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Appeal Feedback -Bucks Grammar

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:38 pm
by Nibbles
Hi,

We had our appeal today I thought I would give a few of my observations on the experience.

Overall I found it was very tough, although the panel were very nice it was still a very bruising experience.

They kept going on about where is the academic evidence, we gave them everything we had as advised by the guidance here including
predicted level 5 SATS, already at 4a or 5 at end of year 5, past VR scores of 125 and 126, 1:1 Headteacher unreserved recommendation, very strongly supportive letter from her year 6 teacher, lots of quotes about the standard of her work and her suitablity for Grammar school from the Head and teachers.

Even after we all this they implied it was not enough. We left them with a good year 5 report, and all her school books which were full of positive comments.

But I still had the feeling they were looking for more, but I can't think what that could possibly be, were we just unlucky with our particular panel or have others had a similar experience?

We did our best but I am left with the feeling that our evidence fell short somehow. I am not looking forward to the letter, I feel a disappointment coming on, but at least its over and done with thank goodness.

There must have been quite a few other appeals by now a comparison with your experiences would be interesting.

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:12 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Nibbles

I have sent you a PM.

Sally-Anne

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:03 pm
by Buckscat
Hi Nibbles,

Sorry you have come out feeling so down :( - and fingers crossed for good news for you.

Grief though - I am now filled with horror for my daughter's appeal next week. How can you prove academic ability if predicted and actual SATs scores, school reports and teachers recommendations aren't enough? It was my understanding that the appeal panel were not from an educational background - so how can they say that what you provide doesn't prove academic ability?

Fingers crossed for you as I said....

Catherine

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:52 pm
by Etienne
Panels tend to be rather good at assessing the evidence - they get lots of practice! At least one member must have a background in education (although this could be as a governor).

Whether or not the questioning seems tough, you can never be sure what a panel is thinking!

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:57 pm
by Nibbles
Hi,

Buckscat, Thanks for your kind words, good luck next week.

Etienne I hope you are right.

The Chairmans words 'haven't you got any more academic evidence - theres not much here' - or something to that effect I'm too traumatised to remember exactly are still ringing in my ears!!

Similar experience on 14 Jan

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:30 pm
by All Too Much
Hi Nibbles

We also had our appeal yesterday and was asked the same - where is all the academic evidence?! We gave them everything we could find (and more) and the chairman just kept saying he couldn't see enough academic evidence. In there an hour - came out really down. Funny thing was during it the chairman mentioned that he didn't actually know what the 11+ papers consisted of i.e. a question paper and a separate answer sheet. This is the man who is going to deny our son a future. Does he have the right, considering he doesn't seem to have done his homework? Hated it; found it demeaning. Will never do it again.

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:10 pm
by Buckscat
Sorry to hear you too had such a rough time AllTooMuch.....

Etienne/Sally Anne - a question, if you can help. What more can parents produce in the way of evidence than reports, SATs, schoolwork and strong recommendations from the school? I am tempted to just give up now since apart from the same kind of academic evidence, my daughter's ME and the manner in which the tests were conducted in our school I have nothing - and lower scores. :cry:

If it is true that the Chair didn't even know how the tests are done how can he sit on a Panel? Surely a basic understanding of what our children have gone through is essential.

Fingers crossed for you too AllTooMuch

Oh Dear what can we do?

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:37 pm
by panickingmum
Hi to you both,

Best of luck for your results. It will be interesting to see how you both get on whether the panel were pushing for more because they didnt support you both or looking for chinks? Please let us know your results.

Either way this has got me really worried! Our appeal is next week and not feeling very positive at the moment anyway, but as my husband says we can only do our best!

Lots of luck,

PM

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:53 pm
by Nibbles
Hi All Too Much,

I wonder if you had the same panel as us or is this a common response from other panels. Without giving too much away we were in the Civic Centre, where were you?

Hope you get a good result I am trying to remain positive.

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:32 pm
by All Too Much
Hi Nibbles, yes, we were in the Civic Centre but were brought to an outside building, upstairs. 4 men and 1 woman altogether in room (apart from us!). Sound familiar?

All the best.