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selection review (Bucks)

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:26 am
by Pumpkin1000
Etienne wrote:The approach is going to be basically the same.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... aneous#e32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
c. For a specimen letter (for review or appeal) see letter of appeal for Mary.
Adapt the letter as necessary.
Dear Etienne,

We are also going for the select review. My son scored 116. He scored 53.51 in VR, 44.39 in Maths and 19.04 in Non Verbal. I think the verbal let him down although I am not too sure how to interoperate the results. We and his tutor were very surprised that he did not pass. He has always been on the top table in the top group for maths and literacy. He had all level 3's in KS1. I am waiting to see the headmistress about his predicted SATs but his maths teacher did say last year that they will be considering him to sit a Level 6 for maths. He is already working at 5b Maths and 4a in reading and 4c in writing, 4c Science, based on the last report, so I am hoping that he is on target for level 5's all round. We are out of county so we do not have headmistress recommendations scores prior to the test. He is in a top performing junior school, 97% achieve level 4 in English and maths, 47% achieve level 5's.

We do not have any major extenuating circumstances apart from the fact that in one week he sat three exams for various schools. The bucks was the last exam and we think he was exhausted. it was a lot to cope with. I don't know if all this will be a strong enough case in the select Review?

Like Fizzylime I was not sure what information we should put into our part of the form. I have had a look at Marys letter. Should we list that he has achieved Grade 4 in piano and is now working on grade 5? Is it worth adding this in? Would it be worthwhile mentioning that he changed schools at the end of year 4 because we moved? Although, it was disruptive he settled very quickly at school.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated and good luck to Fizzylime.

Re: selection review (Bucks)

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:53 pm
by Etienne
Welcome!
Pumpkin1000 wrote:The bucks was the last exam and we think he was exhausted. it was a lot to cope with. I don't know if all this will be a strong enough case in the select Review?
Only your panel can decide that. I'm a bit doubtful in that this was something you opted to do. Extenuating circumstances usually refer to things outside your control.
Would it be worthwhile mentioning that he changed schools at the end of year 4 because we moved? Although, it was disruptive he settled very quickly at school.
Not as an extenuating circumstance because he doesn't appear to have been disadvantaged.
Like Fizzylime I was not sure what information we should put into our part of the form. I have had a look at Marys letter. Should we list that he has achieved Grade 4 in piano and is now working on grade 5? Is it worth adding this in?
Definitely - I think grade 4-5 shows academic ability because of the theory content.

Re: selection review (Bucks)

Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:52 am
by Pumpkin1000
[The bucks was the last exam and we think he was exhausted. it was a lot to cope with. I don't know if all this will be a strong enough case in the select Review?
Only your panel can decide that. I'm a bit doubtful in that this was something you opted to do. Extenuating circumstances usually refer to things outside your control.]

Hi Etienne

Thanks for the advise, we will add on the music. We went for the Bucks exam because his sister is in Chesham GS. It would have been ideal to have the two in one school. He has always been a lot more consistently academic than her, hence the surprise when he did not get in. The lack of extenuating circumstances does make me nervous for the select review. My DS Headteacher is putting together his academic case but she has not done this before. She was extremely supportive I just hope this comes through on her information.

Do we have enough evidence?

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:37 pm
by Pumpkin1000
Dear Etienne and Sally Ann and fellow parents

I have posted elsewhere before on the appeals forum see below


(Dear Etienne,

We are also going for the select review. My son scored 116. He scored 53.51 in VR, 44.39 in Maths and 19.04 in Non Verbal. I think the verbal let him down although I am not too sure how to interoperate the results. We and his tutor were very surprised that he did not pass. He has always been on the top table in the top group for maths and literacy. He had all level 3's in KS1. I am waiting to see the headmistress about his predicted SATs but his maths teacher did say last year that they will be considering him to sit a Level 6 for maths. He is already working at 5b Maths and 4a in reading and 4c in writing, 4c Science, based on the last report, so I am hoping that he is on target for level 5's all round. We are out of county so we do not have headmistress recommendations scores prior to the test. He is in a top performing junior school, 97% achieve level 4 in English and maths, 47% achieve level 5's.

We do not have any major extenuating circumstances apart from the fact that in one week he sat three exams for various schools. The bucks was the last exam and we think he was exhausted. it was a lot to cope with. I don't know if all this will be a strong enough case in the select Review?

Like Fizzylime I was not sure what information we should put into our part of the form. I have had a look at Marys letter. Should we list that he has achieved Grade 4 in piano and is now working on grade 5? Is it worth adding this in? Would it be worthwhile mentioning that he changed schools at the end of year 4 because we moved? Although, it was disruptive he settled very quickly at school.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated and good luck to Fizzylime.)[/color]

We are out of county and I would like to ask how much of a statement do other head teachers provide for Bucks schools parents also opting for a select review? Our head is new to filling out the select review forms as we are OCC. The head let me have a quick look today at her form, she is just waiting for teachers confirmation of his reading age. She has given him a 1:2 rating, provided all the sats predictions, all level 5's with 5/6 for maths. She has a couple of sentences about how able and hard working he is. The school has no CAT or other test scores. My question is, is this enough? Do heads only fill out the forms, adding no further statements? Should I be asking his year 6 literacy and maths teachers for a further statement or is that overkill? We had parents evening today and both said he was definitely grammar school ability . Your advise would be greatly appreciated, I don't think I have ever been so stressed! :|

Re: Do we have enough evidence?

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:50 am
by Etienne
Hi

I've merged your posts. (Best to keep to one thread.)

We are out of county and I would like to ask how much of a statement do other head teachers provide for Bucks schools parents also opting for a select review?
It ought to be similar, but it is of course up to individual heads what they write.
all level 5's
It does help to have sub-levels (preferably 5b or higher).
She has a couple of sentences about how able and hard working he is.
I like the 'able'. Not so keen on 'hardworking' when the issue is really about ability.
See B11(b):
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The school has no CAT or other test scores. My question is, is this enough?
Only the panel can answer that! :)
Do heads only fill out the forms, adding no further statements?
Usually, yes.
Should I be asking his year 6 literacy and maths teachers for a further statement or is that overkill? We had parents evening today and both said he was definitely grammar school ability .
The Bucks headteachers manual suggests:
    • Do discuss your [the headteacher's] recommendations with your class teachers. Increased liaison at this point will reduce the circumstances in which a class teacher, if prevailed upon by parents to add a separate comment, contradicts the headteacher’s submission. If you and your class teachers feel there is value in recording their comments separately on the Recommendation Form then you may do this, adding in an appropriate heading and including the additional signature. This is optional, but you may find it reduces parents’ separate requests to class teachers if you find this particularly prevalent in your school.
I don't think I have ever been so stressed!
It gets worse ....... :?

Re: selection review (Bucks)

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:42 am
by Pumpkin1000
Hi Etienne

Thank you so much for all your advice.

I think we will keep it to the head teachers statement as her prediction on 1:2 are good. The SAT predictions are hopefully good enough, she has noted sub levels I cannot remember what they are, I will know once I get the final statement. We have based our statement on Marys letter which was a great help.

I am a bit worried about going back to the school and asking for statements from Year 6 teachers, the head might think I am undermining the help she has given us so far. We have decided to make a decision regarding select review or appeal process today once we see the headmistress statement.

As regards to 'the stress gets worse' I don't think I can handle any more! :cry: