DS achieved a qualifying score for his preferred school, but his ranking was not high enough to be offered a place. We are planning to appeal against oversubscription on the basis that the school he has been allocated has also been offered to a child that has made his life very difficult throughout primary school.

My question is, given that his rank was not high enough to be offered a place, do we need to address non-qualification in our appeal as well?

TIA

Welcome to Appeals!

It is up to you what sort of case to put forward.
See: https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... ication#b1

Quote:
B1. Introduction

a. This section deals with appeals where you are addressing the issue of non-qualification in the 11+ entry test(s) for grammar school. (In all probability, though, you will also need to address the issue of oversubscription. See section C2 .)

b. This section might also be relevant if the 11+ score was one of the admission criteria, and the score achieved was not high enough to gain a place. If you have sufficient evidence of academic ability – and possibly of extenuating circumstances too – then, in addition to any arguments dealing with the oversubscription part of the appeal, you may wish to argue that your child was expected to perform even more highly in the 11+ than he/she did.

For example, if your child underperformed in two 11+ papers (VR and maths), and you have alternative evidence of very high VR scores and of very high ability in maths, it could be worth asking the panel to consider this. (You would need to explain why you are introducing the evidence.)

Alternatively, would the current headteacher be willing to write that the school expected a higher score?

It is entirely up to you – depending on the circumstances and on what evidence you have – to decide what sort of case you wish to put forward. (And it is entirely up to the panel as to what arguments they will be receptive to!)

Was the allocated school on your CAF form?
If so, it could weaken your argument.

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Etienne

Thanks for the reply Etienne, I've read through all the appeals information - it is incredibly useful!

The three things I intent to include are:
Academic ability (achieved a qualifying score and significantly exceeds expectations across the board)
Social factors around the other child
Minimal provisions at the allocated school for the sport he excels at, which are much better at the school we are appealing for.

We have evidence from the school and chair of the sports club in support. So, I guess the case is the same and it is just semantics whether we call it non-qualification or oversubscription?

With regards to the CAF, the school we are appealing for was first choice, the allocated school was second choice. Both are grammar schools and neither are particularly close to where we, or this other child, live. We had no knowledge of the intentions or results of the other child regarding the 11+ and did not know their school choices until allocation day. Is it possible that would weaken the case?

I think one thing you have to remember is that you are appealing for the first place school, not against one you have been allocated (which you did put quite high on your list )

So important to make it clear why the school at the top of the list is right for your child without denigrating the other school - for all you know, someone on the panel may have had a child there.

Re the bullying - agreed would have been very hard discovering on allocation day that they were at the same school - presume it can be mentioned under extenuating circumstance, making it clear that the fact would not have been known at the time of completing the CAF (assuming that the bully is not also appealing..)

Secondary school intakes are usially much larger than at primary school (I'm only saying 'usually' here, because I do know two junior schools with a PAN of 150 and 180, respectively), which, for a start, dilutes the effect of primary school relationships good or bad. Secondary schools are also usually receptive to requests with regard to those relationships, probably more so where the issue is a request not to place a child with another, due to a history of bullying. Have you made the allocated school aware of your DS's 'history' with the other boy, or, better still, asked the current school to make a representation on your DS's behalf?

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

I'm inclined to agree!

No - that sounds fine. I hadn't realised the other school is also a grammar.
It's just that in this sort of situation - which happens not infrequently! - the allocated school is often a non-selective school which the vast majority of local children attend.

In view of the distance I assume there could be a problem if the other boy is travelling to and from the same school.

I would quite like to see something about 'underperformance on the day', e.g. "Although he achieved a qualifying score, he significantly exceeds expectations across the board, and was expected to score even more highly in the test."

It might help if you could also find an academic argument such as a preference for the foreign language options on offer.
Or did either school previously have a specialism that suits your son?
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... school#c34
(If so, you could argue that although you know there is no longer any funding for specialisms, the resources and expertise that the school built up over the years are not going to vanish without a trace!)

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Etienne

Thank you so much for your advice Etienne, it is incredibly useful.


Our case is very much written in terms of the fact it has always been the first choice for DS, but can't avoid mentioning the allocated school given the situation we are in.


Excellent point - will do that. We know through the grapevine he is not appealing as didn't qualify for the school.


We will absolutely do this is appeal is unsuccessful and have already discussed with the primary school.


The school we are appealing for formerly specialized in science, and DS has wanted to follow a medical path for years now - would that be the sort of thing? I had thought about including it but wondered if it as a bit weak as they're only 11?

TIA

Yes.

It's only weak if you can't convince the panel of his interest in, or aptitude for, science.

Do his school reports show an aptitude for science?
Would the current school write a letter about his interest in science?
At the hearing - if asked - could you unhesitatingly list the programmes about science or medicine he watches on television, or the books/articles he reads?
Membership of a science club or visits to a science museum?

_________________
Etienne