Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules OK!

[scary mum]

There's someone around here who helps people out with appeals (no charge). His main advice is to have as many extenuating circumstances, piano grades, guides/cubs membership as possible

[capers123]

There's someone around here who helps people out with appeals (no charge). His main advice is to have as many extenuating circumstances, piano grades, guides/cubs membership as possible

In the past some of that might well have swung it. Nowadays it's far less important - very strong mitigating circumstances might just swing it if the panel had to choose between two otherwise equal appeals both with strong academic evidence.

A DipRSM in piano might of course make the panel think they the child would be better off at a specialist music school (Yehudi Menuhin or Chetham's, maybe?)...

On the other hand, that 25m Doggy Paddle certificate really will be the clencher!

[Etienne]

Just though I'd bump this- I was hoping more people would see it.

Katel's story has now been 'immortalised' in the Q&As (B48)!

Putting the fan club swiftly to one side (!), the important issue is that one cannot assume that headteachers necessarily know what is required of them. What you can do about this in practice, if anything, rather depends on what sort of relationship you have ....... or on the extent of your diplomatic skills!

All credit to Katel's headteacher for making enquiries, and then coming back to her with the right information.

Not much credit, though, for a LA Admissions Department giving out such poor advice. I don't think they should even be attempting to advise on such matters - they ought to be referring parents to their Appeals Department for independent advice.