Page 1 of 1

Structure of Appeal

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:50 pm
by Pip
Our son gained 120 and 117 in the Bucks 11+. Head Teacher strongly recommending GS, with a 2 for academic potential and 1 for attitude to work. Recent CATS were 92nd percentile VR and 99th percentile Q. Predicted level 5 SATS for English, Maths, Science, and has already achieved a high level 5 SAT in Maths (using last year's SAT paper). Although a confident and strong boy in most respects, he has suffered from key exam nerves and anxiety since he was 7. We have structured our appeal mainly around academic ability, and whilst we have given clear evidence of nerves, we are not going to over-state. Do you think this is a wise approach? Many thanks, Pip.

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:58 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Pip

It sounds as though you have it absolutely right, to the extent that I would not even mention nerves in your presentation.

Your academic evidence is good, and on 120, you have very little to prove. 70% of appeals on 120 were successful last year, and you have a good Head's ranking and CATs scores to support your case. (What was the NVR score, by the way?)

Do you have good school reports to take with you as well?

The panel will undoubtedly ask if there is any reason that he didn't perform on the day of the tests, and it is acceptable at that stage to say "we really don't know, and can only assume that he was nervous".

They are also likely to ask you how he felt after each test - did he finish each paper, was he confident or unhappy, etc.

It is perfectly possible to win an appeal without mitigating circumstances, provided the academic evidence is strong enough, especially on two very near miss scores.

Sally-Anne

Structure of Appeal

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:13 pm
by Pip
Thanks Sally-Anne. In addition to the strong HT report, we have strong letters of support from all of his teachers, plus additional evidence of being in the top sets for Maths and English, and strong exam marks in various subjects in Year 5 (e.g. 4/40 for French, Latin, Geography). CAT NVR is 80th percentile.

We are also taking in evidence of school work - he has good presentation and comments - and have submitted Summer 07 assessment, which was overall strong.

Regarding nerves he completed both papers, but guessed some on paper 1, and rushed paper 2. He was definitely very nervous, and head teacher has no doubt he puts too much pressure on himself.

Regards, Pip.

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:25 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Pip

That all sounds very good evidence, and the comments about how nerves affected him are spot on.

In your presentation I would use the Head's comments about nerves, rather than your own comments. You can then explain when you are asked about the guessing in the first paper, etc.

Let the panel draw the mitigating circumstances out of you.

Sally-Anne

Structure of Appeal

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:37 pm
by Pip
Thanks again for your guidance, we shall certainly take your comments into account. Will let you know how we get on! Pip.