Lincs oversubscription appeal, is there any point?

[wonderwoman]

it is a chance for you to put forward any reason why you feel that this is the most suitable school for your child, the school which will best meet their needs.

I quite agree and feel that some appeals are doomed because parents think if they throw in every possible argument, including friends, bus routes, even nearest they will succeed. It is very important to focus on why that particular school is best for your child, not why another is not.

Having said that I think there is a good chance you'd get in if 218 are able to apply for 180 places, because some children pass and never have any intention of going - some will be going to a private school; some will choose a non-selective school and some will choose a different grammar.

[binka]

My daughter passed the eleven plus, places are then allocated on distance. She hasn't got a place even though children from our village normally get in. I assume that this year there were more living closer. I am going to check with admissions what the distance cut off this year was and what they've calculated our distance to home to be to make sure it's not an error on their part. If it is, then brilliant, it should be an easy appeal.

If not is it worth me appealing? I've been looking at the grounds for appeal on here and I don't think we have a chance.

There is no reason other than it being a grammar school, better exam results that I can think of why the school would be better for my daughter. And I understand that's not enough.

She got into her second choice which is a language specialist the same as the grammar so we can't argue an affinity for French, etc.

She has no special needs, no medical or social reasons, etc.

So how do I argue that she would be penalised more by not going than the school would be by letting one more in?

Thanks.

[Etienne]

I don't think we have a chance

One thing I've learned from appeals is that you can never be sure about the outcome!

It's a balancing act - I've known strong cases fail because the school had an even stronger case or because there were other appellants with more compelling cases. I've also known weak cases succeed because the school did not put forward a strong enough case, or because other appellants' cases made little impression.

You could try arguing that this is the school that would suit your daughter best in terms of stretching her academically and allowing her to achieve her full potential. I accept that this would probably apply to any grammar school - but sometimes it will work! A sympathetic panel might also be receptive to the argument that the child is really enthusiastic about the school in question, and upset at not being offered a place - especially if there's an answer to the question 'Why?'!

There's an element of luck in appeals ........

[Stocky]

Hi Binka again - I am appealing and had worked on the basis that we probably wouldn't get in so it would be an appeal (still no less upsetting today though). You say the allocated school is a specialist language school, check the results etc, as our allocated comp (not a bad school just very average) is a specialist science school but the results do not reflect that at all. I obviously want to know the distance information the same as you - who is the best to contact re this? I read on a post on here a while ago that oversubscription appeals rarely succeed at QEHS - is there any way of finding out how many appeals there are each year and how many succeed?

[Alex]

The distance information can be got straight from the admissions team either by telephone - 01522 782030 (actually the Customer Service Centre but they will pass you on to admissions if they cannot answer your query) or by e-mailing schooladmissions@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

QE Gainsborough does have a strong case for prejudice because of its less than adequate buildings but there are, nevertheless, some people that get in on oversubscription appeal. It is always worth a try. When you contact admissions it would also be worth asking where you are on the reserve list.

Social factors can be advanced as well as the academic - I know that "the only child in his group of friends/class not to get in" has been part of some people's case in previous times particularly in Saxilby which has been "split" several times in the past on distance, sometimes with a very few metres between getting in and not getting in, which would probably mean nothing in more urban areas but elicits a little more sympathy when distance goes out 12 miles or so. It is only a small part of an overall case though. Like Stocky I would advise looking more closely at what is important to you and how each school can meet those things. You may find things which are significantly different, or conversely you may be reassured about your second preference!

edited to add: you can find more information about past allocation details and appeal statistics in the sticky on the Lincolnshire section.

[Stocky]

I know someone (DD in year 5) at Blyton where the 11 plus is sat at the school. Apparently this year there was an incident where a child had a panic attack and the teacher left the room, there was disruption and lots of complaints from the parents and as a result from this year the 11 plus will be sat at QEHS. Is this something which will have been taken into consideration pre allocation of places this time?

[Alex]

No, it could only be taken account of if raised in an appeal. Allocation must follow the published admissions policy and nothing else.

[binka]

Have found out that she is 4th on the reserve list, but I get the impression its not a school where there is a lot of movement. The distance is so close - comes to .4 of a mile.

[Stocky]

My friend was 3rd on the reserve list 2years ago and got offered a place.

[Stocky]

thanks Alex on the note re the sticky - I must be losing my marbles!!! I have sent an email off to find out actual appeal numbers (successful or not) for QEHS for last 4 years, so will share once I've had a reply.