Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
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Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
As it won't be long before we hear which GS our DD has been allocated, I wanted to try and figure out whether it would be worth appealing if we don't get her 1st choice place which she is v.v.v. keen on. If there is little chance then I will want to be prepared to make encouraging noises about any other she does get on allocation day.
Our closest GS is BGS and we are also in catchment for BHS although on the edge. Whilst these are great schools the one that suits her best is SWB. We are out of catchment for SWB (about 7ish miles away) but the performing arts status is what has captured our DD - she loves music, dance, drama etc - and I know she will be disappointed not to secure a place.
I know last year we would have been lucky enough to be offered SWB but this was an unusual year looking back historically. If this year we didn't get a place at SWB and we appealed, it would have to be on the grounds of educational reasons (I have read the Appeal Q&As) and I am wondering if appeal places have ever been awarded at SWB on the performing arts basis, despite not being in catchment? We would be able to gather a good deal of evidence based on her musical and dancing ability etc. from various sources but would this ever be enough?
I would rather now manage any expectations before results are posted......any advice / previous experience would be gratefully received.
Our closest GS is BGS and we are also in catchment for BHS although on the edge. Whilst these are great schools the one that suits her best is SWB. We are out of catchment for SWB (about 7ish miles away) but the performing arts status is what has captured our DD - she loves music, dance, drama etc - and I know she will be disappointed not to secure a place.
I know last year we would have been lucky enough to be offered SWB but this was an unusual year looking back historically. If this year we didn't get a place at SWB and we appealed, it would have to be on the grounds of educational reasons (I have read the Appeal Q&As) and I am wondering if appeal places have ever been awarded at SWB on the performing arts basis, despite not being in catchment? We would be able to gather a good deal of evidence based on her musical and dancing ability etc. from various sources but would this ever be enough?
I would rather now manage any expectations before results are posted......any advice / previous experience would be gratefully received.
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Very difficult to give a straight answer, Jules, because - even if someone has previously had a successful appeal on this basis - there may have been other factors in the case that helped sway the panel.I am wondering if appeal places have ever been awarded at SWB on the performing arts basis, despite not being in catchment?
There are other variables -
- a) It's likely to be a different panel each year, and each panel could come to a different view about the strength of the school's case.
b) Different panel members will have different views about what weight to give to being in catchment.
b) The more appellants there are at a particular time, and the stronger their individual cases, the more difficult it could be a win an 'average' appeal. (The most compelling arguments tend to be social/medical.)
I'm struck by your reference to "v.v.v. keen" - I always think it's a good idea at an oversubscription appeal to try and relay to the panel the enormous enthusiasm a child has for the desired school. And if this extends beyond the school's specialism to other aspects as well, so much the better!
Etienne
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Thanks so much for the advice.
What would be a social reason?The most compelling arguments tend to be social/medical
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
A couple of examples:
(a) The child has endured some trauma or tragedy. Needs the support of friends. All the friends are going to the school being appealed for, none to the allocated school. (Primary school confirms that this is true, and supports the appeal.)
(b) Persistent bullying (lots of supporting evidence with regard to frequency and severity). The bullies all attend the allocated school. The school being appealed for is the nearest or most appropriate alternative.
(a) The child has endured some trauma or tragedy. Needs the support of friends. All the friends are going to the school being appealed for, none to the allocated school. (Primary school confirms that this is true, and supports the appeal.)
(b) Persistent bullying (lots of supporting evidence with regard to frequency and severity). The bullies all attend the allocated school. The school being appealed for is the nearest or most appropriate alternative.
Etienne
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Oh yes, thanks - I can see they would be very compelling examples in an appeal. Nothing that applies to us fortunately so I think appealing on the educational basis would be a slim chance but still worth a shot as at least we know we would have tried.
Will definitely have to do some expectation management with DD.....
Will definitely have to do some expectation management with DD.....
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Hi Jules 7
I saw that the first preferences for SWB were very high this year. We live even further than you so don't hold any hope ! (copied from the Bucks forum).
PAN 2011 2010 2009 2008
Sir William Borlase 120 134 76 110 128
We also wondering about appealing after 1st March but do not think we have any strong grounds.
I saw that the first preferences for SWB were very high this year. We live even further than you so don't hold any hope ! (copied from the Bucks forum).
PAN 2011 2010 2009 2008
Sir William Borlase 120 134 76 110 128
We also wondering about appealing after 1st March but do not think we have any strong grounds.
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Hi Joop,
Would you mind posting the link to the preferences - as I can't locate it and would be really interested in looking at it,
Many thanks
Would you mind posting the link to the preferences - as I can't locate it and would be really interested in looking at it,
Many thanks
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Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 12&t=18871" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I will post it again as a new thread.
I will post it again as a new thread.
Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
Sally-Anne,
Many thanks
Can I just ask, is there a rough guide to preferences for secondary schools for 2011 - or just the grammar schools?
Many thanks
Can I just ask, is there a rough guide to preferences for secondary schools for 2011 - or just the grammar schools?
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Re: Over subscription appeal Qs (Bucks)
The numbers I have are for Bucks GS only and I assume that you don't have an interest in Upper Schools?