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Appeal question - birth dates

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:45 pm
by MGSMUM
This is probably a question for Etienne? We have had one appeal, that didn't go terribly well, and we are awaiting the outcome of this. We have a second appeal due soon, and something that came out of the 1st appeal, is something my husband is very keen to pick up on. The LEA lady told us how many points my DS was given for being a December birthday. We didn't say anything at this point - maybe we should have asked the question, but well - whatever - we didn't think to, but my husband said as we came out - "I wonder what he would have been given if he was born when he was meant to be born" - ie February (he was about 7 weeks prem)

My DS is only a whisker away (couple of points) and his academic evidence is very strong (Level 5 in year 5 etc etc), strong school support and extenuating circumstances, so I personally don't want to labour (ha ha - excuse the pun!) the point about his prem birth - in fact I don't want to mention it at all - but my husband does - he thinks we should throw absolutely everything into the pot. I do agree with him that our DS didn't have any 'educational advantage' by being born 7 weeks early, and spending the first month of that time in special care, but I just think it's an irrelevant point and may even weaken our case, as it makes us look desperate (.........and of course, we're not!!!!!!!!)

Some emotionally detached advice would be really welcome.

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:50 pm
by laid back son worried mum

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:02 pm
by MGSMUM
No, I hadn't seen that - thank you, it made very interesting reading. It makes me think that I am right (naturally!) - my DS wasn't very premature - there's a big difference between 7 weeks and 10 weeks premature (I would think, anyway) - and there's never been any evidence of any long-term negative effects of his prematurity (unless you count still chortling like a drain at Captain Underpants books at the age of 10....?!)

The timing of his birth didn't affect the school year he was in, so we can't argue on that point.

I think it's just the fact that we might not be in the position if he was born when he should have been born that so frustrates my husband - but unfortunately, that's the way the dice of life roll sometimes - unfair as it may seem, I really don't feel there is much we can say about this in the next appeal.

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:10 pm
by laid back son worried mum
no, it does not affect his school year group as he is in the right school year. But it goes to show that he is actua11y doing we11 academica11y for one who is premature...

isn't that a positive for an appeal, that he is doing we11 despite being premature? and he would get his standardisation points if he was born in February. worth a mention?

The experts wi11 come along soon to shed more light...

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:18 pm
by MGSMUM
Do you know - I'd never thought of it like that - that we could use it as a positive - ie, he's doing so well despite his prematurity (even more so, that when still very young, ie Yr 3, he was attaining highest SAT's levels possible.)

Think I've got so caught up in a spiral of negativity, that I'm finding it hard to find anything good!

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:20 pm
by laid back son worried mum
Image

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:26 pm
by MGSMUM
Ah yes - do believe I said somewhere that I was going to forget about this for a couple of weeks and try and look forward to the tennis! Not doing very well am I? - 'obssessed' springs to mind!!

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:32 pm
by laid back son worried mum
no, I did not mean that you were obse55ed and that you should forget about it for 2 weeks (how could you anyway?)...

I only meant that the 'prematurity' is something POSITIVE, like the tennis treat.
:D


Keep searching for evidence...

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:37 pm
by MGSMUM
I will do - thank you! Your piccies have made me smile today! :D