Page 1 of 5

Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:24 pm
by Blue_Marigold
My DD scored 117 in the Bucks test. How supportive does the head master need to be? I don't know what's going to happen. Will see if I can get an appointment to see him.

The reason I think he won't be supportive is because he said before that children who don't qualify would be better off being at the top of an upper school than be bottom of a grammar school. Not sure how much help I will get...

Also, I've studied the Bucks review statistics and it seems to be getting harder each year to get a successful review. A few years ago 117 would have been considered a good score but now it looks like it's 50/50.

We don't have extenuating circumstances or evidence that she's a high achiever. She appears to always be above expected levels in Maths but just expected for everything else.

Can someone set some realistic expectations for us? Is it a lost cause or worth a shot?

The other option is to skip the review and appeal directly to a grammar school but can't think of a good enough reason why they should accept her.

BM

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 8:49 pm
by 2littleboys
Hi Blue

I don't have any advice to offer you I'm afraid but wanted to say hi.

Obviously I'm in the same boat as you.
Also, I've studied the Bucks review statistics and it seems to be getting harder each year to get a successful review. A few years ago 117 would have been considered a good score but now it looks like it's 50/50.
I thought exactly the same when I read the statistics :cry: I wonder why this is?

I have spent most of the day looking at the appeals section-there is a lot to go through!
Is it a lost cause or worth a shot?
In my opinion you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Maybe I will see you over on the appeal pages-good luck!

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:15 pm
by Guest55
You need to know what HT recommendation he gave because if he thought your DD was suitable before the results he should back that up now.
A few marks below on one day do not define a child so he should be honest. Ask for a review pack and see what evidence you can collect and what he writes.
Presumably you've read Etienne's posts and know a review is a paper exercise?

Good luck - you do not need to tell your DD you are considering a review/appeal but make sure you put a GS on the CAF.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:53 pm
by stokrotka
My dd has 120.02, she is very good at Maths and computers but not English as this is her second language. On Friday she was angry and told me not to appeal, but today she change mind. I'm going tomorrow to school to find out the HT opinion.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:54 pm
by anotherdad
I'd go for it, BM, if you think she would suit a grammar school. As you have said, it's good to be realistic about your chances and I would enter into the process on a nothing-to-lose basis. Most importantly, shield your daughter from the process so that she's not harbouring false hope.

There is the 12+ process to consider, but it too can be a lottery even if a qualifying score is reached because you're relying on there being vacancies to fill and being high up enough on the allocations list to get one.

See what the HT says and assess your options from there. There'll be plenty of help and advice on here if you do proceed.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:55 pm
by anotherdad
stokrotka wrote:My dd has 120.02, she is very good at Maths and computers but not English as this is her second language. On Friday she was angry and told me not to appeal, but today she change mind. I'm going tomorrow to school to find out the HT opinion.
I hope it goes well, storotka. She's done very well to get that score in a second language.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:03 am
by Blue_Marigold
I saw the headmaster and he said I had to make an appointment through the school office today. There is a half hour slot right at the end of the day just before pick up time.

I wasn't upset by the results on Friday but I do feel sad now that the head is so cold and distant. I very much doubt I'll be able to do anything without his support.

Friends from other local schools are telling me their headteacher took them aside before the envelopes were opened and told them to come and see them first thing in the morning. They had lower scores than my DD. I wish we had a nice headteacher like that.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:59 am
by anotherdad
I wouldn't read too much into the Head's apparent coldness. They have a very difficult job and a Monday morning is probably not their best time. Different HTs have different manners. The important thing is the content of his report. Reviews are paper exercises so a HT's warmth and friendliness won't come through in the review anyway.

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:38 am
by BlueBerry22
Hi BM,

A few years ago I went thru the review process. HT wrote the wrong things on review form, all social things rather than academic. I drafted what I thought would be more appropriate based on notes on this forum and the academic evidence. I then asked HT to replace their 'ramblings' with my paragraph. HT was happy to oblige.

Go into the meeting with a professional, cool, calm head. Lots of questions and lots of notes to back up what you are saying. Ultimately HT just needs to state the facts. Gushing would not be good.

Good luck

BB22

Re: Headmasters support

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 am
by BucksBornNBred
Blue_Marigold wrote:I saw the headmaster and he said I had to make an appointment through the school office today. There is a half hour slot right at the end of the day just before pick up time.

I wasn't upset by the results on Friday but I do feel sad now that the head is so cold and distant. I very much doubt I'll be able to do anything without his support.

Friends from other local schools are telling me their headteacher took them aside before the envelopes were opened and told them to come and see them first thing in the morning. They had lower scores than my DD. I wish we had a nice headteacher like that.
I was in a similar position to you a few years ago with no support from the HT. Because of this we decided to skip SR and go straight to appeal. I am pleased to say that we were successful and DS is now doing very well in GS and in top sets with good grades. On the issue of not telling DC, we had to tell DS our decision to appeal because of the logistics of getting to the hearings, but we always emphasised that nothing was guaranteed. Good luck with your decision.