Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Consult our experts on 11 Plus appeals or any other type of school appeal

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now
Tolstoy
Posts: 2755
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:25 pm

Re: School says I need to put them first on CAF ???

Post by Tolstoy »

G55 the wording was carefully phrased in the secondary school meeting I attended but for those who are not absolutely confident with the admissions process easily misinterpreted. I believe that was the intent but may be because I was feeling fairly miffed with another area of their admissions policy at the time. It did nothing to endear me to the school :roll:
NanoNano
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by NanoNano »

I know there is lots of good appeal information on this site, with lots of helpful tips, but I am stumped at the first hurdle not knowing where to get the right forms.

When I go to the BCC and look for appeals information request form (http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/education/sch ... n-request/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) it states "If you are appealing for a place in a secondary school where we have told you one is not available select the name of that school." Is that the same as not being offered a place because of non-qualification? Is that the right form to appeal for non-qualification or do I need to find a new link?

Also, can the appeal form be completed online or do I have to do it by post?

Thanks for any help - I feel like I am going round in circles here :?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by Etienne »

NanoNano wrote:When I go to the BCC and look for appeals information request form (http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/education/sch ... n-request/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) it states "If you are appealing for a place in a secondary school where we have told you one is not available select the name of that school." Is that the same as not being offered a place because of non-qualification?
Yes.
Is that the right form to appeal for non-qualification or do I need to find a new link?
There is just a single appeal form (per school). I've now clarified this in A3:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 12&t=41358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"There are not separate forms to deal with 'fair, consistent & objective', qualification and oversubscription."
Also, can the appeal form be completed online or do I have to do it by post?
By post or email or in person, as set out in A6.
Thanks for any help - I feel like I am going round in circles here :?
You're welcome! :)
Etienne
NanoNano
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Appendices for Appeals??

Post by NanoNano »

Hi, I really hope someone can help me quickly as I am getting myself in a tissy :?

I have written my appeal summary but am not sure if I need to label all my evidence with Appendix A, B etc and cross-reference that to my letter. I did a quick google and one site said there was no need to as that was done by them (I am in Bucks but this info was from Kent, I think).

I don't want to mess up at this stage so please if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Note: I have looked through the Appeals info on this site and it does say label Appendices, but as I say it is a last minute panic.
bucksdad8623
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:49 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by bucksdad8623 »

NanoNano,
In my appeal submission last year I labelled each item of evidence (appendix1 appendix2 etc) and cross referenced it in my statement I read to the panel. I don't think there are any rules on this but at the very least it give the impression that I was organised and competent (it was really just an impression :) ).
I also had a summary sheet listing all the appendices so I could find evidence quickly if I needed it to answer a question for example. It will be stressful and for me it helped knowing I could find information quickly.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by Etienne »

Hi NanoNano

I've merged your three topics. Could you please keep to one thread on Appeals (as explained in the posting guidelines)? It helps us to have everything to do with your case in one place. Thanks.
I have written my appeal summary but am not sure if I need to label all my evidence with Appendix A, B etc and cross-reference that to my letter. I did a quick google and one site said there was no need to as that was done by them (I am in Bucks but this info was from Kent, I think).

I don't want to mess up at this stage so please if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Note: I have looked through the Appeals info on this site and it does say label Appendices, but as I say it is a last minute panic.
If you have more than one or two bits of evidence, then I think it's a great help to everyone involved in the appeal hearing (clerk, panel, and presenting officer) if you label the attachments.

I can't see anyone else doing this for you (not least because they wouldn't want to be accused of tampering with your paperwork!).
bucksdad8623 wrote:NanoNano,
In my appeal submission last year I labelled each item of evidence (appendix1 appendix2 etc) and cross referenced it in my statement I read to the panel. I don't think there are any rules on this but at the very least it give the impression that I was organised and competent (it was really just an impression :) ).
I also had a summary sheet listing all the appendices so I could find evidence quickly if I needed it to answer a question for example. It will be stressful and for me it helped knowing I could find information quickly.
Good post, explaining why it's so helpful, especially when there's a lot of paperwork.
You can find key points rapidly, even under pressure.
The panel too can quickly find what you're referring to.
Etienne
NanoNano
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by NanoNano »

Apologies Etienne for posting separately but I felt they were separate issues; my mistake and I will remember next time :-). And thanks for all the advice, I was just worrying in case they just prejudged me based on the quality of my secretarial skills in compiling the info.

