Gloucs Grammar Appeal Questions

[SweetieBumMum]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice as I'm mid appeal for DD for Gloucester grammars.

I've sent in my appeal paperwork and I'm waiting for date hearings.

Would anyone know if it is at this point we find out formally why a place wasn't offered? And the schools argument against taking a child?

We're just over the Wilts/Gloucstershire boarder, it's literally the end of our drive and so far all I have from the council (Wilts) is "not offered".

I'm also curious to know what the panel may ask me on the day. My letter was concise, factual and my points were backed up by supporting documents. I'm terrified I'll go in there and they will ask very little?!

Any advice will be gratefully received.

[Couchpotato3]

What are your grounds for appeal? Presumably the reason for not getting an offer is that other people scored more highly on the entrance test.
Have you tried the elevenplusexams.co.uk forum? You might get more specific advice there on the Gloucestershire board.

[SweetieBumMum]

One is non-qualification and over subscription and the other is over subscription. I know this from research on forums but I haven't been told the reason why just the "not offered" on the local authority paper work. I'd like to know if this right as I've filled in my paperwork thinking it's as above.

The eleven plus forum is very quiet at the moment, Couchpotato3, possibly concentrating on their own appeals!

Thank you both for your reply.

[SweetieBumMum]

No it's just one DD. She is on the waiting list for one grammar. But did not pass for our preferred which her older sister already attends.

We are on the waiting list for the passed grammar and were advised also to appeal because although she is quite high on the list, we were told that she could go down the waiting list as people appeal and are awarded places.

We have a good letter of support from primary head stating predicted high SATs, high calibre pupil etc.

There are mitigating circumstances which I know under the appeals code aren't supposed to count for much, but there was a problem at the start of the first exam which I think (and teachers think too) must have knocked her off her stride. Plus something personal to our family.

I think I'm starting to crumble under the pressure a little, it appears such a closed procedure with not much visibility. And I'm conscious that it's down to me to prove the correct info for the panel to make their decision.

Although I've read as much as I can, I'm still unsure of whether for example, I would question the school rep about numbers, PAN for the over subscription part....

If you have any advice or could give your experience I'd be extremely grateful. Due to the personal part of mitigating circumstances I've decided to go alone to the panel as I fear DH will be too upset at that point.

[SweetieBumMum]

Thank you so much for taking the time. It's very reassuring to hear your story.

Was it the grammar themselves that provided you with the info on PAN, how many in role and results.

This is the part that I find hard to get info on. I've found a lot of info for over subscription that says find medical grounds etc., but not much nuts and bolts stuff of where to go to get figures to dissect.

Thank you for the book advice, I have googled for hours (and hours!!) but up until now hadn't thought to go the good old fashioned way and get a book!
Thanks again!

[SweetieBumMum]

Thank you, it sounds like you did an amazing job. I hope I can do as well on the day.

[SweetieBumMum]

Thank you. I'm actually feeling a lot less worried now. I do have genuine reasons and it can be backed up by evidence. Like you say, it's not whim or a want. It's painful for the children in this limbo where class mates are talking about which bus they're on and uniforms etc.
I'll be bringing my own tissues though, just in case.

[SweetieBumMum]

Thanks for that Tiggytape. I'm really lucky to have a very supportive letter from primary school and something happened at the start of the very first exam which I've detailed in mitigating circumstances but have concentrated on showing her academic ability foremost.

I don't know whether you have experience with the appeals code but I noticed the it says the LA or admissions authority must tell you the reasons for not getting a place. My letter from LA said place refused but no more info.

I've met a lady on a forum appealing for the same reasons as me to the same Gloucester grammar and I discovered today that in March when she got her letter from the LA saying place refused, she also got one from the grammar school saying why.

I'm wondering if I should also have received a similar letter and if not, was the appeals code followed?

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[SweetieBumMum]

Thank you for your help, I think it's more that I wasn't informed so I felt a little blind doing my appeal paperwork - it was research on appeals forums that made me realise for example that I needed to appeal for both non-qualification AND over subscription.
I think other than that Decisions have been made properly.

I hadn't realised that I should ask which category she was in with regard to just over subscription. She is quite high up on the waiting list which gives me hope, but now that makes me realise she could technically have the same score as people who have gained a place but because she is not a looked after child or is a good distance from school. I'll ask the school. This grammar has been really friendly and forth coming with information.

Unfortunately the other isn't so helpful!

Once again, thank you for your help

[thanksamillion]

We're in the middle of a Gloucs grammar appeal too. Distance won't come in to it - in Gloucester it's entirely on the ranking (I don't know about looked after children but can't really see that it's relevant anyway).

We had a letter from the school stating where we were on the waiting list and how many appeals had succeeded last year etc. Just waiting for the hearing date now.

[SweetieBumMum]

Good luck with your appeal thanksamillion

[thanksamillion]

Thanks SweetieBumMum, you too.

We got our hearing date today by email. Have you heard anything?

[SweetieBumMum]

Yes! On the original form it asked us to circle any dates we couldn't make. I circled only one as it's an inset day and we'd be returning from our family holiday... Yes, you've guessed it... We were given THAT day. Now trying to work out how to fly back early from Europe and leave DH to drive with 4DC....
I phoned to see if I could change and they said every slot was taken but took my details in case anyone else phones so we could perhaps swap.
What would happen if you were booked in for surgery?!

[thanksamillion]

Oh no! We had said no to a few dates because DH will be abroad and thankfully we didn't get given those ones.

Hopefully someone else will want to swap but then you might have booked a flight by then! I guess everyone found out yesterday so maybe there will be some movement on dates today.

[SweetieBumMum]

Fingers crossed, but yes! I will have bought a flight by then... I couldn't believe it!

[SweetieBumMum]

Just another question, I think nerves are getting the better of me as I have the date for one of the appeals, are the school obliged to give numbers on roll, student turnover etc., and within what time scale would you expect that.

I'm asking as one of the schools seems really very helpful and the other (being generous) not so helpful.

I had to send three emails requesting to see the invigilators log for example. I didn't want to send a freedom of information request but heck it came close!

I know another lady requested from the same school and she didn't get to see the report from her group.