Bucks - 108/118 out of area appeal

hertsdad · Post by **hertsdad** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:33 pm

Hello all

Thanks for some very useful advice on these pages; would appreciate thoughts on our case, which is nothing special but couldn't find a relevant post already up here.

We're in Herts, but entered Bucks 11+ with Chesham High applied for. It was a fairly last-minute decision, as a backup against failure in the Watford consortium tests. Anyway, final results were 108 and 118 - very frustrating (probably one more test and he'd have passed!). He is near top of his class in most subjects and am confident he'll get 5's in SATs (though probably not 5a's), as he got at least one at the end of Y5 (the rest were 4As). I'm sure his head will be very supportive, but am not sure what other evidence we can present, as there are no official predictions, as there would have been from Bucks schools.

My main questions:
- Though the 118 puts us in the 'worth a go' category, will the 108 blow us out of the water?
- Does being out of area make any difference? Can we mention lack of in-school preparation, for example?
- Does the fact we're only applying for what (from most reports) will be an under-subscribed school make any difference?

All help gratefully received!

Post by **Etienne** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:44 pm

Hello, hertsdad

Though the 118 puts us in the 'worth a go' category, will the 108 blow us out of the water?

No, but the panel will have to take a view - based on the evidence - of which score is a better indication of ability.

Does being out of area make any difference? Can we mention lack of in-school preparation, for example?

Yes, although it probably won't carry huge weight, otherwise everyone out of county will be seeking positive discrimination! In any case, the official view is that the familiarisation + practice tests are sufficient.

Does the fact we're only applying for what (from most reports) will be an under-subscribed school make any difference?

No, particular schools are not considered at this stage.

Good luck

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:53 pm

Hi Herts Dad

Just a thought - as it was quite a last minute decision for him to take the 11+, did your son actually do the Bucks familiarisation materials and practice papers?

The familarisation materials are usually done in the summer term, the practice papers in September.

Sally-Anne

Katie · Post by **Katie** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:05 pm

Hi Sally-Anne,
It was good to note your information about practice papers. It's a great shame that more people from Torbay don't view this site. There are no practice papers for the school our children are at (and that the youngest failed to be admitted to). On the day of the actual test they do a VR familiarisation lasting 10 mins - that's all there is. The school set their own tests - so it's impossbible to know what they will be like or how they might even be laid out!

hertsdad · Post by **hertsdad** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:53 pm

Sally-Anne

Yes, we registered just in time to get the preparation pack, and he did the familiarisation papers. I can't imagine the results would be admissable, though, as he did them at home. Can't remember the exact numbers but there was a definite upward trend through the 3 practice papers, and the 2 actual tests. Hence my comment that he just needed one more test

Thanks

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:23 pm

Hi hertsdad

It was worth asking, because if you had registered so late that he was unable to do any of the official preparation, then 108/118 from a cold start would have been quite interesting to a panel.

You are quite right that the results are not admissable, as the practice papers are the same ones used every year.

Sally-Anne

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:04 am

Hi Hertsdad, We had a successful appeal 2 years ago on 109 and 116 so you really have nothing to loose.

Good Luck

Maria

camden · Post by **camden** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:12 pm

Well done Maria!

Did you have anything to appeal on other than academic evidence?
...hope you don't mind me asking!
Camden

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:09 pm

Hi Camden, It was all purely academic eveidence and the fact we said he wanted it so much to join his preferred school that he put undue pressure on himself on the days. Im sure many appeals said this but that was all we had and thankfully it worked.

Good Luck

Maria

camden · Post by **camden** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:22 pm

Thanks Maria....gives me hope!