Leaving a Grammar school but rejected by our comprehensive

[hermanmunster]

Would it be worth not only providing eveidence of Church attendance ........

I agree. A strongly supportive letter from a vicar, that goes beyond the issue of baptism / church attendance, and positively recommends a child for a faith school, could be very helpful.

yes having been a churchwarden for yours you can easily pick out those who are at church every sunday, help with washing up, cleaning the drains
cook the harvest lunch when the power goes down...., and can be called on to help others.

[Fatandfifty]

Thank you once again for your continued support.

I shall be seeing the vicar on Sunday and emailing him as I know he will be shocked to hear that my son hasn't got a place. In my church application I did give details of our previous church goings from 1990 but it obviously means very little to a faith school. It has made me a little upset as I was paving the way for my son's move in saying that we were going to a church school and that he has friends there from seven years ago.

Grateful for the pasteral care reference I shall definitely be laying that one on the line as I do feel the next three months is just going to be a truly testing time for all our family as we have made so many lovely friends on the island whom we shall be leaving.

[Fatandfifty]

Have just taken a phone call from the church warden - am I available to do my annual facepainting at the summer fete??!!

On inspection of the school's criteria for exceptional circumstances on children entering at a later stage than year 7, it is mainly for children in care /disabled or social or statemented children. How can I compete with that my son is able bodied, sporty, linguistic, academic and a church goer?
Sorry that sounds awful, I am not blowing his trumpet but why should they take pity and give him a place when there is NO ROOM AT THE INN?

[Etienne]

why should they take pity and give him a place when there is NO ROOM AT THE INN?

If there was room at the inn, there'd be no need for an appeal!

The issue for an appeal panel is whether your son's need for a place outweighs the prejudice to the school .......

[Fatandfifty]

My appeal letter and four pieces of evidence have been sent off and my letter acknowledged. I am now awaiting my date - I have submitted a glowing church letter, school character letter, a language appitude letter and some other relevant stuff. My only concern is what makes my son need as oppose to want to learn German if asked the question by the appeal panel. Not only is this my local faith school but it has a language specialism so I am going for that angle as well - can anyone think of any particular reasons as to why someone might wish to study German as opposed to going to another school to study Spanish, which is not what he wants to do.

[Minesatea]

If my DS had gone to his catchment school he would have been randomly allocated french or german to study in year 7. We asked if a preferance could be requested and were told - "only if we had a good reason". We requested German on the grounds of his Godfather and Uncle living there and were told this would be acceptable. (Ironicly at his GS he has just rejected german in favour of greek but never mind!)

So can you come up with any German relatives that speak no English he has to communicate with!

or any reason why he would be likely to regularly visit / communicate with a german speaking country?

[hermanmunster]

any science interest - tend to have more things written in german... actually I am scraping the barrel!! ... oompah bands / bratwurst / frikadellen /


Personally would prefer german to spanish anyday...

[ourmaminhavana]

Hi F and F, I know social arguments aren't usually considered, but can you mention the fact that he has friends there which are especially important at this time of major upheaval when there's so much change in his life?

Etienne, can she find out if they're over PAN and if they have been before and if so use that t orefute prejudice?

I can see why a specific interest in German would be good, but surely the fact that he's a linguist and it has a language specialism will help too? Otherwise clutching at straws here but how about Spanish and French are both romance languages and becuase he's already a successful linguist he wants stretching with something different?

http://www.maseman.org/why.html This is American, but gives professions for which German is good preparation...

So glad to hear you're coming over for it. Very good luck!

[Etienne]

can you mention the fact that he has friends there which are especially important at this time of major upheaval when there's so much change in his life?

I agree.

Etienne, can she find out if they're over PAN and if they have been before and if so use that to refute prejudice?

Yes - it's usually in the case papers (though not necessarily the figures for all the other years) - but the information can be requested in advance or at the hearing. It's always a good question to put, if handled diplomatically (e.g. "Have you ever had to cope with an extra pupil? ...... We do understand the school's concerns, but is there any evidence that an extra child in the past has caused prejudice, or has the school managed the situation successfully?"

I can see why a specific interest in German would be good, but surely the fact that he's a linguist and it has a language specialism will help too? Otherwise clutching at straws here but how about Spanish and French are both romance languages and becuase he's already a successful linguist he wants stretching with something different?

And German is more difficult than Spanish. "He would benefit from being 'stretched'".

So glad to hear you're coming over for it.

Agreed. Do let slip to the panel that, although things are very difficult at the moment, you've come over specially for the appeal because the outcome means so much to your son.

[Fatandfifty]

Thank you for all your advice. Will be mentioning all of the above. My only confusion is with the PAN. This is 245 per year group but is currently operating at 250 for Yr 9 and that is why they can't offer him a place due to health and safety and space in the school, although we are at the top of the waiting list due to the 'faith connection'. Any thoughts on that?