Appeal question - birth dates
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:45 pm
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.
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.