✕

Important update from TheSchoolRun

For the past 13 years, TheSchoolRun has been run by a small team of mums working from home, dedicated to providing quality educational resources to primary school parents. Unfortunately, rising supplier costs and falling revenue have made it impossible for us to continue operating, and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close. The good news: We’ve arranged for another educational provider to take over many of our resources. These will be hosted on a new portal, where the content will be updated and expanded to support your child’s learning.

What this means for subscribers:

  • Your subscription is still active, and for now, you can keep using the website as normal — just log in with your usual details to access all our articles and resources*.
  • In a few months, all resources will move to the new portal. You’ll continue to have access there until your subscription ends. We’ll send you full details nearer the time.
  • As a thank you for your support, we’ll also be sending you 16 primary school eBooks (worth £108.84) to download and keep.

A few changes to be aware of:

  • The Learning Journey weekly email has ended, but your child’s plan will still be updated on your dashboard each Monday. Just log in to see the recommended worksheets.
  • The 11+ weekly emails have now ended. We sent you all the remaining emails in the series at the end of March — please check your inbox (and spam folder) if you haven’t seen them. You can also follow the full programme here: 11+ Learning Journey.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our journey it’s been a privilege to support your family’s learning.

*If you need to reset your password, it will still work as usual. Please check your spam folder if the reset email doesn’t appear in your inbox.

Can you successfully appeal your secondary school offer?

Secondary school appeals
As secondary school offers arrive, many families find themselves contemplating their next move, including the possibility of appealing. Drawing from his wealth of experience as a primary-school head, Matt Revill provides invaluable guidance on navigating the often-daunting appeals process in this week's School Savvy blog.

Ah, the transition to Year 7 – it's a big step for both you and your child. And when that secondary school offer comes in and it's not quite what you hoped for, it can feel like a bit of a curveball. But here's the thing: you've got options! And one of those options is the appeals process, designed to give you a chance to challenge the decision.

Can you appeal?

If your child didn't get into a school that you applied to, then you're eligible to appeal.

Act swiftly

Don't dilly-dally! Appeals usually need sorting within about 20 school days from the offer letter date. Double-check with your local authority for your exact deadline.

Finding your reasons

Got a good reason? Strong grounds for appeal include procedural errors, exceptional circumstances like recent family moves or medical conditions, sibling preference, or special educational needs.

Gathering evidence

Time to gather your evidence! Think residency proofs, medical reports, or letters from professionals. And when it comes to writing your appeal statement, keep it clear, concise, and focused on why your preferred school is the best fit for your child.

Facing the decision

Now, sometimes a written appeal does the trick. But if demand's high, your case might go before an admissions panel. Fear not; these folks are independent and will give your case a fair hearing.

What to expect

After that, you'll hear back within a few days, and there are three possible outcomes:

  • They stick with their original decision.
  • They offer your child a spot (hooray!).
  • They suggest you look elsewhere (not ideal, but it's something).

Now, let's keep it real: Appeals aren't a guaranteed win. So, while it's worth a shot, be ready for any outcome.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Chat with your child's current school – they might have some handy tips or even provide some backup evidence for your appeal. And don't forget to reach out to your local authority for all the nitty-gritty details on appeals in your area.

School admissions code

Oh, and if you're a stickler for the fine print, check out the School Admissions Code. It's like your roadmap through the world of school admissions and appeals.

Stay optimistic

So, chin up, parents! Navigating appeals might seem daunting, but armed with the right information and a realistic level of optimism, you've got this. Keep advocating for your child's education, and know that whatever happens, you've done everything you can.

 

Matt Revill is a primary school headteacher with over 20 years experience of working in schools. He has worked in a range of settings and currently works within a multi-academy trust of 14 schools. In his free time, he enjoys reading, computing, holidaying and spending time with his family and friends. Matt has a son who is currently working his way through A-levels at college.

Matt Revill photo