Rsinsinwar's appeal thread

[Etienne]

I'm afraid the Word documents that reached us are still unreadable.

In any case, I referred above to the Q&As A55 where we explain that sadly we do not have enough time to read through everyone's appeal or to give advice privately.

If there are any concise questions you don't mind posting on the forum, we will try to help.

The pdf file came through all right. Different panels will vary in the weight they give to an EP report, but I thought it looked very helpful, not least because it put academic potential well within the superior range.

[PettswoodFiona]

Rsinsinwar I know some boys who’ve been through Wilmington and did really well. You may also not realise that there is a lot of movement between schools for sixth form. Some at IB schools like Tonbridge and Dartford want to do A Levels or don’t meet the required standard to stay on and so switch to another sixth form. So even if the appeal isn’t successful it isn’t a closed door for the IB later on.

I was also thinking whether you know how far down the waitlist for Dartford you are? There may be movement between now and September. If your DS was only a few points off the cut off that may be just as hopeful as an appeal.

[Rsinsinwar]

Thanks Etainne for the input, I am very hesitant after seeing the report as if it’s stating SEN needs for him. doesn’t the organisation and comprehension issues outlined bring the point of IQ down? What do they mean for us, Ds and schools - current/appealing for). what does SEN mean for my Ds as the report mentions it but as per HT, he has no SEN although he agrees about his slow writing and agreed for extra time for his SATs, which won’t help for his appeal in any case

Thanks Petswoodfiona, as for A levels, we r not certain how long we will be in UK so while ur points are well accepted, we were very certain IB works for our family. We have not received any response to Waitlist query to school. he is few points from the cut off but nowhere I have heard any movement for IC kids in second rounds

[mad?]

Thanks Etainne for the input, I am very hesitant after seeing the report as if it’s stating SEN needs for him. doesn’t the organisation and comprehension issues outlined bring the point of IQ down? What do they mean for us, Ds and schools - current/appealing for).

I'm sorry perhaps it is just me but I do not understand what you are asking here?

what does SEN mean for my Ds as the report mentions it but as per HT, he has no SEN although he agrees about his slow writing and agreed for extra time for his SATs, which won’t help for his appeal in any case

Either your DS has SEN and so gets extra time, or he doesn't. Your HT should not be giving extra time without relevant evidence, if you have that then it should apply to your appeal as well? Which is it?

Thanks Petswoodfiona, as for A levels, we r not certain how long we will be in UK so while ur points are well accepted, we were very certain IB works for our family. We have not received any response to Waitlist query to school. he is few points from the cut off but nowhere I have heard any movement for IC kids in second rounds

I'm a bit confused by what you mean here as well, you say that Pettwoodfiona's comments about A levels and transfers do not apply as you are not sure how long you will be here for. But then you say you are sure that the IB, which kicks in at 16+ works for you, which implies you are making your decisions based on the curriculum DS may (or by that point of course may not) study in 6th form? Again, which is it?
Forgive me if I am being dim but isn't Dartford 'just like' any other sate school in that it does GCSEs?
Sorry if I sound brusque but I genuinely do not understand what your argument is and am concerned that an appeal panel might not either.

[Rsinsinwar]

Sorry for the muddled query Mad?

In a nut shell, we r new to concept of SEN, we are ourself discovering that my son has been identified by this report to need extra time which may be due to his medical condition but no doctor /school had identified educational issues earlier. I am trying to figure out who is authority to confirm SEN - ed psy/school/doctors/parents/ LA? Which will be valid for the IAP? And given different view from ed psy and HT which one should I follow in the appeal? It appears as though it was an un identified SEN it that counts as mitigating circumstance? And does having Sen also make him a weaker pupil to be able to cope with school writing work in the view of IAP and school?

As for IB, my understanding/assumption is that it’s a curriculum in itself and any school/state schools have to follow IB throughout not only in 6th form as my son’s previous school followed IB curriculum from primary years. GCSCE is integrated in IB curriculum. Please correct me because I may be far from on ground reality in state grammars who call themselves IB Schools but are no different than other state schools in terms of curriculum.

I still wonder if I will be able to make sense to IAP given my current state of queries , this is my biggest fear , I will be all over the place leaving more work for IAP.

[Etienne]

doesn’t the organisation and comprehension issues outlined bring the point of IQ down?

Why?
His IQ is what it is. He still finishes up with a full scale IQ at the 96th percentile.

What do they mean for us, Ds and schools - current/appealing for).

