11 Plus Exams Forum

I am not very good at letter writing but would like to write a nice letter to those schools we are not taking. Please can anyone help with a brief guide ? Thanks

Dear....

1 Thank them for the offer letter

2 Say how much DD enjoyed the exam days at Y and how hard they had obviously worked to make it a positive experience

3 Say DD has been fortunate to have been offered another school also

4 After much discussion at home, DD and we feel that the other school (not sure whether you want to name it - up to you) may suit her better, although it was clearly a very difficult decision as clearly Y is a lovely school too.

Many thanks for all your help through the selection time,

Couldn't add much to what Herman said but I would always advise politeness almost to the point of obsequiousness. You can never be 100% sure you won't need them again. Possibly I would give a reason for choosing the other school if it's something like distance or cost (eg 'was lucky enough to be offered a scholarship').

Nice position to be in - well done to your DC.

Amber wrote:Couldn't add much to what Herman said but I would always advise politeness almost to the point of obsequiousness. You can never be 100% sure you won't need them again. Possibly I would give a reason for choosing the other school if it's something like distance or cost (eg 'was lucky enough to be offered a scholarship').

Nice position to be in - well done to your DC.

Agreed Amber - can't be too polite! They will be equally polite and offer good wishes for the future in return. Good point giving a specific reason eg distance

Thanks so much Hermanmunster and Amber, this is great !! Thanks again xx

Thanks - great advice.

Sorry, One last question, do the letters have to be hand written or can i do a mail merge on computer. No, we didnt get a thousand offers, i am just v lazy Thanks

they don't need to be hand written but suggest that they might be individually thought about and written. Each school will have been different and hopefully you will be able to write something specific.

It would take me longer to do a mail merge than to hand write them

I would go for a standard letter but would vary it slightly and include individual details in each, for example "Cuthbert commented particularly on the welcome he was given by the other boys at St Cakes; however, after much discussion we decided that the travelling distance made St Biscuits the more practical option in the end'

I would always include a hand written signature though, with my name underneath in type.