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How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:44 pm
by CardyMow
If you have physical evidence spanning the whole 7 years at Primary school, showing their abilities, the Primary school Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher backing you, an EP report showing that their abilities are in the top two percent of the population, and you have a very real, documented reason that they didn't do as well as expected on test day?

My DS's very real reason was that he was too ill to sit the Essex CSSE test on the 22nd September, so he had to sit the test on the alternate date of 1st October. Unfortunately, he was still very very unwell (as in dosed up on painkillers and on Antibiotic tablets, not sleeping properly and unable to eat due to a very bad Strep throat infection) for the alternate sitting too.

We are all shocked at how much his percentages have dropped, and feel that there is no way he was performing his best. Unfortunately, due to the new way applications are being done, the alternate sitting was his last chance to sit the test.

What evidence do I need? I can get a letter from my GP, as my DS was seen 6 times between 21st September and 12th October. DS has only attended 6 days of school since the 20th September - his first day back was 8th October, he was too unwell 9th October, but he has been every day since 10th October. He still isn't fully well, the GP says his throat is do bad that he will still be on painkillers for another 3 weeks or so.

DS STILL can't eat without painkillers, and has had a 7 day course of erythromycin and a 14 day course of cefalexin, he started the erythromycin on 28th September, as the GP thought it was viral until I insisted that he send a swab off.

Do you think that given his well documented, drawn out illness, and the first sitting (that he didn't sit) being right at the start of the drawn out illness, and the alternate sitting (that he had to sit) being about halfway through his illness, that he would have a good case if I needed to take it to appeal?

He got 337.171, CRGS is the only option possible due to a number of factors.

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:47 am
by CardyMow
There are other factors, relating to a fairly recent private matter, that have noticeably affected his emotional well being, that started in August, but I would prefer not to post them publicly. They have been well documented, though.

Would that hold any bearing on it?

Also, as he hasn't been at school much in Y6 this half term, due to illness, would evidence of secure level 5/6 work from Y5 be admissible as evidence of academic ability? As this was done before both the illness AND the emotional issues that may be causing a dip in his work currently (as the situation is ongoing and a huge change for him)?

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:47 am
by Etienne
Hello, CardyMow.

You need as much wide-ranging academic evidence as possible.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You don't need all seven years! More recent evidence will be of most interest.
However, it might be worth including KS1 results, as level 3s at the end of year 2 can be an early indicator of GS potential.

Medical evidence at the very least should include a letter from the GP confirming all the medical facts. (Letters that simply say "Mrs. CardyMow tells me that ......" probably aren't worth having!)
Also, as he hasn't been at school much in Y6 this half term, due to illness, would evidence of secure level 5/6 work from Y5 be admissible as evidence of academic ability?
Yes.

It's also possible to submit evidence nearer the time of the appeal (probably up to a fortnight or so beforehand, although the exact time scale would need to be confirmed.)
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are other factors, relating to a fairly recent private matter, that have noticeably affected his emotional well being, that started in August, but I would prefer not to post them publicly. They have been well documented, though. Would that hold any bearing on it?
Possibly. The best evidence would be if the school could confirm that he was noticeably affected - but if he hasn't been in school very much, that might not be possible.
CRGS is the only option possible due to a number of factors.
It is usually important to state some good reasons for wanting a place.
Do you think that ....... he would have a good case?
It sounds to me as if you might have a good case, but it doesn't matter what I think! :)
The only opinion that counts is that of the particular panel hearing the case.
It's also important to understand that all sorts of factors might affect the outcome, some of which could be completely outside your control.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... school#c20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:55 am
by CardyMow
He had level 3 in his Y2 SATS, but he was teacher assessed as level 4c in Maths at the end of Y2.

The school are aware of the personal issues. They may not be showing heir effects in his work yet as he hasn't been there much, but by March, it will probably be evident in a drop shown in his work, and then a rise again as he deals more fully with the situation.

The GP will be happy to write a letter stating facts rather than opinion, he was as dismayed as me with the length of his illness.

CRGS is the only option for Grammar as I cannot afford transport out if the town we live in. Also, their opportunities to learn Latin are important to my DS (him, not me, it's one of the things that he wants the opportunity to do) and he has a shown aptitude for languages. DS has also had a few (documented by the school) social issues, and I feel that the small, close environment of CRGS would be very beneficial to him in that respect, as he will find it hard to manage socially in a larger school.

He has had issues through Primary with being bullied, and these pupils will inevitably end up at the only likely Secondary school with him if he goes there.

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:20 pm
by CardyMow
I have a couple of new questions.

1) Will it make a difference that the Deputy Headteacher, who was also his class teacher for both Y2 and Y5, is happy to attend an appeal, and vouch for his academic ability, if an appeal is necessary?

