Another Bucks Selection Review Query

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worriedfolks
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 pm
Location: South West London

Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by worriedfolks »

Hi all, sorry for another Selection Review query thread. If mods feel they should all be amalgamate please do so.
Our DD scored 119 in her Bucks test, so we are thinking of going for the review like many other parents.

Her age-standardised score for Verbal was 124.24 , Numerical was 122.02 and NVR was 104.01

The latter it seems bought her overall score down even though the weighting was 20%.

Our only extenuating circumstances is that she was unwell 4 days before the test. We took her to the GP who advised that she take the test, however in hindsight taking a test recovering from a chest infection might have been too much too soon. We accept that the Selection Review may not be sympathetic to our situation.

We do not believe our HT has written a separate letter of recommendation but has given her a 2.1 and is exceeding in all areas for predicted SAT scores (111+ across the board) on the selection review form.
Our HT seems to be anti grammar school (we are out of county). We had asked how many 2:1's had got through and we were advised that we are the first ones to have requested one (????)

Does anyone have any advise on how to proceed?

Is it worth stating that we would prefer our DD to go to an all girls school?
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by Etienne »

Welcome to Appeals! :)
worriedfolks wrote:Hi all, sorry for another Selection Review query thread.
Not to worry! :lol:

We're here to help if we can.
If mods feel they should all be amalgamate please do so.
Best not to. We never know how an individual case might develop. It helps us to find all the information we need to give advice if each person has a separate thread.
Our only extenuating circumstances is that she was unwell 4 days before the test. We took her to the GP who advised that she take the test, however in hindsight taking a test recovering from a chest infection might have been too much too soon. We accept that the Selection Review may not be sympathetic to our situation.
Probably not, so keep it brief!
Fortunately, with a score of 119 extenuating circumstances might not matter too much.
We do not believe our HT has written a separate letter of recommendation
Don't worry - there rarely are for reviews.
Our HT seems to be anti grammar school (we are out of county). We had asked how many 2:1's had got through and we were advised that we are the first ones to have requested one (????)
:lol:

If yours is an out of county primary school, the recommendation would have been done after the publication of results, so it probably won't carry as much weight anyway.
Does anyone have any advise on how to proceed?
It depends how strong you think the academic evidence is. You're probably aware that an unsuccessful review could seriously prejudice any subsequent appeal.

Do the KS2 predictions look realistic in the light of previous attainment (e.g. level 3s in Y2)? It's one of the things they will look at. They seem quite keen on progression from Y2 to Y5.

They will also consider whether the statement of support is worded in such a way that it matches the headteacher recommendation.
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Is it worth stating that we would prefer our DD to go to an all girls school?
Absolutely not! It might be an argument for an appeal against oversubscription, but the only issue for a review is qualification.
Etienne
worriedfolks
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 pm
Location: South West London

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by worriedfolks »

Many thanks for your reply Etienne.

With regards to her illness, should we provide a Drs note?

Academically she been strong, level 3's for SATS in year 2 and had a strong report in year 5.

Who should write the supporting letter? Would that be us or the HT?

In terms of the stats for the school, would the panel have this or should we provide?

thank you again
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by Etienne »

worriedfolks wrote:With regards to her illness, should we provide a Drs note?
Yes, you may as well.
Academically she been strong, level 3's for SATS in year 2 and had a strong report in year 5.
:D
Who should write the supporting letter? Would that be us or the HT?
There is a form for you to fill in, called something like: "Parents’ Selection Review Form 2018". You fill in your grounds for requesting a review on the form.
The headteacher has a separate form to complete: "Selection Review Summary Sheet for headteachers". In section 6 he can write about his support for the review. Unfortunately the form (unless it's changed) doesn't make entirely clear what "additional information" is needed - but the Headteachers' Manual says "Be aware that your choice of language on the form is important as it will indicate the degree of support you are expressing".
In terms of the stats for the school, would the panel have this or should we provide?
Could you tell me where your child sat the test - was it at the primary school, or a central location?
Do you happen to know roughly how many children from your primary school took the test?
Etienne
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by Sally-Anne »

Please could you PM me, in confidence, the name of your DD's primary school? I may be able to shed some light on the matter for you.

I will share the information with Etienne if I believe it would be helpful to your case.
worriedfolks
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 pm
Location: South West London

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by worriedfolks »

Etienne wrote:
worriedfolks wrote:With regards to her illness, should we provide a Drs note?
Yes, you may as well.
Academically she been strong, level 3's for SATS in year 2 and had a strong report in year 5.
:D
Who should write the supporting letter? Would that be us or the HT?
There is a form for you to fill in, called something like: "Parents’ Selection Review Form 2018". You fill in your grounds for requesting a review on the form.
The headteacher has a separate form to complete: "Selection Review Summary Sheet for headteachers". In section 6 he can write about his support for the review. Unfortunately the form (unless it's changed) doesn't make entirely clear what "additional information" is needed - but the Headteachers' Manual says "Be aware that your choice of language on the form is important as it will indicate the degree of support you are expressing".
In terms of the stats for the school, would the panel have this or should we provide?
Could you tell me where your child sat the test - was it at the primary school, or a central location?
Do you happen to know roughly how many children from your primary school took the test?
hello, as far as we are aware I don't think our HT would have filled in Section 6, as he mentioned that he has only filled in the predicted grades and left the rest blank.

Our DD sat the test in a central location and believe around 40% of her year took the test.
Blue_Marigold
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 4:49 pm

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by Blue_Marigold »

Did you get a copy of the headteacher’s summary sheet?
worriedfolks
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 pm
Location: South West London

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by worriedfolks »

Not yet, we were told it would be posted to us but we haven't received it yet!
Blue_Marigold
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 4:49 pm

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by Blue_Marigold »

If it doesn't arrive by Monday you could ask the school for a copy.
worriedfolks
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:12 pm
Location: South West London

Re: Another Bucks Selection Review Query

Post by worriedfolks »

That's exactly what I was planning on doing :)

Do you think it will be a problem if the HT is anti grammar and not supporting us too much?

Thank you so much for your help
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