While yet still waiting for the appeal pack, I thought I would summarise everything we have, and from that, some remaining questions. I hope I am not overdoing this! It is not a promising picture, but nothing ventured…
To re-cap.. 108 and 116. No one specific extenuating circumstance. We had all been hit in quick succession with tummy bugs, colds and flu in the weeks prior, but she had been back at school for over a week with no signs of illness before she took test 1, which was a disaster; she battled the urge to be sick all the way through, and finally did as she was leaving the room, to her great distress and embarrassment. I have a letter confirming I was called to come and collect her, and she was completely distraught when I arrived. Cried frequently in the following week. Started sleepwalking (trait her Dad has had very occasionally, last time when he lost his father 10 years ago), Dad had to go on business to States that week, 1yo sister was ill with high fever in the two days before, so the three of us had little sleep. I asked her if she wanted to defer, but she wanted to get it out of the way, and was determined it would be 'better this time'.
Strong HT support. HT letter includes the following comment ‘assessments supported by Fisher Family Trust data, are for DD to achieve good level 5 results in all core subjects’.
She has made great progress since mid YR 5, following the ‘friendship issues’ which caused her great upset for quite some time.
HTR 2.2.. and then the contentious CAT scores.
Jan 2010 just prior to her period of great improvement - VR 114, Quantitative 108
Sept 2010 – VR 122 and the dear oh dear..95!!!
Having queried the 95, on the basis that her numeracy progress had been deemed ‘outstanding’, coupled with the fact that she was dogged by illness that month, (not to mention my doubts concerning the 2 pupils with same name, and no password to enter on taking the test!) the YR 6 teachers sent a letter of support, with a note half way down, which basically states that they do not feel that the recent CAT score for QR, accurately reflects the standard of work she routinely produces. I know you have said this should be sufficient, but do I need to draw their attention to this in a bigger way, or will they note this regardless? How important is this score? I can’t help being plagued by the sight of this 95 screaming out from the centre of the HTR!
Is the VR score more relevant here, and is the 122 and the fact it someway reflects the recent phase of improvement discussed in her report, enough? Her reading age is 13.9 per 2 methods of testing, which they have noted, is the maximum score.
Yr 5 report - all 4’s, but do I need this if the predictions are all for good 5’s? The report is good, states ‘outstanding progress in Maths’ ..shame the CAT score didn’t reflect that!
Her particular excellence is in drama, both her English teacher and the HT comment on that.. is that a useful comment?
Basically, do I need stronger academic evidence than this, I have been trying to get an EP, but all are unavailable until after the appeal date.
Also, I have just received a letter confirming the illness on the day of the test and the ‘friendship’ issue; can I bring this on the day, in case a discussion arises, or should I send beforehand with some elaboration. (My appeal letter was quite brief!!)
Apologies for all these questions, the more I think about it, the more hopeless a case it all seems