11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

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hayleyfarrelly
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:29 pm

11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

Post by hayleyfarrelly »

My son's appeal is coming up shortly. He achieved 119 and 116 in his 11+ exams. We have the support of his school as well as extenuating factors (he was being bullied at school and was subjected to a nasty physical attack in between the two exams). We have also just found out that he is Dyslexic (only mildly - he has a difficulties with his long term memory processing. This means that although very able he has difficulty in retaining and quickly recalling information that he has previously learned). He achieved a Level 5 in English Reading in Year 5 and a Level 4a in Writing and Maths. He is predicted a level 5 in all subjects in his Year 6 Sats.

In his familiaristing papers he scored 75/76/75 out of 80 and he is was born in July.

Having acheived the above scores with no additional help or intervention with his undiagnosed dyslexia I was wondering how much emphasis I should place on this diagnoses at his appeal.

Thank you in advance for any guidance with this appeal.
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: 11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

Post by Sally-Anne »

Hi hayley

I am getting confused! Is this the same son that you posted about here?:

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 35&t=23502" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If so, I think we have already tried to answer your question, but if you need more help, please ask away.

Sally-Anne
hayleyfarrelly
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:29 pm

Re: 11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

Post by hayleyfarrelly »

Hello Sally-Anne,

Unfortunately, I have the envious task of having two appeals - one for my eldest son for 12+ 'Appeal to Test' which was my last topic posted and my youngest son for 11+. Having had my eldest son assessed for Dyslexia we decided, as a matter of course, to have our youngest son assessed as well. They have both been diagnosed with Dyslexia although both are achieving well at school.

Looking forward to any help with my youngest son's appeal.

Best Wishes, HF
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: 11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

Post by Sally-Anne »

I understand now - they are both such similar cases, even down to scores of 119, although I did spot the difference in the SATs results vs. predicted SATs. I do feel for you, Hayley - no one should have two appeals wished upon them, let alone at the same time!
hayleyfarrelly wrote:In his familiaristing papers he scored 75/76/75 out of 80
The panel will not attach a lot of weight to these marks because the same papers are used every year, and he could have seen them before. Unfortunately it also begs the question as to how much his dyslexia affected him in the real tests if he could achieve such high scores in the practice tests.
he is was born in July.
It is worth mentioning this, just to draw it to the panel's attention, but don't comment beyond "he is among the youngest in the year".
Having acheived the above scores with no additional help or intervention with his undiagnosed dyslexia I was wondering how much emphasis I should place on this diagnoses at his appeal.
Who diagnosed the dyslexia? Presumably there is a report from a specialist of some sort? Were any other tests conducted that measure ability in other areas? Do you have any CATs scores from the school, reading ages, etc?
hayleyfarrelly
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:29 pm

Re: 11+ Appeal and Dyslexia - Whats the right balance?

Post by hayleyfarrelly »

Thanks for the information Sally-Anne. Getting to be a bit of a dab-hand at the appeal process having done one last year as well!!

Going to now attempt to write the first of two appeal speeches. Wish me luck!

Best Wishes, Hayley
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