My Herts School PlaceRefusal of a school place can just be the start of your battle! As well as checking for mistakes (see the section on advice we can offer after allocation), beyond Key Stage One the independent appeals process offers a real chance of success.
There is plenty of advice available on independent admissions appeals, and you can read my top ten tips in the resources section. If you want this generic advice enhanced by detailed Hertfordshire-specific knowledge, then, having represented Hertfordshire Schools at hundreds of appeals, we can advise on:
- The venues used, how the meetings run and how to best prepare for them.
- Many of the panellists and their style of questioning.
- Local Authority representatives, their style of presentation and the arguments they employ.
- The arguments that have tended to be more successful.
- The pitfalls parents can unwittingly fall into.
What we offer is an opportunity to be better informed and have more finely-tuned arguments not to pull one over the panel, but to ensure that you present the best case possible.
You may come across people who will represent you or support you at Independent Appeal. Our experience of Independent Appeals is that this is not advisable:
- It detracts from the power of you presenting a personal case for their consideration.
- Independent expertise can annoy panels who may feel they are being pressurised.
- Experience shows that these independent experts can be poorly prepared and do not always offer value for money.
When we returned to the UK from working overseas, as an intelligent professional, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the independent appeal. But the advice I received gave me a surprising insight into the subtleties of the process that was absolutely invaluable.
Meredith, mother of Tom (Year 2) and Ellie (Year 4)
Request an initial free 10 minute discussion to explore whether you are on the right track or if you could benefit from more detailed advice.