Hi forum moderators and members,
Firstly, thank you for being of immense help to the forum members.
Having failed to gain a place for September 2017 entry at a girls grammar due to oversubscription and a failed appeal, my DD started at the local comp and is in top sets. She sat the 12 plus, in year test for year 8 in October 2018 and was not given a place saying high scores were required.
I sent in a notice to appeal and received the school papers. I was excited to note that my DD has achieved the highest mean mark of 51%.
The papers say:
30 students sat tests. Two places were offered to the students who achieved the highest mean mark overall. The highest mean mark was 51%. There were only two places available. Four students achieved 51%. In accordance with the admissions policy criteria, students living nearest to the school were offered places first. My DD (name) achieved a mean mark of 51%
The governors would like to register DD should not be awarded a place on the following grounds:
A) admission of DD would be incompatible with selection under the admission arrangements and it would be unfair to the girls who have priority over DD or those equal to her.
B) to admit DD and all the girls who have priority or who are equal to her would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources.
My questions:
1. Is this a case of academic ability or oversubscription- since she has achieved 51%, do I still provide ks1, ks2, 11 plus and year 7 reports.
2. While the school says children living closer to the school were given places, this admission policy is not available online or notified while registering for exams. The email sent with the test details said- places will be offered strictly according to the rank order based upon the overall performance of the applicants. Do I raise this point to the panel? If so, what exactly can I say
3. While it says the highest mean mark was 51%, 4 students achieved 51% and DD achieved 51%, I am confused as to how 4 students can get the same mark. How could they be ranked? If my DD was ranked 4/30 having scored the mean mark of of 51%, how can the highest mean mark be 51%.
4. Extenuating circumstances: DD was diagnosed with shingles on 28/9/2018, suffered quite a lot with painful rash, fever and headache, given strong antibiotics for a week. While I did sign that she was fit to sit the test on 9/10/2018, she was very ill prior to the test and did not prepare well for the test. I have a doctors report on her illness and medication. Can I say that if not for the illness and medication preceding the test, she could have scored higher.
5. The test date was notified to me just one week before the test during the time of DD’s illness. Can I use this to say if the notification period was longer, she could have been better prepared.
6. DS will be starting at the boys grammar in 2019, can I use this as reason for siblings getting an equally good education and travelling together.
7. While DD is in top sets for most subjects, her end of year 7 report says she gets easily distracted, must focus more talk less

. Can I use this to say she’s bright, but can go with flock and do just what the others do. Being in a grammar school would mean less distraction and more focus and better academic achievement.
Having gone through the appeals process last year, it was very stressful and proved fruitless. This time around, DD has missed a place despite scoring the same high mean mark as the other 3 girls. I have stronger evidence, but am still worried.
Please let me know your thoughts on my questions, and how to maximise my chances at the appeal. I look forward to hearing from you. My hearing is on 6th December and must send my papers by Saturday at the latest. I receive the school papers only today though.
Thank you ever so much.
Sarmum