11 Plus Exams Forum

I have a Bucks selection appeal on thursday for my son who sat his 11+ at a school in africa and scored 114/113. Considering issues such as curriculum differential and language/cultural background l was wondering whether there is any evidence to highlight the fact that a child who has had his schooling abroad is likely to be at a disadvantage in the tests considering 70% of VR papers based on vocabulary. Any guidance from Etienne?

Dear Etienne

Something else for you, just found the following link in the Kent section, possibly the same person?

viewtopic.php?t=674

Patricia

Patricia,

Hi, considering your input on previous issues do you not have any views on this?

Coming from abroad can certainly present linguistic/cultural problems! We touched upon this subject when discussing a typical ex-pat. case in the Q&As. If the first language is not English, and the child has never lived in the UK, then the difficulties are even greater.

I'm afraid no one is meant to get the "benefit of the doubt" at a selection appeal. The onus is on the parent to prove the extenuating circumstances, and to provide evidence of very high academic ability that is sufficient to persuade a panel.

See section B32:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... nswers.php
for a few suggestions.

Dear Ashokunbi
My son will be sitting his 11+ for Bucks this year. We have been living in USA now for 3 years. Standards are not the same over here and for him to pass the exam will be quite an achievement. I understand exactly what you are going thru. Has your child EVER been to a UK school or is this going to be a totally new experience for you all? If he did it 'blind' with no preparation then that is a very good score. Have you spoken to the school you want here in UK? I did and they were ever so helpful and understanding. Difficult isnt it, especially when your child probably hasn't even seen the school you want him to go to! Try and send me a PM if you can (I wonder if it is the same school we want) and I will try to help you out. If you havent been in Africa long, would you maybe have KS1 results or any kind of sch report from a UK school before you went over?
This would all help. Good luck!
USA

Hi USA,

How are you doing out there. My son left England in 2002 when he was 7 years old and has been in Ghana for about 4 years now, so he did go to a UK school albeit for a short period, no KS1 results or any kind of school report from here. We contacted RGS in the middle of June 2006 for a boarding place, received familiarisation papers on 27 June and my son sat the test on 17/19 July 'practically blind' as had a bout of malaria in run up to test. Havent been able to contact school yet as closed for summer break. Any advice to proffer in this regard?

Hope your son's preparation is ticking on nicely.

Regards

Ashokunbi

I usually leave Etienne to answer appeal questions, yours and USAs circumstances are completely new to me. I have seen children in primary schools that have come from foreign lands and, yes they do initially struggle with our educational system.

If your child had a bout of malaria running up to the exam, make sure you take a doctors note to the appeal.

Good Luck

Patricia

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for your mail, do have a doctors letter as it happens, its all in the panel's hands now.

Hallo Ashokunbi!
Good luck for your appeal today - Thurs. I have PM'd you.
For everyone else out there reading this:
To leave a good education over there in the Uk and go abroad (not thru' choice) is very hard. The state school we have for our children is good but the curriculum covered is not the same. In a lot of ways it is a good few years behind and is not covered in nearly as much detail. Children often learn out of a textbook, homework is minimal, classroom disruption is high, parental involvement nil, and the work - boring. It has so made me appreciate English schools (including OFSTED who would have a field day over here!) and teachers. We now have to prepare our son for the 11+ and he doesn't even know what it is and has not looked around any senior schools. This site has been so helpful for someone in my situation as at least it gives us a chance. Without it......? Ashakunbi - I have a feeling your son will pass....good luck! USA

Dear Ashokunbi

My guess is you'll probably be all right for extenuating circumstances.

Establishing the academic case could be more of a problem, but good luck today.