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Secondary education

Kent 11+ grammar schools appeals

6 replies

Feeeeee · 19/10/2016 16:19

Hi all.

I'm looking for some advice.
My dd took the Kent test, she passed overall, maths and English, unfortunately was 5 marks away on non verbal. We didn't tutor her.
Due to being in bexley our head teacher doesn't entertain the head teachers appeal for Kent.
I am now thinking about placing a Kent grammar school on our list, not sure if I should put it first or 4th?? and then appealing to the school in may.
Has anyone else done this? Or have any advice?

Thanks. X

OP posts:
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poisonedbypen · 19/10/2016 16:34

Have you tried the eleven plus forum? There is a section on appeals where they will help you. I don't know about Kent or appeals but I do know you have to be refused a place to appeal. If you put it 4th on your list you will probably be offered another one anyway so won't be able to appeal. My understanding is that you should put the schools in your real order of preference.

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teabag20048 · 21/10/2016 18:49

I would put the school first that you are happy to accept if you do not appeal or win your appeal. We had a successful Kent appeal this year, we put the secondary school first that we would accept if we did not win the appeal, the grammar school second, knowing we would not get offered it, then two other secondary schools. On offer day we accepted the secondary school (so we had a place for September) then appealed for the Grammar. Hope this helps.

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CauliflowerSqueeze · 22/10/2016 13:48

Due to being in bexley our head teacher doesn't entertain the head teachers appeal for Kent.

That's a real shame. The headteachers' appeal panel has lots of appeals from primary schools out of borough.

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dungandbother · 23/10/2016 08:35

It is a shame and common of Bexley headteachers. Ours openly admit it. Sad
I'm moving to a Kent primary because of it.

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layercake9 · 28/10/2016 09:14

You should put the grammar school first if that's your preferred choice. At the appeals, the panel might be interested to know what your choices were and if you put it as 4th then it gives them the impression that you prefer the comprehensive schools over the gs.

You must state the grounds of your appeal for e.g non-qualification and oversubscription. You can highlight the fact that your dd was not even given the opportunity to pass via HTA (or second chance) due to the lack of cooperation, support and interest by the ht and primary school. You can turn this into something positive so it may well work to your advantage. Compare a case that didn't go to a HTA at all, as opposed to one that did go to HTA but eventually failed the HTA.

The panel also may be interested in whether your dd was (over) tutored or not. The fact that she passed overall Maths and English without any tutoring is a plus.

They will likely focus on her weak subject which in this case is non verbal. So make sure you have good reasons to justify the brief shortfall in marks. Explain to the panel she just needed 2 or 3 more questions to pass, really. Downplay her weak areas but focus on her strong subjects - say all the positive things about her Maths, English and her overall academic ability.

Before Easter you'll need to start collating alternative academic evidence: supporting letter from HT, supporting letter from teacher, CATS scores (if any), predicted SATS scores (or new systems levels). Other docs - medical/social evidence, distance to school (maps, bus timetables) etc.

Research the appeals history/stats of the school over the past few years so you'll have an idea of what are your chances of winning.

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228agreenend · 28/10/2016 17:30

The website elevenplusexams.co.uk has good advice for appeals.

List all the schools you would consider.

You can't actually appeal until March when you have been allocated a different school.

Start gathering evidence. You need to prove your child is suitable got grammar, not why other schools are unsuitable.

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