Hi All,

I am new to this forum and have been scouring it over the last week. It's incredibly informative. I have gone through the pre-read too. I now have some questions and would benefit from your views/opinions please.

My son actually scored 119.5 but this was rounded down to 119. We initially spoke to the Headteacher who seemed similarly shocked that our son hadn't performed better. The Headteacher scored him 1 and 1 for Grammar School suitability and Attitude to learning. He has been performing at Greater Depth across the board and for multiple years. We have a copy of all his previous reports. The Headteacher has offered us her full support and will be providing a response to this effect. I have requested the Selection Review (step 1) but awaiting the Headteachers report before I go through step 2 of submitting my case.
We also have some extenuating circumstances. All of these are known by the teacher as they were raised by the teacher in a recent parents evening and since then she has confirmed these in writing - alongside a glowing account of our child. The teacher also provided confirmation that these symptoms were present on the day of the exam. Since then, we have also seen a doctor who has confirmed this in his notes and provided a referral to a specialist.
Additionally, we experienced some financial hardship during this time and I thought we should cite this too as it caused anxiety and uncertainty. I have this documented too. I am starting to compile a steady list of appendix that I could submit.

My questions if I may:
- I would welcome your thoughts on the likely outcome based on the above?
- Am I okay to provide around 10 documents as part of the Appendix? This includes doctors notes, referral, reports, teachers report, head teachers report, proof of purchasing some medicine to treat the relevant condition, etc.
- Should I include a list of the extra curricular activities that my son has engaged in as par of the academic achievements? These include Archaeology Club, Computer Programming, Public Speaking, etc.
- My outline case is spread across 1.5 pages with references to the various appendix mentioned above. Is that an adequate length? Some people have mentioned to shorten this but I am concerned that this may be compromising with my ability to effectively lay out the case.

I look forward to hearing from you and thanks in advance.

Hi, we had a successful review 2 years ago. I did include the year 5 report but nothing about extra curricular activities, I went with sticking to evidence of academic ability only.

I'm sure one of our experts will be along shortly but prior to that it is worth reading through thiswhich may answer some of your questions already. IN particular 3k, 3l and 4.
Academic evidence is key, that is a close score and assuming the head does not give out 1-1s too liberally that bodes well also. I suspect you will be advised not to invest time or energy in the extra curricular detail but do read the above and then come back to us.
Good luck

_________________
mad?

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds as if you could have a good chance, based on what you've said.
However, as mad? points out, we don't know how realistic the head has been with the 1:1 predictions (but the panel will know!).
We don't yet know exactly how the head has worded her support.
I assume this is a state school, and that "across the board for multiple years" means GDS consistently from Y2 onwards.
I'm also assuming that son's symptoms do not raise any doubts about being in a fit state to sit the test.

It sounds rather a lot. It might be all right if every document really adds to the case. Quite often the diagnosis or the most recent report is sufficient for medical evidence. Medication may not be of interest unless there are relevant side effects.

Like mad?, I would say 'No' - unless there's evidence of intellectual achievement (e.g. chess champion, member of Mensa).
As Deb70 indicates, the review process is about academic evidence.

Nothing the parent writes is likely to make much difference! I would try and get it down to one page at the most. What matters is the supporting evidence, and wherever possible the evidence ought to speak for itself.

It depends on the period of time. If extended, is there evidence that it affected his school work? If not, it will be difficult to argue that it only affected one day in the autumn term when he sat the test.
It also depends whether the school was aware. Extenuating circumstances that the school was unaware of are not likely to count.

_________________
Etienne

Thanks for the responses.



I am awaiting the report from the head. It's imminent. I know we have 21 days to submit this Review. Are there ay implications for submitting this earlier or later during this duration? I'd rather get it right than rush it if that isn't jeopardising our chances.
This is a State School. My son has been GDS from Y3 onwards. The only exception is Reading in his first year. He was on track at the time. Every Maths, Reading and Writing score has been above expectations since then.
His symptoms caused an allergic reaction which is due to a condition the Teacher is already aware of and has documented. We have since been referred to a specialist.



I thought this may demonstrate that he is a "well rounded" individual and hence more suited to a Grammar setting?



The school wasn't aware but I thought it may add some more weight, especially as I have it documented. I wasn't planning to dwell on this...

None at all, so best not to rush it.

That should be all right. If it had been Y5 it might have been a problem!

It's irrelevant. The sole criterion for a review is academic ability.

So the school didn't notice that he seemed upset, or that his work was affected?
The review panel will check to see whether the headteacher has mentioned the issue on their review form.
What really matters is evidence of the impact on the child.

_________________
Etienne

If you are claiming this issue affected the Transfer Test then it should have impacted school work around the time.

Did others rated 1:1 qualify? You don't need names but just that the Head's judgements were accurate.

The headteacher can't confirm the exact numbers but has stated that a overwhelming majority of children that were graded 1,1 have passed. there are only a few anomalies

I'd expect all the 1:1s to qualify ... more than one 'anomaly' is a concern

I am drafting my Supporting letter and have some questions please:
- It's currently 600 words and I am struggling to reduce this. Is this reasonable?
- I have 9 accompanying Appendices: Head Teachers Report, Teachers Report, KS2 Assessment containing all years, Doctors Note on Condition 1, Referral for Condition 1, Doctors Note on Condition 2, Accompanying Photo on Condition 2, NHS Online page confirming the effects of Condition 2 and a letter to support the third extenuating factor.
They all seem relevant and provide the evidence base of my submission. Does this seem reasonable and am I even able to upload this number of documents?
- I am inclined to include a "Conclusion" to summarise my case. Is this advisable?

Finally, where on this forum can I find examples of this submission from other people please?

Thanks for all your support. I really appreciate it.