a bus into town and one back out - near impossible for 9am! I am also wanting to appeal i think but didn't it would be worth it? Advice would be good for me as well.

That's really bad, is there not another one closer to you that you could apply for?

I'm not sure about your situation. I suppose it will depend on your reason for wanting your child to attend that school. When I was on teaching practice, a few years ago, a child was granted a place which took the infant class size over 30 because an older sibling already attended the school. I suppose the arguement was that it would be very difficult to take them to different schools.

I would appeal, you have nothing to lose.

From what i have read so far appeals have a good chance of being over turned if you have a valid case for wanting your child to attend your prefered school over the allocated one. If it is at a primary school it is almost impossible as the law says max 30 children.
I do have several reasons for not wanting my son to go to his allocated school, in fact i have about 30.
I think the whole process of school appeals is made so complicated just to put people off :-(

I'm in the same position, all three preferences turned down due to class size. From what I hear it's nearly impossible to appeal against class size for primary. You can get a list of what other schools have places left - they don't have to be any of the ones you have chosen - and apply for one of those. Also if you ring/email the primary school's service they will tell you how far down the waiting list your child is for your chosen schools. My son is second on the list for one of his (14th and 11th on the others). If your child is near the top of the waiting list, it's possible that they might get in anyway...

oh i didn't know that. Im going to give them a ring - knowing my luck i will be bottom of list.
Are you going to try and appeal? were you in the catchment area? which primary did you want?

I didn't apply for the school that my child is in the catchment area for - Abbeydale Primary. In hindsight, knowing that schools are oversubscribed, I could have guessed that he would be given a place there as opposed to the other ones I applied for. I'm going to look round Abbeydale on Friday (didn't look round as I thought that you definitely got a place at one of your chosed schools!) So I'm going to decide what to do after that....What about you?

I applied for schools outside of my catchment area, thinking if i was rejected for all three she would be sent to the local school. However this was not the case. she has been allocated a place out of catchment area and not one of my preferences.
so i have sent in an application to appeal one of the schools i was rejected for.
Im going to look round the allocated school see what i think, incase appeal is not successful. The OFSTED repoty for the allocated school does not paint a pretty picture.
I didn't look around any of the schools before hand as it would have been a waste of time, as allocation is kinda look of the draw

I am in the middle of appealing all three of the schools I have chosen for my child. I was just wondering if anyone has appealed in previous years and been successful. It seems like a thankless task with little or no hope!!

hi

The same situation happened to us, we applied for 3 primary schools all out of our catchment area. we got refused on all 3 and allocated Hartley Brook Primary , which we looked up and sounds awful. We put in an appeal and we are currently awaiting the outcome they said it would take upto 7 days to recieve the decision letter. So we are currently keeping everything crossed. I will keep you updated with the response. Feeling very stressed is the understatment of the year !!!!!!

I has my appeal on tuesday, it was terrifying.
I am also awaiting a reply... very nervous.
If the appeal has not been over turned im going to home school my child, as the allocated school is not good at all. I went to have a look round and it didn't even look like a school - it would be so unfair to send my child there.
I have my fingers and toes crossed.

hi

I know they make the whole situation so intimidating, I also agree about if they dont overturn the decision as there is no way im sending my son to our allocated school either , google it its realy bad we are considering private but it would mean working and having nothing left. Also just wondering which school you are appealing as our appeal was tuesday/ wednesday this week as well.

hi

has anyone got a decision yet :confused:

I had my appeal last Thursday and was told I would get the decision in the post in 5 - 7 days but haven't heard. Just wondering if anyone else had.

hi

recieved my decision letter today, not good new they rejected our appeal. i feel so depressed and let down by the whole process.:(

The best part was at the end of the letter where they put "sheffield where everyone matters" what a joke !!!!

I too have been refused at my appeal hearing.
I suffer with severe anxiety and find it difficult to be outside alone, we live only 200 metres away from the school where we applied for which is where he attends nursery aswell ,they are sending him to lowfield?!! which is 2 miles away......!!!!!!
as i havent been in sheffield very long does anyone know anything about this school!? am seriously considering home schooling my son, feel extremely let down by the education system.

all mine rejected!!!

Threads merged.

