St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

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olisun
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:46 am

St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by olisun »

I am preparing an appeal for my DS for St. Bernards and he has scored 109 in the Slough tests.

After the Slough exam results were announced, we put Tiffin, St. Bernards, a local Catholic school and the rest of the Grammar schools from Slough (in this order).

DS has been offered a place in the local school and we have accepted it.

DS also sat the Sutton's exams but we didn't apply as the commute would have been too much for him.

Greenshaw High School – has met the selective standard
Wallington County Grammar School – has met the selective standard
Sutton Grammar School and Wilson's School – was invited for the shared second stage test but didn't make it through (271 & 444)

He has scored 97 in Tiffin's and is automatically on the waiting list but it is going to be a long wait and we want to try all the options we can.

We are practising Catholics, His older brother is in St. Bernards (year 13) and the commute is very easy.

We do have some extenuating circumstances but I would rather not discuss that in a public forum.

I have gone through most of the links and we have contacted the school to ask for support and including his academic scores etc. We are waiting on this.

Can you please help me with some guidance on the grounds for appeal , appeal wording and letter format from headteacher etc?
hermanmunster
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Location: The Seaside

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by hermanmunster »

Hi Olisun - there is some useful in the FAQ on appeals, have you had a look at that ?

https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The crucial thing is to demonstrate academic ability - extenuating circumstances can have an effect on appeals but only in the presence of good evidence so that is the key, good that you have started the process in contacting the school for scores and support.
olisun
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:46 am

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by olisun »

hermanmunster wrote:Hi Olisun - there is some useful in the FAQ on appeals, have you had a look at that ?

https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Yes I have.

I have copied a couple of sample examples and am trying to get the relevants bits out of the 2 to create my own.

I also wanted to know what do I need to say / include in my "speech"
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by Etienne »

Welcome!
olisun wrote:I also wanted to know what do I need to say / include in my "speech"
With regard to the speech, a quick trawl through the Q&As shows plenty of advice. For example:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... ication#b6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... school#c21" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
olisun
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:46 am

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by olisun »

Etienne wrote:Welcome!
olisun wrote:I also wanted to know what do I need to say / include in my "speech"
With regard to the speech, a quick trawl through the Q&As shows plenty of advice. For example:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general#a9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... ication#b6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... school#c21" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks.

Is it worth following point B50 considering we are not applying to those schools?

https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by Etienne »

olisun wrote:Is it worth following point B50 considering we are not applying to those schools?
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'm doubtful because it isn't normally possible to compare the results of different 11+ tests when the cohort, the test format, and the standardisation could all be different.

An appeal panel wouldn't know, for example, how the selective standard for Wallington compares with a score of 111 in Slough.
Etienne
olisun
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:46 am

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by olisun »

The head teacher has responded back sayging that "Neither the headteacher or class teachers get involved in appeals for grammar schools".

Is the school obliged to provide me with my DS's academic reports (Not the support letter from the head teacher) ?
hermanmunster
Posts: 12817
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
Location: The Seaside

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by hermanmunster »

olisun wrote:The head teacher has responded back sayging that "Neither the headteacher or class teachers get involved in appeals for grammar schools".

Is the school obliged to provide me with my DS's academic reports (Not the support letter from the head teacher) ?
Olisun sorry to hear you are having problems with the school - there are a few comments here & advice on getting the record https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
olisun
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:46 am

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by olisun »

I received my DS's scores from his school teacher and it's in a excel sheet converted to a PDF document.

I don't know how to use this and to convince the panel that I didn't create it myself.

I have removed my DS's name from the image.

https://imgur.com/a/2TGgCvV
Etienne
Posts: 8978
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

Re: St Bernards - Appeal -Olisun

Post by Etienne »

olisun wrote:I received my DS's scores from his school teacher and it's in a excel sheet converted to a PDF document.
I don't know how to use this and to convince the panel that I didn't create it myself.
I think all you can do is explain that the school refused to write anything specific for the appeal, but were legally obliged to give you as the parent the data you requested.
You could put this in your written submission, or mention it at the hearing - or both!

If it's any consolation they've probably come across unco-operative primary schools before.
Etienne
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