TWGGS appeal

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Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

TWGGS appeal

Post by Westerhamblue »

Hi there!
Just a quick query.
Are there any parents on the forum who are appealing for their DD to gain a place at TWGGS who already have an offer from TOGS or WOK?
We are so near but so far for our DD and are gearing up for oversubscription appeals at both, but praying for a waiting list entry before the stress of facing the panel.
omg
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:28 pm
Location: Tunny Wells

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by omg »

We are appealing for TWGGS with a place at TOGS. Good luck and will let you know how we get on. We are expecting news from TWGSS in early June. :roll:
Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by Westerhamblue »

Thank you so much for replying OMG!
We are missing out on distance (100yds) in both TGS and WOK and are in the bizaare situation of facing the last chance saloon of an oversubscription appeal on the 7th and 28th June despite our DD flying through the 11+ with 400+ score and with an in area home address.
We were offered an Academy school, 1hr 52mins, two bus and a train journey away.
How did your appeal go?
Any hints and tips would be kindly received from all!
Distance, academic strengths, sibling and friends all come in to play but we are finding it so difficult not to criticise the system. We entered into the process in good faith but it now feels like blind faith!
Everything crossed for you OMG!!!
Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

Last minute appeal help please!!!!

Post by Westerhamblue »

Brief background :
- DD passed 11+ with 400+ score
- Both grammars on SCAF oversubscribed and offered academy
- Currently sitting 1st and 2nd on waiting lists
- Appealing on the 7th and 28th of this month

Our case :
- Academic ability not in question but good alignment of strengths to school specialisms
- Both schools are the nearest grammar schools to home
- Allocated school is too far away (2 bus and a train, 1hr 52mins)
- Logistics of three girls in three different town schools
- Close friends have been offered a place
- Elder sibling attends respective school

A plea for help:

- What evidence should I use to reinforce our case?
- Should we point out that we currently do not have an suitable alternative school?
- Should we let them know DD's position on the waiting list?
- She has missed the cut in both schools by less that 100yds. Is this relevant?

Many thanks in advance :oops:
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Last minute appeal help please!!!!

Post by Etienne »

- Academic ability not in question but good alignment of strengths to school specialisms
It would be easier if you told us what evidence you can provide! :)
- Both schools are the nearest grammar schools to home
Worth a brief mention, but probably not going to be disputed, so no evidence needed.
- Allocated school is too far away (2 bus and a train, 1hr 52mins)
Worth giving a bit of substance to this by spelling out the facts (e.g. bus numbers, timings), but do so as briefly as possible in no more than 2 sentences or so, as it's not an appeal against the allocated school. Take some evidence with you (e.g. bus timetable), but I wouldn't produce it unless challenged (which is unlikely).
- Logistics of three girls in three different town schools
It depends how substantial a point this is for you. If it isn't, just mention briefly. If it is, see no. 17:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 35&t=15025
- Close friends have been offered a place
Worth a brief mention, but unlikely to carry any weight unless your child is vulnerable and needs the support of friends. Any evidence would relate to the vulnerability.
- Elder sibling attends respective school
Definitely mention it, but no evidence needed.
- Should we point out that we currently do not have an suitable alternative school?
Yes, but link this with the difficult journey above.
- Should we let them know DD's position on the waiting list?
It would not be lawful for the panel to take position on the waiting list into account.
- She has missed the cut in both schools by less that 100yds. Is this relevant?
Probably not, but they should have this information anyway to check the admission arrangements.

Hope this helps.
Etienne
tiredmum
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:51 am

Re: Last minute appeal help please!!!!

Post by tiredmum »

Westerhamblue wrote:
- Both schools are the nearest grammar schools to home
- Allocated school is too far away (2 bus and a train, 1hr 52mins)
:

in my over-sub appeal i gave them the timetable(as evidence) to show how easy it was to get to
the grammar we were appealing to. They then asked me how easy it was to get to
the allocated school - at this time i pointed out how long and difficult the journey was and
mentioned it was not a grammar.

It they hadnt mentioned about the allocated school travelling problems i was going to raise it in my presentation. but didnt want to criticise the allocated school too much - like etienne says
Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by Westerhamblue »

Thanks Etienne!

I think you have highlighted the problem! We are struggling to find the evidence :lol:

The evidence we intended to use consisted of:

- HT letter highlighting 5a SAT's forecast
- DD was born and lived in Madrid and has developed strong linguistic ability in both Spanish and French
- Teachers letter? Examples of workbooks?
- 11+ test scores of VR 140, NVR 135 and NUM 126
- DD is actually stronger in NUM!!
- Teachers letter? Examples of workbooks?
- DD has a special interest in science, partiicularly food science and technology.
- Teachers reference and examples of work.

- I have personally done the journey to the allocated school and it's a nightmare (especially for an 11yr old in the dark!)
- I won't dwell on this but I have prepared a journey planner

This all feels very weak and unsubstantiated!

I think our DD has a strong case but without any particular extenuating circumstances we are struggling to put forward a robust argument to catch the panels attention.

Thank you.
Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by Westerhamblue »

Thanks Tiredmum!
Great idea.
We can focus on the benefit of the journey to the appeal school and reference the allocated school when prompted.
Genius!! :)
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by Etienne »

- HT letter highlighting 5a SAT's forecast
Does this link with a grammar school specialism?
- DD was born and lived in Madrid and has developed strong linguistic ability in both Spanish and French
I'm sure you have something to prove birth and residence in Spain. I assume one of the schools is a languages college?
- Teachers letter?
Highly relevant, I would have thought, if it supports aptitude/ability in something the school in question specialises in.
Examples of workbooks?
Probably not at an oversubscription appeal.
- 11+ test scores of VR 140, NVR 135 and NUM 126
What oversubscription argument are you trying to make here?
- DD has a special interest in science, partiicularly food science and technology.
Aren't these different specialisms? Which one is relevant?

I like the way tiredmum handled the journey issue. :)
Etienne
Westerhamblue
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Location: Westerham

Re: TWGGS APPEAL

Post by Westerhamblue »

Thanks for the feedback Etienne.
We are a long way off the mark at the moment!! :? Please bear with us!!
I think we are starting to understand the importance of fact and relevance.
We'll stay away from non relevant facts. Proof of birth and residency is easy but ability and interest in languages for a language specialist school should be achievable.
The food science and food technology interest comes from her Fathers career.
We are going to sit down tonight and re-work.
Many thanks!
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