Like mad? I didn't quite understand. Are you thinking that "SEN" is going to create some terrible problem?

what does SEN mean for my Ds as the report mentions it but as per HT, he has no SEN although he agrees about his slow writing and agreed for extra time for his SATs,

I haven't seen a legible copy of the head's letter, but if the school has agreed to extra time it sounds to me that "slow and painful" writing (caused by his medical condition) is a special need.

which won’t help for his appeal in any case

Why not? If he had been granted extra time in the 11+, which is strictly timed, it would presumably have helped him?
The WISC tests (most of them) are not strictly timed, and it could be argued that they provide a better indication of his ability.

It begs the question why there was no application for extra time in the 11+, but I assume you didn't know this might be possible.
When did the school agree to extra time for SATs? Was it after the 11+?

I am trying to figure out who is authority to confirm SEN - ed psy/school/doctors/parents/ LA? Which will be valid for the IAP?

The IAP will consider whatever evidence you give them.
I can't speak for your panel, but personally I would have thought it sufficient to provide
• evidence of the medical condition
• recommendation for extra time from the EP
• confirmation from the school of extra time for SATs

It appears as though it was an un identified SEN it that counts as mitigating circumstance?

Yes - an unidentified SEN should be considered as a mitigating circumstance.

And does having Sen also make him a weaker pupil to be able to cope with school writing work in the view of IAP and school?

No.

[Guest55]

As far as I know IB only applies in the sixth form [done instead of A levels] not for GCSE.

[mad?]

Sorry for the muddled query Mad?

No worries Rsininwar

As for IB, my understanding/assumption is that it’s a curriculum in itself and any school/state schools have to follow IB throughout not only in 6th form as my son’s previous school followed IB curriculum from primary years. GCSCE is integrated in IB curriculum. Please correct me because I may be far from on ground reality in state grammars who call themselves IB Schools but are no different than other state schools in terms of curriculum.

The IB curriculum kicks in at state schools which offer it in the UK at 16+ (6th form). Schools do not tend to describe themselves as 'IB schools', but may offer it at 6th form. I believe some private indies follow the IB curriculum throughout but as far as I am aware (help Salsa ) Dartford is a state school following the national curriculum. If you are looking to follow an IB curriculum from Y7 -11 as you think you may be moving again and wish to minimise the disruption I am not sure Dartford will be more suitable than anywhere else. Do think carefully about this before appealing and consider how a panel might respond. As for SEN, what Etienne said, completely.

[Rsinsinwar]

Many thanks Again and again Ettianne

The ed psy report was done end of March as I was having doubts of his underachievement and as stated earlier, no previous UK SAT, CAT etc to support academic evidence and school agreed for extra time last week, HT recommendation was written early March. HT was also of the view it’s too late to work on any other aspect than extra time for SATs.

As for comprehension and SEN issues identified , I wanted to ask does that mean IAP May think he will not cope ? And will create more load for school and their prejudice ( Sorry my legal English is worse

[Rsinsinwar]

Thanks Mad? And Guest55 for clarification on IB . Ds was at private international earlier and they had IB throughout too. Will watch my words in line with this clarification.

Indeed Salsa’s input awaited on this point. I remember enquiry based IB curriculum during PYP. Not sure how does it matter but curriculum and teaching quality both impact results/attainments.

I will send HT recommendation in appealbox in jpeg form if it’s ok Ettiene, should I have it modified including references from ed psy report highlights or let them be independent of each other?

Also, I have specialist doctors appointment coming week - should I brief them ed psy reported issues or let them make independent assessment to keep independent views contributing to this newly identified SEN? I may not be able to send their findings in time but hope I can carry with me at the hearing.

Feel so nervous yet cared at this forum, big thank you to all of you all for your experienced, caring thoughts/answers/queries.

Good night all, tough week.

Sorry for the muddled query Mad?

No worries Rsininwar

As for IB, my understanding/assumption is that it’s a curriculum in itself and any school/state schools have to follow IB throughout not only in 6th form as my son’s previous school followed IB curriculum from primary years. GCSCE is integrated in IB curriculum. Please correct me because I may be far from on ground reality in state grammars who call themselves IB Schools but are no different than other state schools in terms of curriculum.

The IB curriculum kicks in at state schools which offer it in the UK at 16+ (6th form). Schools do not tend to describe themselves as 'IB schools', but may offer it at 6th form. I believe some private indies follow the IB curriculum throughout but as far as I am aware (help Salsa ) Dartford is a state school following the national curriculum. If you are looking to follow an IB curriculum from Y7 -11 as you think you may be moving again and wish to minimise the disruption I am not sure Dartford will be more suitable than anywhere else. Do think carefully about this before appealing and consider how a panel might respond. As for SEN, what Etienne said, completely.