Parmiters Appeal/Continuing Interest List
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Point Two – Appeal for WGSB & Rickmansworth – Basis oversubscription
DS is a thespian, at the time he was appearing at the London Palladium playing the part of Tommy in..... Tommy. Both Schools support for the performing arts was a major factor in our appeal.
Ricky has a specialism in the performing arts, as does WGSB all be it through its sister school, WGSG. WGSB has its own theatre (how many schools offer that opportunity?) and put on three productions a year.
We tried to argue that DS deserved the opportunity to combine his education with his own personal interests, something he could not do at his allocated school.
Evidence – Yes fantastic reference from theatre training teacher
Result – Sorry school full!
DS is a thespian, at the time he was appearing at the London Palladium playing the part of Tommy in..... Tommy. Both Schools support for the performing arts was a major factor in our appeal.
Ricky has a specialism in the performing arts, as does WGSB all be it through its sister school, WGSG. WGSB has its own theatre (how many schools offer that opportunity?) and put on three productions a year.
We tried to argue that DS deserved the opportunity to combine his education with his own personal interests, something he could not do at his allocated school.
Evidence – Yes fantastic reference from theatre training teacher
Result – Sorry school full!
Point three – Appeal for WGSB, Parmiters & Rickmansworth – Basis oversubscription
DS other great love apart from the theatre is a love of scouting. The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at the schools would have provided DS with an excellent opportunity to combine his academic ability with his love for scouting. Another opportunity he would not have should had he attend his allocated school.
DS had achieved silver award at Cubs (highest award a Cub can achieve), demonstrating leadership abilities, learning / scouting skills and community involvement.
Evidence – fantastic letter from scout leader supporting claim
Result - no room at the inn!
To be continued..........
DS other great love apart from the theatre is a love of scouting. The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at the schools would have provided DS with an excellent opportunity to combine his academic ability with his love for scouting. Another opportunity he would not have should had he attend his allocated school.
DS had achieved silver award at Cubs (highest award a Cub can achieve), demonstrating leadership abilities, learning / scouting skills and community involvement.
Evidence – fantastic letter from scout leader supporting claim
Result - no room at the inn!
To be continued..........
Firstly Watdad, thanks for sharing your experiences of Herts appeals which can only help others. I can see that it is clear that your son would have benefitted from attending one of the schools you mention & probably would have fitted in very well.
However, the panel has to consider whether "the parental reasons for wanting a place outweigh the prejudice to the school" - as I understand it this means whether the school should squeeze in an extra pupil at the detriment of all the existing pupils. I just feel that there has to be such a good reason for doing this, and I can't imagine that a panel would be swayed by the fact that a school would complement a child's extra-curricular activities.
Yes, it is hard to win an appeal in Herts, but unless there has been some terrible maladministration I don't see why it should be easy. It's much better that places are allocated at the outset rather than "kept back for appeals" - as some people seem to think should happen (not you Watdad!). As you know, appealing is so stressful.
I really feel for people who are disappointed with their school allocation. But IMHO, those people who come on this site asking if anyone can think of a good reason on which to base an appeal should realise that if they have to ask, there isn't one!
Watdad, your son is living proof about how what seemed like a terrible situation at the time can work out well. I hope that people can take hope from your story!
However, the panel has to consider whether "the parental reasons for wanting a place outweigh the prejudice to the school" - as I understand it this means whether the school should squeeze in an extra pupil at the detriment of all the existing pupils. I just feel that there has to be such a good reason for doing this, and I can't imagine that a panel would be swayed by the fact that a school would complement a child's extra-curricular activities.
Yes, it is hard to win an appeal in Herts, but unless there has been some terrible maladministration I don't see why it should be easy. It's much better that places are allocated at the outset rather than "kept back for appeals" - as some people seem to think should happen (not you Watdad!). As you know, appealing is so stressful.
I really feel for people who are disappointed with their school allocation. But IMHO, those people who come on this site asking if anyone can think of a good reason on which to base an appeal should realise that if they have to ask, there isn't one!
Watdad, your son is living proof about how what seemed like a terrible situation at the time can work out well. I hope that people can take hope from your story!
