Appealing for Grammar School place

Jellyfish1981 · 07/01/2025 22:54

Hi, how did the appeal go? We are in Warwickshire and crossing fingers for this year.

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 12/03/2024 11:14

Just popping back on to say many, many thanks to all who have commented and offered advice. It's given me loads to think about and really helped me to prepare our case.

OP posts:

LetItGoToRuin · 11/03/2024 14:13

eish · 08/03/2024 07:46

in our area (which is not Warwickshire so I could be wrong), 10 points is quite a lot to miss by, especially as the score was not enough to make the waiting list. There would literally be hundreds of children in that bracket. I know it isn’t what you want to hear but I am not sure that your appeal will be successful.

You are correct, @eish - Warwickshire's score rankings for 2023 entry gives an idea of the number of students achieving each score for the previous year:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/directory-record/7201/2023-entry-on-time-score-rankings

I don't think the OP has shared her DS's score but, based on last year's figures it is likely that something like 200 students who took the test in Warwickshire scored above the OP's DS in the test.

Of course, not all of those students may have been hoping for a place at OP's preferred grammar.

I've found last year's success rates for appeals for Warwickshire schools:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/appeal-outcome-school-placement/4

I know appeals don't rank the students on merit in terms of score, but the above may be of interest.

2023 Entry On-Time Score Rankings - School admissions document library – Warwickshire County Council

Information, policies and guidance on school admissions

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/directory-record/7201/2023-entry-on-time-score-rankings

PatriciaHolm · 08/03/2024 10:27

You said you need to show that “the admissions policy shows it should be your DS who is next in line for admission” which I read as meaning the same thing as the admissions criteria (and presumably so did @PatriciaHolm)

I did indeed. When comparing cases, how they fit the admissions policy is irrelevant.

eish · 08/03/2024 07:46

in our area (which is not Warwickshire so I could be wrong), 10 points is quite a lot to miss by, especially as the score was not enough to make the waiting list. There would literally be hundreds of children in that bracket. I know it isn’t what you want to hear but I am not sure that your appeal will be successful.

ThatBeverleyMacca · 08/03/2024 07:35

ilovebreadsauce · 08/03/2024 07:33

But that is exactly what I said!! I never mentioned criteria, as far as I recall

Show quote history

You said you need to show that “the admissions policy shows it should be your DS who is next in line for admission” which I read as meaning the same thing as the admissions criteria (and presumably so did @PatriciaHolm).

ilovebreadsauce · 08/03/2024 07:33

PatriciaHolm · 07/03/2024 12:59

It is right. I chair Appeals Panels.

If there were multiple children in an appeal that have shown to the panel's satisfaction evidence that they are of grammar standard, and that their cases overall each individually outweigh the school's case, but the panel deem that the school can take some but not take all of them, then the panel must compare the appellants cases and admit those with the strongest cases - the ones where the detriment to the child of not attending is deemed greatest.

This is quite common in appeals, especially for Grammars, where you might get 20+ appeals at a time.

This is done looking at their individual cases, how they fit the admission criteria is not relevant.

But that is exactly what I said!! I never mentioned criteria, as far as I recall

PatriciaHolm · 07/03/2024 12:59

It is right. I chair Appeals Panels.

If there were multiple children in an appeal that have shown to the panel's satisfaction evidence that they are of grammar standard, and that their cases overall each individually outweigh the school's case, but the panel deem that the school can take some but not take all of them, then the panel must compare the appellants cases and admit those with the strongest cases - the ones where the detriment to the child of not attending is deemed greatest.

This is quite common in appeals, especially for Grammars, where you might get 20+ appeals at a time.

This is done looking at their individual cases, how they fit the admission criteria is not relevant.

ilovebreadsauce · 07/03/2024 12:30

PatriciaHolm · 06/03/2024 10:49

No, the third point is not relevant. How he fits the admissions criteria is not relevant unless a mistake has been made.