A few final questions:
1) Should the forms be sent back recorded or registered or whatever, or is that frowned upon or even not necessary?
2) If I am appealing for a non-grammar I know the advice here states to concentrate on the positives of the preferred school and not the failings of the offered school, but the curriculum they both offer is similar, so how can I put a case forward? My DS hated the offered school as it was, in his eyes, more of the same "baby school", whereas his preferred school had a much more disciplined approach. Can I put that down as a reason for appeal? They both claim to be DT specialists but the preferred option has computer science (which would interest DS) while the other has product design. Is there any way to argue a case based on that? We have been wracking our brains but are at a loss of how to put a case forward
bucksdad8623
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:49 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by bucksdad8623 »

Hi NanoNano,
Everyone has their own way of doing things, based on my experience I would recommend the following (please consider I was unsuccessful last year so do what you think is best). You need to send the form in fairly soon but your evidence doesn’t need to be sent till about 2 weeks before the hearing. Give yourself as much time to gather evidence as possible and by waiting till later it’s likely you’ll be sent the admission authority’s case and you may be able to make last minute changes to your submission in response to it. We found they'd lost some selection review evidence so we used that an won the FCO part of the hearing.
I think you need absolute proof that your submission was received, we used special delivery and downloaded the ‘proof of delivery’ from the royal mail website.
We argued the following:
(1) Is the GS in catchment, can DS get a bus (provide bus timetable as evidence)?
(2) We focused on subjects that our DS was good at and liked (middle school reports and after school clubs could be used as evidence, although we were never asked to provide proof). We argued that the GS had a specialism in those subjects which his allotted school didn’t have. I don’t think many uppers do the 3 sciences for example, but the GS do. So yes, I would highlight the GS does computer science.
(3) Secondary school is just the start, we focused on the future. Our DS would likely get higher grades in a GS which bodes well for A level and university. This is a tricky one to argue as the panel might think your DS will do well anywhere and you don’t want to criticise your allotted school. But being in an environment where he will be pushed will probably mean there’s a good chance his grades and number of GCSE passes will be higher.
(4) Sport, does your DS like rugby, hockey, cricket etc which the GS places emphasis on participation and enjoyment.
(5) The head teacher’s recommendation said DS would thrive in the more academic environment of a GS, maybe you can ask for a statement from your DS’s head teacher.

We had the same discrepancy between the CAT NVR and 11+ score. We highlighted it in the hope it might support our argument that DS misaligned some answers and just had a bad day.
Good luck.
bucksdad8623
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:49 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by bucksdad8623 »

Hi NanoNano,
Sorry I should have read you were appealing for a non grammar.
Next time I will read a post fully before replying. :oops:
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Help - how do I appeal for non-qualification in Bucks?

Post by Etienne »

1) Should the forms be sent back recorded or registered or whatever, or is that frowned upon or even not necessary?
Usually I would always advise that important documents be sent by some form of recorded delivery.

There are certainly parents in the past who lost out on a school place because they sent in their CAF form by post. The CAF form went astray, and they had no proof it was ever sent.

An appeal form is not quite so critical because BCC state "We aim to acknowledge receipt of the form within 7 working days. If you have not received an acknowledgement letter by this time, please contact our office." Depending on when you submit the form, that gives you a bit of leeway.
2) If I am appealing for a non-grammar I know the advice here states to concentrate on the positives of the preferred school and not the failings of the offered school, but the curriculum they both offer is similar, so how can I put a case forward? My DS hated the offered school as it was, in his eyes, more of the same "baby school", whereas his preferred school had a much more disciplined approach. Can I put that down as a reason for appeal? They both claim to be DT specialists but the preferred option has computer science (which would interest DS) while the other has product design. Is there any way to argue a case based on that? We have been wracking our brains but are at a loss of how to put a case forward
It's not something I can really help with, because only you know what your reasons are.
All I can do is list the sort of reasons that are often given:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now