11 Plus Exams Forum

My son did very well in the 11 plus in Oct - Our (and his) aim being to go to Ermysteds. We live out of area. He passed and therefore we put it down as number one choice.
He got his third choice and was very upset.

It is over subscribed, and I rang the school to be told that he is (at the moment) 5th on the waiting list. I realise there can be some movement, and that if we are really lucky 5 pupils might not take up their places, but I am not holding out too much hope.

We are appealing, and I wanted to know if anyone has had any success on an oversubscription appeal.

We would be appealing on the following grounds

1. DS has a natural talent for sciences, and a huge specialised knowledge of the natural world. The head will write to back this up. The school has science status and teaches separate sciences. I am also thinking of getting an external assessment done by an educational psychologist who specialises in G and T. (with ds's agreement)

2. DS wants to be a zoologist and has a very clear view of the educational path he wants to take. I don't believe he will be able to develop to his full potential in the local comprehensive.

3. He loves languages, and is very excited about having the opportunity to learn latin (Really!)

4. Finally he is good at music - (g4) Violin and Singing, and I know the school has a good reputation for music.

Should I include all these things on the appeal form? Is it worth getting the outside assessment?

Has anyone on the forum appealed on similar grounds?
Any other tips? I am feeling a little lost at the moment so would appreciate any help/support.

Thank you

Hi Acme

Sorry to hear you didn't get a place on allocation day.

Re the appeal it is appropriate to include all those things to demonstrate why the school is the right school for your DS. I don't think you need to prove any further academic ability as that is already proven by passing the exam.

They have gone over 112 in most years recently and hence it is well worth trying via appeal. FWIW there are some boys who joined in year 9 from Bingley Grammar having been on a waiting list up until then - they settled in well.

There are relatively few oversub appeals - Nitram (who was moving from Kent) had one last year which was quite unusual as the panel awarded the appeal after hearing the schools side only ...

Good luck
Herman

Thank you Herman!
When you say there are very few oversubscription appeals - is that a good or bad thing?

C

tends to be in single figures as there are not many boys who pass the test and then do not get in on distance.

Hi Acme

Sorry to hear you need to appeal.

Herman's given you great advice and I have nothing to add unfortunately, but just wanted to offer my support (us North Yorkshire folk stick together ).

Welcome Acme. Good luck with the appeal.

Thank you for your words they help. Snowdrop wish I was N Yorkshire . I am W Yorkshire out of area (Shipley - on the Bingley side) x

But being in North Yorkshire doesn't guarantee that you'll get grammar anyhow. We are OOC for Ripon, but managed it in the end.

Hopefully you'll come through this with a good result too, and we can truly claim you as North Yorkshire

Acme :

Actually Snowdrops DD got in off the W/L in the end (nail bitingly close to the date of the oversub appeal from what I remember.... ).

SD - have you any idea how much movement there actually was on the waiting list to get you a place??

On allocations day she was 4th on the waiting list.

One week after allocations day she was 1st on the list.

We then had to wait until (about) 2nd June to get the 'phone call that someone had given backword and she was offered a place (that was about 6 days before the oversub sppeal - oh how I laugh now ).