As I said earlier, OPs appeal needs to show that he is of grammar standard and there are good reasons he failed on the day, and that the prejudice to him of not going is greater than the prejudice to the school of taking another pupil.

Show quote history

I don't think that's right.If there are 5 kids at appeal, who the panel believe are of the standard and should have achieved the score, but only 1 ca n be admitted without detriment to existing offer holders, they would have to choose one?

PatriciaHolm · 06/03/2024 10:49

ilovebreadsauce · 06/03/2024 01:19

You will need to prove 3 things.

1 he is academically suitable ie not being set up to fail

2 the school has the capacity to admit another child, and the benefit to that child of doing so woulld not be outweighed by the detriment to the children already admitted to the year group.

3 that if another child can be admitted without detriment, that the admissions policy shows it should be your ds who is next in line for admission

No, the third point is not relevant. How he fits the admissions criteria is not relevant unless a mistake has been made.

As I said earlier, OPs appeal needs to show that he is of grammar standard and there are good reasons he failed on the day, and that the prejudice to him of not going is greater than the prejudice to the school of taking another pupil.

mfbx5sf3 · 06/03/2024 07:12

I was given a place at our local grammar school on appeal, albeit 20 years ago, due to the fact my mum had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and I needed the support of my two friends who had gotten places.

louisejxxx · 06/03/2024 07:00

Is this South Warks we’re talking about? I think I know which one you mean (previously a performing arts academy about 15 years ago?)

ThatBeverleyMacca · 06/03/2024 06:19

ilovebreadsauce · 06/03/2024 01:19

You will need to prove 3 things.

1 he is academically suitable ie not being set up to fail

2 the school has the capacity to admit another child, and the benefit to that child of doing so woulld not be outweighed by the detriment to the children already admitted to the year group.

3 that if another child can be admitted without detriment, that the admissions policy shows it should be your ds who is next in line for admission

I’m prepared to be corrected here, but I’m not sure that the OP needs to show the third point. If I’ve understood you correctly, then that would mean that only those who were next on the waiting list had any hope in appeals, as they will be next in line in order of the admissions policy. In an appeal, someone who is way down the waiting list (so other children better meet the published admissions criteria) can be admitted if they can show that the detriment to them being admitted is greater than the detriment to the school in admitting them. Apologies if I’ve misunderstood you.

ilovebreadsauce · 06/03/2024 01:19

You will need to prove 3 things.

1 he is academically suitable ie not being set up to fail

2 the school has the capacity to admit another child, and the benefit to that child of doing so woulld not be outweighed by the detriment to the children already admitted to the year group.

3 that if another child can be admitted without detriment, that the admissions policy shows it should be your ds who is next in line for admission

ILickedItSoItsMine · 05/03/2024 09:36

You would have a plausible case if he got strong pass in the other grammar. Then you could show it as an evidence and argue that he was stressed because of the exam environment. But if he has not got enough points to get to any of the schools... I see little chance.
I think realisation is needed that grammar is not the only way to go through life. I know Cambridge English Literature graduate who was several times unemployed for months. Honestly, very quickly in life it is all about experience and not even the university one graduated from not to mention the secondary school

fruity81 · 05/03/2024 09:15

the thing is OP, if he is someone who really does struggle with the pressure of exams, then grammars really won’t be suitable for him. Both mine attend/attended and a lot of pressure on exam results.

ILickedItSoItsMine · 05/03/2024 09:06

Sure OP. As I mentioned there are country grammars and super super selective grammars with huge pressure. Very different schools

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 05/03/2024 09:06

@caffelattetogo Unfortunately we've looked into the local privates and discounts are not sufficient to afford the fees - also, there aren't any jobs in my area of specialism at the moment. Because secondary teachers are subject specialists it obviously reduces the job field quite a bit. But I'll keep looking.

