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JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:53 pm
by BucksBornNBred
I have just received this document and found one part "odd". It seems to say that Selection Review has to be undertaken before an appeal... or am I misreading it? The part that didn't quite fit with all the advice on here is:

"Parents of any boy who does not achieve the qualifying score of 121 may apply for a Selection Review if they believe that their son would have met the qualifying score but for particular circumstances regarding their participation in the selection testing process. The Selection Review will be carried out by a panel comprising serving Secondary and Primary Headteachers, supported by a clerk. The Panel will consider each written application received and, where appropriate, will obtain advice from an Educational Psychologist prior to making a decision. The Selection Review process will take place before places are allocated and children who are deemed qualified by the panel will be eligible for admission to any of the Buckinghamshire grammar schools. After places have been allocated, parents will be entitled to make representations to an Independent Appeal Panel if their son has been refused admission because the school is full. John Hampden Grammar School has contracted Buckinghamshire County Council to manage appeals on the school’s behalf.(An Independent Appeal Panel hearing will not ordinarily carry out a full review of a pupil’s capacity to qualify in the Secondary Transfer Test as that process should have taken place at the Selection Review.)"

ETA: I am asking the question as if this doesn't sound right, I would like to respond to the consultation. Many thanks

Re: JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:00 pm
by scary mum
I think it's just saying the order that things are done in, ie Selection review between results & allocation, appeals after allocation. I don't think it's saying that you have to do one followed by the other (is it a change of wording?

Re: JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:06 pm
by BucksBornNBred
Thanks Scary Mum. I think there is new wording (but not in this part), but it was just the phrase "An Independent Appeal Panel hearing will not ordinarily carry out a full review of a pupil’s capacity to qualify in the Secondary Transfer Test as that process should have taken place at the Selection Review" that made me question it. I remember we were led to believe by primary school that you had to go to Selection Review first (it was only finding this forum that made me understand I was being given the wrong advice!)

Re: JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:11 pm
by Etienne
An Independent Appeal Panel hearing will not ordinarily carry out a full review of a pupil’s capacity to qualify in the Secondary Transfer Test as that process should have taken place at the Selection Review.
This wording, which appears every year, is confusing.

It was certainly the case in 2012/13, when the new review system started, that parents were told that they had to go through a review if they wanted to keep open the option of an independent appeal.
We argued at the time that this was unlawful.

The next version of the Bucks Headteachers Manual set out the correct position as follows. (Note the final sentence.)
    • “Where a parent is unsuccessful in making a case at selection review and they still wish to pursue a place at their preferred grammar school, they have the right to appeal before an Independent Appeal Panel once they have received their school allocation. However, in this case the Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) is restricted by the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice to consider only whether the child’s review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective way. Only if there is no evidence that this has been done, can the panel go on to satisfy themselves that there is evidence to demonstrate that the child is of the required academic standard for grammar school.
      Parents may also appeal before an IAP if they did not take part in the selection review procedure.”

Re: JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:16 pm
by BucksBornNBred
Thank you Etienne. But surely parents don't get to see the Bucks HT Manual so this is what parents will see? If it is all normal and well then fine but it does seem to me that teachers know one thing and parents are told another! I am not in the 11+ game any more, but I just wanted to check so thank you for the advice (both of you). I still have the rest of the consultation to read over!

BBB x

Re: JHGS 2021 Admission Consultation

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:40 pm
by Etienne
But surely parents don't get to see the Bucks HT Manual
Although I'm quoting from the headteachers manual, as far as I can recall the correct position was explained to parents elsewhere (probably in the letter accompanying the review result).
it does seem to me that teachers know one thing .....
Despite the headteachers manual, some primary schools were still giving out the wrong information in subsequent years! :?