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6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:09 pm
by berrymum
I would welcome some advice from anyone who has been through a sixth form appeal. My daughter has an appeal for a place at a 6th form in a grammar school but she failed to get the grades on her GCSEs which the school are saying she needed. They have refused her a place but she has been there since she was 11. I know my daughter is bright enough and was unlucky with her GCSEs. What am I best to focus on at the appeal? Can the panel still admit her or am I wasting my time... I feel so upset for her.

Re: 6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:47 pm
by capers123
berrymum wrote:Can the panel still admit her or am I wasting my time... I feel so upset for her.
Sorry to hear that. I have no experience of 6th form appeals, but can assure you that should the panel decide to uphold the appeal, the school has to then admit the chic, exactly the same as for all appeals.

Re: 6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 5:33 am
by Etienne
There aren't many 6th form appeals - I suspect that many parents/students don't realise they can appeal at that stage (and not all schools are making clear that they can!).

For our section on general advice regarding appeals, see:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Our section on 'non-qualification' is targeted mainly at 11+, but the same principles will apply for 6th form entry - primarily as much evidence as possible of sufficient academic ability.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... lification" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If there were any extenuating circumstances that contributed to underperformance in the GCSE, it would be worth submitting the evidence.

I'm assuming the school won't try and argue that their 6th form is 'oversubscribed', because pupils currently at the school should have an automatic right of entry provided that they meet the academic requirements, or are deemed qualified by an appeal panel.

Do let us know if you need any further help.

Re: 6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:30 am
by berrymum
thank you for getting back to me Etienne, I appreciate it.

I'm still a bit confused. I've looked at the new appeals code and in the bit on 6th forms it says 'the panel must not make its own assessment of a child's ability but must decide whether the admission authority's decision that the child was not of the required standard was reasonable'. Am I therefore trying to prove that the GCSE results were not a reasonable representation of my daughter's ability? Are the school just going to say that it's a black and white situation and that she didn't get the grades and that's that?
Will the Panel still have to look at whether the admission arrangements of the first stage?
can I still bring up extenuating circumstances? My daughter has been through a lot and I think this affected her exams. I don't want to let her down by getting this wrong.

Thanks for all your help.

Re: 6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:42 am
by hermanmunster
Berrymum - I have sent you a private message

Re: 6th Form appeal, Trafford

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:50 am
by Etienne
I'm still a bit confused. I've looked at the new appeals code and in the bit on 6th forms it says 'the panel must not make its own assessment of a child's ability
What this means is that the panel cannot, for example, set its own tests to assess ability, or 'interview' the pupil. What they can do is to look at any alternative evidence you provide, e.g. previous good exam results/SATs levels, good school reports.
Am I therefore trying to prove that the GCSE results were not a reasonable representation of my daughter's ability?
Yes.
Are the school just going to say that it's a black and white situation and that she didn't get the grades and that's that?
That will and ought to be their case. Admission arrangements are meant to be 'black and white'.
Will the Panel still have to look at whether the admission arrangements of the first stage?
Yes, and it's quite likely they will find that everything is in order. (It would be a matter for concern if not.)
You then counter this by asking the panel to consider other evidence of academic suitability, and by pointing to any extenuating circumstances.
can I still bring up extenuating circumstances?
If you think they led to an underperformance, then yes - ideally backed up by evidence.
You may of course be asked "Has she now put the extenuating circumstances behind her, and will she be able to cope with the pressures of the 6th form?"

It's perfectly possible to win an appeal like this, but it all depends on the evidence.