Testimonials

We found ourselves having to go through the appeal process unexpectedly and at the very last minute. John responded immediately and guided us through what would otherwise have been a very daunting experience indeed. The information he supplied was invaluable and he explained clearly how best to present our case at the hearing. His calm professionalism helped to relieve our anxieties and our appeal was successful. We are very grateful indeed.
AW on Tuesday, 25th August 2009

I would like to recommend John Chard, having sought his advice as I was mid-appeal. His experience and approach is clearly a great support to distressed, worried parents, as I was when I found him. He advised me in a knowledgeable, reassuring manner that helped me think about the logical process of the school appeal and was quick to respond to emails and calls, even responding to my first approach over a weekend. I was incredibly anxious and upset when I first contacted him, but I quickly knew that this would be money well invested in doing all I can to secure the right primary school for my child. After a summer of disappointment and agonising, I was lucky to have got in on the waiting list the month before term starts, I rang John immediately and he was very gracious about the work not progressing and wished my daughter the best at her new school. I am telling other parents in my area about John but also wanted to leave a testimonial, which is something I rarely do, as even having John there advising me what to do for the short time we worked together was an immense support in what can be very upsetting, overwhelming times for parents.
P Porter on Thursday, 6th August 2009

we would to thank John for assisting us to compile a winning appeal. John not only helped us make sense of the facts and figures provided by the LEA but gave us some valuable information on how to approach the LEA and the panel on 'the' day.
mr and mrs m berkshire on Monday, 6th July 2009

Both my wife and I are qualified solicitors and therefore we had both hoped that we could prepare for the Primary School Appeal for our daughter on our own. The various intricacies surrounding the nature of our appeal soon made it clear to us though that we needed someone with not only the professional experience of the legislation governing such school appeals, but also the practical experience of how to approach and handle the Local Education Authority and the Appeal Panel both in advance of the Appeal and on the day of the Appeal itself. We were determined to do everything to ensure that irrespective of the outcome we could at least say that we had given the Appeal our best shot. John not only stepped up to the bar and met the challenge but also far exceeded our expectations. His years of experience working in this field shone through and we were both very impressed with the manner in which he grasped the individual facts of our daughter's case. John was patient with us through out the whole experience and was always available whenever we needed to discuss points or developments in our case. He was great at taking a lot of the emotion out of what was a very emotive time. The outcome of the Appeal was a positive one and we are extremely grateful to John for that. The best testimonial though for the whole process was the happy smiling face of our daughter when she attended the school for the first part of her induction. Thank you John.
Daryl Jones on Friday, 3rd July 2009

John has come to our aid twice now - successfully. We have just found out that our daughter's appeal has been successful and she can join her brother at a Faith school. The school had put up a strong case regarding capacity and prejudice but John was able to guide and support us and find discrepancies in their argument. We are very grateful to John for his reassurance and expertise in helping us through this ordeal.
Marc & Kirti Ambasna-Jones on Friday, 3rd July 2009

I would like to extend our utmost thanks for all your help and assistance relating to our school appeal in respect of our son. We received the fantastic news on Friday that our appeal was successful. I am certain that without your support, we would not have achieved this wonderful outcome and we really appreciate all your advice and comments. Our son is ecstatic and can now enjoy his final weeks at primary school secure in the knowledge that he will transfer to his preferred school with his friends. Thank you once again from some very euphoric parents.
Amanda on Monday, 8th June 2009

Yesterday, we achieved the nigh on impossible-success in an \"infant class size\" appeal.We could not have done this without the help, advice and support of John.He has a huge knowledge base around the subject of appeals and questioned areas of the Admission process that would easily have passed us by. He reviewed our written submission scrupulously and also the Admissions Authority\'s reply making sure we were extremely well prepared on the day. I would recommend his service unreservedly!
Mr and Mrs J. Bristol on Saturday, 25th April 2009

Fantastic news, we won our son's primary school appeal! Thankyou for your expert help. I would recommend anyone about to embark on the daunting appeal process not to do so without John Chard's advice - his help is invaluable, and will ensure you cover every angle in the appeal. You will not come across a more knowedgeable person than John on the subject of School Appeals.
Mr and Mrs B on Sunday, 29th March 2009

Received fabulous news this morning. Our appeal was upheld and a place has been allocated for Jacob at Oxted. We were the only successful appeal out of 3 heard for Oxted on Thursday. Thank you so much for the help and representation. After two failed appeals we felt we could not go this alone I am so glad we found you in time. At last Jacob can now begin to live his life as a local student at the school close to his home. I would highly recommend your excellent service to anyone about to embark on what can be an intimidating and daunting process.
Sally Atkins on Monday, 1st December 2008

Winning an appeal in a primary school appeared to be extremely difficult. Winning one in a top-performing, oversubscribed Catholic primary school in London, seemed almost impossible. Two days after the appeal and against all odds, we received a letter informing us we had won the appeal. We literally jumped for joy and our four year-old daughter joined the party although not fully aware of the significance of the letter. It was a life-changing moment. None of this could have happened without John’s advice and professionalism.
Mr and Ms Mulcahy on Tuesday, 21st October 2008

