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Original poster

Help with appeal please

33 replies

Elisheva · 19/03/2017 08:31

Posting on behalf of a friend.
Her DD applied to a school which specialises in performing arts. As such it admits up to 36 students each year based on 'Aptitude for the performing arts'. It is an outstanding school in an area with several not so good schools so many out of catchment children apply for the aptitude places - over 200 this year.
They attend a one day workshop where all the students are assessed on their 'aptitude'.
My friend's DD is an avid performer, she goes to classes after school and on Saturday, spends her holidays either competing or performing and has done since she was small.
She has not got a place at the school. Apparently the decision is made solely based on the child's performance at the workshop. The children are all scored and those who achieve the required score are then ranked and offered places based on the schools normal entry criteria. Extra curricular activities/experience are not taken into consideration.
My friend and her DD are devastated. She feels it is unfair that children who have no real interest in performing arts are using this as a route to get into a better school. They were so excited when they found out about the school because
the whole ethos of the school is based around the performing arts, so there are a lot more clubs and extra curricular activities, plus they have a large range of related courses and qualifications.
They are appealing but do they have any chance of success?

OP posts:
LadyPenelope68 · 19/03/2017 14:59

Those other children also met the standard, whether they are using that as a way to get in is irrelevant as they still met the standard!

I could be wrong, but I also think the only criteria for appeal is if an error was made in the admissions process, not just because this school "suits her better". Basically, she wasn't as good as the others so didn't score highly enough to get a place - end of.

Allthebestnamesareused · 19/03/2017 14:18

But those children also met the standard required or they would not have been offered places Hmm

Original poster
Elisheva · 19/03/2017 12:11

Thank you for your replies. She did meet the standard on the day but then didn't get a place because of distance. I think they are appealing on the grounds that this school offer opportunities that the other school doesn't. They know that some of the others used this as a route to get into a better school because they are the DDs friends and the mothers talk to one another!

OP posts:
LadyPenelope68 · 19/03/2017 09:25

If the criteria is on "aptitude" then there are no grounds for appeal, she obviously didn't meet the standard on the day. Just because she goes to extra curricular activities/performs regularly, doesn't necessarily mean she has a real talent. I think it's good that the extra curricular stuff isn't taken into account, as lots of families can't afford to send their children to drama/dance lessons. It gives children with a real aptitude/talent a huge opportunity.

Rudi44 · 19/03/2017 09:21

I definitely think with performing arts you can be over taught. My DD has been going to a performing art school since the age of 4, we moved her a year ago to a more creative improv theatre school because we felt that the School she attended was churning out very polished identikit kids.
There is a School in our city that has a music aptitude exam and a high percentage of kids that get in under this criteria have never been taught music.

Devilishpyjamas · 19/03/2017 09:17

I can't see they have any chance.

Performing arts are always about performance on the day/in the audition - and they will know what they are looking for.

I suppose it's the same as 11 plus - tuition may help you get into a school but is no guarantee of a place.

user1486838048 · 19/03/2017 09:07

Aptitude is to me the key word, aptitude is about potential and raw talent and this doesn't have to be something that's taught

I wonder how your friend knows they are only using the performing arts criteria to get into the school? Perhaps these are kids who would have loved to have done drama but haven't had the opportunity?

meditrina · 19/03/2017 08:46

"Apparently the decision is made solely based on the child's performance at the workshop."

This is totally correct, because it avoids unintended preference for those who can afford and support extracurricular activists.

I d not think you will make a convincing case for appeal based on the school not considering something they are not allowed to consider.