NancyB wrote:Hi. Specialities in a grammar are a bit of a red herring. Unless the school specifically set aside a number of places for that speciality or otherwise select for it during the admissions process, then the panel will probably give it no, or little, weight. It's something that will be nice for the child if they win the appeal, but not a reason to win it.
This might be so if - as is often the case - the subject no longer has the same 'weight', and evidence of the child's aptitude is minimal.
However, if the school is renowned, locally and beyond, for the strength of one of its departments (as I believe is the case here), and if the child has a marked aptitude (and strong supporting evidence), then it seems to me a perfectly valid educational reason.
See Dejavu’s case which she won
despite no places "
specifically set aside for that speciality",
despite a panel known to be 'tough', and
despite a strong school case.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... school#c2a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
NancyB wrote:make sure you send in any supporting evidence in advance. The panel will not have to accept anything presented on the day - and if they do, may not spend the time considering it you wish for.
If they don't have time to consider late evidence, then the correct procedure would be to adjourn and make time.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
mini me wrote:1) The school still advertises its specialty
I have sent information to the appeals box regarding this. Do the current working at and predicted levels look OK in support of ability in this area?
Quite possibly. It's complicated by the fact that we're talking here about a subject that is started 'late', and as I'm not a teacher I'm not best placed to advise. I think you're right to research this point further.
What I
would like to see is some evidence of an interest in the subject that goes beyond the curriculum (and extends into associated subjects that the school is noted for).
Look again at Dejavu’s case and the extra-curricular activity.
mini me wrote:Do I have a right to request that information from the school to help me prepare my appeal?
Absolutely. Paragraph 2.8 of the Appeals Code: “
Admission authorities must comply with reasonable requests from parents for information which they need to help them prepare their case for appeal.”
Also, under the Data Protection Act, you have a right to any information in your child's school record.
mini me wrote:2) I appreciate your thoughts regarding the use of general arguments. Would written comments consistently mentioning lack of confidence in own ability in the subject in question help demonstrate why she was perhaps particularly vulnerable to the circumstances?
Yes, provided there is alternative evidence of high ability.
mini me wrote:If so should I just refer to this on the day?
I think it should be made in advance, not least so that you can reference the supporting evidence.
Would the current school be prepared to state this in a letter of support as well?
mini me wrote:3) I fully intend to focus on academic evidence and reasons for wanting a place. Having submitted concise details in advance of the extenuating circumstances I intend to simply mention it quickly, (hopefully supported by evidence) and then state something along the lines of 'Given the timing, I believe this significantly impacted on her performance in the test, performing much below her capability'. Could you offer any advice on how to best phrase this? Or should I not say it at all and leave for the panel's judgement?
I don't think you need say anything. (Ideally it's a comment that would come from the current school.)
mini me wrote:4) Does the family connection to the school and a DS in year 7 at another grammar school help support the suggestion that combined with the circumstances she felt under pressure on the day?
Yes.
mini me wrote:If so, should I simply just quickly mention this briefly on the day?
I would rather see it as part of your written case - but this needs to be well 'balanced'. For example:
- 1. The academic arguments. (Not sure how extensive these are going to be, e.g. recent evidence of reasoning ability).
2. Extenuating circumstances:
(a) Pressure (sibling rivalry etc.)
(b) Confidence issues
(c) On top of this, disadvantaged by the background situation (very much a 3rd place argument!)
3. Reasons for wanting the school:
(a) Curriculum argument
(b) Strong family links
I repeat - part 2 above mustn't dominate the appeal!
mini me wrote:There is something that she wrote during school work that makes me think this (sent to appeals box)
I wouldn't put this in writing, as on its own, in isolation, it doesn't make for a compelling case. Hold it in reserve. If someone asks you a suitable question at the hearing, you could perhaps offer it as "one example".
If you haven't yet read through all the Q&As, it would be worth doing so.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;