Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

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Debby1967
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:07 pm

Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Debby1967 »

Hi

Im just about to pull my appeal case together for my daughter and really would appreciate any help. Shes my only child and although I could put a business presentation together in 5 mins I really feel that this is my one and only chance at this.

Its a Kent appeal for Wilmington Grammar for girls - so far I have

A really strong letter from the headmaster stating that she is Level 5, deserves a selective education and was expected to pass.

Her results were
121 NR
115 VR
116 Maths

Now the sticky bit...

Her tests were on the Tuesday and Wednesday, on the Sunday she was at the out of hours dr with raging ear and throat aches... Monday she was at the GP and had to be prescribed an antibiotic. I asked the Headmaster himself what do I do about the tests and he responded with "let her take them, just come in for the tests and let her go home and rest etc". So thats what I did. He also asked me to get a report from the gp the day of the tests to go with her papers to show she was "ill".

I've since found out that actually the report from GP with the papers was pointless and if she was really that ill that she shouldnt have actually taken the tests that day and could ahve resat at a different time.

What do I do now... I really believe that she was never going to be one of those kids that was going to smash the results, but she was expected to pass and be over a fair bit... I really do believe that for the few points she was out could well be down to the fact that she felt so "rough" and was on calpol and antibiotics...

Dr is more then happy to do me a letter - All advice greatly received... :shock:
splash
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:21 am
Location: Uk

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by splash »

Have you tried appealing to your LEA?
From Splash :-)
Debby1967
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:07 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Debby1967 »

Hi

I thought that was what I'm doing by going through the appeal process anyway?
T12ACY
Posts: 800
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Kent

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by T12ACY »

I would say with a genuinely understanding panel you can evidence the illness and DD may be offered a place. The key is evidence, not only of the illness but also of general ability, and in the case of the school being oversubscribed you also need to show the school is right for your DD. Sometimes parents think they can argue the DC should have passed and think that is all you need to do but when you are up against 20, 30 or 40 other equally hopeful appellants you need to stand out as there may only be an opportunity for a single place!

It's a horrible situation to be in, I speak from experience. My advice is to read as much as you can about how to best to prepare your case and ask lots of questions. Knowledge of the process does make it easier, at least it did for me.

Good luck :D
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Etienne »

I thought that was what I'm doing by going through the appeal process anyway?
You appeal to the admission authority. This might be the LA - or, if the school is its own admission authority, it could be that the LA is handling appeals on behalf of the school.

We discuss extenuating circumstances here:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Was there nothing in the published guidance you were given about the 11+, telling you what to do in the event of illness? If so, it is likely an appeal panel will expect it to have been read, and will wonder why the conflicting advice wasn't queried.

It would obviously help if the headteacher could confirm in writing that he gave the wrong advice.

Having said that, academic evidence is more important.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

See also:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Debby1967
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:07 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Debby1967 »

Hi.

Thanks for responses so far really helpful.

I'm planning to pull my appeal form altogether during next day or so, so now beginning to panic! I'm also really not sure what will happen on the day of the appeal itself. Will I be expected to "present" as in a business presentation type scenario, or will I be asked questions to respond to etc.

There have been points raised and things I've read that would really appreciate comments on the following:-

Should I have more results of previous SATS or tests etc. I only have the head teacher letter stating my daughter is expected to achieve level 5 for year six. I have results for year 4 and 5, but literally have a "number" ie 108 or 111 etc, so I don't know how the correlates as a "level"??

My head teacher wrote a great letter, very supportive academically. He also went into some detail about her learning to swim recently, being a great little scientist and how impressed with her graphics, art and hobbies he is, soap making for example! Whenever I see him he keeps saying make sure you take samples of her jewellery and soap she's made to the appeal etc.... He is the expert, but I feel should stay academic??

Head teacher has continually mentioned that he believes my daughter should attend the appeal if she is allows to - would appreciate any comments on that?

Of course I want my daughter to have a grammar education, but equal,y when reviewing schools my main reason for my daughter taking the 11+ was because I genuinely believed that the ethos of the school, the specialisms in IT, Maths, business and science was right for her and recreationally they have exceptional textile, sewing, home economics etc.

I really believe that the fact the school is smaller, is more traditional, and it's specialisms etc meet her needs better then the brand new, massive academy across the road, or indeed the dartford grammar that I haven't appealed for as really didn't feel that even though a grammar in the area and had the opportunity to appeal I chose not to do so.

