Nerves are starting to set in...

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itsme:)
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:33 am

Nerves are starting to set in...

Post by itsme:) »

We have our hearing on June 20th and the realisation of how close it is, is just starting to sink in :shock:

The paperwork that has been sent through includes the result of the HT appeal and I was surprised to read their reasons for turning it down, I quote:

"...the mathematical evidence indicated a lack of pace and numeracy and computational skills were of a basic nature. There was a lack of evidence of higher level problem solving skills sufficient to sustain a grammar school curriculum."

At this point I'll state DD results were 126, 129 and 114 in Maths. She is at level 5 in all subjects.

To me it seems that overcoming that reason is the key to having a shot a being successful.

Any ideas to help me focus where to go with this?
cindy
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: somewhere in kent

Post by cindy »

Hi there,

dont give up hope.. my son had his head appeal turned down, and simular remarks for having done so.

In the appeal, no reference was made about this, as we were not appealing the heads appeal. In fact, last year I knew of a number of heads appeals, and all thos I knew of did not get through at this stage, but later did at the more formal appeal.

My son also scored 114 on his Math, but was accepted on appeal. As an asside he has since been dignosed with Aspergers Syndrome.

Try and concearntrate your efforts on the possitive things, her acheivments
through the years, to show consistency.

May I ask which school you are hoping for?

Cindyx
cindy
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: somewhere in kent

Post by cindy »

I have just looked up my sons scores for last year, he had
124,128,114

just for info.

Cindyx
Sam's Mum
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:58 pm

Post by Sam's Mum »

Do you have any CAT scores? One of those is "Quantative" - basically maths. If you do, and that is a good score, you might be able to use this to show that her maths skills are better than 11+ might indicate.

It seems that most children who fail 11+ by just a few points miss out on the maths. Quite a few posts on this forum suggest that VR and NVR (assuming these were the other subjects your DD took) are better indicators of ability as a low maths score can be down to poor teaching.

Good Luck.
itsme:)
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:33 am

Post by itsme:) »

@Cindy

Thanks for the words. It's a very valid point that we are not appealing over the HT appeal.

The school is Gravesend Grammar Girls.

@ Sam's Mum

Thanks as well for your input. CAT... don't think I've seen those, could just be that I'm getting confused with SAT's. I'll have a look.

I haven't seen those posts you mention but shame I couldn't use them in the appeal :)
cindy
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: somewhere in kent

Post by cindy »

Hi,

I thought you may have been applying for the ones that I did, in which case I had some info on them that may/maybe not have been useful.
However, you are not v near me. I did put into the google - gravsend girls grammer school oversubscription policy. This was interesting, if you dont already know iwhat it is. unfortunately you will have to google it yourself,
as I dont know how to put the web conection on here!
Also, the appeal panel are keen to know why you want THIS school in particular. I note that this school is a specialist science school, as detailed on their website, you might be wise to be ready for this question.
My appeal panel seemed to be impressed that the school that we appealed to them for was our first choice. Although I am sure they dont know how many, or which ones have been appealed for.

Cindyx
Moscow
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:06 pm

Post by Moscow »

Hi Itsme. Just wanted to let you know of the stance that I took on the head teachers appeal at our successful appeal. Our HT appeal also failed and whilst it was not brought up directly at the appeal, the school had a copy of it ( i did not give it to them) and would surely have brought it up.

I simply said that it could not be included as admissable evidence because neither the panel members, nor myself were present at the appeal and so had no idea how the judgement was made, nor what work was looked at or considered. The HT appeal mentioned 'work seen was not enough to turn around the decision and that written work had shown considerable limitations'

The appeal panel tended to agree with me and had abviously seen lots of failed HT appeals and appeared not to take much real notice of them. I then went on to quote excellent comments on DS reports. i found these invaluable in proving his work ethic and capability, especially when one of his teachers had mentioned that he had the makings of an accomplished mathematician and he failed the 11+ on his Maths!

Gather as much evidence as you can to prove academic capability and a hard worker and good luck.

Hope this helps
Moscow
cindy
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: somewhere in kent

Post by cindy »

I agree with Moscow.

Perhaps in your evidence gathering you might contact your local council ed dept, and ask if you can look at your daughters results, my council office did let me, although I could not take them away.
It may proove valuable as you can see if all the q's were attempted
or if only the first half of the paper was answered, and found to be correct.
This would imply no shortage of ability, but short of time.

Cindy
Bougalou
Posts: 435
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:23 am

Post by Bougalou »

Hi Itsme!
I would echo what others have said here, but also to stress why your DD needs a place at the school, rather than why you want a place. I think you need to be very clear about this, particularly if fighting oversubscription and non-qualification
all the very best
bougalou
itsme:)
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:33 am

Post by itsme:) »

cindy wrote:I agree with Moscow.

Perhaps in your evidence gathering you might contact your local council ed dept, and ask if you can look at your daughters results, my council office did let me, although I could not take them away.
It may proove valuable as you can see if all the q's were attempted
or if only the first half of the paper was answered, and found to be correct.
This would imply no shortage of ability, but short of time.

Cindy
Well that was a great idea but whilst she missed several of the other 2, she answered all the maths! Think I won't mention that :)
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