Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Consult our experts on 11 Plus appeals or any other type of school appeal

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now
Mum to Boys
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:42 pm

Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Post by Mum to Boys »

I am putting together a pack as our eldest son didn't get offered a place at our first choice based on PAN of 168 being reached, the take boys from their catchment first and then any 'extra' places are offered to boys outside the catchment. In previous years, this has meant about 100 boys from inside catchment and 68 outside. We live outside the catchment. Our son got a good mark, higher than a lot of the boys who have already been admitted due to being in catchment. We have been told by the school that he is third on the waiting list. Last year they admitted 12 extra boys. He might still get a place if someone declines their place, this is however unlikely and therefore we are putting together our case for appeal. We have stated:
* he met the eligibility mark
* if we lived in catchment he would have already been offered a place
* all of his school reports show him to be of above average ability
* he achieved 3 level 3s at KS1
* he is predicted 3 level 5s at KS2
* it is a maths specialist school and his score in the 11+ was highest in maths
* although we looked around both of our local grammars, as a family, we all like this one the best, stating some brief reasons

The pack I am compiling has evidence to back this up.

I know the school has taken above PAN in previous years.

Any advice given, will be gratefully received.

Thanks
Last edited by Mum to Boys on Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Post by Etienne »

Welcome!

I wouldn't use your second point. (The admission rules are the admission rules - I'm afraid you won't get anywhere by saying you don't like them!) Besides, it'll be obvious to the panel that your son would have got a place if in catchment.

Point 3: I would have preferred "well above average ability", and suspect that would be a better description of your son. (4a at KS2 would be above average, but not necessarily grammar school standard.)

Point 6: I like this, but be aware that there is no longer any funding for specialisms, and someone might point this out to you at the hearing. Check beforehand to see whether the school is still 'advertising' its maths specialism, either on its website or in the prospectus. You'll be in a stronger position if so.

Are you raising points to do with academic ability because you're arguing what a tragedy it would be if such an able boy were not given the opportunity of a place at this grammar school? Or are the admission rules such that he would have got a place if he had scored more highly, and you are arguing that there is evidence to show that his score was not a true reflection of his ability?
Etienne
hermanmunster
Posts: 12817
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Re: Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Post by hermanmunster »

I think it is Poole Grammar MtB is appealing to and the OOC boys are taken in rank order so i think would need to demonstrate that the score was not a true reflection of his ability


http://www.poolegrammar.com/wp-content/ ... y-2013.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Post by Etienne »

Thanks, Herman.

That would be a possible argument then (if Mum to Boys wanted to make it - she doesn't have to, as her son has already qualified).
See B1(b):
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... ication#b1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If that is to be an argument, then ideally I'd like to see more academic evidence, such as sub-levels for KS2.
For list of possible evidence, see:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Mum to Boys
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: Grammar School Oversubscription Advice Please

Post by Mum to Boys »

Well we have our Appeals date.

Monday is the day for the group hearing when I know from the paperwork already submitted that the school will say it cannot take over PAN due to the size of the buildings etc....

Thursday will be the individual appeal. We I think have built up a strong case for our son to be admitted, but you never know. He has passed the 11+ so we don't have to fight that battle. There will be boys admitted with a lower score than our son, but as they are in catchment, they take priority. What I think we need to do is really make it clear that PGS is the right school for our son due to its specialism and what it offers. We do have other evidence of his above average ability with his reports and the KS1 results which were Level 3s. So I am hoping it goes well.

We are obviously nervous, but feel well prepared. Thanks for all the help and advice on this site.

***
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now