2) DS has had a 'grumbling appendix' for the last two years. After a month of other illness, his appendix flared on Friday, and was removed on Saturday. While he was being assessed for appendicitis, the Paediatrician noted the enlargement and inflammation of his tonsils, which was the main reason for his illness on the 11+ date. That paediatrician has referred DS to the ENT Dept. with a view to having his tonsils removed. I feel that both of these issues played a part in his drop in performance in the day, even the grumbling appendix, as he mentioned to me beforehand that his tummy hurt again, but I put it down to nerves. Which I don't now think it was!

Would either of these things be helpful at appeal?

Also, I have asked for a remark on the VR paper, as I have concerns that DS wasn't as conscientious with his erasing as usual due to being in pain. I know that in Essex this doesn't affect your ability to appeal. Would this be looked on badly by an appeal panel?

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:36 pm
by CardyMow
Oh, and is a terrible attendance in this half term (due to the illnesses that would be the basis of an appeal) go for or against my DS in an appeal?

Since he has just had an appendectomy, he won't be back at school until after half term now. So since the start of Y6, out of a possible 39 school days, he has attended for 21 days, and been off for 18 days.

Attendance dates were intermixed with non attendance due to sickness.

He attended for the majority of the first 3 weeks, until he woke up ill on the 21st September. At which point, I contacted the CSSE for him to sit the alternate sitting of the 11+. I did get a doctor's note at the time. He then didn't attend school again until the 8th October. The 11+ alternate sitting was right in the middle of this period, on the 1st October.

He was off again on the 9th October (in hindsight I sent him back a few days too early).

He then attended between the 10th October and the 18th October, albeit on Antibiotics and maximum doses of painkillers still. On the 19th October, he was taken ill with appendicitis and will therefore not be back until school restarts after half term on 5th November.

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:05 pm
by Etienne
CardyMow wrote:I have a couple of new questions.

1) Will it make a difference that the Deputy Headteacher, who was also his class teacher for both Y2 and Y5, is happy to attend an appeal, and vouch for his academic ability, if an appeal is necessary?
It could be very helpful.
2) DS has had a 'grumbling appendix' for the last two years. After a month of other illness, his appendix flared on Friday, and was removed on Saturday. While he was being assessed for appendicitis, the Paediatrician noted the enlargement and inflammation of his tonsils, which was the main reason for his illness on the 11+ date. That paediatrician has referred DS to the ENT Dept. with a view to having his tonsils removed. I feel that both of these issues played a part in his drop in performance in the day, even the grumbling appendix, as he mentioned to me beforehand that his tummy hurt again, but I put it down to nerves. Which I don't now think it was!

Would either of these things be helpful at appeal?
I think so, in that they show there is substance to the extenuating circumstances. Take care, though, not to let extenuating circumstances dominate the appeal. It will be sufficient to attach the written medical evidence, and to answer any questions. (The main focus should be on academic ability and reasons for wanting a place.)
Also, I have asked for a remark on the VR paper, as I have concerns that DS wasn't as conscientious with his erasing as usual due to being in pain. I know that in Essex this doesn't affect your ability to appeal. Would this be looked on badly by an appeal panel?
It shouldn't.
Oh, and is a terrible attendance in this half term (due to the illnesses that would be the basis of an appeal) go for or against my DS in an appeal?
It shouldn't matter, as there have been valid reasons for absence.
However, bearing in mind that appeals are most likely to take place in the summer term, it would be reassuring if you are able at that time to point to recent good attendance and great progress!

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:55 pm
by capers123
Some primaries send us an attendance sheet. It does distinguish between the various types of absence. I'd raise my eyebrows if there were many unauthorised absences, but illness is different.

I once heard an appeal where grandpa was sent to present, as the parents and child were on holiday. It was the middle of term time, and the child also had a lot of unauthorised absences in previous years.... Can you guess the outcome? There were also a lot of questions we needed the parents to answer that might have helped their case, but the grandparent didn't know the answers. Hey-ho.

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:10 pm
by CardyMow
He had 95% attendance last year, and no unauthorised absences.

It would be me presenting the case.

He has NEVER had a term time holiday. Mostly because I can't afford holidays.

I have had a remark done that clearly shows that he got FULL marks in the first 6 sections of the VR test, some but not all marks in the middle 1/2 sections (unsure as to how many marks overall in the 1/2 sections in between, and unsure if 1/2 sections) and 0/14 in the last two sections.

So you can clearly see the point in the test at which his painkillers started to wear off, and at which point they had totally worn off.

He got 73.75% on the VR test, with full marks in the first 6 sections. His usual VR marks have been roughly 98-99%. Even on past CSSE papers done in exam conditions at school in the school hall.

Does the clear demarcation between full marks and no marks help me with building an appeal?

Re: How would you start compiling evidence for an appeal?

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:46 am
by CardyMow
Bumping this thread as I have just found that his score wasn't high enough to be allocated CRGS.

I am still interested to know whether the clear demarcation between full marks and no marks, showing the point where DS told me his painkillers had worn off, would be helpful to an appeal?

And exactly what evidence should I be looking for from the school?