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decisions decisions... out of our control!!

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:44 am
by daisy
My son is sitting the 11 plus on 4th October this year. Unfortunately, despite around 15 members of my family, including myself, my brother, my dad, my aunts and uncles, cousins etc. going to the local Catholic school, my son is not Catholic (neither am I) and now the Catholic school is very, very difficult to get into. We're having to consider the fact that our son may have to go to the local high school, which for reasons purely related to his past and a tumour he had, is unsuitable (his headtheacher has also said this)! Chances of him getting through the 11 plus? Who knows! Because of that same past issues he has days where his memory fails him, yesterday he couldn't remember for the life of him how to multiply. The amount of school jumpers and replacement shoes we have to buy in one year is incredible!!

Best wishes and luck to everyone!

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:51 am
by laid back son worried mum
Good Luck to your son, daisy.

Is there a po55ibility that he can have special a11owances for the 11+ (e.g. more time to complete exam) due to his past medical history?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:33 pm
by hermanmunster
sounds reasonable to get more time etc - partic in view of previous problems. Sorry - haven't got a clue about how you go about asking for this but I am sure someone will be along with more info soon

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:38 pm
by daisy
I hadn't even thought about that! Thank you so much, I have just posted in the SEN section to ask for advice!

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:05 pm
by laid back son worried mum
Hi again, daisy,

With regards to the Catholic school application, have you thought about a 'special' application...

Your son had/has serious medical problems that had/wi11 impact on his daily living and schooling (from your other post in SEN thread).

If he is very able and can hold his own in mainstream school despite his difficulties, can you not make an application to the school on compa55ionate grounds?

You can use evidence from

-his present headteacher/teachers to support his academic abilities
-a letter from his doctors and consultants to verify the extent of his medical problems
-your own personal letter exto11ing your family's history with Catholic schools and how they have shaped your lives through the generations with their Christian ethos etc etc and how your son wi11 benefit from going there.

They do have their own admi55ion criteria but in select special cases, the governors can put the application through as a deserving case.

It is just another option to think about if you think your son wi11 flourish at the Catholic school.

I don't know how you fi11 in your CAF in Warwickshire but if applications are treated equa11y, you might as we11 have a go at it.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:04 pm
by daisy
Hi LBSWM

The head has said that she will write a letter to the local Catholic school and my son's oncology consultant has said that he will do the same. I was unsure of how much this would help him get into the Catholic school should he not get into the Grammar. He'll be heartbroken if he doesn't get into the Grammar school and I'll be heartbroken if he doesn't get into the Catholic school!!!

When I had the meeting with the head teacher she was very supportive of our feelings that our son should go to the Catholic school and suggested trying to put him off the idea of the Grammar school (it was his wish to go there!) I'm so glad that I didn't agree to that though as over the summer I have seen how he can really work, and I am incredibly proud of him! Ahhhh!!

We shall certainly be putting both schools down - his choice and ours!!

Thank you so much for your advice, I shall be making notes this evening and make sure I get on the 'blower' tomorrow!!

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:22 pm
by hermanmunster
Daisy, good luck with this.
Everyone on here will be supporting you (even if we don't know what to do :shock: ).

Keep posting and fighting your corner, the advice re appealing for special place at Catholic school is very important - as is getting extra time for the 11 plus.


Herman

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:49 pm
by daisy
Thank you so much for all the support and advice, i'm a girl on a mission now!! With a little bit of stingy eyes from tears of gratitide threatening to break through! Tea anyone?!?!!! :lol:

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:24 pm
by laid back son worried mum
chin up, daisy!

I have heard of cases where the staunch support of a Head teacher have compe11ed the Catholic school to grant entry to applicants who are not of the Catholic faith.

A11 the above suggested info goes in with the school's own registration form( as they norma11y ask for a priest certificate and other documents) and they get looked at during the selection proce55.

You and your son have so much going for you( in terms of genuine need).

Keep a11 your options open.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:41 pm
by hermanmunster
daisy wrote:Thank you so much for all the support and advice, i'm a girl on a mission now!! With a little bit of stingy eyes from tears of gratitide threatening to break through! Tea anyone?!?!!! :lol:

oooooo I'd luv a cuppa!!!

milk, one sugar.....

:wink: