Five tips for school appeals

1. You’re about to enter into combat with the admission authority – that’s the school’s governing body, or Hertfordshire County Council. Keep detailed records from now on of any phone calls, letters, emails etc.

2. Be focused about your grounds for appeal. Your childminder’s schedule is irrelevant. But how about your child’s particular needs? Compile as much written evidence as possible.

3. Remember, you’re appealing for a particular school, not against the one you’ve been offered. It’s pointless ranting on about how awful a school is – and you’ll only get the panel’s backs up.

4. Keep calm during the appeal hearing, but don’t worry if you cry – you want the panel to see how important this is for your family.

5. Arm yourself with SchoolGuru’s Beat-the-System Guide to School Appeals. It’s available for £6 (see below) - and the Daily Mirror says it has “good tips.”

Good luck!

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“Thanks for the guide. It is extremely useful, perhaps the most informative and helpful that I have read". Mrs S, Harpenden

"Really well written and it's great to get the inside info. There's loads of stuff here to help with my appeal and I feel in safe hands". Mrs B, Milton Keynes