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appeal

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:12 pm
by bob
A pupil at my son's school failed the 11+ by 6 points - parent is appealing, the boy has been in top sets for two subjects but 2nd group for maths. The fact is the boys current yr 6 teacher has also been his tutor for the past year and intensively tutored him over the summer holidays. In the May tests he came out as 'average' - obviously the teacher will do the appeal - is this ethical as the teacher could 'amend some of his results' and give false predictions and consequently deny another more worthy child a place or do appeal panels need this evidence signed off by the headteacher who will of course submit his scores?

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:50 pm
by chad
I am not an expert but according to the posts on the forum most appeal panels require evidence of consistant high achievement to uphold an appeal. This would consist of school books, sats scores and CAT scores (if taken) they do not purely go on a teachers report, it is usually the headteacher who submits the evidence for the appeal.

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:23 pm
by Etienne
Chad makes a good point. It is the totality of the evidence that matters. Most appeal panels have come across over-optimistic reports from schools that are trying to be as supportive as possible, and are quick to spot discrepancies.

The headteacher usually signs the report, but occasionally the year 6 teacher might submit a separate letter of support. This probably wouldn't happen without the knowledge and agreement of the head.

In the situation described, if the teacher were to write such a letter, I would have thought "an interest" should be declared, and some reference made to the involvement in coaching.