Grammar school appeal

Your appeal would be requesting that your DC be offered a seat instead of another child who has passed the test. On the face of it this sounds unfair unless you have extremely good grounds.

I have appealed a particular grammar school where my DD passed the exam and yet missed out a seat as she was a few marks below the last scoring child who was given a seat. I provided information about her past results as well as the fact that her SEN adjustments had not been applied correctly in the exam - thereby proving that if they had been correctly applied she did have the aptitude to score a few more marks and would've made the cut.
Our appeal was unsuccessful as they were not convinced that she would've scored more. It's quite a difficult thing to convince the panel on.

This was a highly super selective over subscribed school. You have a better chance if yours is a selective and not oversubscribed school.

Having gone through the process in Kent myself a few years ago... providing evidence of suitability for grammar is key- current test results (e.g mock SATS, CATS), reference from class teacher/head saying they think your child is suitable, the panel will want to know of any reasons why your child underperformed on the day.

Depending on your area/school applied for it will be a much easier task if the grammar has places and nearly impossible if it doesn't as you will be appealing alongside anyone who passed and didn't get in.

Sorry, i'm not sure whether you mean your child didn't pass or did? It seems that they missed by a few points?

If they failed, then your appeal needs to address 2 points -

• underqualification -you need to show that your child is of grammar ability. Evidence from school in terms of latest results, consistent reports, etc. Was there any solid reason you can evidence they might have underperformed? If they passed ignore this bit ;-)

• oversubscription - you need to show that the detriment to the school of taking another pupil is outweighed by the detriment to the child of not attending.

Don't try to show how the school will benefit from the child -that's not relevant. Nor are wider comments about it's a better school, their prospects will be better - they are generic and apply to all children. Panels know parents want grammar schools because they are more academic. It's not relevant to a specific child's needs.

What you need to show is why this specific school meets their needs - are there languages, clubs, specialist provision that meet their specific needs? It all needs to be relevant to your child in particular.

I recommend the appeals section of the 11 plus forum for this. There is some 'start here' essential reading on there which might answer your questions, but if not, you can post with some specifics.

11 Plus Appeals