Appeal Hearing Tomorrow

Bexleymum · Post by **Bexleymum** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:20 pm

I feel sick with nerves, knowing tomorrow morning will be the only chance I have to put my daughters case forward.

There were 20 appeals last year and not one got through, the school is also oversubscribed so we have a double battle on our hands.

I am so worried I am going to break down during our presentation as our extenuating circumstances are extremely personal and upsetting (loss of baby through ectopic pregnancy). This was prior to our daughter taking her 11 + and we were all in a emotional and stressful state during this upsetting time.

The headmaster has supported us and mentioned in his letter that she is a highly able pupil and that she is a very high acheiver, he has mentioned that she was extremley quiet and withdrawn during this period due to the extenuating circumstances.

The reason our daughter needs this Grammar School so much is mainly because of the academic but it also has specialist status in Performing and Visual Arts which is an area my daughter has an exceptional talent.

We feel so passionately about this particular school and feel the alternative school will not bring out her full potential.

Sorry to go on, I just feel like I need to get all this off my chest!

LBSWM · Post by **LBSWM** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:16 pm

Bexleymum

More Good Luck stuff to gee you up

Already left you a lovely green me55age of Good Luck on lucy's thread(help) earlier...but you are still very, very apprehensive.

Nobody can ask you to do any more than what you are going to do tomorrow.
Remember that the panel members are human and they wi11 see the pain you and your family have gone through...so I think,even if you inadvertently 'lose it' for a moment, they are not going to hold it against you.

Hopefu11y, you can stay calm and composed long enough to put your case acro55 we11. Try to stay focused as best as you can...this is coming from a Mum who is very emotional even at the best of times.

I am very impre55ed that you have got yourself to this stage and the panel wi11 see you've put everything on the table and decide...

Don't be afraid....here's more of the good stuff!!!

Laid Back Son Worried Mum

Bexley · Post by **Bexley** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:31 pm

Hi Bexleymum,

Hope all goes well tomorrow. I know the school you are referring too and hope given the extenuating circumstances and your daughter's talent in performing arts , that sense prevails and she gets the place she wants.

Let us know how it goes

Keeping my fingers crossed!
xx

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:07 pm

Do your best, but I say with a heavy heart, there are parents and children, waiting for a place in Bexley that have passed, and well, for a school. Appeals fail in this area for a reason. Unfortunately the kids that pass don't get a place!!!!

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:17 pm

Hi BexleyMum

I will be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed. I hope above anything else that the panel deal with your mitigating circumstances sensitively.

Please do post back afterwards to tell us how you got on.

Best wishes
Sally-Anne

Bexleymum · Post by **Bexleymum** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:40 pm

Thank you for all your support, I don't think I would have got it all together if it wasn't for this web site. We really wouldnt have known where to start.

LBSWM: Thanks for the wonderful pictures they were very heart warming.

I'll post tomorrow

BM

New Appeal Parent · Post by **New Appeal Parent** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:59 pm

Good luck tomorrow. We have been there and know how it is. You just go and present your case as best as you can, after all it is for your daughter's education and no matter how personal it gets just think that you are doing it for your daughter. The panel members are human as well.

Best of luck. I will be thinking of you!

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:52 pm

good luck for tomorrow.......
I will have everything crossed for you, what time is yours?

I went for mine last Tues, I cried. The school said it was full.

Poor Christopher just had a bad day...

We had our result today....................................

He is in!!

thinking of you

Cindy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:34 pm

Good Luck Bexley Mum xx

Footymad xx.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:41 pm

Thank you all for your kind words and support.

It's over now, and it's in the panels hands. The LEA representative was polite and introduced himself while we were waiting to go in.

He was not sent the evidence for our case and when he spoke to the clerk the clerk disregarded him and said "it's the parents case" and handed him our evidence.

The panel were very old (sorry if that affends anyone - they were nice) and must all have been retired. The chairman put us at ease and occasionally asked questions but were very understanding.

When it came to us putting our case accross I feel we done our best. I read from a written statement so that I could concertrate on the key facts and not get distracted.

The panel were keen to know about our daughters performing arts and agreed that she is exceptionally talented in this area, but questioned whether she could do the academic and performing arts where we reassured her that this school would support her both academically and in performing arts area.

They dealt with our extenuating circumstances with a gental nature and were very understanding.

Today is the final day for the appeals - they have 5 more today and will make their decisions late this afternoon. They have told us we may find out as early as TOMORROW, which was a slight shock otherwise it would be Monday due to a postal strike in Bexley. (typical strike - always happens when you need something urgently! - sorry postmen)

I will post once I have heard any news

BM