15 Dec Help!

[kittymum]

Well done to your dd - hope you don't have to wait too long - spaces can come up in year 7 - my ds had a no show at the start of the year in his class!

[Lastminute.com]

Bucks CC have been great - got the results 3 days after the exam!

On the bright side my daughter passed, on the down side the letter came with 3 auto rejections from the 3 school possibilities - SWBGS, Wycombe GS and Great Marlow. So even the non grammar is full. Not sure where they plan to place her then.

We are now into the appeals process so if anyone has any tips, particularly if you have first hand experience, it would be much appreciated. Any idea where the independent panel comes from?

I am hoping that the fact that there are no places anywhere in catchment will help as the panel can't just slide her into the non grammar so the impact on my daughter will be significant, not just on the academic level but social as well. Going to a school miles away from home where it will be difficult to socialise with your classmates can't be good. Not to mention how she will get to school.

[kittymum]

Hi

I live in the same catchment area as you - my ds is at SWBGS. Places do come up - Marlow is a mobile community - I know for instance a child is leaving year 8 over Christmas as they are moving yo the US and there gas been some gossip about a child leaving yr 7 (but don't know how accurate this is).

I believe Becky High has spaces as they took an extra class this year.

The automatic allocation I imagine you'd be given (are you on the patch at Medmenham?) is Cressex. It would not be my first choice school but it has fab facilities.

GMS is an amazing school they are very popular and over subscribed and this tear did not offer all catchment in the early allocation rounds - actually I don't think they went out of catchment. I do know of people who had to fight to get in but don't know of anyone who failed. I would send my children there if they don't get SWBGS.

As far as winning a space SWBGS takes 120 in yr 7, WHS 180 and GMS I believe around 200. Of your 2 catchment grammars they are very different schools - I adore SWBGS but know people who would not have it as their first choice and vice versa with WHS - they feel quite different to each other so it's worth visiting to get a feel for what's right for your dd.

Can't help with appeals sorry but Bucks Stance is that the uppers are as suitable for grammar qualified kids as the grammars.

[Etienne]

I am hoping that the fact that there are no places anywhere in catchment will help as the panel can't just slide her into the non grammar so the impact on my daughter will be significant, not just on the academic level but social as well.

The appeal panel will only consider your reasons for admission to the particular school you're appealing for, and whether or not they are sufficient to outweigh any prejudice to the school.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I suggest you read our Appeal Q&As:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... bed-school" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and then post on the Appeals forum if you have any questions:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... m.php?f=35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any idea where the independent panel comes from?

Most appeals in Bucks are heard by independent panels appointed by BCC Legal (which is entirely separate from Admissions).

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Guest55]

If you did not ask for any other GS then you will be offered the nearest school which has places.

[Sally-Anne]

If you did not ask for any other GS then you will be offered the nearest school which has places.

To qualify that , it will be the nearest school for which she has qualified.

If we can’t offer any of your preferences, and your child lives in Buckinghamshire, we normally offer a place at the nearest Buckinghamshire school that has a place available. This may not be your catchment school. If your child is qualified for grammar school, we normally offer a place at the nearest Buckinghamshire grammar school with places.

That is likely to be Beaconsfield HS.

Congratulations to her, Lastminute.com.

I'm always impressed by children who suffer all the disruption of a sudden house move, only to sail through the 11+/12+ or whatever.

As Etienne has posted, you have some reading to do, but we will be happy to advise you on an Appeal in due course.

[Guest55]

It says 'normally offer' ... but I have known qualifiers being offered Upper schools because that is their nearest with places.

[Tolstoy]

Congratulations to you both great news. As she won't be starting till April hopefully a place will come up at a local Grammar. Some take extra's into Y8, not sure which, so worse case scenario would home schooling be an option until then, as it would be just one term?

[Guest55]

I note, reading your first post again, that you are not living in Bucks yet.

Admissions are usually unable to offer places until you are resident and can prove it; so you may need to re-apply when you are in the country.

[Sally-Anne]

Returning service personnel are handled differently ...