Appeals question re reading age and sibling

[Norris]

I have finally put pen to paper and drafted my appeal. Firstly thanks to elevenplus for all your information on appeals I couldn't have done it without this.

My DC achieved a qualifying mark however he did not get a place due to others scoring greater than him.

I have included academic evidence (as I believe he didn't score as high as expected), CAT scores, school reports, SAT predictions etc.

However, my question is the letter from the Head doesn't mention his current reading age. However his last school report does say He has improved his (already high) reading age by 3 years, which is excellent! Will this report be sufficient evidence?

Also one of my reasons for wanting that specific school is he has a sibling who already attends. Do I need to put the reasons why that makes a difference on the appeal form or can I just say at the hearing?

Thanks in advance

[Etienne]

Welcome!

my question is the letter from the Head doesn't mention his current reading age. However his last school report does say He has improved his (already high) reading age by 3 years, which is excellent! Will this report be sufficient evidence?

In my view, yes. (Draw the panel's attention to that line in the report.)

Also one of my reasons for wanting that specific school is he has a sibling who already attends. Do I need to put the reasons why that makes a difference on the appeal form or can I just say at the hearing?

Sibling should be mentioned on the form, but you could leave why it makes a difference until the hearing. (Most parents in fact probably don't elaborate, in which case it would be assumed that the usual sort of reasons apply - e.g. logistics, familiarity with the school.)