Thank you ever so much John! Our appeal was granted. It wouldn’t happen without your great help. You were never hesitate to listen our constant questions through out our ordeal and giving professional and extremely knowledgeable guidance which has lead us to successful appeal. We thank you from the bottom of our heart and recommend your great service to all the parents, who need assistance with any aspect of school appeals. Mr. & Mrs. Romy
Mr. & Mrs. Romy on Thursday, 26th June 2008

A big thank you to S.A. and John Chard for their much valued support with our appeal. They have been most helpful to us and would have no hesitation in recommending their service to anyone. P.C.L.
p armezzani on Tuesday, 24th June 2008

Today we have been informed our appeal for our son has been successful. Most parents can appreciate the stress we have been under for the last few months, and how unhappy our child was being told he will not be attending the school which all his friends had obtained a place for. Reading John's book, gave me hope that we could turn this around. After contacting John and asking for his help we actually began to feel more confident. We asked John to represent us at our appeal, which is an intimidating, daunting, and emotional experience. But John's experience, confidence and reassurance got us through that. This is one of the biggest decisions that you can make regarding your childs life, make sure you have given it your best shot! In our opinion John's advice has been inavluable and we owe him a huge thank you, for making our son happy!
Karen Wheatley on Tuesday, 17th June 2008

We “WON” our appeal for our son to attend his preferred secondary school and we certainly could not do this without the help of John. His knowledge, experience and his support was 100% valuable and we could not have achieved a successful result without John’s input. He checked and guided us with the initial statement that we submitted to Admission Authority. Close to the appeal date and when we then received the Authority’s report John then put his view together to contest our case for the appeal hearing. We won the appeal with the information and points raised by John in the report he wrote for us. This whole process can be daunting and very frustrating. I think it is important to have someone like John on your side with his vast knowledge and experience in school appeals. You could not imagine the difficult times we were faced with and we had no experience or clue where to start in this whole process. John’s guidance and support saw us through and my son is so happy that he got his preferred choice. The service which John provides is worth everything you pay him. I would recommend anyone going through an appeal process then to look no further and make contact with John in the first instance. It is about “securing your child’s education” and his help and guidance will bring you steps closer in achieving this. It may seem that I am boosting but believe me when you have been through an appeal process you will realise how important knowledge and experience is in aid of your appeal – John is your answer!!! Alpesh & Shruti Kanabar
Alpesh Kanabar on Saturday, 14th June 2008

it is very difficult to imagine the emotional stress and feeling of helplessness you feel for your child when you have not been offered any place at a preferred school. Only with the help and guidance of John were we able to find the courage and optimism to fight for our daughter. John showed such professionalism throughout our ordeal. He was always happy to help and guide us through every step right up to the appeal hearing itself. we are totally indebted to John for everything that he has done in making such a huge difference in one little girls life. She now has the opportunity to attend a wonderful secondary school which we are sure would not have happened without Johns help.The difference he has made to her life for the next 5 to 7 years is unmeasureable.
mr and mrs patel on Tuesday, 3rd June 2008

We've just heard this weekend that our appeal has been allowed. We are absolutley delighted, and our daughter is ecstatic. Subscribing to school appeals was an important decision for us, it provided somewhere for us to seek advice and support as we built our case. John provided sensible and level headed comments and helped to strengthen some areas whilst also adding succinct and powerful comments elsewhere. The critique of the school's case that John put together was first class. A big thank you to John, and a great weight lifted from our shoulders!
Mike Draper on Monday, 12th May 2008

Fantastic news received today we won our appeal thanks to the expert advice received from John Chard. After one unsuccessful appeal we sought advice and John represented us at the second appeal. The Panel heard the case for the school and decided that prejudice in favour of the school was not proven. As a consequence the panel found in Alexander's favour. John was efficient, friendly and extremely knowledgable in this field. If you need assistance with any aspect of school appeals, look no further. Carol and James Legg
Carol Legg on Wednesday, 28th November 2007

my mum and nan won my appell and i am so happy they did thanks to you i just started the school and im doing better then ever and happier then ever thanks so much
morgan strevens on Friday, 19th October 2007

I won my school appeal yesterday at the first stage. Without John's knowledge and expertise I would not have been able to fight this on my own. If I had not used John's services I think the result would have been very different. I would recommend the unlimited advice service for anyone in the same situation. This is money well spent.
Ruth Ridout on Thursday, 18th October 2007

John, thank you from all of us. We have ended the worst period we have ever endured, after seven months and two appeals - which we thought we had no chance of winning. Your experience, knowledge and professionalism won Joseph a place at his preffered school giving him the greatest opportunity to develop to his full potential. To anyone who reads this. If your child has been refused a place at your chosen school then contact John and enlist his help. Once again John thanks.
Barry & Paula Steging on Friday, 5th October 2007

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