11 Plus Exams Forum

Well I never thought I'd be posting on the appeals section but here I am!!

Could someone please give me some advice. We live in Bromley but my ds has passed the Kent test with a score of 401. We were hoping for Wilmington Grammar (which has historically gone out 9 miles) but this year has only gone out 5.8. We live 6.4 miles. Boys in my ds's class have a place at Wilmington with a much lower score but who live closer. I am of course on the waiting list but wondered on what grounds do I appeal. Wilmington offered 10% of their places to the top scorers who applied to the school irrespective of location, however the cut off was 401 (my ds's score) and the boys who had 401 were then judged on distance to the school - arrhhhhh.

I know last year a boy in my ds's school had won an appeal who did not pass the kent test, so is just passing the test a strong enough case for my son?

Our nearest grammar school is St Olaves (a super selective) which my eldest son attends and which my ds has missed out on by 3 marks!!! He is number 28 on the waiting list and I have to say I'm not confident that a place will be offered. He scored really well and going by the past 3 years' scores would have got in - but not this year. Can I use this score as supporting evidence?

He is a really bright boy who is on the gifted and more able register for maths and who is predicted 5s in SATs.

Sorry to ramble but just don't know on what grounds to appeal for Wilmington.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dear Gercha

I have no knowledge of this particular school, but the whole point of an appeal is that you are free to put forward whatever reasons you wish, irrespective of the oversubscription criteria.

If in doubt, mention it, and let the panel decide what to give weight to!

Hi Etienne

Thank you for replying. I can't seem to find any information on what happens after passing the kent test but not getting a place. We will appeal on the basis that my ds would benefit hugely from a grammar school place and that he is a high achiever. Fingers crossed!!

We will appeal on the basis that my ds would benefit hugely from a grammar school place

If I were you I'd come up with reasons for a place at this particular grammar school - rather than "a grammar school place" ......

See the Q&As C2 for the sort of reasons often given when seeking a place at an oversubscribed school:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... nswers.php

Where is your son on Wilmington's waiting list. If this is maintained according to entry criteria (DGGS is) then surely your son would be near the top of it?

Some Wilmington boys will be appealing to Dartford Grammar or others so there could be some movement. Just a thought...

Hi Tracy

The waiting list for Wilmington is done wholly on proximity not on scores so my son's high score is now useless!! I did ring up Dartford Grammar today and discovered that after 26th March I can write to go on the waiting list even though I did not list Dartford Grammar on my CAF and that their waiting list goes on scores. Their cut off was 401 (which is also my ds's score). In the event of a 401 tie it then goes on proximity. All this does sound very promising, however ......... only 4 boys last year rejected a first round offer from Dartford Grammar!!!!

Etienne wrote: If I were you I'd come up with reasons for a place at this particular grammar school - rather than "a grammar school place" ......

I think this is very good advice. I don't know anything about Wilmington, but I would try to find something that about the school that is individual, ie it is a specialist maths/science/language school etc, and say that is what your son is particularly interested in. I truly believe that flattery gets you anywhere, so I would lay it on thick, say what a wonderful school Wilmington is, how your son has wanted to go there for years etc. Lay it on thick, it can't hurt, can it?

Good luck, I really hope your appeal is successful.

T 4 2

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. We have looked more closely at the school and the type of boy they are looking for and of course will "sell" our ds accordingly .... it's all good fun isn't it!!!!!

flattery gets you anywhere ..... lay it on thick

Appeal panels have heard it all before - the only thing likely to sway them is hard evidence ....

Hi Etienne

We have a really supportive head teacher who is going to submit some "cracking" hard facts : he's predicted high 5s in SATs, he is on the gifted and more able register for maths, and he has performed at a high level consistantly for the past 5 years!!! They must know this though just by looking at his high score. So we now realise we must convince the panel how well suited our ds is to that school and how it will benefit them to have him there!! We also (we think) have good grounds for appeal, if I PMd you would you give me your advice?