11 Plus Exams Forum

I have sent my speech to the inbox, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry - we try and help with specific questions, but don't really have time to review speeches etc.

Also I can't connect with the link you've provided. (Probably my security settings! )

Ok Ettienne,

We have put together our case.

DD scored 112 and 119 for Bucks. . Effort level for every subject is 1. HT is supporting us 100%. She has glowing school reports that we will add as references. Both her older brosthers are in grammar schools. Out of school activities include Indian Dancing, Football, ICT and Science Clubs.
Are we on track here?

If your extenuating circumstances are that DD’s granny had to go home after a holiday, could I politely suggest that you should concentrate on amassing as much academic evidence as you can instead

I'm going to assume this is a Bucks selection appeal. (Sometimes people quote their Bucks scores, but it then turns out they're appealing for Slough!).

DD scored 112 and 119 for Bucks.

The 119 is good.

She is expected level 5b for Maths and Science and 4a for English.

English could be a bit of a problem (for appeal purposes).

Effort level for every subject is 1.

Achievement is much more important than effort (for appeal purposes).

HT is supporting us 100%. She has glowing school reports that we will add as references.

Do they say much about very high achievement?

Both her older brosthers are in grammar schools.

Not relevant, I'm afraid.

Out of school activities include Indian Dancing, Football, ICT and Science Clubs.

I don't see the relevance of the first two. ICT, getting closer. Science club, yes!

Extenuating circumstances:
Her grandma was visiting us for 6months and was put up in DDs room (no spare room) and both bonded together. Grandma's leaving date was the next day of her 2nd test (we have evidence of tickets/immigration stamps/luugae stamps). We tried hiding this from her however she found out a couple of days before her first test which upset her greatly! We managed to get her around that grandma has to leave (explaining all the issues with visa's and rule of visitors etc - she still could not undertand why grandma cannot live here). This affected her true capability. She was doing well in her practice papers.

As Rob suggests, the academic evidence will be infinitely more important. Don't spend more than 2-3 sentences on extenuating circumstances. (If the panel want to know more, let them ask.) Just wave the evidence at the panel for a second or two, and say they're welcome to inspect it if they wish, but don't press them.

I have sent a message to the appeals mailbox. Does the headteacher's support and Ed Pscyh's academic evidence give us a good position for our appeal for Bucks? DD scored 112 and 119.

The academic evidence looks quite reasonable (more indicative of 119 than 112), although the headteacher refers to CAT scores, and I've no way of knowing what they were, and whether they will therefore strengthen/weaken your case.

Perceptual reasoning and GAI are good. Ideally verbal comprehension would have been a couple of points higher, but your daughter is clearly stronger on the NVR/maths side, which is a point you should be making to the panel.

Etienne wrote:The academic evidence looks quite reasonable (more indicative of 119 than 112), although the headteacher refers to CAT scores, and I've no way of knowing what they were, and whether they will therefore strengthen/weaken your case.
Perceptual reasoning and GAI are good. Ideally verbal comprehension would have been a couple of points higher, but your daughter is clearly stronger on the NVR/maths side, which is a point you should be making to the panel.

CAT Score 09/2009 VR108 Quant 107 NVR 107; 09/2011 VR 112, Quant 123, NVR 119

Do Bucks account for strength in NVR/Maths? Should we mention this without fear?

so do we stand a chance?

Do Bucks account for strength in NVR/Maths? Should we mention this without fear?

Yes, the panel has a duty to consider all the academic evidence.

so do we stand a chance?

The 119s last year had almost a 60% chance of success.

Had our hearing yesterday. We were 1hr 20mins late going in, stressed and stretched as ours was the last hearing of the day. The clerk was efficient , the local authority rep very professional, the panel...not sure how to put it. A lovely chair, a nice lay person, but an aggressive looking non-lay person. We were grilled with questions, not so much on extenuating circumstances but the school reports that we could only explain what was in front of us and were honest where we couldn't comment. DDs effort level for school reports is 1 in all subjects but we were asked how is she predicted level 5s when she was level 4b or c in end of year 5. We couldn't say why and how for sure but said the school is is telling us that she is expected such. The school reports were completely unwoven, every bit of evidence cross referenced, question after question especially from the non-lay person who I felt was unfriendly and stern looking, and we were in and out within 40minutes! Our DDs future schooling decided...! I felt very drained and have no confidence that we will have positive news...! . It was very difficult proceeding, perhaps they were tired too and we were last. Although they did ask if we need more time to say anything else, but the feeling was in the air that they've had a long day (we knew this and perhaps that's why we felt it). DD asked us soon as we stepped foot in the house 'what were the result'! It was heartbreaking Not sure how to pick up from here, the letter will arrive within 5 working days, my guess is wednesday...will come back and post the result

Wish everyone going through the same good luck...