Advice re review

[Dragonamp]

I'm not sure whether or not I'm going a bit bonkers, but none of this information seems to be presented in a clear and coherent way by the authorities.

I think they are just pointing out - quite correctly - what the Appeals Code states.

Thanks Etienne




I certainly haven't got a problem with them pointing out what the Appeals code states. What I am finding perplexing is that I hadn't found this site or talked to an appeals specialist I would have no idea that by asking for a review I would be prejudicing an appeal.

There is no mention of this in the sheet entitled "The selection review process" which came with the selection review pack from school.
I phoned admissions and asked them directly if a review would affect a possible later appeal - they said it wouldn't
I spoke to the head and asked her the same, she was certain that an appeal would not be affected.

A lot of parents will surely be asking for reviews without any idea of the repercussions.

[Etienne]

There is no mention of this in the sheet entitled "The selection review process" which came with the selection review pack from school.

I didn't realise it hadn't been explained!

I phoned admissions and asked them directly if a review would affect a possible later appeal - they said it wouldn't
I spoke to the head and asked her the same, she was certain that an appeal would not be affected.

I'm speechless! It takes us back to last year when parents were certainly misled.

[Dragonamp]

Hi Etienne, I would love to send you a scan of the review process form for you to look over.

Unfortunately I can't work out how to do this.

[Etienne]

I'm familiar with the form itself, but sadly we don't have enough time to check individual submissions.

We prioritise specific questions on the forum because the answers may at the same time help others, and this is probably the most efficient use of our time.

There is a confidential email address for any sensitive questions which we will try to answer in general terms on the forum - but we exclude assessing or checking cases, which can be quite time-consuming!
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... =35&t=9907" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dragonamp]

Sorry Etienne, I didn't express myself very clearly.

I wasn't referring to my individual submission. I was referring to "The Selection Review Process" guidance sheet that came in the review pack.

As you seemed surprised that it didn't specifically mention the effect a review may have on a later appeal, I thought you may like to check it over.

I'm sure that others on the forum would be interested in your opinion of it.

[Etienne]

Ah - sorry. Didn't realise the guidance sheet is what was being referred to.

Yes - could you send a copy to the email address you'll find in the link above?

No need to post a question on the forum as we'll know what it's about!

Thanks

[Dragonamp]

Sent.

[Etienne]

Thank you. I've now had a look at it.

They've covered themselves with regard to the consequences (the 'fair, consistent & objective' test) by providing a link to Appeals. They've certainly not made it easy, though! There's the vague mention of 'possible outcomes' which is unlikely to prompt most parents to follow the link to Appeals and plough through the finer points of Infant Class Size legislation etc. before finally arriving at the crucial wording ......

They also keep absolutely silent about the right to go direct to an appeal.
Headteachers, on the other hand, are fully informed:

• • "Where a parent is unsuccessful in making a case at selection review and they still wish to pursue a place at their preferred grammar school, they have the right to appeal before an Independent Appeal Panel once they have received their school allocation. However, in this case the Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) is restricted by the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice to consider only whether the child's review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective way. Only if there is no evidence that this has been done, can the panel go on to satisfy themselves that there is evidence to demonstrate that the child is of the required academic standard for grammar school.
    Parents may also appeal before an IAP if they did not take part in the selection review procedure."
    
    [Headteachers Manual]

I phoned admissions and asked them directly if a review would affect a possible later appeal - they said it wouldn't

It wouldn't in the sense that there is still the right of appeal - but clearly there could be consequences in terms of whether or not your case would be considered. Did you get the name of who you were speaking to?

I spoke to the head and asked her the same, she was certain that an appeal would not be affected.

There's no excuse for a Bucks primary head not to know, because it's in their headteachers manual!

[Dragonamp]

Hi, I did get a name. She was the second person I spoke to, as the first person was slightly unsure of the situation. She told me that a review would not affect an appeal, going as far as saying "it may well improve it" I was still unsure after reading the advice on this site so I pressed her slightly and asked if she was absolutely sure. She said she would check (presumably with her boss), before returning to the phone and confirming it once again.
I also enquired about a re-mark, she told me to send a mail to admissions and request one, which I now realise is also wrong.

I sent a mail as instructed and included a reference to my previous conversation, hoping they might clarify the situation.

I haven't as yet received a reply

Do you mind if I ask whether this is the kind of thing that went on last year?

I have to say our head has been brilliant throughout, I wouldn't want to criticise her for missing a few sentences.

[Etienne]

Do you mind if I ask whether this is the kind of thing that went on last year?

We've not previously heard the bizarre argument that a review "may well improve" your prospects at appeal, but there was certainly incorrect and misleading information being given out last year.

Parents who phoned Admissions asking if they could skip the review were consistently told that they absolutely had to go through a review if they wanted to keep open the option of a subsequent appeal.

This was wrong, as Sally-Anne and I argued at length on the forum. It should have been obvious that the right to an independent appeal cannot be removed in this way - and yet it took until 1st March (when the Appeals website was finally updated) for us to be proved right:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 00#p366300" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;