I was sucessful in my application to Lydgate but out of the 18 parents that appealed I was one of the only ones who did. My son has special needs and I provided a case supported by his special needs inclusion officer and Ryegate Centre. My job involves giving presentations, interviewing people and making legal arguments but I found the appeal system to be incredibly stressful and was very near to crying whilst stating my case. I was emotionally and physically exhausted afterwards. I can't believe there isnt a better way.

I'm sorry to hear so many people didn't get in.

Hi, We have just moved to Sheffield from Cambridgeshire. I am appealing for a place at Lound infant school in Chapeltown for my son who will be in yr 1 in September (Lound is our catchment area school). Every infant/primary school in Chapeltown is full for his year & we have been offered Beck school in S5 for him. His older brother has started & settled in well at Lound Junior. Does anyone have any advice on what to write on the appeal form/what to say at the hearing & what happens at the hearing etc or waht chance we have appealing when we were refused on infant class size limit? Thanks.

The best part was at the end of the letter where they put "sheffield where everyone matters" what a joke !!!!

Everyone matters isn't the same as "Everyone gets their way".

As much as I understand that we all want the best for our kids I can't understand why parents apply for schools out of catchment and then complain when they don't get the catchment school if their choices are refused.
My local school isn't that desirable but when the time comes if I am still in this area I will make it my 3rd Choice.

The government tries to justify inadequate schools and incompetent teacher by suggesting parents can 'choose' what school there child can go to. realistically it should be stated only children from higher economic backgrounds can attend good schools!!!
The reason why parents apply out of their catchment area is because they are told they have a choice of which school their child can attend. I would be worried if so many parents were trying there best to get there children into good schools by applying outside of their cathchment. the problem is there are only a few good schools in sheffield. there should be more good schools for all children so they all get a fair start in life.

What do you think makes a good school then? I'm not sure that the teachers are all bad in the schools which are deemed as bad schools. Your child can still do well if you instill good values in them and do your bit at home to help their learning.

I think parents do have some choice but not everyone can get into a school if it's full. Of course people within catchment should get priority but if there are places left then others will be considered. If you apply out of catchment you have to accept that there is a good chance that the places will already be filled.

This question may sound really stupid but when you apply for a school place for your child, do you fill your address in. I am swapping houses with a family member some time this year, and although the house is only 1 mile away, the school in the area is much better. My little boy is 3 in May so I can apply for a school place this September. Should I put my new to be address down or my current address? as I stand more choice of him getting into the local school in our new house

This question may sound really stupid but when you apply for a school place for your child, do you fill your address in. I am swapping houses with a family member some time this year, and although the house is only 1 mile away, the school in the area is much better. My little boy is 3 in May so I can apply for a school place this September. Should I put my new to be address down or my current address? as I stand more choice of him getting into the local school in our new house

Yes, you do put your address down so if you're definatly going to be at that address soon, there's no reason why you shouldn't put it down.
We moved house specifically to get a better school for our little boy so i'm really quite nervous awaiting the decision on his school to be.

Yes, you do put your address down so if you're definatly going to be at that address soon, there's no reason why you shouldn't put it down.
We moved house specifically to get a better school for our little boy so i'm really quite nervous awaiting the decision on his school to be.

This is why I am moving, as the school's in my area aren't that good. Have you applied recently for your place's then? do you naem three choices? I'm not really sure about the process as my little one is not 3 til May

This is why I am moving, as the school's in my area aren't that good. Have you applied recently for your place's then? do you naem three choices? I'm not really sure about the process as my little one is not 3 til May

Have you looked on the Sheffield CC website? gives quite a bit of detail there.If you child is 3 in May 2011 then presumably they will start school Sept 2012 or Jan 2013 .

Looks like application packs are usually available in October - and you will need to apply by the next January.

Yes I tried registering early online but it said I can't register him yet

This is why I am moving, as the school's in my area aren't that good. Have you applied recently for your place's then? do you naem three choices? I'm not really sure about the process as my little one is not 3 til May

Hi!
Yes, I applied towards the end of last year (October I think) and we're due to find out on 11th April (for admissions in Sept 11 or Jan 12).
When it's time for you to apply, you'll be sent a letter explaining the process (so make sure the School Admissions people have your correct address for now so you get the form) and you can apply on line.