Leaving a Grammar school but rejected by our comprehensive

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Fatandfifty
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:55 pm

Leaving a Grammar school but rejected by our comprehensive

Post by Fatandfifty »

Have just received the news that my son, currently at a grammar school, has been rejected by a faith school. We are due to move areas in August and applied to the faith school with all the necessary creditals only to find we have been rejected due to numbers. We have to submit an appeal as we did not meet the criteria for exceptional admission? We have been Christians for over 25 years, all baptisized and son confirmed by the Bishop of Winchester years ago. We are trying to get him into Year 9 for the September intake so I am at a loss as to what to put in my appeal as my son and ourselves have all the necessary stuff!!!

Please help - I am desperate.
hermanmunster
Posts: 12820
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Post by hermanmunster »

Hi Fatandfifty, problem is that if they are full already (by the time they get to year 9) then even if the Archbishop of Canterbury turned up they would not be able to offer a place UNLESS you were able to prove at appeal that this was the right school for your child.

So the challenge is to prove this. The religion side is fine... we all got confirmed by Bishops, even if the guy confirming me was more keen on the Aston Villa match that day - you attend church - have been Christians for some time - though as the parable of the workers in the field shows the length of time doesn't matter.....

You have to show that other factors are important, academic eg specialist subjects / etc .

Do you have a plan B???
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Have a look at the Q&As, section C. This deals with appeals relating to oversubscription.

You will need reasons for wanting a place at this particular school - reasons that are sufficient to outweigh the prejudice to the school if they are required to admit an extra pupil. Bear in mind that almost everyone applying will say "We want a Christian education".

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... ers.php#c2
Etienne
Fatandfifty
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:55 pm

Post by Fatandfifty »

Thanks for the reply and true enough - its full to capacity!

No plan B - only the local sink school which I feel my son would be a little uncomfortable with after being at a grammar but hey ho.

The faith school is a specialist language academy (whatever that means) and my son is doing very well with French and is looking forward to studying German in Yr 9 but sink school doesn't offer it only French and Spanish - any chance of hanging his coat on this peg?? Plus it is also a sporty school and my son represents his current school at football, cricket and athletics not that that is going to create him a space.

Advice gratefully received.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Creating a space is not what you're about. You have to show that your reasons for wanting a place outweigh any prejudice.

The language and sport argument is worth pursuing, if backed up with sufficient evidence.

Try not to be critical of the allocated school - just state factually why the school you want best meets your son's needs.

See also no. 18 ("How not to win an oversubscription appeal"):
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... c&start=10
Etienne
Fatandfifty
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:55 pm

Post by Fatandfifty »

Sorry Etienne - I wasn't meaning to be critical of allocated school but I know from the bottom of my heart that it really wouldn't suit him.

I shall endeavour to get evidence together from his teacher as to his 'natural flair' for languages and give it a go.

Unfortunately we shall not be at the appeal in person as we live in the Channel Islands and would find it difficult to fly over for the appeal with two of my other children doing their A levels and gcses plus ageing relatives about to make a visit before we all up root and return to the UK, I am feeling quite stressed out about it all! Will our non appearance handicap the appeal in any way?
hermanmunster
Posts: 12820
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Post by hermanmunster »

Hi F&F - can one of you come over???
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Sorry Etienne - I wasn't meaning to be critical of allocated school but I know from the bottom of my heart that it really wouldn't suit him.
Please be assured I wasn't referring to what you write on the forum. Just concerned that everyone should be careful how they phrase things for the panel! :)
Will our non appearance handicap the appeal in any way?
It's not impossible to win an appeal 'in absentia', but I'm afraid I would be less than honest if I didn't say that it makes it more difficult.
Etienne
Fatandfifty
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:55 pm

Post by Fatandfifty »

My husband is seeking employment in the UK, I shall be without a job when we return, my daughter can't find a college of FE that does her A level subjects for Yr 13, my middle daughter has got her subject choices at the College of FE and now my son with no school - its all going pear shaped and to lay out flight money is just another expenditure that we can clearly do without. Sorry, moan over, off to get a double G&T!

Thanks for all your advice so far. Really appreciated.
hermanmunster
Posts: 12820
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Post by hermanmunster »

Is there a relative or friend on the mainland that could go for you?

I think Etienne is right in that it would be more difficult if no one was there.
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