11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi

My daughter got 120 and 114 which was a complete shock to us and the school. She is predicted high 5's in SATS and has just achieved 2 5's already. School are completely behind us and have given her a 1:1. We are waiting the NVR score but her reading age is 2yrs 4 months advanced and spelling is 4yrs 7 months advanced. All reports have been excellent and she got 3's in KS1. She has not been tutored, I have done some papers with her at home which she handled fine. However, her elder sister was diagnosed with a serious neurological condition 15 months ago, a condition which is still not under control and has meant that my time has been consumed with looking after her as she has missed 50% of her 1st year at the local grammar. With hindsight I can see now that I didn't spend enough time with my middle daughter who on occasion has had to look after our youngest for us.

I am gathering references but am concerned that the panel will focus on the 114 score not the 120 and also want to know how many reports should you actually send in? I don't want to bombard them but obviously want to present the case well. Any advice glady received.

Stressed of Bucks

i am not an expert in your area but thought i would reply until the experts come. I think that with a 120 you are very close and if you look in the Q&A section in the appeals forum and look at the stickys you will find a percentage chance wise with a score of 120.

I would also think you have strong mitigating circumstances.
The headteachers stong recommendation is excellent- as is high 5's for year 6.
They do like all 3;s in key stage 1
Have you got any CATS from year 5 or 6?

In my not-expert opinion you have a very good chance at appeal Good luck

Thanks for holding the fort, tiredmum - the contribution you make to the forum is much appreciated.

also want to know how many reports should you actually send in? I don't want to bombard them but obviously want to present the case well.

Panels do like to see a complete year 5 report (although it will be of limited value if it's one of those that makes little mention of achievement). I suggest no point including a year 4 report unless it really adds something extra.

Apart from this, as far as individual subjects are concerned, try and keep the focus on the most academic subjects, especially English, maths and possibly science.

Optional SATs results from just year 5/6 would usually suffice, if they're good enough.

Your curriculum evidence looks good, but to dispel any concerns about the 114 it would help ideally to have some alternative reasoning test results, if available. After all, the 11+ is not a curriculum test .....

Note what we say here about the range of evidence:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... rs.php#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Huge sympathy for the family circumstances, but how will you explain that one of the 11+ tests, plus the KS2 predictions, are unaffected?

Hi

Thanks to both of you for your input. It is a difficult one to explain the 2nd paper when the 1st was so close, but I guess even if both were 120, you'd still be explaining. There are a couple of things I can say with regard to the 2nd paper, the 1st being that afterwards, she said that some of the questions had taken her longer and therefore she had run out of time and had to guess the last few. This is consistent with maths questions/coding which although she can do, take her longer and I only did a few timed tests with her at home. With hindsight, I can see that I should have done more. The second issue relates to our case for extenuating circumstances and without wishing to disclose any revealing facts in an open forum, meant that on the morning of the 2nd test, family life was extremely fraught as a result of a medical emergency.

None of this however, helps with the high SATS achievement. On the one hand, with an excellent academic record you can argue that she should have passed but on the other hand, the extenuating circumstances would affect the "excellent academic record". The 11+ tests are the only blips to date!

This is my quandary. What are your thoughts?

If something specific such as a medical emergency happened on the second morning, then I would suggest focusing on that (rather than on the ongoing situation). Evidence to confirm what happened would help.

Etienne wrote:Thanks for holding the fort, tiredmum - the contribution you make to the forum is much appreciated.

If only i was so appreciated at home