Appeal without headteacher support in bucks
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:18 pm
My son has scored 115 and 116 in the Bucks 11+ test. I saw the headteacher today and she explained that she is unable to support an appeal, because there are no scores in his previous tests that put him in the grammar school category. He was not on her list of suitable candidates.
She was however sympathetic to our argument when I explained why we believe he is suitable.
We intend to appeal on the grounds that he is young for his age (June 20th) and has been immature but he has made big step changes in his academic performance year by year and by the end of year 6 he will be highly suitable.
Our evidence is:
His year 2 SATS were 2bs - ie national average
By year 5 he had 4as and 4bs - yr 6 levels.
He is predicted level 5 SATS in year 6.
His CAT tests in year 4 were 105,105 and 106 (verbal, non-verbal and maths)
In year 5 they were 118, 115 and 112.
His year 6 work is of a high standard and his teacher acknowledges this.
He is in the top 25% in the class this year.
The primary school is an exceptionally high achieving school and ranks over 35 children suitable for grammar places - our son may well have been overlooked because he has not been at the top of the class and when I pointed out the improvements to the head teacher today she expressed surprise and agreed. She suggested that we appeal but it is too late to change her lists of suitability.
Do you think the panel will be sympathetic?
He has now become hard working and conscientious - and this should be reflected in the class teacher's report.
He has a very bright older brother who has an exceptional academic record at a grammar school. He is a hard act to follow and this has affected our younger son's confidence. Is this helpful evidence at appeal?
All advice gratefully received!
Thanks
.
She was however sympathetic to our argument when I explained why we believe he is suitable.
We intend to appeal on the grounds that he is young for his age (June 20th) and has been immature but he has made big step changes in his academic performance year by year and by the end of year 6 he will be highly suitable.
Our evidence is:
His year 2 SATS were 2bs - ie national average
By year 5 he had 4as and 4bs - yr 6 levels.
He is predicted level 5 SATS in year 6.
His CAT tests in year 4 were 105,105 and 106 (verbal, non-verbal and maths)
In year 5 they were 118, 115 and 112.
His year 6 work is of a high standard and his teacher acknowledges this.
He is in the top 25% in the class this year.
The primary school is an exceptionally high achieving school and ranks over 35 children suitable for grammar places - our son may well have been overlooked because he has not been at the top of the class and when I pointed out the improvements to the head teacher today she expressed surprise and agreed. She suggested that we appeal but it is too late to change her lists of suitability.
Do you think the panel will be sympathetic?
He has now become hard working and conscientious - and this should be reflected in the class teacher's report.
He has a very bright older brother who has an exceptional academic record at a grammar school. He is a hard act to follow and this has affected our younger son's confidence. Is this helpful evidence at appeal?
All advice gratefully received!
Thanks
.