Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules OK!

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katel
Posts: 960
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:30 pm

Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules OK!

Post by katel »

We are in the middle of an non- qualification appeal to a Kent grammar school for our son.

We have been using the fantastic guidance from Etienne and others on he and we were well on the way when we went to see our son's head teacher yesterday who threw us into a panic by talking about letters from choir masters and scout masters and football coaches and stuff about "the whole child" - directly contrary to Etienne's advice and what we had been doing. When we got home, we rang the LEA Secondary Admissions Team, who confirmed what the Head had said. All we could think was that things had changed somehow. We were completely confused!

The, late last night the Head rang us at home. He said that he had just talked to the Clerk of a Kent appeals panel, who said that both he (the Head) and the Admissions Team were absolutely wrong, and ETIENNE'S GUIDANCE IS SPOT ON!

The Clerk said that the only time letters from coaches and so on could possibly be useful is if it is a specialist school and they provide solid, independent evidence from a qualified person of a particular aptitude. He also said that sometimes evidence of independent thinking and leadership might help a bit, but not much. He said that the crucial element is hard evidence. The Head's recommendation is very important.which needs to be incredibly carefully worded. Any element of "he deserves a place because he's a lovely lad with beautiful manners" and the whole letter is called into question. And SATSlevels, CATS scores and an Ed Psychs reports.

So, basically, what the fantastic Etienne says. I am shocked at our Head getting it so wrong, but I am beyond furious at the Admissions Team. Who knows how many people they have misinformed and sent on wild goose chases!
Last edited by hermanmunster on Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: sorting out colour!
pheasantchick
Posts: 2439
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:28 pm

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by pheasantchick »

'Like' button pressed! :)
scaredkentmum
Posts: 82
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:26 am

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by scaredkentmum »

"Like" from me too

I have had the same advice from well intentioned people who keep thinking I should mention sports ability. Its really easy to get confused and focus on the wrong thing. Its a disgrace that the admissions office are giving out wrong advice to people, sending them down the wrong path.
push-pull-mum
Posts: 737
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 2:52 pm

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by push-pull-mum »

Big "like" here too!!
When you're going through the dark days after March 1st it can seem like suddenly everyone's a self appointed Grammar school expert and it's really hard not to get bogged down - angry (but not that surprised) that Katel has received incorrect advice from education professionals. At least they had the grace to own up in time!
Huge yeay for Etienne! (all digits crossed for Katel)
katel
Posts: 960
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:30 pm

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by katel »

Just though I'd bump this- I was hoping more people would see it.
Belinda
Posts: 1167
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:57 pm

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by Belinda »

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Last edited by Belinda on Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thingsbehindthesun
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:25 pm

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by Thingsbehindthesun »

Maybe we should start a Etienne (all other mods too) fan club?!

:lol:
tigger2
Posts: 755
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:35 am

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by tigger2 »

I think that you just have !! :D :D
tigger2
Posts: 755
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:35 am

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by tigger2 »

In all seriousness, I have just heard today that has forked out a huge down payment to secure the services of a solicitor who claims to be an appeals expert (post appeals time I think they 'do' divorces :shock: )with a great success rate for the super selectives . On speaking to them this evening even I realised that they had been given incorrect information-although to be fair it was pointed out that it is supposed to be something you can do without legal advice they were given a huge sell and the appointment ended with the parents being told that they had no chance of success if they didn't engage legal representation and they will regret it for ever if they fail. :( :( I have suggested they have a look on here before going any further..............
capers123
Posts: 1865
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 9:03 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Important-bad appeals advice out there. Etienne Rules O

Post by capers123 »

Perhaps they should ask for a 'No win, no fee' deal if the solicitor is that sure of winning?
Capers
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