appeal against LEA for Sixth Form (lower ability)

[nightcat]

After a dire secondary experience which included poor teaching in a lower ability set and bullying that went on for years (which the school refused to acknowledge), we have applied for a specialist school and got turned down despite the fact that ds has been statemented since primary and mainstream was a waste of time.
What needs to go in the appeal?
Do we need more specialists oppinions (new ones?); the file is already an inch thick.
Any thoughts how to add weight and what LEA respond to / are looking for in the appeal?

[cory]

You need to show

why the current school is damaging your child educationally/socially/emotionally

also

what it is that the specialist school- and only this school- can offer that is crucial to your ds's needs

hard to tell what to put in, as I don't know either what your ds's condition is, or what you've already submitted

general statements about poor teaching are probably not a help, as that would be the same for all children; but if you can show that your ds has specific needs that are not met in mainstream, that is the most important thing (I think). This needs to be underpinned by specialist's report stating your ds's needs (in identical terms to what you put in the application). You then need to argue that these needs cannot be met in mainstream.

if you want to claim emotional damage, get a psychologist's report

[nightcat]

Thanks Cory, it's a start, looks like we have blown it for September now.
Please tell me, the psych report, should it be the ed psych or some other place? I can't face any legal action (it would no doubt take years), I just need to move on in a positive way.