11 Plus Exams Forum

I'd value your opinion on our situation. Our son passed his selection in Kent wtih 140 NVR, 137 VR, 117 maths. This is too low for Judd where his brother is, and, although many pupils from his primary school have gone to TWBGS in previous years - our 2nd choice which we and he liked - it appears to be oversubscribed and we are not near enough for the distance cut-off chosen. We've been offered a non-selective school.

Naturally we think he's bright and that the maths score is uncharacteristic. Is it possible to appeal to Judd on the grounds that he underperformed (with evidence from the head and his previous QCA tests) or is it best to appeal for TWBGS on the basis that he passed his test and that this is the grammar for the area? Is it best to do both? The boy himself is being impressively calm about the whole thing. We, of course, are not. They are both excellent schools and we think he'd thrive in either.

Thanks

Hi kentishman

I'm glad to hear that your son is being impressively calm about it all. Our children are an example to us on occasions, aren't they?

My advice, as an Appeal veteran in Bucks, would be to appeal for both, provided you can take a leaf out of your son's book and remain calm with the pressure that it will create. You have nothing to lose but your sanity!

Get the support of your son's Head, marshal every piece of academic evidence you can find and put together your best case.

Good luck!
Sally-Anne

Well thank you. One naive question, can you accept the offered place and yet still appeal for a preferred school or do you have to turn down the offered place and leave yourself vulnerable to whatever school is left should the appeal fail?

You should accept the offered place and then go ahead with the appeal(s). ( The County Coucil usually send out information as to what to do if you have not received your first preference school, along with the allocation letter.)