Applying for school choices

Eleven Plus (11+) in Buckinghamshire (Bucks)

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now
Chez

Applying for school choices

Post by Chez »

Hi,

There is a box when you apply online to write additional information you feel that the Admission Authority should know about in considering your application for a place at the school.

Does anyone know - how much influence does the additional information has for your choice of school???
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

None I should think but it might be handy at appeal e.g. if you want a school slightly further away because it has a certain specialism or is single sex.
MelW
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:33 pm

Post by MelW »

I am confused as to what to put as well! I guess having a think and putting down some reason will all help in case an appeal is necessary.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

I wrote something about why we were applying to out-of-catchment schools - did not want my child with children he had moved Primary school to escape.
Melx

Post by Melx »

I remember writing how we felt my son would do better in an all boys school as we had put a second chice boys which would of been out of catchment. I guess just put anything you feel may be neccessary but in most cases there may be no reason to write anything

Mel
Guest

Post by Guest »

Whilst it's interesting knowing what people have written, it doesn't answer the question, i.e. what notice (if any) is taken of it, and when (e.g. is it only relevant in borderline cases or at appeal)?
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Post by Sally-Anne »

Until the 11+ has been and gone, the comments will have no impact at all. That applies even if the child has been opted out of the 11+ and has applied for Upper Schools only.

The notes for this "blank space" on the Bucks form say:
You can add reasons for your preference if you wish (it is not compulsory to fill in reasons), for example, any medical, educational or social reasons for your preference for a particular school. In these cases we need documentary evidence for us to be able to consider this Please note that not all schools consider applications under such circumstances, check the parents’ guide or school’s website for further details.
Therefore, the first time it will be looked at is on 11+ results day. What it is there for is:

a) information about attachments, special needs, church commitment, or special schools - anything exceptional that should be considered under the exceptions to the normal rules. It may just be used for mentioning further attached documents.

b) any other information, such as the need to be close to home. However, that can be a double-edged sword - what if the local Upper is closer than a Grammar, but you want your child to go to the grammar?

When will it be considered? In the case of an 11+ fail, perhaps at an Appeal. In the case of an application only to an Upper School, during Jan - Feb 2008 when the allocations are being made.

Does it make any difference? In the case of an 11+ fail for a GS, I doubt it. The evidence presented at an Appeal should demonstrate a child's ability, and has very, very little to do with parental preference.

For an Upper School, it is worth putting key reasons in that box, and attaching other evidence.

That is the key phrase - "we need documentary evidence".

Sally-Anne
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Sally-Anne wrote: Does it make any difference? In the case of an 11+ fail for a GS, I doubt it. The evidence presented at an Appeal should demonstrate a child's ability, and has very, very little to do with parental preference.
Sally-Anne is absolutely right. School preferences are never considered at a Bucks selection appeal. The panel does not even get to see the application form (but it does at a transfer appeal).
Etienne
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

See my post in admissions 2008
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now