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Information for Entry/Appeal 2008

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:57 pm
by Piper
I am writing the following as information which may serve as a legacy, certainly in the short term, and help those whose children will be applying for GS 2008 entry.

We heard today that our appeal was successful. Indeed at one stage today we held offers of places at three schools, including the two girls GS in Gloucester! Clearly we are all delighted.

a) The VRQ tests are standardised according to which GS appeared higher on your list. ie at the school you sat the test. The Admissions Team have never made this clear. It does not appear in any documenation we received.

b) VRQ is not an absolute value. A VRQ of 105 at one school may be different at another.

c) The difference in the 2 VRQ scores between schools can be very high.

d) It was far easier to get int Ribston Hall than the High School. This may be of importance next November when you are told you have passed. Passed for which school?

e) A difference of VRQ of 6 or 7 may only correspond to two/three more questions answered correctly. That is 2/3 out of 85!

f) The response sheets this year were not the same style. One paper you filled in a lozenge next to the answers. The other paper you filled in next to a sheet with abcde. If your child has not practised both styles I believe they could be at a disadvantge.

With the latter style the right answer in the wrong place is likely to be the wrong answer!

When it came to the appeal we did the following (based very much on Etieinne's information)


Primary School standardised VRQ scores well above 105

Predicted 5s at KS3

Top sets at an above average(county and country) primary school

CAT scores giving a very high NVR. Reference to this website

http://eduwight.iow.gov.uk/curriculum/a ... tscats.asp

(The Admissions Team provided this.)

Strong recommendation letters from the school (Form teacher and Subject teachers)

A strong quote from the Head Teacher

Everything had measurable, quantified and written proof.

There was no waffle/no ref. to hobbies etc. We stuck to academic evidence which could not be disputed.

And we stayed calm and polite throughout.

I hope this helps. If I think of anything else I shall post again.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:04 pm
by Piper
Sorry, that should be "Predicted 5s at KS2"!

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:41 pm
by Interested mum
Glad you were successful. Did you get the school you wanted in the end? Were there any other successful appeals do you know?

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:53 pm
by Piper
Yes. The High School. I think most, if not all, of the 30 who appealed were given places. This was an odd year!

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:18 pm
by gloucestermum
Congrats to you Piper and Bronco for your successful appeals!!!

I am not looking forward to this November when we are told the results.How are we meant to judge which school to put down as 1st choice if we are only given the fact that our child has passed or failed and if the score would have got them a grammar place this year!! I'm scared already..............

Gloucestermum

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:34 am
by Bronco
Our's was also The High School for Girls. I did question the LEA on numbers, and they informed me that there was 40 appeals this year.

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:22 am
by Piper
That is interesting.

When I asked the AT they refused to tell me. The school informed me 30 when I contacted them in late April.

I have been told since yesterday that year 7 (2007) numbers are now as hoped.

The school is happy although they may be a little less trustworthy of the system.

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:51 am
by Bronco
Piper,

I would have expected that from the AT. I have found that the Glos County Council seem to operate a "good cop", "bad cop" policy.

With the AT being the "bad cop". During the whole process I have found them to be at best, evasive and secretive.

Where as the people who have run the appeals, who I belive to be the legal services department, have been a breath of fresh air. They have answered all of my requests for information promptly and in full.

One example is where I asked the AT two questions and for a copy of the standardisation tables. I received a three page letter back, not answering any of my questions directly. A letter that any politician would have been proud of! They hid behind copywrite issues over my request for the standardisation tables.

When I asked the legal services for the same document there were absolutley no issues and they handed me a copy.

The 40 appeals number for this year came directly from the legal services department. I simply e-mailed them and they replied straight back.

I lost faith in the AT to do the best for my child very early on in the process!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:35 pm
by capers123
I agree regarding the Admissions Team. I saw some docs from them where a parent was arguing over maladministration of the exam and they did seem to be evasive and protecting their own team (It didn't happen. No irregularities). I can't say more about that appeal, but I was very unimpressed by the AT.

Regarding Pipers' comment 'no waffle / no ref to hobbies, etc' - I agree. Maybe I would put say one comment in the appeal document to show the child is well rounded, but no more than that.

Stay calm & polite through the appeal, but don't worry too much if you get genuinely upset. The panel may well be able to distinguish between crocodile tears & the real thing. I remember one woman looking really pale and being very close to tears - we thought it was nerves, but after we'd decided on the case and were on our way out of the door were told by the schools side that she had end-stage cancer - we were pleased that we'd decided for her child. Don't argue with the panel - argue with the school / LEA side!

information for entry

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:05 pm
by strum
hi piper,
What does a lozenge mean? I dont understand teh difference between the two types of test COuld you possibly explain again