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Pates Appeal

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:31 pm
by glosparent
Hi All. I having been viewing this forum for a while and I have been so impressed with how much support their is whether they passed or didn't pass the grammar test. I have never posted before but I am hoping for some advice.
My DD passed for HSFG, Ribston and SHS which we are very proud of. She was outside the 180 for Pates although she was expected to pass (according to her head she should walk it). Two of her friends in her class have are in the 120 for Pates. My DD is currenly working at their level or slightly above. Her Cats score was 136 in yr5 and she is working towards level 6 SATs. My question is whether we should check the scores or if we can go for an appeal as she is not in the top 180. She really liked Pates but is very happy with HSFG as well . We are not pushy parents at all but wondered if we are letting her down my not checking out whether we should pursue her chance to get into Pates - she is a real science boff..I don appreciate many potentially brighter children are in that 180. Many thanks

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:16 pm
by Etienne
Welcome! :)

What follows is general advice. Some of our Glos members may be able to comment more specifically with regard to the school in question.
My question is whether we should check the scores or if we can go for an appeal as she is not in the top 180.
It looks as if you get the paper checked automatically if you go to appeal:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b55" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone can appeal - but issues to consider before going to appeal are:

• What sort of appeal success rate has there been for the school?
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a39" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That will give you a clue as to what your chances might be.
Bear in mind too that if it's a heavily oversubscribed school, that could make a successful appeal more difficult.

• What sort of academic case can you put together:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The stronger, and more wide-ranging, the academic evidence, the greater the chance that it might outweigh the shortfall in the 11+ score.

• Not necessarily essential, but were there any extenuating circumstances to account for an underperformance?
Her Cats score was 136 in yr5 and she is working towards level 6 SATs.
Good!

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:37 pm
by glosparent
Many thanks for quick reply.I will look at links...any further info from anyone welcome..
Etienne..do u have a view that these scores are high enough for academic reasons?

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:50 am
by Tolstoy
Re the CATs scores some years ago I found a document by doing a google search that had the average CAT scores of the pupils at each of the Glos grammars. I can't find the info at the moment but somebody else might have a copy or try digging around yourself.

Was the 136 in one particular area, they test V.R, N.V.R and N.R or an average score? It is definitely a high score, I think the STRS average at the time was about 125 or possibly a bit lower at 120. Pates was higher but can't remember what as it wasn't significant for us at the time but it wouldn't have been 136.

I have also read there have been successful appeals for the school but because, as you know, it is heavily over subscribed they are few in number.

Congratulations on getting a HSFG pass it makes appealing much easier if you know you have a back up plan :)

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:52 am
by southbucks3
136 is a great score and will be your strongest evidence but you will need to look at the following:

Did she sit a CAT test in year 4? If so was the result similar, a series of great results is v helpful.

How did the score break down relative to her cem score. Were all sections really high or more significantly did she have a lower scoring area which corresponded directly to her lowest scoring area on the cem results. Obviously no area would be low with such an amazing result but just see if they match.....interesting for you and your daughter too to find this out as year six is the time to iron out any (in your case tiny) areas of worry.

This could either help or hinder; if both tests showed that she was weakest in vr for example you could argue that she was a science boff but show evidence that as she matured she was developing her vocabulary and reading more advanced literature of a broader variety, and concentrate the evidence to back this up.

Congratulations on her brilliant success.

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:03 am
by glosparent
Hi. Many thanks for replies. Her average is 136. Nv 141 and others 133 and 132. Yr 4 just told off the scale. I guess we should ask for breakdown of score? My concern is not in the top 180 of such a popular school might not consider her. Maybe we should talk to our school as well?

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:42 am
by Amber
Pates have admitted either 2 or 3 children on appeal for the last 5 years. It is known to be virtually impossible to win an appeal (though of course these few people managed it) and I don't know how many tried but I have a feeling you would not only need the academic evidence but also some kind of extenuating circumstances to explain why you feel your daughter didn't reach the standard you expected her to on the day. This may be harder to do as she qualified for another grammar school.

I know of many children over the years who were 'dead certs' for Pates and didn't pass on the day. I don't know anyone who appealed in that case though so if you feel very strongly that it would be a far better school for your daughter then go ahead. Just be aware it won't be an easy one to win.

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:15 am
by DC17C
Hi I have sent you a pm

Re: Pates Appeal

Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:59 pm
by glosparent
Many thanks for replies..advice is probably as we thought and that appeal will be impossible. At least we checked out and very happy with hsfg. Value all advice so thank you.