another worried mum

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linda hayter
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 11:05 am

another worried mum

Post by linda hayter »

hi yet another worried mum awaiting 11+ appeal my daughter failed in her maths although in sats this is her best subject she is currently 5b
headteacher appeal failed the remarks being`her written school work did not meet expectations of what grammar school entry should be` how would i stand on the arguement that this was not the issue it was maths that she failed on.Also we applied for a grammar school that is not in our catchment area this was done for personal reasons i.e. i work in that town which makes travel, any emergencies etc easier, would you disclose this at appeal? would also like to add that headteacher and two members of staff are willing to write letters for appeal as everyone is of opinion this was an unexplained `blip` and my daughter would be better suited and has ability for grammar.
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: another worried mum

Post by Sally-Anne »

linda hayter wrote:would also like to add that headteacher and two members of staff are willing to write letters for appeal as everyone is of opinion this was an unexplained `blip` and my daughter would be better suited and has ability for grammar.
Hi Linda

It's funny how people often post the most important bit of information at the end!

The support of the school is the best evidence that you can put forward. Get those letters a.s.a.p., make sure that they are 100% positive (no damning with faint praise anywhere), and make them the centre of your Appeal. Make sure that the Head's letter is stronger than it was for his/her original Appeal. Back them up with all the academic evidence you can lay your hands on, especially in Maths.

The choice of school is generally not relevant at this stage, but it depends on where you are, and whether it is an Appeal against non-qualification or an Appeal for a specific school.

The issue of it being more convenient is not relevant unless you are asked why you have applied for an out-of-catchment school. If you are, then a very brief answer will suffice. The exception would be if the school has specialist status in a subject that your daughter excels at - that is academic evidence, and very important.

Likewise, the failed Head Teacher's Appeal is probably only relevant if you are asked what the verdict was.

Tell us which area you are in and what type of Appeal it is and someone will ride to the rescue.

Good luck
Sally-Anne
SurreyDad
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 11:39 am

Re: another worried mum

Post by SurreyDad »

linda hayter wrote: headteacher appeal failed the remarks being`her written school work did not meet expectations of what grammar school entry should be` how would i stand on the arguement that this was not the issue it was maths that she failed on.
The Headteacher review should be nothing to do with the appeal. It's well worth mentioning.
Also we applied for a grammar school that is not in our catchment area this was done for personal reasons i.e. i work in that town which makes travel, any emergencies etc easier, would you disclose this at appeal?
I found that it'd alsways worth mentioning these things that the LEA may not be aware of.
would also like to add that headteacher and two members of staff are willing to write letters for appeal as everyone is of opinion this was an unexplained `blip` and my daughter would be better suited and has ability for grammar.
Get those letters, girl!
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Post by Sally-Anne »

Welcome to the Forum SurreyDad!

Sally-Anne
linda hayter
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 11:05 am

Post by linda hayter »

its in kent and it is a LEA appeal
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Post by Sally-Anne »

Hi Linda

You will get a huge amount of support on this one - the very silly "Rehab" section of the Forum is almost entirely propped up by experienced Kent Appealers, many of whom have been successful.

Appeal Mum - come out, come out, wherever you are!

Sally-Anne
Appeal Mum
Posts: 2049
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: Wirral

Post by Appeal Mum »

Cough Cough Cough!!!


May I remind you Sally-Anne of the 4 successful Wirral appeals, who also dwell in Rehab.


AM
Appeal Mum
Posts: 2049
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: Wirral

Post by Appeal Mum »

I have to run now I have a 1pm class..

I will be back ASAP to coach I mean post!

AM
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Post by Sally-Anne »

May I remind you Sally-Anne of the 4 successful Wirral appeals, who also dwell in Rehab.
Shortly to be joined by a successful Bucks 12+ Mum, of course!

I had a great laugh this morning. I was trying to trace an IP address,and one of the sites initially gave me my own ID. The location it guessed at was Tonbridge!

Perhaps it was trying to tell me something? :lol:

Sally-Anne
Appeal Mum
Posts: 2049
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: Wirral

Post by Appeal Mum »

Hi Linda,

Sorry I had to dash before, a little thing called work sometimes gets in the way.

Firstly I have no direct knowledge of Kent or there system, but I’m assuming all appeals work on the same basis as I took all my advice off others in other county’s.

The best person to ask question’s to would be Etienne she can tell you how she would have seen it from her point of view (A panel members view.)

I take it from your post your daughter passed all but one test (Maths), which just happens to be her best subject, which should work in your favour as you will have SAT levels (Predicted) and work to prove this.

I wouldn’t worry to much about your failed head teacher appeal as this has nothing to do with your parental appeal. This is a totally fresh look at your case by an independent panel, nothing to do with the LEA, the head teachers appeal or the school, it’s these people (The independent appeals panel) you have to convince now.

I would personally start a fresh with this appeal (Don‘t dwell on head teachers appeal), gather as much information as you can.

SATs (predicted or working at) Hopefully showing your child to be working at level 5s, I would say your daughter is working at not just level 5 but a “high” level 5 if her score is 5b.

Fresh Letters from the Head teacher and form tutors with lots of reference to a bright child and a high achiever.

Any good NFER standardised papers.

I would also take anything that shows high academic levels such as reading ages, spelling ages, school reports ect. I know your child hasn’t failed in this area and there is a good chance that the panel will not be interested but it’s always best to be prepared for whatever they ask for.

Make notes of good comments in any yearly reports such as “Mary is a bright child”
“Mary is very talented in Maths” you can have these in your notes and make the panel aware of them. I would take them with you just in case they wanted to see them.


Was there Math’s paper on a different day to the other papers?

Was there any other reason why your child didn’t perform on that day?

Any mitigating circumstances?



head teacher appeal failed the remarks being`her written school work did not meet expectations of what grammar school entry should be` how would i stand on the arguement that this was not the issue it was maths that she failed on


As for that comment on an independent appeal, I don’t think they are allowed to make judgements on school work or marking???
They certainly weren’t allowed on our appeal as they told us as much.
It might well be different with head teachers appeal since it is made up with qualified teachers but this isn’t the case now so please don’t worry to much.

Every appeal is different and every panel is different, what one panel might allow to succeed another might not.
I know had my appeal been heard somewhere else in the country by another panel we could well have been telling a different story.

Hopefully your panel will just focus on what your child failed on but I would be prepared to take evidence of ALL academic evidence or as much as you can lay your hands on.

I know it feels very daunting right now, I would keep asking questions (Till your blue in the face, knowledge is key :lol: ) and if you want anything don’t hesitate to ask or PM.

Nobody can ask anymore of you, you’re doing what you believe is right for your child, there are many of us who have been in the same boat as you and we are all here for you.

Good luck and if you need anything just ask there is always someone willing to help..

Take care..

AM


Oh and should you be asked if your child was tutored the answer is “NO” or “Of course not”. :wink:
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