What is a strong case appeal for an over-subcribed school?

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langley/mum
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Langley,Berkshire.

What is a strong case appeal for an over-subcribed school?

Post by langley/mum »

I have read Etienne's Great Appeal's Advice and am left wondering if my appeal is going to be considered as having a strong case?

We may be appealing for Langley Grammar( if they do not allocate down to us?)

My son's strongest area is math's,his year 6 math's teacher is willing to support this with a letter.His last math's mock SATs results were level 5a.LG is a math's and ICT specialist school.This was his best paper in the 11plus with a result of 126.
I have a son in year 10 at LG.
We live in Langley and the son in question goes to a Langley primary school.
If we do not get a place at LG he will be going to the academy.All his friend have passed and got places at Slough Grammar(2 appealed on 110),Herschel or LG.He is the only one in his school who passed (got 3rd highest) but yet to be offered a place!

Could anyone pleasegive some advice as to what are my strongest points and the benefit of any experince they may have had?
Thanx
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: What is a strong case appeal for an over-subcribed schoo

Post by Etienne »

Dear LM

You have a number of very good points:
  • educational (maths, well documented)
    sibling
    local school (normally one would be looking for catchment school, but I assume this is not one of the admission criteria.)
The weakest point would be friends, unless you have evidence that your son needs their support for some good reason, e.g. he's suffered from a lot of bullying in the past. (This is not to say you shouldn't mention friends.)

The unknown factors are how strong a case the school will put forward to resist further admissions, how sympathetic the panel will be to their arguments, and probably how strong a case the other appellants have.

Overall it looks a very strong case to me. Appellants often have one good point - not many have three!
Etienne
page
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:32 pm

Post by page »

My child is on waiting list for Herschel, I feel it is unfair that the grammars are taking kids who failed and get in via appeal before March.

This whole process is wrong, kids who have passed should be first choice and then if any places left go to next level.

The process needs to be reviewed or this could have alot of legal issue in the future.
langley/mum
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Langley,Berkshire.

Post by langley/mum »

I totally agree.
I would be devasted to find out a child that had not qualified had got a place over a child that had but still did't get a place.
However my son had passed at 117! a very good pass and may still not get a place.
It's very unfair here in Slough/Langley that a GOOD pass doesn't neccessary mean a grammar school place anywhere!
langley/mum
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Langley,Berkshire.

Post by langley/mum »

Also is it worth mentioning being a working family it is cruicial to us having both children at the same school?
langley/mum
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Langley,Berkshire.

Post by langley/mum »

Thank you Etienne for your sound opinion and advice.

What do you think I should try to emphasise on the most?
Also the point I was trying to get across about the friends,is that he is dis-heartened by the fact that at the moment he is the only child in his school that has passed/appealed, still not to have a grammar place(or is that irrelevant to our appeal?)

Page,I must admit I have not heard of any one having a successful appeal for non-qualification being offered a place at Langley or Hershel???

Langley Mum XX
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

Dear LM

I do understand how upsetting it can be to be separated from friends (initially at least). The problem is appeal panels hear this all the time - "His/her best friend is going there," or "His/her friends are all going there", and it ceases to carry much weight, especially when it's usually difficult for a panel to establish the facts. As I said, if there's evidence that the support of friends is needed for some good reason, that's another matter.

You could try asking the class teacher to comment in a letter on the friendship issue - even if there is no strong reason, it would help to have the facts confirmed.

In my view, your points should be emphasised in the following order:

1. Educational
2. Sibling (+ difficulties for working parents if children at different secondary schools)
3. Local school
4. Friends

Regards
Etienne
langley/mum
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Langley,Berkshire.

Post by langley/mum »

Thank's once again Etienne.

I'll take on board your advice.

I know I musn't appear negative about the "system" but it's not just a matter of where his friends are going or not going?But he hass passed well and may not be getting a Grammar place, that is distressing!We didn't really think by putting LG first we would end up in this situation,we kinda thought he would do better and if not fall back on plan B,which was Slough Grammar.

Sorry if I'm going on a bit??

LM XX
Hilda
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:17 am

Post by Hilda »

How would your child get to and from the school of your choice and the allocated school. If a school bus, how would they get home after clubs. I did a transfer appeal recently (Oxfordshire) and quite a lot of weight was given to the fact that it was possible easily to get home from the school of choice by public bus, whereas from the allocated school it involved a train and a long walk along a deserted road. The appeal board accepted that senior school children should be independent and be able to make their own way home if possible.

I don't know the location of the schools you mention, so don't know whether this would apply for your circumstances
Hilda
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Post by Etienne »

It's a valid point Hilda makes, but bear in mind Oxfordshire panels are relatively generous with their appeal decisions (average success rate for all maintained secondary schools has been around 49%).

Slough has been much tougher at 15-16%, although this disguises the fact that the old Slough consortium IAP for foundation grammars had a somewhat higher figure for "qualified" appellants (around 28%).
Etienne
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