Grammar School Appeal - Trafford Council

I'm not sure why the one school you applied for in Manchester was one that you knew was failing?

You might find your dd is better placed at a school that is undersubscribed and better able to accommodate her sensitive nature.

An oversubscribed grammar packed to the rafters with heavily prepped, over achieving kids and their successfully expectant parents is a tough environment.

That’s was to @Lougle btw

Thank you. I’m always worried about saying something that’s not #kind but if you live in Trafford, you feel the pain. It’s become increasingly farcical over the years with parents sending kids in from out of area to do the Trafford entrance tests as a mock ( I know that Wirral applicants have done this, as well schools from as far away as London) because they’re considered hardcore and if you pass Trafford you’re a shoo-in elsewhere. Result: the grade boundaries go up and more Trafford kids are pushed out. More Trafford kids pushed out of the grammars means more pressure on all the other local schools.

I also doubt the value of getting the test remarked (even assuming that’s possible). The first hurdle of a grammar school appeal - showing that the child meets the standard for grammar school - is already passed and the appeal would be about whether the child should be admitted, even with that score.

@Lougle exactly this! You put all your eggs in the out of area basket and your DC didn’t make the grade. There’ll be plenty of kids in catchment who did make the grade who won’t get their first choice; at least 1:4 across the board, higher for schools like Alty & Sale Grammars.

@SisterAnna Nope, you really don’t get it. The situation isn’t changing in front of our eyes. Since it abolished its own selective school system GMC has been systematically undermining the democratic choice of Trafford parents to keep theirs by imposing increasing out of areas quotas on our local schools. Call me cynical but what a clever way to punish Trafford parents and kids for not toeing the red line, eh?
Of course it wouldn’t occur to Burnham to do some proper levelling up inside Trafford, with an expanded schools provision to accommodate local need and absorb some of the long distance intake.
From my DC school cohort I know pupils who are travelling from as far away as Bolton, Bury, Wigan and Ashton ( u- Lyne not on-Mersey, for non locals)
Yet my neighbour’s child was told she had to go to Knutsford, despite an older sibling being at a local school 15 minutes walk from home - and no, it isn’t a grammar school.

I'm not in a grammar area but a complete waste of time, imo. It would be very unlikely to have missed 10 marks, I would imagine, and even if so, she's over the line for score, she just didn't get in.

Inadequate schools normally have huge resources poured in to them, so it may not be as bad as you fear. Have you actually viewed the school?

I am not in a grammar school area so have no recent experience, but my understanding is that any review or remarking of the 11+ test would have had to be done nearer the time of the test. If you want to argue that your child should have been above the cut-off, you will need to pursue that as a separate strand.

The appeal will (as previously explained) focus on the arguments around prejudice/detriment. The panel will accept that your child is qualified for grammar school (ie scored above the pass mark) and will be considering whether they should be offered a place despite not reaching the cut-off.

I didn’t suggest you omit all the points in your first post but I reiterate now: if you dwell on the allocated school and what you regard as its shortcomings you are first of all wasting time (because the appeal is for the school you prefer, not against the one you’ve been allocated, and you need to spend your time identifying positive reasons for child to attend it) and secondly you may be antagonising the panel, who might have children there. Your wanting your child to attend a Catholic school is not relevant to an appeal, so again you would be wasting time if you dwell on it.

Identify all the aspects of the school - curriculum, extra curricular activities, pastoral care, whatever - which would suit your child and focus on those.

@SisterAnna I used to sit on appeal panels.

1. Is fine
2. Fair enough
3. Very limited benefit - don't dwell on it. You are saying that she was possibly suspected of mild autism from 6-7 years ago but discharged and no further pursuit of diagnosis.
4. Kind nature and attitude to work shouldn't come in to it. The not coping may be relevant if you can get a letter from the school and if you can demonstrate that the preferred school would be better able to deal with this.
5. Avoid, avoid, avoid. No good thing can come of criticising the school. None. Instead, turn each criticism of offered school into a positive point about preferred school.
6. No. The panel can't be expected to judge art work and artistic potential. Instead, you can emphasise the quality of art provision at preferred school and your DD's love of art.
7. Absolutely, categorically, no. It's contrary to the admissions code to take parental status into account in admissions and the panel can not give any regard to your ability to support the school in any way.

Honestly, if you live in Manchester I don’t think you have much chance unfortunately.

The criteria is very clear that the preference is for Trafford residents (hence why the house prices are so much higher!). Anyone getting in outside of trafford is very lucky or has a very high score, it’s absolutely not the default - it’s the exception.

You’re best off appealing to a Manchester school.

(on a side note, having attended Loreto, they do not care at all about art and design - they care about academic results).

I appealed (and won) for a place in a grammar school and it was a long time ago so things may have changed but one thing I did was go through the schools prospectus and ofsted reports and found quotes corresponding to things my child especially needed. In your case I’d be looking for things they say that would support your dd’s particular need for a school that will cater for her talent in art, her need for quiet space and help to cope with stress.

Don’t mention your own degrees or your desire for your dd to grow up as strong and independent woman. Nearly everyone wants good things for their children so that doesn’t make you any different to anyone else. The same goes for mentioning the other school. Other people’s children will have to go there so from an independent point of view, if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for your dd too.

I couldn't agree with you more @WittynotPretty.

I understand your concerns about your DC’s education going forward @SisterAnna but I’m not afraid to say I have more sympathy with the Trafford residents who can’t get their kids into local schools, grammar and otherwise, and are forced to bus them out because of inflated numbers off out of area applicants.
Trafford residents fought long and hard to keep their 2 tier secondary school system, not because of snobby elitism (an accusation that’s invariably made by non Traffordians)- until they’re trying to get their DC into those same schools, of course- but because that system here delivers universally high educational standards across all our schools.
I have friends and family who’ve been here for generations whose higher-scoring than your DC can’t get into their local schools.
Rant done.

Some of the things you mention sound very relevant to a potential appeal. Others don’t.

Remember you are appealing for the school you prefer, not against the school you’ve been allocated. You need to persuade the panel that the prejudice (ie detriment) to your child if they don’t get a place outweighs any prejudice to the school in having to cater for an extra pupil.

Only mention the autism if you have a current diagnosis and something to suggest that this school is particularly well-placed to support children with autism. Otherwise, the school is likely to argue and the panel is likely to agree that autism is not a rare condition and all schools will be able to provide appropriate support.

I suggest you focus on the art provision and anything else about the school that would particularly benefit your child (although you don’t need to submit your child’s drawings). Don’t focus on the Catholic ethos of the school (that’s your preference as a parent, not your child’s need); don’t complain about the allocated school being inadequate (for all you know, the panel members’ children might go there) and certainly don’t boast about your own academic and professional qualifications.

Do not mention anything negative about the allocated school or yourself.

Hi OP, did your dd pass the 4 grammar and you are appealing all 4? You've mentioned Catholic so I'm guessing its Loreto.
If I remember correctly most of the grammars including Loreto take 1st 20 highest scores without considering catchment after that catchment rule apply. Your dd should be amongst the 1st 20 highest score. If for instance she is the 21st or 22nd highest, you might get a chance of review.

You can apply for any school you like but if you're out of Borough then you're at a real disadvantage.

I am in Stockport but here it's pretty much impossible to get into a school if you're not a resident. Trafford Grammars are known to be super popular and I can't see there being many kids getting in who don't live in the LA.

I'd be very wary of pinning any hopes on this appeal and would speak to Mcr as soon as possible to see which schools in the area have places and get on some waiting lists too.

Did your daughter attend a faith primary school?