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to appeal or not

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:06 pm
by Confused mum
hoping Ettiene will see this, my son was bitterly dissapointed today to get 119 (on both papers!) today, he is desperate to appeal as he has his heart set on the grammar we had chosen. He is predicted level 5's at Sat, and has always performed around or above 121 in previous verbal and non verbal reasoning, he has always been regarded as one of the top 5 in his class and had anticipated he would pass. My problem is that I am aware any appeal is heavily dependent on the schools support and they have made it clear that unless your mother/father/sister have dropped dead 20 minutes before the exam they will not be supportive of any appeals!
I truly believe my son would flourish at a Grammar but woudl hate to put him through the appeals process just to be let down again/

..help
vey confused and disssa :cry: pointed Mum

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:23 pm
by Etienne
Dear confused mum

You really must go to appeal. I know it will be stressful, and there's no guarantee of success, but 2 x 119 is a very good, consistent result which will help your case.

Being so close to 121, you probably don't need much in the way of extenuating circumstances. Your appeal is likely to depend on the academic evidence.

If your son is doing as well as you say, then the school ought to be able to confirm this. It is their job to provide the academic evidence. It is not their job to go into extenuating circumstances, although they have the opportunity to mention any they are aware of.

It would help if the school will provide details of the other test results you refer to, including the percentile rank.

Regards

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:25 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi Confused Mum

We are all waiting for Etienne to come online, but in the meantime, please take a look at my latest post under Bucks.

I have quoted 120 as being a good place for an appeal, but some of the children I am referring to have managed 120 and a lower score. I think that the same rules apply to a double 119.

Please note especially my comments about appeals not supported by the Head.

The art of the appeals process (if you can bear this) is not to tell your child that you are appealing. I tried, but didn't manage to keep the secret.

The alternative (that I ended up with, once he realised that I was appealing) was to tell him that it was a lottery and I might just get the winning ticket. Quite frankly, that describes the process rather well!

Please post back soon - here or in Bucks.
Sally-Anne

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:28 pm
by Sally-Anne
Etienne

The cavalry has just come round the corner! Whilst I was scribbling away!

Sally-Anne

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:33 pm
by Etienne
Dear Sally-Anne

Your advice is always good - not sure the "cavalry" is really needed. :D

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:59 pm
by confused Mum
many thanks Ettiene and Sally-Anne, you have really helped to calm me down, have also just read through the Bucks appeal thread (all 13 pages!), I guess my first step is to meet with the head and see how they feel abour supporting an appeal, and take it from there.
Apart from predicted sat's and previous vr/nvr scores what other written evidence is important, do school reports carry any weight and is it worth getting an educational psychologists report or would that be seen as trying a bit too hard?
Think this forum may be a lifesaver for me over the next couple of months!
confused mum

Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:19 am
by Sally-Anne
Hi Confused Mum

So glad I have managed to calm you down - I felt just the same sense of panic last year.

Yes, your first step is to meet with the Head. Ask what information s/he and the school can provide you with. Schools sometimes keep "league tables" of exam/test results that you may not be aware of - ask where your child is placed in the year for the core subjects. If they happen to be in the top 25% or so for some subjects, that is well worth knowing.

An EdPsych report is worth going for (at a likely cost of £400) only if you truly believe that your son has exceptional reasons for not having passed, such as an undiagnosed ability/disability. Don't dismiss the idea, but don't lean upon it either.

I sense, from what you say, that he is simply a bright child who can't quite do verbal reasoning to the required (VR) measure of Bucks CC. I sympathise with that, as my son is (one year on) in the same position, and facing the 12+.

What you need to accumulate in the next week or so is evidence of your son's academic performance at school. Start from there, and let us know how you get on.

All the ebst
Sally-Anne

Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:03 am
by Etienne
Dear confused mum

Well done on ploughing through the 13 page thread! I assume you've found the Q&As as well? Essential reading!

Yes, good school reports will be useful evidence.

My view of an EdPsych report is that it is not usually seen as "trying too hard". Depending on what the EdPsych's test results are, it might be worth producing if you have insufficient academic evidence from school.

From what you have said, you may have enough evidence available, but you do need to try and find out from the headteacher exactly what the school will provide.

Good luck

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:37 am
by Simone
Dear All
My daughter missed the mark by 1 (118 and 120). Can anyone advise how to structure the grounds for appeal. Unfortunately we don't have any mitigating circumstances other than she was very nervous and worried (natural for a 10 yr old). How shall I address the appeal panel and what points should I highlight on the appeal application. Another thing....will this form the basis of discussion at the meeting.
Many thanks
Simone

appeals

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:50 am
by suki
Hello Simone, I have the same issues as yourself my son missed by 1 ( 2 x 120). I would also be really grateful if Etienne or anyone else who has been through the appeal process could advise me on the best format for the appeal. Like Simone says, what is the best way to address the panel, what would be the best format to use for a clear and hopefully sucessful case.

Simone both my husband and I are chanelling our energies on this appeal, there is no guarantee that our children will get through but if we believe, give it our best shot and have strong support from their schools, I am sure we have a pretty good chance.

I would like to thank everyone in for all the advise, support and guidance that has been offered so far.

Regards

Suki