Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

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roll17
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:17 am
Location: Lincs

Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by roll17 »

Hi
My Ds has passed witha 256 score. However 2 weeks prior to sitting the exams he lost his maternal grandfather...so goodness knows how he managed such a score....but things have gone downhill since there and he has become very insecure and wouldn't even talk about his choices. we made them for him but know no we were wrong. We are too late to change our application so chances are we already know we'll be heading for an appeal.

Things got worse over xmas due to a burglary and he has deteriorated further and we know he'd not be able to cope with all the changes but if he went to our now prefferd choice he'd be on the sch bus with his DD and he has many friends at the preffered choice.

We have extenuating circumstances due to other reasons too and wonder if anyone else has been in this position and how best to tackle/start preparing for the appeal.

Thanks
r o l l 1 7
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by Etienne »

Your extenuating circumstances will be worth a brief mention - but the main focus ought to be on the effect on your son (preferably with supporting evidence), and especially on why the school you're appealing for would be best for him.
he has many friends at the preffered choice
Can you give this more weight? For example, would the current school confirm how insecure he has become, and how beneficial it would be to have the support of friends?

Have a look at our Q&As. For example:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
roll17
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:17 am
Location: Lincs

Re: Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by roll17 »

[quote]

This would be very difficult as there isn't anything to choose between the schools it's more to do with location, close friends, and travelling to school on same as Sister.

How do I bring into an appeal about the school being the right choice when outside factors play a huge factor.

The school we have choosen he knows 2 others but he's not close to them and they don't know his circumstances. He doesn't know anyone else at that school.

He doesn't open up easily to others but dwells on it but the friend mentioned he has opened up to and he watches out for him and has reported back several times to the Teacher when DS has been feeling down. I know Ds would not be like this with others and so the problem would fester.

Outwardly he is quite a happy go lucky sort of guy but it's the behind doors/dwells on a problem that others don't see that is the problem. His demeanour at school is an act and his true self comes out when he is at home and able to be himself.

I'm baffled how I express that however the teacher is aware and there were problems at the beginning of the year, it's too early to tell the whole effects of the Burglary as he has only been in school for 4 days. At home we have had a set back.

A letter of support from the teacher is possible.

We are waiting for an appointment to see a counsellor at a child bereavement charity and I have an appointment with the Dr next week to see what we can do. We had been trying to deal with this ourselves but realise we now need outside help.

Thank you
r o l l 1 7
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by Etienne »

How do I bring into an appeal about the school being the right choice when outside factors play a huge factor.
The outside factors are the backdrop to an appeal. The onus is on you to provide evidence why the new choice of school is part of the solution to a serious problem.

If the only argument is that he needs to go to this school because he is in such a state that he needs the support of friends there, this will need substantiating.

First of all there needs to be an acknowledgement of the problem - from his teacher, from the GP, from a counsellor. From what you say, the teacher has already been tipped off when he has been feeling 'down', and was also aware of the problems at the beginning of the year.

Secondly, it would clearly help strengthen your case if the teacher and counsellor agreed that he would benefit from the support of friends at the proposed school.

When you write "he has many friends at the preferred choice", it sounds as if they are already there and are older than him. It would carry more weight if there are friends of the same age who will be starting in September, and if his teacher could confirm this.
Etienne
roll17
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:17 am
Location: Lincs

Re: Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by roll17 »

Hi

Thank you

We are a small school 10 in the year group. Only 1 other is going from this school so that is all the teacher would be able to comment on but this one is a very good friend.

However he does know many that are already there and he is friends with many that are also going unfortunately the teacher won't know this.

Is no weight added to the argument that he needs the stability and security of travelling with his sister on the school bus because he is in such a state. Is this evidence to be gathered from a councellor?

Regards

Rachel
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Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Extenuating circumstances require a change of school

Post by Etienne »

Is no weight added to the argument that he needs the stability and security of travelling with his sister on the school bus because he is in such a state
An appeal panel might possibly take the view that who he travels to school with is 'incidental', and that what will really matter is who he spends most of the school day with.
Let's see what the counsellor thinks, though. It's the sort of argument that would probably carry more weight if recommended by a professional.
Etienne
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