MkSky wrote:
1. ...... My daughter is keen on our first choice, so ideally we would want to know the outcome of the appeal at this school first before moving on to the next one ......
I don't think you can plan along these lines because no one knows how many appellants there will be. The more appellants there are for a particular school, the longer it will take to get a decision, since no decisions can be announced until all the appeals for that school have been heard.
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2. Reasons for wanting a school - I can't really find anything about specialisms on the schools I am looking at (apart from one which mentions Science as a specialism)
They don't exist now. Read about specialisms in the Q&As:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... school#c34However, if a school is still promoting itself as a Science College, or if its prospectus highlights any particular strengths, you could submit this as a reason,
provided there is evidence why it would be so important for your child. Ideally you want something more persuasive than "
My child likes science"!
Look at C2 a(vi). Dejavu’s case:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... -school#c2Quote:
but I will assume that all 3 grammar schools I am looking at will have a strong focus on English, Maths and Sciences (so I will argue on these points).
Don't all schools have a strong focus on the core subjects?

If you want to try this line of argument, what you need is something on offer at the particular school which is not available elsewhere, or something that the school is well-known for, such as a very strong maths department -
provided you can prove why this meets your daughter's needs.
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However, one of the schools seems to have a focus also on performing arts. If I could demonstrate that my DD has an aptitude for performing arts (e.g. performed in a play at a theatre and is rehearsing for another; dance; playing an instrument, etc.) could I also put this a reason for wanting a place at that school?
Yes, but ideally you would have proof of a very high standard. (For example, playing an instrument at grade 1/2 won't impress - grade 4/5 would be better!)
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If I could use this as a reason, would it be OK to add certificates as evidence - submit them with the case or bring at the hearing?
I think you'll find the BCC Parents Guide to Appeals asks you not to send in certificates. You could bring them to the hearing.
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How much weight would aptitude in other areas such as sports and arts carry in an oversubscription appeal for a grammar school in Bucks?
I never found sport a very persuasive argument for grammar school entry. Those who excel at sport probably do their sport at specialist clubs outside of school.
I'm aware of one grammar school that had performing arts as a specialism. If it is still promoted as one of the school's strengths, the argument could be worth making -
provided it is clear why the child would benefit.
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3. ..... Would for example published creative writing pieces be seen as evidence for high ability in English?
Not if this was a marketing strategy on the part of the company involved!
I think it depends how much of an achievement it was for the work to be published, and how difficult it was to be selected.
Just my view - but I hope it offers some guidance about how a case might be dissected.