grammar appeal
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Thanks Etienne & resmum for your responses.
It look like we're appealing for an oversubscribed school. I think there are only about 45 places allocated for the (academic) specialist area. The majority of places are taken up by community places, about 117 places I believe.
The testing aspect has confused us a bit, I don't know whether she sat the same test as the girls who sat the Nov 2006 test for 2007 admissions or whether she sat the same test for the 2008 admissions. It doesn't mention any thing in the letter except her scores. Perhaps I should get clarity from the clerk prior to appeal.
How I'd wish we'd known about the Herts consortium schools though such as Parmiter's allowing students outside the catchment to sit the tests. I think it was a bit unfair the school not allowing us to sit the test in Nov 2006.
It look like we're appealing for an oversubscribed school. I think there are only about 45 places allocated for the (academic) specialist area. The majority of places are taken up by community places, about 117 places I believe.
The testing aspect has confused us a bit, I don't know whether she sat the same test as the girls who sat the Nov 2006 test for 2007 admissions or whether she sat the same test for the 2008 admissions. It doesn't mention any thing in the letter except her scores. Perhaps I should get clarity from the clerk prior to appeal.
How I'd wish we'd known about the Herts consortium schools though such as Parmiter's allowing students outside the catchment to sit the tests. I think it was a bit unfair the school not allowing us to sit the test in Nov 2006.
Phoned the clerk for clarification and the marks are comparative to the tests taken by girls in Nov 2006, and they are standardised. My daughter is one of the youngest in her year and I believe she has been dis-advantaged by taking the test at a later stage, although the other side of the argument would be she would have been more maturer and more able in maths for example by the time she sat the test in Nov 2007.
Dear neelwgs
If this is not an appeal for a specialist place, I'm not sure why your daughter's test result should be relevant.
I've already explained the sort of reasons normally considered when appealing to an oversubscribed school.
A panel would not normally be considering your daughter's academic ability - it would be considering whether your daughter's needs (be they social, medical, or educational) outweigh the prejudice to the school.
I'm sorry that I cannot be of more help, but it's rather difficult without seeing all the paperwork.
If this is not an appeal for a specialist place, I'm not sure why your daughter's test result should be relevant.
I've already explained the sort of reasons normally considered when appealing to an oversubscribed school.
A panel would not normally be considering your daughter's academic ability - it would be considering whether your daughter's needs (be they social, medical, or educational) outweigh the prejudice to the school.
I'm sorry that I cannot be of more help, but it's rather difficult without seeing all the paperwork.
Etienne
Hi, Firstly, I want to wish everyone the best of luck for March 3rd notifications.
We're preparing for our appeal on the 5th and I haven't been able to sleep since we got the date. We have been trying to think of any other reasons why our daughter needs a place.
And then it occured to us, my daughter suffers form motion (travel) sickness, particularly bad when the journey exceeds more than 30 minutes, symptoms include nausea and headaches and we noticed that she has more headaches in the last couple of months.
Do you think that this has any weight in an appeal?
We have spoken to our GP and he said that he will write a letter on our behalf but I'm just wondering about the wording on the letter, is there anything that the doctor should include or exclude in the letter?
We're preparing for our appeal on the 5th and I haven't been able to sleep since we got the date. We have been trying to think of any other reasons why our daughter needs a place.
And then it occured to us, my daughter suffers form motion (travel) sickness, particularly bad when the journey exceeds more than 30 minutes, symptoms include nausea and headaches and we noticed that she has more headaches in the last couple of months.
Do you think that this has any weight in an appeal?
We have spoken to our GP and he said that he will write a letter on our behalf but I'm just wondering about the wording on the letter, is there anything that the doctor should include or exclude in the letter?
Neelwgs, I thought you lived in Pinner? If I were on a Panel for WGS (not that I am a Panel member, just pondering!) I would wonder why, if travel sickness is such a problem, you want to send your daughter to a school involving a commute?
I know you might say your local schools aren't suitable - but there will undoubtedly be schools more local to you than this one. I can't see how that fact that you don't like them means WGS should offer you a place.
Sorry - I don't mean to difficult, it's just I'm wondering how a panel would be swayed by your argument?
As I said in an earlier post, I still think that the fact they didn't allow your daughter to sit the test earlier might be the clincher for you.
Best of luck.
x
I know you might say your local schools aren't suitable - but there will undoubtedly be schools more local to you than this one. I can't see how that fact that you don't like them means WGS should offer you a place.
Sorry - I don't mean to difficult, it's just I'm wondering how a panel would be swayed by your argument?
As I said in an earlier post, I still think that the fact they didn't allow your daughter to sit the test earlier might be the clincher for you.
Best of luck.
x
Hello Tense,
I appreciate your views on this, it makes me feel like I'm not on my own on this. Only two more sleepless nights til the 5th!
I think you made a valid point and I think it's something the panel will question. Basically, my daughter sat a exam at a independent school in Jan 2007 whilst we were in Brent and finished 4th and earned a academic scholarship, we thought she deserved a chance to go to the school as she earned it, especially as the school was No1 in the borough for Gcse results. We thought we had to find a school that would cater for abilities, but at the same time would continue to pursue WGS. The other reason we moved was because my mother passed away in April 2006 , leaving my dad on his own so I wanted to accomodate in the new house, especially as I had promised her that i would take care of him.
It's a difficult balancing act, education & family needs.
I appreciate your views on this, it makes me feel like I'm not on my own on this. Only two more sleepless nights til the 5th!
I think you made a valid point and I think it's something the panel will question. Basically, my daughter sat a exam at a independent school in Jan 2007 whilst we were in Brent and finished 4th and earned a academic scholarship, we thought she deserved a chance to go to the school as she earned it, especially as the school was No1 in the borough for Gcse results. We thought we had to find a school that would cater for abilities, but at the same time would continue to pursue WGS. The other reason we moved was because my mother passed away in April 2006 , leaving my dad on his own so I wanted to accomodate in the new house, especially as I had promised her that i would take care of him.
It's a difficult balancing act, education & family needs.