Local review

[llol39]

Our DS scored 325, 9 less than the required score of 334. We were sent a local review form to complete.
Our DD is at Urmston, which is our catchment school. She is in year 11, in top sets and taking further maths. Is it worth mentioning in the letter that his sister attends the school and how he is aware of the work and commitment needed at the school? His head teacher is fully supportive of the review. DS scored 118 PUMA and 122 PIRA in July this year. All 3 of his best friends have passed for Urmston too, which makes it all the more upsetting for him.
Many thanks for reading this far!

[Etienne]

Welcome!

As a rule, local reviews are only concerned with performance in the test for grammar school entry, so it follows that the only relevant information would normally be:

• • • evidence of very high ability
    • evidence of any extenuating circumstances which affected performance on the day

Is it worth mentioning in the letter that his sister attends the school and how he is aware of the work and commitment needed at the school? ........ All 3 of his best friends have passed for Urmston too, which makes it all the more upsetting for him

This sounds more appropriate for an oversubscription appeal where you would be putting forward reasons for wanting a place.

Hope this helps.

[llol39]

Thanks for the reply Etienne
To evidence the very high ability, would scores that equate to DS being in the top 15% of the cohort be sufficient? The PIRA & PUMA scores of 115> are supposed to be classed as exceeding.
Trying to establish whether we have any chance really!
Thanks again

[Etienne]

To evidence the very high ability, would scores that equate to DS being in the top 15% of the cohort be sufficient? The PIRA & PUMA scores of 115> are supposed to be classed as exceeding.
Trying to establish whether we have any chance really!

It rather depends what local expectations are for grammar school entry. In some areas it might be as high as the 90th percentile (or even higher).

For appeals we give a list of possible academic evidence here:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Reviews might be a slightly different (e.g. in some areas they won't look at school work).

I'm not aware that an unsuccessful review would prejudice any subsequent appeal in your area
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- but it's something you may wish to check.
The grammar school in question ought to be able to tell you if they would make it part of their case that an appellant has already had a 'fair, consistent & objective' review.
I suspect not, as it would be unfair not to tell you before you commit to a review.

Provided that the 'fair, consistent & objective' criterion is not going to be used at an appeal, you've nothing to lose by asking for a review.

Success rates seem to vary considerably. In Bucks last year 35% of reviews were successful. In Bexley it was 0%!

[llol39]

Thank you Etienne

Urmston, like to keep an air of mystery around the whole process, so need to try to find out what the success rate is.

It seems in DS's school that 10 boys have passed an only 2 girls. Would this have an impact, as in they'll be wanting more girls rather than boys? I understand that they are supposed to look on a case by case basis.

All very stressful and maybe they hope that people will just say "it's not worth the hassle" and ditch the local review.

Thank you so much for your time and patience.

[Etienne]

...... like to keep an air of mystery around the whole process

Reviews tend to be not very transparent!

so need to try to find out what the success rate is.

If necessary, you could try an FoI request. The following is for appeals, but just change it to "reviews" and adapt.
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a39" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's also a website that can help:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(It speeds things up if the admission authority/school is already listed.)

It seems in DS's school that 10 boys have passed an only 2 girls. Would this have an impact,

I don't think so - they would be breaking the law if they discriminated.

[llol39]

I've posted a request through the whatdotheyknow website, should hear back by the 17th November.
Thanks Etienne

[llol39]

Hi Etienne
Just to let you know that our local review was successful. I know of
one other that was also successful.
Many thanks for all your help.

[hermanmunster]

That's great news - congratulations!

[Etienne]

Hi Etienne
Just to let you know that our local review was successful. I know of
one other that was also successful.
Many thanks for all your help.

Well done - that's wonderful news!

Many congratulations!