Should I say this at the appeal or do I really have to keep to " it's because it's a selective education/ grammar etc?

Peer group. The head teacher has has a group of children that he has been taking for special projects, business discussions, maths etc for the past 18 months or so. These were all the children over a certain SATS levels and theses expected to pass 11+. Out of all the children, my daughter was the only one in that group of those expected to pass that didn't. Should I mention that?.

Appeal day. Anyone have any experience of what to expect in the day? I've sat in multi million pound meetings, with directors, chief execs etc and I'm petrified of attending the appeal?.
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Etienne »

I'm also really not sure what will happen on the day of the appeal itself. Will I be expected to "present" as in a business presentation type scenario, or will I be asked questions to respond to etc.
Both!
Why not read the Q&As? - they're full of information!
For example:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Should I have more results of previous SATS or tests etc. I only have the head teacher letter stating my daughter is expected to achieve level 5 for year six. I have results for year 4 and 5, but literally have a "number" ie 108 or 111 etc, so I don't know how the correlates as a "level"??
It's really up to the school what optional tests they do (if any). The choice of test may determine how the results are given.
My head teacher wrote a great letter, very supportive academically. He also went into some detail about her learning to swim recently, being a great little scientist and how impressed with her graphics, art and hobbies he is, soap making for example! Whenever I see him he keeps saying make sure you take samples of her jewellery and soap she's made to the appeal etc.... He is the expert, but I feel should stay academic??
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... rk#p298052" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only exception would be if she has an aptitude that links with something the proposed school is noted for.
Head teacher has continually mentioned that he believes my daughter should attend the appeal if she is allows to - would appreciate any comments on that?
He can attend, and it ought to be helpful - but you should let the Appeals clerk know in advance.
Of course I want my daughter to have a grammar education, but equal,y when reviewing schools my main reason for my daughter taking the 11+ was because I genuinely believed that the ethos of the school, the specialisms in IT, Maths, business and science was right for her and recreationally they have exceptional textile, sewing, home economics etc.

I really believe that the fact the school is smaller, is more traditional, and it's specialisms etc meet her needs better then the brand new, massive academy across the road, or indeed the dartford grammar that I haven't appealed for as really didn't feel that even though a grammar in the area and had the opportunity to appeal I chose not to do so.

Should I say this at the appeal or do I really have to keep to " it's because it's a selective education/ grammar etc?
It is in fact important to give reasons for wanting a place, whatever those reasons may be.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Peer group. The head teacher has has a group of children that he has been taking for special projects, business discussions, maths etc for the past 18 months or so. These were all the children over a certain SATS levels and theses expected to pass 11+. Out of all the children, my daughter was the only one in that group of those expected to pass that didn't. Should I mention that?.
This would be infinitely better coming from the head, rather than from you.
Appeal day. Anyone have any experience of what to expect in the day? I've sat in multi million pound meetings, with directors, chief execs etc and I'm petrified of attending the appeal?.
Read the Q&As - there's a full account of a Kent appeal in section E.
Etienne
Debby1967
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:07 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Debby1967 »

Thanks for the responses, with regards to my daughter attending my concerns were that the headteacher said I should take her to appeal with me. However. When I spoke to admissions person at the grammar school she said wouldn't do it and had only heard of one person taking child in past ten years!

What could be archived by taking her with me in your experience?

Thamls
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by Etienne »

Oops, sorry - I completely misread that particular question!

If it's about your daughter (and not the head!), then the previous Code clearly stated that the decision about whether or not the child can attend is one for parents to take.

If I recall correctly, the current slimmed-down Code has nothing to say about this, so I'm inclined to think that legally it's still a matter for you.

However, I do believe it's a very bad idea - for the reasons set out in the Q&As.

The question really is what on earth the head thinks is to be gained. If he believes the panel is going to be 'impressed', I should warn that panel members are strictly prohibited from doing any sort of assessment of their own!
Etienne
tigger2
Posts: 755
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:35 am

Re: Kent Appeal Non qual & Sickness Help!!

Post by tigger2 »

Sorry to chip in :D but I just wanted to implore you not to take your dd along with you to the hearing. I know that it sounds like a great idea but I think that it would be very hard for your dd to go through. One Dad told me ages ago that he took his son and when they found that their appeal was not upheld his ds was adamant that he was at fault,didn't look right,just not good enough and it still bothers him five years later.
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