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11+ appeal

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:37 pm
by parent11
My son scored 115 & 110. He was unwell with flu like symptons in 2nd test. Letter sent to school on that morning (spent next 3 days in bed with high temp which school knew about). HT has predicted 3 5's. CATS reasonable 117VR, 112Q, 122NVR (slightly down on last yr in the latter two) Reading and spelling age about 1 year ahead of CA. He is statemented with an ASD called Pathological Demand Avoidance. He has poor motor control including poor ocular motor control which means he loses his place easily when reading because he moves his head this also includes such things as multiple choice test papers which of course require constant looking backward and forward from one place to another. This is all on his OT report, as well as a couple of other things that maybe relevant like his high VMI. He's ranked 2,2. THe HT is totally behind us. He reads Science Encyclopedias, books on weather, planets and geography, constantly coming out with facts that are way beyond his peers. He has a very enquiring, inventive and imaginative mind.
What I would like to know is how to present my evidence. Do I write a piece about him quoting as much factual evidence as possible or do I attach actual OT reports and Annual Review Reports etc?. Obviously the school will present all the school facts that are relevant. Do I present everything in writing and then just discuss what I've already presented at the appeal?

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:46 pm
by Etienne
Welcome, KCC.

I would play down the flu-like symptoms, if I were you.
Children should NOT sit the test if they are unwell (even if they want to!) [Headteacher's presentation]

What I would like to know is how to present my evidence.
I suggest bullet points to summarise your key arguments. No more than one side of A4. See Q&As, E11:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... #section-E
Reports can be added at the end as separate appendices (clearly headed).

Hope this helps.

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:49 pm
by parent11
Well, after taking advice from the website and reading many, many posts I put my appeal together and presented it today. I was shaking sooo much and felt sick. Just as everyone else has said, they are so nice and kind and friendly. They do go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.

I've now been reading so many posts from people saying that they thought their appeal went badly but they got through. So now I'm really worried because I felt mine went really well. The worse question was 'Did you really think that he would pass with CATs scores in VR over the last 3 years of 112, 114, and 117? My answer was honest, 'no, not really but I knew we'd be close enough to appeal because I've always :wink: :lol: known that Grammar is the right place for him' They seemed happy with the answer.

Well, I've done my best, I really tried to get them to understand who my son is, and I think they do. Roll on postman.

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:50 pm
by parent11
whoops I put my emoticons in the wron place!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:10 pm
by All Too Much
Hi Parent11

Although some of us did feel it did not go well on the day and it turned out to be a success; I found there were just as many people (if not more) who felt they had done well on the day and indeed did have success. That Fat Lady has not sung yet !

Hope it's good news.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:24 pm
by parent11
We did it!!
Appeal on Monday and heard today, Wednesday, very quick.
We're just over the moon.
Thanks to all the posts that have helped me. What a great website.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:39 pm
by parent11
Also, I hope it gives other people hope if they've got low scores like ours (115 & 110) and previously low CATs in VR (112, 114 and 117). It's not all about the scores. THere's hope for everyone

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:40 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Parent11

Very good news - well done you, and good luck to your DS! :D

Just to come back to your previous comment about worrying because the appeal seemed to go well (unlike others who felt it had gone badly), I hope we are slowly getting the message across to everyone on Appeals that you simply cannot tell how the appeal is going to turn out from the feeling of the hearing - at least in Bucks.

Sally-Anne

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:41 pm
by All Too Much
Well done Parent11. Fantastic news !

It's proven yet again that once parents do their best and are honest with the panel the result is good.

Enjoy it all.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:39 pm
by Guest55
Great news - so pleased for you all.