Actually it is the prejudice against the child. Not the parents, parents always want better!tense wrote:"the parental reasons for wanting a place outweigh the prejudice to the school"
I think my son would have been prejudiced against had he attended his allocated school...............
And as I said I haven’t finished! Yes it’s too late for me but I will feel if I can help someone win then it would have all been worth while
Tense I couldn’t disagree with you more. Surely the only reason you choose a school for your child is that is a good ‘fit’ for whatever reason. The point of appeals is proving and that your child will be prejudiced by attending a school that is not a good fit. I believe from reading stories on the appeals board and on other forums that these arguments work in most other areas but not SW Herts…… why?
What other good reasons are there? Surely nobody send there DS/DD to a school just because it has good exams results do they? That would be very shallow indeed.
And school specialism what are they for if they do not support those children with a gift in that subject area?
The sooner we get back to local schools for local Kids the better IMHO.
Point four – Rickmansworth / Parmiters and WGSB
DS for the past two years had been nominated to attend WGSG, during the summer holidays, for children with a natural gift in art. All schools have a good academic track record in the subject and excellent facilities WGSB in particular through it association with the Girls school had and indirect specialism in Art.
Our allocated school did not have a single student that had achieved an A level grade A-C in this subject.
Evidence letter from WGSG, Result – You guessed it.
NB none of these were separate appeals they were combinations dependant of which school we were appealing for.
What other good reasons are there? Surely nobody send there DS/DD to a school just because it has good exams results do they? That would be very shallow indeed.
And school specialism what are they for if they do not support those children with a gift in that subject area?
The sooner we get back to local schools for local Kids the better IMHO.
Point four – Rickmansworth / Parmiters and WGSB
DS for the past two years had been nominated to attend WGSG, during the summer holidays, for children with a natural gift in art. All schools have a good academic track record in the subject and excellent facilities WGSB in particular through it association with the Girls school had and indirect specialism in Art.
Our allocated school did not have a single student that had achieved an A level grade A-C in this subject.
Evidence letter from WGSG, Result – You guessed it.
NB none of these were separate appeals they were combinations dependant of which school we were appealing for.
Well I certainly agree with the first sentence of yours I've quoted above! But on the second - I thought (from my reading of the appeals board & therefore happy to admit somewhat limited knowledge) that at an appeal you should focus on why the school you want is a good fit - not why the allocated school is not.watdad wrote:Surely the only reason you choose a school for your child is that is a good ‘fit’ for whatever reason. The point of appeals is proving and that your child will be prejudiced by attending a school that is not a good fit.
And I see you mention that "local schools for local kids" line. TBH I can't help thinking that the three schools you ranked weren't the closest to you...well they can't all have been can they! But that is another story and honestly Watdad, I think you would find that you & I agree on a lot of this school stuff. So I shall try to stop nitpicking & let you get on with helping anyone who plans to appeal this year
A quibble: as I understand it, it's more why they will be prejudiced by not attending this school, which is precisely the case you did make. But I'd really like to know the answer to your key question: Why is SW Herts different? We don't have a grammar system, so there are no qualification appeals, just transfer appeals. But every area has those, and all schools are required to keep the school full from the waiting list and not reserve them for appeals, so every successful appeal is over capacity. But according to the county 20% of appeals in Herts succeed: why are transfer appeals so hard in this corner of the county? Is it because there has been a big increase in appeals in the last few years?watdad wrote:Surely the only reason you choose a school for your child is that is a good ‘fit’ for whatever reason. The point of appeals is proving and that your child will be prejudiced by attending a school that is not a good fit. I believe from reading stories on the appeals board and on other forums that these arguments work in most other areas but not SW Herts…… why?
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watfordmum66
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:45 pm
I feel that there should be times when appeals are allowed due to mitigating circumstances providing clear evidence is shown. I know of one family where dad has been very ill for over a year readmitted to hosp oct half term unsure if he would survive . Child clearly impacted did not do as well as hoped.
I have said that I would deem this worthy of an appeal under medical circumstances , family would not be considering a superselective.
However there has been no maladministration in this case.
I have said that I would deem this worthy of an appeal under medical circumstances , family would not be considering a superselective.
However there has been no maladministration in this case.
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greenteadrinker
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:19 pm
