appeal - non qualifying,sibling, extentuanting circumstances

[Lynda1966]

Any one help me. We know we will be appealing this year as DS missed the pass mark by 6 marks. his grandmother was taken seriously ill on the morning of the tests and he was thrown into school before I had to rush to hospital, she is still hospital although improving. sibling already at school, I know I have to argue his capability and the circumstances, his predicted grades are strong 4 possibly 5, he has dyslexic tendencies too. I will be carer for Mum on her discharge from hospital. Tips on a very strong case would be appreciated.

[pheasantchick]

You need to argue that your son is deemed suitable for grammar school, so you need academic evidence to support this. Failing the test due to family circumstances is not a strong enough reason on its own. Therefore, start working towards this. Get the class teacher on board also.

When we appealed we took a three prong attack.
1) non - qualification and evidence to support that ds was academically suitable., eg letter from class teacher, SATS results, photocopies of work, school reports etc
2) details of family illness - copies of doctors letters etc
3) school specialism - why this particular school would suit ds, with evidence. Eg. School, certificates

[twellsmum]

Also with the dyslexia, look into getting ed psych report. They can sometimes say that child should have been given 25% extra time and you can argue if that had been known and he had had extra time, he would have got those missing six marks. Whereabouts in the county are you - east or west?

[theonly1]

Hello,

Please can one accept a place in one grammar school and then put in an appeal for another i.e. Accept Wilmington Grammar School (2nd choice) whilst putting an appeal in for Dartford Grammar School 1st choice. OOC also. Cheers.

[Twinkle]

yes definitely.