Evidence for non qualification appeal

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Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals code

Post by Alexandra »

I am appealing to grammar school in Essex and don't really understand the following wording and what it actually means in the appeals code:

Where applicable, the appellants arguments outweigh the admission authority's case that admission of additional children would cause prejudice

What is the LA's case? And what prejudice could there be? There is no 'passmark' it is taken on highest scores so do I apply for non qualification or oversubscription or both?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Etienne »

Alexandra wrote:What is the LA's case? And what prejudice could there be?
You don't usually see their case until a week or two before the hearing.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There is no 'passmark' it is taken on highest scores so do I apply for non qualification
See B1(b):
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... ication#b1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or oversubscription?
It's likely the school is - or will be - oversubscribed, so you ought to put forward reasons for wanting a place:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Alexandra »

Thanks Etienne - that's very helpful
So if the LA give the reasons that was in that link:
Number on roll in all year groups
Net capacity
Size of classrooms
Temporary classrooms
Corridor widths
Building work
% occupancy of rooms
Availability of specialist rooms
Curriculum demands & availability of options
Other timetabling & accommodation problems
Number of full-time teaching staff
PTR/contact ratio
Recruitment & retention issues, unfilled vacancies, overseas
teachers, NQTs

The LA then has a water tight case, how on earth are you supposed to fight against that?
Number of children with statements & special needs
State of the school budget
Health and safety concerns
Any behavioural challenges
No. of computers & availability of other resources
Any other challenges faced by the school
Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Alexandra »

Sorry my question got lost in the other information (posting on my phone). My question is if the LA put all the above forward - The LA then has a water tight case, how on earth are you supposed to fight against that? I would lose before starting
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Etienne »

Stage one is known as the factual stage. It doesn't follow that prejudice will arise from every fact listed above! Ultimately there are likely to be a few points of particular concern to them. ("Note 1: The purpose of some of this information will be to try and show that the school is fully ‘stretched’, and that the admission of even one extra child would be prejudicial.")

It will be up to the admission authority to satisfy the panel that prejudice would arise from the admission of an extra pupil. More often than not, they will be able to do this at stage one.

Stage two is the balancing stage, at the end of which the panel has to weigh up the strength of each side's case, and decide whether the parental reasons for wanting a place outweigh any prejudice to the school.

Nationally around one-third of oversubscription appeals succeed, so it must be possible for parents to win sometimes!
Etienne
Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Alexandra »

Hi Etienne
Thanks for your quick response - the advice you post on here is brilliant. From what I have read the grammar school appeals that are won by parents in Essex is much lower than the national third, do you know why this is? I've looked for the exact statistics for KEGS in essex and can't find any literature specific to the school - any ideas where I may find the specifics?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Etienne »

Thanks for your kind words. :)

Deciding whether a parental case outweighs the prejudice to the school is inevitably a somewhat subjective judgement. I suspect that, where you have grammar schools admitting by score, then competition for entry becomes even fiercer, which in turn could lead to an appeal panel taking a stricter view.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... school#c20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some of our Essex members might be able to help with the statistics. Failing that, you're entitled to ask the school:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a39" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Alexandra »

Thank you that is really helpful. One last question and I promise I won't ask anymore. Will my case automatically be prejudiced because of his mark? The last place into kegs was 341 and he got 319, so quite a way off. Will this be frowned upon? The fact that his mark was so off indicates to me that something went seriously wrong. will this be seen by the panel or will it be seen as he was toofar off . I will provide evidence of academic achievement as well as evidence of extenuating and mitigating circumstances as why he 'bombed out' so successfully!!
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Q for mods (or anyone else) about wording in appeals cod

Post by Etienne »

To be honest, I can't say.

It's possible that another parent could come along with a score of 340, and (among other things) argue "Please take into account what a tragedy it would be if my child was denied the opportunity to achieve his potential at this school, missing out by such a very narrow margin ........."

It's then up to the individual panel to decide what weight to give to any particular bit of evidence and to any particular case as a whole.

You can try to counter this possibility with "evidence of academic achievement as well as evidence of extenuating and mitigating circumstances as to why he 'bombed out' so successfully!"

Be very cautious in how you go about presenting extenuating circumstances - read all the Q&As on this topic, starting with:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck!
Etienne
Alexandra
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Evidence for non qualification appeal

Post by Alexandra »

Just had letter from head teacher for appeal. Very disappointed. It says he's level 5 in everything, on gifted register and has always achieved highly. I would of thought most parents would go in with this, what other evidence can I provide?
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