Our plan at the moment is probably to give the first year at high school a go if our appeal is not successful, but continue to search for alternatives in case he is unhappy there.

OP posts:

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 05/03/2024 08:59

@ILickedItSoItsMine I know this school very well and it is not like that. I don't want to go into too much detail this is a well-informed choice based on what is best for our child on an emotional as well as academic level.

OP posts:

caffelattetogo · 04/03/2024 22:25

Would a private school be an option if you taught there? Staff discounts are often quite generous.

ILickedItSoItsMine · 04/03/2024 22:18

ElevenPlusAppeal · 04/03/2024 14:32

Hello. I know there are some very wise and experienced people on these threads, and I'm hoping you may be able to help. I have name-changed for this, as the information I'm about to give is very identifying, but I have been on Mumsnet since DS was born.

We have two grammar schools within our catchment area. DS did not get a high enough score for either, but we're planning to appeal the one that requires the lower score, because it is by far the best fit for him. It's the school I went to, and it helped me - a student whose parents had never been to university - get a place at Oxbridge. It is a kind, nurturing and yet academically rigorous school where we know DS would thrive. Our grounds for appeal are as follows:

A couple of years ago, I had breast cancer just as we entered lockdown. We ended up with an extremely stressful situation of trying to balance home schooling, my chemo, and DH's work (he was a key worker). It was a terrible time but we got through it and thought he was fine - but apparently not. It turns out he goes to pieces in exams, and just absolutely panicked during the 11+. A girl next to him started crying and had to be led out, and that was it - he immediately shut down. It wasn't helped by the fact that the exam was around the same time as my annual mammogram to check for reoccurence, so it was a stressful time anyway.

We obviously feel awful that we've let him down so much and didn't realise how badly he coped with stressful situations like this. Although we did do 11+ prep with him, it was all at home and online with a tutor - so nothing like the stress of an exam hall.

DS has consistently achieved high results throughout his time at school, and has been regarded by all his teachers as a natural fit for grammar school. He's not just high achieving - he also has the intellectual curiosity and focus that's essential for grammar school students. We have letters from three teachers and his tutor attesting to this. We also have a letter from his headteacher, confirming the emotional trauma he's experienced and his academic prowess. And we have a letter from his counsellor at the time of my illness, confirming the trauma he suffered. We've also, since realising what's happened, taken him to another counsellor to see if she can help him with some of his unresolved trauma. I think she would probably be happy to write a letter for us if need be.

I suppose my question is: do we stand any chance at all? And is there anything I can do to improve his chances even a bit? I feel so awful that he is in this situation thanks to my stupid cancer and will do anything at all to make things better.

I personally would not send to grammar school a child who went through trauma. Unless it is a country grammar with acceptance rate of like 24 perc of local kids- more easygoing, nurturing place and not " cut throat" pressure. Here in London grammar means huge stress, fierce competition with genius kids. Anorexia is not rare or self harm, low self esteem and poor mental health. But if that is what people want for their kids...

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 04/03/2024 21:24

Thank you, @FloweryFlump that's very heartening to hear!

OP posts:

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 04/03/2024 21:10

@Postapocalypticcowgirl That's great about drama - I'll give it some more thought. Thank you!

Re: the local high school (we don't have any comps in the county - they're all high schools) I don't want to say too much as this thread is obviously quite identifying and obviously the majority of local children go there.

OP posts:

FloweryFlump · 04/03/2024 21:10

Hi OP,

One of my students missed out by 2 points and successfully appealed based on her exam anxiety. Similar to your son, she went to pieces in the exam and under-performed.

Good luck! Your son sounds lovely

Original poster

ElevenPlusAppeal · 04/03/2024 21:02

@Gobbolinothewitchscat Thank you so much for your response - these are all excellent points and just what I was looking for in terms of identifying potential stumbling blocks. I think we do have answers for some of these - for others I'm going to have to think carefully. But it helps to see where the gaps in our case are.

OP posts: