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Secondary school appeal update

(84 Posts)
gillybob Wed 07-Jun-17 15:45:03

It does Welshwife this is what happens when schools turn into academies and are allowed to write their own admissions criteria.

I have said to my DDiL just this morning that if/when we lose (I don't mean to sound so defeatist) I feel that I will have to take this somewhere. It won't help my little GD at all but this really needs to be brought to the attention of people in high places.

Welshwife Wed 07-Jun-17 15:19:54

This sort of thing needs to be publicised and stopped - and also the distance and problems there are with getting your DGD to school safely on a daily basis. I assume you have discussed all this with the local MP?
The whole thing stinks!

gillybob Wed 07-Jun-17 15:05:32

Me too Norah it's getting us all down. My poor little granddaughter is so stressed she is making herself ill with worry.

gillybob Wed 07-Jun-17 15:03:18

Thanks Rigby46 I have just spoken to the appeals secretary (she is from the next town?) who tells me that the reason for the appeal being strung over 2 days is that there are too many to be heard in one day. I asked her whether it would not be a fairer system to hear a few appeals per day over 2 or 3 days and each appellant could be given at least a day slot. Apparently not possible. I didn't want to say any more to her (or what I thought of their system) for fear of further jeopardising my granddaughters chances.

Norah Wed 07-Jun-17 14:57:38

I'm sorry this has not yet resolved, gillybob.

Rigby46 Wed 07-Jun-17 14:18:04

I only have experience of the two appeals my niece attended. In both cases, she was given a specific time for each. Academies are supposed to follow the same code. Making someone be available for two whole days ( with all the anxiety that must entail whilst waiting) sounds like an abuse of process to me - I'll pm you

gillybob Wed 07-Jun-17 13:41:42

Sadly it is an academy Rigby46 so they are a law unto themselves and can dictate the terms of the appeal procedure. just like they can manipulate their admissions criteria to suit.

Rigby46 Wed 07-Jun-17 13:33:40

gb I am beyond angry on your behalf. Who is actually organising the appeal? Is it a la school or an academy?

gillybob Wed 07-Jun-17 13:00:51

Hi All many of you may recall that we are in the process of going through a traumatic secondary school appeal for my granddaughter.

The school concerned have been completely inflexible by saying that any appeal date given cannot be changed for whatever reason and the appeal will go ahead on the day/time whether you are there or not.

The appeal is being heard in an area notoriously hard to get to in morning traffic.

Yesterday an updated letter arrived to my DDiL stating that the appeal will now be heard over 2 days and if you wish to be present at the appeal you must be available from 09.00 - 16.30 on both days. The school will make their address on day one and they are not able to say exactly when you will be called in front of the panel on day two.

Is it just me? is this totally unreasonable? how can they be allowed to get away with this?

Are they hoping that by making things so awkward you will withdraw your appeal or not turn up?

I am fuming angry