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11 plus

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:41 pm
by george1
We are due to appeal shortly, RB got 119 and 117, predicted to get 3 x 5's , HT has given some strong comments in report but gave 3/3, which we do not agree with. RB is in the top groups for both Maths and Englishscored 5.4a x 2 in sats for year 5, 90% in all practice papers at school and have strong extenuating circumstances.
We are realistic about our chances, but want to say there has been inconsistences about the prediction given. Anyone had any experience of this? thank you

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:04 pm
by Etienne
Do you mean inconsistencies among the school's other recommendations, or inconsistencies between the recommendation and the rest of your academic evidence?

If the latter, has the head explained the "reservations" implicit in a "3" recommendation?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:55 pm
by george1
Thanks for your reply.

The inconsistency relates to our child. The predicted 3x5s does not seem to correlate with a 3. Also the HT's comments say that RB is "reliable and hardworking" which seem to map across to a score of 2 rather than 3.

The HT felt that RB would be better to be in a top group at a non-grammar. This seems to be because RB does not always work independently and is a little shy.

Our view is that whilst RB does not always willingly put her hand up in class she has the academic ability and potential (which has been supoorted by an Ed Pscyh report), and will gain confidence as she matures.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:58 pm
by Etienne
Three 5s are a good starting point, but I doubt that most panels would accept them as sufficient when the 11+ is based on reasoning ability. (10% of children in upper schools in your LA have three 5s.)

Top sets in a high performing school would be a point in favour.

The practice papers wouldn't count as evidence.

Is there a good reading age (2 years above chronological)?

The attitude grade may be inconsistent, but panels tend to focus much more on the academic recommendation.

You do have two respectable 11+ scores.

Do you have any non-curriculum standardised scores to help your case?
- For example, a CATs VR in the mid-120s?
- Or does the EP report come up with a really high FSIQ and Verbal Comprehension Index (90th+ percentile)?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:42 pm
by george1
RB's reading age is 2.6 years above actual age. We have teachers letter confirming this.

We dont have any CAT's done at our school. With regard to the EP report the full scale score was 110 (75% percentile). Sounds like making excuses but we had to go for cancellation appointment with EP and RB did come down with temperature on the day of testing. Not sure this is going to help us much?

RB did score well on the verbal cluster (84% percentile).

What do you think?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:13 pm
by Etienne
From what I know of your case so far, George, it looks borderline.
(With a score of 119 you probably know that already! :D)

I'm not sure you'll be able to argue the head has got it wrong. You might be able to argue that s/he may have been too tough.
It will be interesting to see the summary of all the head's recommendations when you get the papers (about a week before the hearing).

11+

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:22 pm
by george1
Thank you Etienne

You have been very helpful...we are swinging from hopeful to despair in our emotions at present!

We will post the HT's recommendations when we get the letter.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:32 pm
by Etienne
Don't despair - it's borderline.

It's when I write "You've a mountain to climb," that you really need to start worrying! :D

11 plus

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:58 pm
by george1
Etienne,just had predictions as follows. We are not sure what conclusions we can draw from this. Are there any postives that we can bring out at the appeal from these figures?
The Ht predicted 21 would pass (46%) and 20passed, so fairly accurate. Can we say it was a very aademic year?
The Ht was correct in her predictions up to th 3.2, then 3.3 and 4 there were some differences? thank you

1.1 1(1)
1.2 0(0)
1.3 0(0)
2.1 3(3)
2.2 9(9)
2.3 1(1)
3.1 0(0)
3.2 3(2)
3.3 4(1)
4 25 (3)

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:04 pm
by Rob Clark
George,
We went in last week with a very similar case to yours (3x level 5 SATs predictions, 1:3 HT recommendation, top set for maths, reading age 3 years ahead of actual age, strong extenuating circumstances etc) except that DD’s 11+ was only 117.

Obviously all panels vary, but my strong advice would be to concentrate on the 119 score and how close it was to the passmark, backed up by a decent second score.

We came out of our appeal feeling that that was all the panel really cared about and that the rest was just window-dressing – we felt our extenuating circumstances could account for the 4 marks shortfall, but the panel patently did not. Concentrate on how close your daughter got to passing.

Good luck.