11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi there,
I was wondering if you could help with any specific pointers on what to include/exclude on the submission for selection review.
My daughter scored 117, her results were:
VR: 117
Maths:117
NVR: 119

I have had a chat to the HT of her school and she is grading her a 1:1 and is giving her maximum support. She said she has no doubts that she is academically able and her attitude to learning is outstanding. Her only worry is her reading scores were lower at the end of the summer and she is going to say that she will be supporting her on this and her Autumn result already shows improvement.

In terms of my statement, she mentioned that I should talk about why a grammer school is appropriate, her learning attributes, drive, and examples of what she likes outside of school. What kind of evidence would you submit?
Extenuating circumstances - she had food poisoning the weekend before the test, but was not off school. So am I best not to mention that. Otherise I don't have anything to offer.

Many thanks in advance, Jo

Welcome to the forum!

j_hunt wrote:She said she has no doubts that she is academically able and her attitude to learning is outstanding.

Academic ability is what matters. Attitude doesn't seem to count for much!

In terms of my statement, she mentioned that I should talk about why a grammer school is appropriate, her learning attributes, drive, and examples of what she likes outside of school. What kind of evidence would you submit?

I'm sure this was well-intentioned, but it really isn't good advice. Is this a Bucks primary school?
Have you read our guidance?
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... aneous#e32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You won't find any mention of "why a grammer school is appropriate, learning attributes, drive, and examples of what she likes outside of school" because they are irrelevant.

Extenuating circumstances - she had food poisoning the weekend before the test, but was not off school. So am I best not to mention that. Otherise I don't have anything to offer.

Probably worth a brief mention in a single sentence, but it's not a strong point as you realise. (The review panel will look to see whether the school states they were aware of any extenuating circumstances, and that performance in the test could have been affected).

Hope this helps.

Hi Etienne,
Thanks very much for the reply.
Yes, its a Bucks Junior school, the HT sits on the selection review panels in another district. So her advice on what to include is interesting, I did read your notes too.
I will wait to receive the HT statement and perhaps ask for your feedback on that.
Thanks, Jo

"why a grammer school is appropriate, learning attributes, drive, and examples of what she likes outside of school"

We've seen many review outcomes sent in to us by members, and in the reasoning for the decision we've never come across a single mention by the panel of learning attributes, drive, or out of school activities!

To be fair, though, my reply could have been more nuanced. I can see that "why a grammar school is appropriate" would be fine if "on strictly academic grounds" were to be added. After all, this is what a review is all about - determining grammar school ability. Is this what the head meant?
And if it were made clear that "out of school activities" refers to "intellectual activities", that might be of interest - not that there are many pupils who can claim to be regional chess champion, or who get through to the national finals of Primary Maths Challenge!

The advice should be crystal clear: keep the focus on very high academic achievement.
And the further below 121 the score is, the greater the need for convincing extenuating circumstances.

E32 in the Q&As (Mary's letter) gives an example of the sort of thing a parent could write.

To be honest, though, I don't think you need write much. What matters is the evidence.