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Original poster

Grammar School Appeal - Trafford Council

108 replies

SisterAnna · 05/03/2023 17:13

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping for some direction prior to sending the appeal documentation and tackling the whole process.
We have applied to 4 schools with grammar school where my daughter passed being our 1st choice. Unfortunately were declined all 4 offers due to oversubscription criteria. We got a place in school in Manchester Council which was re-branded under new name following its closure in 2021 (school was inadequate in majority of categories). The situation is beyond desperate!!! 😩

I am preparing evidence to appeal to the grammar school based on the following and would appreciate MumsNet Panel members for any advice. It needs fine tuning and good presentation strategy but main points are below:

  1. Daughter has passed the entrance exam with 370 marks, pass rate was 360 but due to such high amount of applications the cut off was actually 379 marks. However she demonstrated to be of grammar school standard as she passed above the required pass mark.

  2. Mention the importance of religion to our family and moral and ethical alignment with the grammar school's ethos (school is of catholic faith).

  3. From the young age DD had suspicion of development issues with possible mild form of autism and was under the Community Peadiatrician care between 2016-2017 when she was discharged. I am in possession of all medial letters stating this fact as well as supporting report from the childminder who looked after her for 2 years.
    The evidence is rather old and due to mild spectrum we found ways to manage her oversensitivity. She has not been tested since 2017. Is this still relevant as I don't have hard evidence she still suffers - which she does and will all her life.

  4. Report from the school will be provided describing daughter's ability to learn and above the standard, her kind nature and attitude to work but also the issues she had to go through – even in year 5 she was still not coping with the noise and had to stay in Headteacher’s office to tackle the stress

  5. Mention replacement school as inadequate in standard, same management board, all below the standard incl. SEND and not adequate for the child that is talented but also fragile – this will only be briefly described without trying to slam the school but more as a contra to what awaits DD if she goes to preferred school.

  6. I wanted to submit a couple of pictures of art projects DD did at home – pastels and paints – she is making amazing progress and is very creative. The grammar school provides curriculum in arts and design and sports. Daughter excels in all those disciplines as well as learning.

  7. Not sure if I should mention myself at all with FCCA and MBA degrees. The school ethos is to nurture young women to become strong and independent leaders. I would like to think that I can be a role model, that anything is possible if she works hard for it.

We are on waiting lists everywhere possible and rejected place in the replacement school (they still hold her place regardless).

Thank you all so much for taking time to read.

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 05/03/2023 18:05

I am quite shocked you live in Manchester but have only applied to one school in your borough. All Trafford Grammars mainly priority Trafford postcodes and if you aren't in one you take a massive risk relying on distance.

There is already another post on MN about someone else who wants to appeal a Trafford grammar school. A good pass but too far away, there will be so many people like this. I can't imagine success rate for this type of appeal is high.

Have you spoken to Manchester City Council about what other schools have vacancies? Trying to find an alternative high school may be easier. I'm thinking about Didsbury High/CHS (the new one) that may not have filled?

Original poster
SisterAnna · 05/03/2023 18:00

ComeOnWill · 05/03/2023 17:51

So DC is at a primary in Trafford but you live in Manchester?

Hi ComeOnWill, we are Manchester residents but applied for secondary in Trafford. We virtually live on a boarder of TC. We could apply to both councils.

OP posts:
ComeOnWill · 05/03/2023 17:51

So DC is at a primary in Trafford but you live in Manchester?

Original poster
SisterAnna · 05/03/2023 17:38

We live in Manchester but applied to 3 schools in Trafford and 1 in Manchester. The replacement school is in Manchester.
Yes I know the catchment plays part role not for the grammar school (at least not as a category in itself, but Primary school was a trigger so in practice catchment always played the role).

OP posts:
ComeOnWill · 05/03/2023 17:35

Do you live in Trafford or Manchester OP?

Original poster
SisterAnna · 05/03/2023 17:29

Thank you Nonameoclue, the grammar schools have slightly different appeal process, they require child to be of "grammar school standard" so it is relevant, she missed her place by 9 marks. I was thinking of asking to remark her exam but not sure when/if that is even allowed.

I have got a written email from Mcr Council stating her place is still reserved. I had a verbal confirmation of the same too. Nobody wants this school anyway!

OP posts:
Nonameoclue · 05/03/2023 17:20

I've just read that you rejected the original place. My understanding is that you should never do that as the local authority will feel it has fulfilled it's obligations & won't be obliged to offer you another place.

Nonameoclue · 05/03/2023 17:18

I'm no expert but my understanding is that you won't need to prove she is of grammar school material as she has passed the test. It is purely an oversubscription appeal.
You shouldn't run down the school you have been given but find reasons why the preferred school should admit her (things that the preferred school offers that the other one doesn't etc).
I would imagine your qualifications are irrelevant.
These are just my thoughts from what I've read on here. There are lots of experts who can advise you