Penny can help you to present your Admission Appeal or Complaint to the
Ombudsman in the most effective way. Her experience as an Independent Appeal
Panel member hearing Admission, Transfer and Selection Appeals for the 11+,
means that she is well aware of the issues that panels take into account,
and of the Code of Practice and Education Laws that govern Appeals. This
insight into how Independent Appeal Panels work gives Penny the knowledge of
how to present your case in the best way so as to maximize your chances of
success.
All parents want the best education for their children. Being refused a
place at a state school is devastating for parents and children. Many
parents attempt an admission appeal. An Admission Appeal is a judicial
process, like a tribunal. Presenting your case at an Appeal without
professional assistance is a nerve-racking experience. It is a heavy
responsibility knowing that your child’s whole future depends on how you
present your case to the Independent Appeal Panel.
Although the outcome of an appeal can never be predicted, parents who use
School Guidance know that they are presenting their case in the best way,
and are confident and fully prepared for the hearing. They know that they
have maximised their chances of success and done everything possible for
their child.
Penny has a wide experience of appeal cases and has assisted parents with
appeals in many different areas of the country including Kent, Birmingham,
Leeds, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Berkshire, Lancashire,
Hertfordshire, Manchester, Slough, Norfolk and London.
POORLY PRESENTED CASES OFTEN FAIL
Many parents simply don’t know which are the best arguments to put to the
Independent Appeal Panel and because of this fail to present their case
effectively. The best presented cases are often more successful than the
strongest cases.
PERSONAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE WITH PRESENTATION OF YOUR CASE
Penny will provide support and advice at every stage of the appeal process.
She will discuss your case with you in detail to make sure that every issue
has been thoroughly explored. Penny will advise you on how best to present
your appeal and will assist in putting it together. She will ensure that all
the relevant issues have been included and will advise you on the
documentation you will need to produce to support your case. Penny will
also give you information on how the appeal process works and take you
through the order of events on the day of your appeal.
REPRESENTATION AND SUPPORT AT THE APPEAL
If you are unable, for any reason, to attend the appeal hearing Penny can
present your case for you at the hearing. If support is needed on the day,
Penny can accompany you and take part in the presentation of your case.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSION APPEALS
MOVING TO A NEW AREA
Moving house is stressful at the best of times but when you find that the
local school has filled the space you thought they had for your child it can
turn into a nightmare. This is especially true if your child is joining a
Key stage 1 class as these, by law cannot exceed 30 pupils. Penny can assist
with putting together an Admission Appeal and provide representation or
support at the Appeal if required.
TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLING
Transferring your child from primary to secondary education can be a
bewildering process especially if you want your child to attend a school
outside your catchment area, a grammar school or if your child has special
needs.
Penny gives help at each stage of the process. Advice is given on how to
assess schools and what to look for when visiting. She explains the Schools
Admissions Criteria and the transfer system in detail and outlines the
options available.
TRANSFER APPEALS
If a place is not allocated at the first preference school Penny gives
assistance in preparing the case for the Appeal Hearing. Support can be
given on the day of the Appeal, and if required, Penny can represent the
parents at the hearing.
SELECTION APPEAL FOR A GRAMMAR SCHOOL
If your child has not qualified at the 11+, but it is still felt that a
grammar school would be more suited to the child’s needs, help can be given
putting together the appeal and compiling the information to be submitted.
COMPLAINTS TO THE OMBUDSMAN
If parents do not feel they have been given a fair hearing at their Appeal
or that some form of maladministration has occurred, Penny can put together
a case for the Ombudsman and deal with the ensuing proceedings.
COSTS
The cost of a consultation by e-mail and telephone for up to one hour is £70
payable before the consultation. A face-to-face consultation costs £85 which
is payable at the time of the consultation. Cheques should be made payable
to "Penny Bysshe". An additional charge is made for consultations lasting
longer than one hour at £35 per half hour or part of a half hour for
telephone consultations and £42.50 for face to face ones. Consultations out
of normal office hours and at weekends incur a supplementary charge of £10.
The above charges include a brief preliminary discussion by telephone before
the consultation and the perusal of the draft submission to the Appeal Panel
which you prepare after the consultation, followed by a brief telephone
conversation about it. If you would like more assistance (for example if you
want me to draft any documents for you, or amend any you have prepared
yourself), this is charged at £50 an hour. If another consultation is
required this is charged at the full consultation rate outlined above.
Representation at an Appeal hearing starts at £250 for a half a day.
