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What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 4:45 am
by monstermum
Have given up and got up at this ridiculous time. Having trouble thinking about what to do next. DD got nvr 141, vr 134 and maths 114. Aggregate 389. Level 5 at the end of Yr 5 in maths and reading (didn't get any others) standardised to 129 and 126. CAT tests in Yr 5 114 verbal, 119 non verbal and 130 maths. Had long chat with her HT who said he appealed and is shocked that she didn't get through. She has passed Medway which has a passmark of 509 with a score of 555. Maths was lowest but still 107 - a pass in Medway. She can get a place at Rochester Grammar which we all love and were tempted to choose first even with a Kent pass. We think we can work around transport and she would leave home at 7.30 and be home just after 4. All works in my head so why am I a mess?? My head (not headteacher - my head!) says why would I appeal for a school which would suit her less for the sake of 20 mins difference a day. Lots of buses at the end of the day so she can 'chat' and go for milkshake! I have a school hours job so could do after school clubs. Is it just because the decision has been taken out of our hands and I hate how unfair the system seems. Sorry if I seem insensitive to ohers without a grammar place. Just need to vent really.......not even sure what I'm asking??

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:26 am
by Jess
Hi Monstermum
I'm not in Kent but saw your post and thought I'd give you my POV.
I think you're right in that you are struggling with this because the decision has been taken out of your hands. And also because your DD's VR and NVR scores are fantastic and clearly show that she would thrive in any Grammar, so to not be offered a Kent place must seem very unfair.
But I think you need to keep remembering that Rochester was your first choice anyway, and a 7.30-4 day is really not a problem (we are in London, my DD is at an Indy and leaves the house at 7.15 and gets home at 4.50 and is absolutely fine!).
Of course you could appeal, but you need to be clear about the reasons you are doing so. You and your DD do not need to prove anything to anyone, and I think from what you say that you would be doing it in response to an outcome that is clearly ridiculous, not because you think your DD would be more suited to a Kent GS.
Give it a few days-I think your anger/frustration will wear off a bit and you will see things more clearly.
And well done to your DD; she is clearly a very clever girl and will do well wherever she goes.

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:36 am
by frangipani
Hi monstermum,

I understand that RGS is your favorite but I think you should still appeal to give yourself more options come march. RGS is very popular and say it's oversubscribed and you miss out on distance, would you be happy with another medway grammar? I think you stand a good chance at appeal and it would be worth a shot, you have nothing to lose by trying and you can still choose RGS in march if it's offered. You will just have more choices.

FP

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:58 am
by dottie1974
Good morning MM

I think you are frustrated as the decision (at this time) has been taken from you. A rubbish analogy but the best I can do at this time in the morning - I go out for dinner and see the the specials board, you can guarantee that I will suddenly crave and really want the item that has been crossed off as they have run out.

I think if I was in your shoes I would go along to the Invicta/MGGS open mornings to see them again - it was last year you went wasn't it? If you and your dd think one of these schools is more suited to her than RGS then appeal. You have nothing to lose - yes it will be a long and stressful journey. Your head teacher sounds like he would be a fantastic support for evidence etc and you know in yourself that you are strong enough to do an amazing appeal. I know it still won't have any guarantees but I think it is worth a shot.

Your DD got some amazing scores there so a huge well done to her for working so hard for that :D

Hugs to you and DD xx

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:03 am
by Mamonaku
I think with such good scores for VR and NVR if there was another school I preferred for my DC then I would put that school down as my first choice and appeal as I'd have nothing to lose, and put a 'dead cert' school high up on the list so my DC would at least get a school that we were happy with.

Do you know if the other schools you are looking at were oversubscribed last year? I know that the cohort for this year 6 is smaller so is there a chance that a chosen school might struggle to fill places this year? I am surprised the head teacher appeal failed since it could be argued that the results prove your DC has natural ability and was possibly let down by inadequate teaching (but of course the headteacher wouldn't argue that!). Does your DC's primary school achieve good SATS results for the higher attainers?

Well done to your DC for their fantastic reasoning scores.

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:23 am
by OOCmum
monstermum wrote:Have given up and got up at this ridiculous time. Having trouble thinking about what to do next. DD got nvr 141, vr 134 and maths 114. Aggregate 389. ?

Wow on those scores irrespective of a Kent GS selection! and the very best of wishes that you all feel better soon xx

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:24 am
by Blametheparents
Only guessing, but I suspect the Kent grammar you are considering is Mayfield?
Not sure if this helps, or hinders, but last year they took a number of girls on appeal who hadn't passed their 11plus as they had places left after the 1st march allocation.

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:24 am
by monstermum
RGS is very popular and say it's oversubscribed and you miss out on distance, would you be happy with another medway grammar?
This school takes girls ranked by score. I spoke to the head and he said that on her score she would have got in for the last 20 years. There isn't another school which we prefer. I think I was so shocked by her result - naive I know. She's gone off to school happy as Larry not wanting to appeal but to go a school she loves. I'm glad she's bounced back so easily as today could be a tough day. A lot Of the children pass from her school. The SATS are good. 60% level 5 in maths last year. She did however do her infants and some of juniors in another school which I moved her from. She wasn't achieving there and for a number of reasons I moved her. Thank you for all your replies. Gives me more food for thought.

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:28 am
by monstermum
Wow on those scores irrespective of a Kent GS selection! and the very best of wishes that you all feel better soon xx
Thanks :D
Only guessing, but I suspect the Kent grammar you are considering is Mayfield?
Not sure if this helps, or hinders, but last year they took a number of girls on appeal who hadn't passed their 11plus as they had places left after the 1st march allocation.


The alternative schools are Maidstone Grammars. Don't know Mayfield?

Re: What next? Possible insensitive post

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:36 am
by Blametheparents
Mayfield Grammar is the new name for Gravesend Girls' Grammar
Just guessing cos a lot of local friends look at both Rochester and Mayfield.