Appeal to Latymer

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leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

My son did not get an offer from Latymer and we have just recieved his marks breakdown. The Maths & NVR scores were very close to the predicted scores but the English score was way off mark.

He was assessed a level 5 in the Autumn term and based on his tutor's assessment as well he should have passed the English exam. But the mark is way off mark which is a real shock. I had been working with him & I know even on one of his worst days, he never scored that low a mark.

His schools does not do SATS so we have no official proof of ability apart from reports from his teacher & tutor. Is there any test which I can get done for him to use as evidence for his English skills?

Is it possible that they completely struck out one section in the exam, which would explain the score.

Can we ask for a copy of the exam paper as part of our appeal process? Can we ask for a breakdown of the English marks to see what went wrong?

I can PM his marks and further details. There were no extenuating circumstances so our appeal will be based entirely on academic ability.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by Etienne »

His schools does not do SATS so we have no official proof of ability apart from reports from his teacher & tutor. Is there any test which I can get done for him to use as evidence for his English skills?
I can't think of a curriculum type test, although an educational psychologist could test for verbal reasoning skills. Reports from school might be sufficient, together with his English exercise books. I wouldn't use a report from a private tutor as it's unlikely to be viewed as independent.
Can we ask for a copy of the exam paper as part of our appeal process?
There is no legal entitlement, and most admission authorities would certainly refuse.
Can we ask for a breakdown of the English marks to see what went wrong?
This might be possible. Worth asking.
Etienne
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

Sorry about not replying earlier.

We are going to meet the Headmistress tomorrow or Tuesday to see if she is willing to support our appeal. We will speak to the English teacher as well to discuss the results. Based on their response we will see how we need proceed.

The school is doing some literacy and maths tests this month & we will try to get the results back from them as well. My son says the tests are called Wigan Lee tests but I can't find them on Google so I'm not sure what they are.

We will definitely appeal. Even if we don't win, at least we would have tried. I will write as soon as I've had the meeting and ask for more advise.

Thank You for your response & I will be in touch soon.
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

We have spoken to the school & they are willing to support our appeal. As this is going to be new for them, they want to know what to put in their supporting letter.

He has been assessed (internal only) to be working at level 5b (4 marks off a level 5a) for maths. He was assessed in English last November as working at a 5c (internal again).

These are the levels we will be working from for the appeal. Are these levels enough for appeal? What else do we need to do?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by Etienne »

Good question!

The levels looks acceptable.

If qualification is an issue at appeal, then ideally one would like to see in a letter from the head:
  • 1. In a state school:
    (a) 'Working at' levels from year 5 or autumn term year 6 (on target for level 5s at KS2);
    (b) optional SATs results from year 5 or year 6, if available;
    (c) predicted levels for KS2 (preferably higher than 5c)
    2. In an independent school:
    (a) an estimate of SATs levels;
    (b) school exam results, e.g. '85% for English, ranked 1st out of 15 pupils in our top set';
    (c) an indication of the academic calibre of the school, e.g. 'Most of our pupils go on to secure a place at grammar school or at one of the well-regarded public schools'.
    3. Any available test results, e.g. CATs, other NFER tests, reading age
    4. Any other academic-related information, e.g. 'in the top sets of a high performing school', Gifted & Talented for English, gold certificate in Primary Maths Challenge, keen member of the school's science club
    5. A clear and positive statement of support, e.g. 'This appeal has my strongest possible support ...... an extremely able pupil with very considerable academic potential ...... would be ideally suited to this school* ..... I urge you to allow this appeal.'
*If oversubscription will be an issue at appeal, it would help to have some support for why this particular school would be suitable (for example, 'a keen interest in science' if the school specialises in science)
What else do we need to do?
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

Thank You - wil keep you updated on the progress
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

Appeal papers were sent in last week. The school gave a very positive letter of support & the Headmistress, Director of Studies & the Director of the School have all signed the letter saying they fully support our appeal.

The school is going to have CATS for the first time this year but the results might not come back on time for the appeal.

Thanks to all the lovely Q&A in the appeal section & all the advise on lots of posts there, we have got through the first stage. Now to wait for the response & appeal date.

I have found the figures for appeals for Enfeild (found these on a link on here). They are not broken down by school but they look very depressing so not holding out much hope.

Will keep this space updated & post the appeal questions & results - it might help others just like all the posts here do.
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

We have had the appeal hearing now. The Headmaster represented Latymer. It was a friendly panel in a small room.

Only one concern - we were told by the Headmaster that our DS's maths & Literacy marks put him on the top 50% of the 578 children in the second round, yet his ranking puts him below that number - how is that possible? I can't figure this out & it did not strike us at the time to ask for an explanation of this.

Not too hopeful of a positive result but we've tried. His teachers & head (secretly us too) think that the indie offer is better for him - hopefully finances will hold out because they are not very rosy at the moment.
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by leanmeamum »

Where is the section about the appeals feedback - I saw it few months back but can't find it any more. I could add our experience to it once we have the result - a forgone conclusion really. The only point stressed by the head at the appeal & the backbone of his argument was lack of facilities to allow any additional students.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Appeal to Latymer

Post by Etienne »

Sticky at top of Appeals forum:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... =35&t=9205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
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