tiffin

[Etienne]

It rather depends what sort of case you intend putting forward.

[siva1]

Thanks Etienne
Non-qualification

[Etienne]

In that case it would help if the headteacher would write about 'high academic ability', and provide evidence from the school (e.g. very good SATs levels, test results).

If there are any extenuating circumstances known to the school, the headteacher could also comment on these.

[catonhottinroof]

Not trying to cause grief, but not quite sure what basis of appeal here is? If it is simply that child was considered likely to pass, surely this means that all those ranked higher on waiting list, who were at the top of their class at school and who were considered certain to pass by their tutors, should appeal, too?

Think it is important to remember is it is not how well kids have done in the past that matters - it is how well they do on the day, against the 1300+ other kids, that matters.

[Etienne]

Think it is important to remember is it is not how well kids have done in the past that matters - it is how well they do on the day

That is true of the 11+, but other factors can be considered at an appeal.

The Code of Practice (which has legal force) states:

....... the panel should consider any factors which appellants contend may have affected the child’s performance (e.g. illness, bereavement); whether the family made the admission authority aware of these before they sat the test; and whether it offered alternative testing arrangements or made reasonable adjustments (e.g. in the case of children with disabilities). The panel may then need to consider any clear evidence presented by the appellants to support their claim that the child is of the required academic standard e.g. school reports giving Year 5/Year 6 SAT results or a letter of support from their current or previous school clearly indicating why the child is considered to be of grammar school ability.

[whichwitch]

I don't know if any purely non qualification appeals succeed at Tiffin without extenuating circumstances or a failure of procedure on the part of the school. I don't think there is a headteacher appeals system in this area either although your Primary School should be able to give you your child's predicted SAT's scores to help show ability. Its not like full GS areas such as Bucks where I think they have far more appeals for children that just miss the qualifying score and with Primary School support for those appeals.

From what I understand a purely non qualification appeal at Tiffin is very unlikely to succeed unless there are extenuating circumstances or a failure of procedure. There is no qualifying score as there is in other areas, the school simply offers places to the top 140 highest scorers who sit the test that year. It may seem unfair but that is the nature of super selectives especially when its the only one in the area.

[siva1]

Thank you all for reply, head not very keen to support.