Hi
I am meeting my son's head tomorrow to talk about appeals.

Does the head need to give a letter to the appeal team about my son's performances?

Also, what needs to be included in the recommendation, please?

I am completely lost, as to where to start, as we are out of catchment !!!
For out of catchment, what are the strongest points to include in the appeal, please?

Thanks

Start by all the information on this post viewtopic.php?f=12&t=57343, have a look at the Q & As as well https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals and then once digested I'm sure if you have any further questions someone will be able to answer them here. Good luck!

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mad?

There are likely to be three parts to your appeal.
1. 'Fair, consistent & objective' (FCO) if you have been through an unsuccessful review.
2. Academic evidence to prove grammar school suitability.
3. Reasons for wanting a place.

To take these in turn:

1. If you have been through an unsuccessful review, you could argue that the review was not 'fair, consistent & objective' (FCO) because out-of-county headteacher recommendations (such as a 2:1) were submitted after the results were known, so were unlikely to carry the same weight as in-county recommendations.
Out-of-county headteachers (apart from those at partner schools) are less knowledgeable about and are untrained in 11+ procedures, which would have put their pupils at a disadvantage compared with Bucks.
Arguably this could not have been a fair and consistent process.

2. Being out of catchment doesn't make any difference from the point of view of academic evidence:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11

3. Being out of catchment doesn't make any difference with regard to reasons for wanting a place:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2

A letter now - or at the beginning of the summer term - could be very helpful if it confirms that he is on target for 111-120 & GDS at KS2.
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b48

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Etienne

Thanks, Mad and Etienne.

Etienne,
Thank you for shedding some light on me. In those 3 parts;

Part 1 - is out in my son's case. He passed with a comfortable score

Part 2 - He has been identified as a gifted and talented child and has been to secondary school once a week. (I am a bit unsure if our head is aware of the appeal process - They don't encourage 11+)

At the end of year 5, he has got some GDS but not for all.
Also, what is the target of 111-120 please?

Thanks

I didn't know that!

In this case you need no academic evidence at all.

The only thing that matters is:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2

No need for a letter from the current headteacher unless there's something he can write to back up your reasons for wanting a place at the specific grammar school you are appealing for.
Example:

Quote:
If oversubscription will also be an issue at appeal, it would help to have some support for why this particular school would be suitable - for example, “a keen interest in science” if the school is noted for the strength of its science department.
Or “A very able but vulnerable child who needs the support of a close circle of friends who will be attending the school.”

_________________
Etienne

Thanks Etienne.

One more help.....
My son wants to become a neurosurgeon and he is really good at science. The school we applied has "Science specialism"
but not the school he got the admission into.
Is it worth mentioning this factor? or is it not a valuable point as anyone can say it?
How can I prove that he is good at science? The only thing we have as proof is the family gene of a doctor (cousin) dentist and science teacher (grandpa).

Academic is the only point we have, to argue.

Thanks

Worth mentioning, but have you read the Q&As?
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... school#c34


Would whoever teaches him science at present write a strong letter of support?
What does he do outside of lesson time that shows a passion for science?
Membership of a science club?

_________________
Etienne

Hi Etienne,
Finally finishing the appeal letter and supporting documents (was harder than preparing my CV ). Without your help and information, it would have been a dreadful situation. Honestly, thanks a lot.

Succeeding or not is secondary but I got the feeling of "Job well-done", because of you.

Hi
My stage 2 hearing is next week for an over subscription school. My question is, can I just repeat what I’ve already written in my original appeal form. I’ve given all the reasons on that cover letter and there is nothing much to add or say.

Would it be ok to repeat please?

Also would the panel members read my case ( my cover letter and supporting documents which I gave in March) in advance or would they come with fresh mind, without knowing what my case is all about?


I am a bit confused and any one who have had their case already, please advise.

Thanks in advance

We had our stage 2 last week and all the panel had read our papers. I asked to check and they said yes. I think this is normal. I had also been quite exhaustive with the form, so I had prepared just a few bullet points that recapped the main points, and just added a bit of emphasis on those I felt warranted it. This approach seemed to go down well with the panel. Good luck!