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Headmaster Appeal Rejected

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:25 pm
by ramsgatecabbie
My son is educated in Kent and has had his headmaster appeal rejected.

He scored: VR 132 NVR 133 Maths 106

Evidence within the forum and personal knowledge indicates that children have had positive appeals in line with these scores.
It would appear that the headmaster has presented the appeal well, highlighting that the maths score was uncharacteristic, his course work is above the required standard and his SAT grades demonstrate an above average ability for a child age 11.

I am considering appeal to the grammar school of choice but feel aggreived that my position is one of grovelling to a school on the back of a failed appeal....
I am also more than happy with the non selective school of choice as i feel it offers forward thinking modern education, great facilities and will suit my son.

My probelm is with the failed appeal and apparent inconsistencies...can i appeal to KCC....any advise would be appreciated.

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:01 pm
by Etienne
Dear ramsgatecabbie

If I understand correctly, you're unhappy about the review process (headteacher appeal) and are thinking of complaining (not appealing!) to the local authority.

I see no reason why you shouldn't write to them, setting out the reasons for your complaint.

It may be an uphill struggle! There was a similar sort of case a couple of months ago (in another authority), and you can find some of the details via the link below, although I don't know what the outcome was.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... llor#51716

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:49 pm
by ramsgatecabbie
Thanks for the help Etienne the thread may prove helpful.

To answer your post i am undecided with regard to appeal, as i said the school offered has some plus points but my son really really wanted to pass/be accepted as grammar school standard.

His HT was surprised to see a poor maths score and was of the same opinion as myself that VR would be the telling factor, he was amazed that the HT appeal was unsuccessful because the evidence put forward clearly demostrated that maths would normally be his strongest subject.

For obvious reasons i won't name names but the HT has been involved in appeals for other schools at which he was HT and been involved in the assessment process.
His comment that [i]'We are not a school in a leafy green lane' [/i]having previously been HT at one, coupled with the fact that lower scoring children have had successful HT appeals leave me feeling that there has been a lack of consistency in appeal verdicts.

I appreciate that i may face an uphill battle but feel i should take this further.


with regard to appealing my sons current position am i right in saying the appeal is to the school he wants to attend or a reappraisal by the KCC body?

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:22 pm
by Etienne
If the school your son wants is a community school, then the appeal would be to KCC.

If it's a foundation or VA school, then you will need to ask them how to proceed (they could handle their own appeals or they might delegate to KCC).

Good luck

Headmaster Appeal Rejected

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:51 am
by Pangloss
Dear ramsgatecabbie

I was interested to see your comment that you were aware from the forum and personal knowledge that children have had positive KCC appeals in line with the scores that your son achieved.

My daughter's headteacher also appealed with a well reasoned submission. My daughter's scores were VR 138, NVR 140 and Maths 110. The appeal was that her maths score was unexpectedly low. The Panel rejected this saying that the creative writing piece confirmed the High School assessment.

Can you give me any indications where the positive appeals have succeded becasue it seems to me that the headteacher's appeal is virtually pointless?

I'm pleased to hear that you have a good non-selctive alternative for your son.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:17 pm
by kentmum
If you read some of the other threads on this site you will find some HT appeals are successful (there is a quote somewhere which said 50% of HT appeals were successful!) Like you I am doubtful of these stats because of my own experience last year, HT appealed for 8 children and none of them got through. 2 parents appealed (including me) and won! My understanding is that the HT appeal is a moderation process with teaching professionals doing the moderation. Parental appeal is a totally independent process and the panel may or may not have an academic background.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:05 pm
by katel
At our school lat year the heat teacher appealed on behalf of 5 pupils, - 3 were successful. This year, he appealed 4 - all successful.So it does happen!