Hi,
My daughter passed with a score of 357 and we live 0.6 miles away from the school. We are in category 7. We attend the church but we are not baptised. We are open to all faiths.
My daughter was not offered a place at the school. I wanted to appeal.
I have gone through all that is already available but cannot see any appeals on Loreto grammar. I would like to know my chances and if I stand a good chance at all? Are there any previous successful appeals? Any advice is very much appreciated.


Thanks

From what I've heard about Loreto, not being baptised (or the equivalent to each faith) is pretty much an absolute and final barrier to entry into that school. I'm not sure what you would base your appeal on. Just don't want to see you waste your time.

Hi,
I will be having a zoom appeal hearing on the 1st of July. My reasons:
Academic: My daughter passed the exam with a good score but we are in Cat 7. Letter from school provided
Faith: Open to all faith. I have provided a letter from the church as we attend the mass regularly though we are not baptised roman catholics.
Proximity: 0.5 miles away from school
Extracurricular activities: Piano, creative writing charity active member, extra language - evidence provided
Excellent attitude - Letter from after school club provided - leadership qualities

I have read this forum many many times now but just feeling really nervous. I know the order of the hearing. I will have to present my case and summarise at the end.

Could anyone please give me some tips as to the likely questions so that I can prepare?

Thanks

As this appears to be an oversubscription appeal, you need reasons for wanting or needing a place sufficient to outweigh the prejudice to the school if they are to take an additional pupil.
Questions are most likely to be about your reasons.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... -school#c2

I'm not sure how strong the faith argument is going to be. (Note the post from ouflak above.) The school is indeed open to all faiths, but clearly the admission rules give priority to baptised catholics, and the appeal panel may choose to do the same (it's entirely up to them to decide how much weight to give to an appellant's reasons.)

"Attitude" is of no relevance in appeals, and character references aren't needed. Have you read the Q&As? Lots of advice there. "Start here! Essential reading".

Extracurricular activities are unlikely to be relevant, unless you can link them to something important on offer at the school which is not available at the allocated school.

_________________
Etienne

Thanks Etienne

Hi
I think you'd have to have an AMAZING reason why ONLY Loreto could fulfil your daughter's needs - which would need to be very specific needs - and why her education would be prejudiced by attending her allocated school instead.
There are usually girls in category 4 (baptised catholics attending catholic primary schools) who have passed the exam but don't get a place each year, due to over-subscription. You'd have to leapfrog all category 4, 5 and 6 girls who'd also passed and are going to appeal, so you'd need an exceptional reason. Proximity to school won't be that reason, I'm afraid.
There are many appeals (around 39+) each year for Loreto, with generally either none, or 1 or 2 successes.
The school's case largely rests on the fact that the school is physically very small and struggles to accommodate the number at PAN, which prejudices their existing pupils and compromises the teachers. Their last Ofsted report backs this up. They don't have enough teaching rooms, science labs and PE facilities, and the dining hall also struggles to accommodate all pupils.
At appeal, the school's rep is likely to question whether you've put other catholic high schools on your application form, and the panel to consider why your allocated school can't meet your daughter's needs. The school rep will prob mention the fact that there are category 4 girls who passed the entrance exam but didn't get a place due to oversubscription, and that though they'd love to take all girls who pass the exam, they are a small school struggling with lack of resources for their current intake.

Thank you- that’s very helpful

I have had my appeal on the 1st and got the result today. My appeal is unsuccessful. I didn’t think it was fair and very dissatisfied. How can I take this further?
Thanks

_________________
Etienne