Unsuccessful Appeal

[Moving on]

I have been a keen follower of this forum for the last few weeks. Our DD sat three 11+ exams. She passed two but missed passing the third by one mark. We went to appeal as it was our first choice GS. Our appeal was unsuccessful even with the good academic evidence and extremely supportive statement from the HT. My DH attended the hearing and believed it went well as he was not grilled or asked many questions. We can only assume that our appeal was unsuccessful as they were aware that we had other options and there was no mitigating circumstances in our case.

Despite their decision, we do not regret going down this route as we would always wonder what would have happened if we had not appealed. It has been a long and stressful journey but we now have closure. We have accepted our second choice GS and are moving on. Our DD is also relieved as she now knows which GS she will be going to.

Congratulations to those of you whose appeals have been successful and best wishes to those still waiting for an appeal or a decision having appealed.

We would like to sincerely thank Ethiene and Sally-Anne for their wealth of knowledge and giving up their time to help parents like us. Also thanks to all the contributors for sharing their experiences (more so from Bucks than Berks) on this very useful forum.

If not for the encouragement found on this forum over the last few weeks, this rollercoaster journey would have been much worse.

Keep up the good work!

[Etienne]

Thank you very much for your kind words, 'moving on'.

We can only assume that our appeal was unsuccessful as they were aware that we had other options .....

They shouldn't really have taken this into account, although one never knows what is going on at a subsconscious level!

there was no mitigating circumstances in our case

This could well have been a factor, depending on how many more marks were needed.

believed it went well as he was not grilled or asked many questions.

Very difficult to 'read' a panel. I'm afraid some listen courteously but set a very high threshold and do not allow many appeals.

We have accepted our second choice GS and are moving on. Our DD is also relieved as she now knows which GS she will be going to.

Good to know you have an acceptable alternative, and I hope she will be very happy and successful there.

Thanks again for your kind message.

[Moving on]

Thank you Etienne for your response.

Yes, we believe that our first choice of GS sets a very high threshold and does not allow many appeals as only two appeals were successful last year. Also the letter explaining their decision states that our DD's academic evidence was good but not exceptional.

We are glad and fortunate that our DD is going to a GS but the whole journey has left us believing that the system just goes through the motions and is one-sided.

Our goal was to get our DD in to a GS and we know that she will be happy and successful whereever she is.

[chad]

Also the letter explaining their decision states that our DD's academic evidence was good but not exceptional.

Again ... should the evidence be 'exceptional' or should it just be of grammar school standard?

Sorry that you did not have the result you were hoping for but, as you say, you child will be attending a grammar school. It is always worth reaching for the best for you child but I am sure that if your DD has the same approach to life as you seem to have then she will do well.

I hope she enjoys her new school.

[Etienne]

Also the letter explaining their decision states that our DD's academic evidence was good but not exceptional.

Again ... should the evidence be 'exceptional' or should it just be of grammar school standard?

I agree with chad, and think they might be skating on thin ice here. Nowhere in the Code of Practice is it stated that the evidence has to be 'exceptional'!

[Moving on]

Thank you Chad and Etienne for your messages.

We were shocked by the reason for their decision. What exactly did our DD or any DC have to do to be exceptional?! As there is no further right to appeal and the decision is final, we cannot take them up on this issue even if we wanted to.

Our DD is looking forward to her new school and four other DC in her class are going to the same GS. We will prepare her for taking a bus to school so she is able to do this on her own. We're moving on and it's onwards and upwards.

Once again we would like to thank you Etienne, Sally-Anne and all the contributors for their time, support, advice and sharing their experiences of this very useful forum.

Kind regards,

Moving On.

[Etienne]

As there is no further right to appeal and the decision is final, we cannot take them up on this issue even if we wanted to.

Not quite. There might be grounds for a complaint to the ombudsman who could - if he thinks an injustice has been done - recommend a re-hearing in front of a different panel.

I'm not suggesting that you would want to put yourself through another appeal, especially when you're 'moving on' ......!

However, if there is something wrong with the process, it might help to put things right for others in the future.

http://www.lgo.org.uk/
0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983
Call the LGO Advice Team for advice or to make a complaint by telephone. They are available from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

It's usually a requirement that a complaint should be made to the organisation first - but this does not apply to school admissions.

Something to consider, anyway.

[Moving on]

Hi Etienne,

We contemplated writing to the ombudsman but felt that it will not achieve anything and would only prolong the stress of the last few weeks.

Furthermore, we have another DD to consider and do not want to spoilt her chances of passing the 11+ exams and getting a place in that GS.

We are fortunate with what we have achieved for our first DD so should be grateful for what we have got.

Kindest regards.