11 Plus Exams Forum

I haven't ever used a forum before but really need some advise so thought I'd try this out as everyone seems so helpful and knowledgeable.

We are in Bucks and had a bad weekend last week when our daughter got 119 and 115 in 11+. We have decided to appeal but are concerned as we have no extenuating circumstances just a strong academic record. We have now got back the report from the head and are pleased with the 1:1 rating she has given.

Her SATs in year 5 were 5s and she has been predicted 5s for year 6. The school hasn't added any alpha bands to these predictions - should we get them to do this?

They don't do CAT tests but we do have NFER results as follows:

2009 English - 127, Maths - 123
2008 English - 116, Maths - 125
2007 English - 127, Maths - 132

We just don't know what to put to answer why she did not perform as expected. Yes she was nervous and anxious but so was everyone else. In the practice papers she ran out of time but should we be drawing attention to her possible poor time management or will this go against us?

Welcome!

our daughter got 119 and 115

The 119 is very respectable. 115 less so.

just a strong academic record.

That's the main thing!

1:1 rating

Good - so long as most of the head's 1:1's did qualify!

Her SATs in year 5 were 5s and she has been predicted 5s for year 6

Good!

The school hasn't added any alpha bands to these predictions - should we get them to do this?

You can ask - they may or may not be willing. They can argue that sub-levels are not included in the official KS2 results. From an appeal panel's point of view, however, level 5 covers quite a range of ability from just above the level 4 borderline to the top end.

They don't do CAT tests but we do have NFER results as follows:

2009 English - 127, Maths - 123
2008 English - 116, Maths - 125
2007 English - 127, Maths - 132

They're all right apart from 116, but they're all curriculum tests. It would have helped your case to have a good NFER verbal reasoning test result.

We just don't know what to put to answer why she did not perform as expected

Go for straightforward honesty - you'll probably get some credit for it! "In the light of the other academic evidence she appears to have underperformed in the two tests, but it's not clear why. Yes, she was nervous and anxious but we accept so was everyone else!"

In the practice papers she ran out of time but should we be drawing attention to her possible poor time management or will this go against us?

No, I don't think time management issues would necessarily go against you, but if you happened to give the impression that there's a basic inability to work quickly, it wouldn't help your case.

Thank you for your quick reply.

Oops! My typing error, the 116 (that was yr group avg) should have been 123.
I am now concerned that we don't have enough academic evidence. Our NFER results are only for English and Maths and not the verbal reasoning that you mention.

Sounds like the fact that our school chooses not to do CAT tests could go against us. Is there anything we should do to address this lack of VR test results?

I've written about the possibility of an educational psychologist's report in a number of threads. For example:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... nal#143645
I wouldn't want to guarantee anything, but it's something for you to consider.

I just wanted to let you know that we found out yesterday that our appeal was successful and we're all delighted with the outcome as well as relieved the process is now over. Our appeal was held on monday but had an hour and a half's delay to the start time due to the weather - that really was a long and painful wait!

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the forum which i have been reading and scouring for invaluable tips for the last 6 weeks.

And good luck to everyone else over the coming weeks.

winterblues - Congratulations to both you and your daughter. It seems that the academic evidence was enough.
It is good to hear of a success.

Congratulations

So pleased you have positive outcome.

MG

Well done ... so pleased to hear your good news x x x

Congratulations - what a relief!! x

Well done and many congratulations on your successful appeal!!