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Original poster

Sen 11+ application - extra time not given

30 replies

Nobodyknew2022 · 14/09/2024 21:14

My son sat the 11+ on 4/9, but only asked me tonight why they didn’t get the extra time they were supposed to in the exam.

I’ve emailed the school to ask about this - the letter from them said he would get 25% extra time in maths, vr and English. There were 4x 30 minute tests - so should have had 37.5mins in each.

Does anyone have any idea what would happen in this situation. He obviously doesn’t want to have to sit the exam again, but also I don’t want him to suffer for not having the extra marks that extra time could have gained him.

OP posts:
modgepodge · 15/09/2024 08:19

Was he in the exam hall with the other children or in a separate area? When I administered 11+ for a child who gets extra time it was done in a separate room as the main exam is done via a sound track which is played and has set 30min intervals so can’t be adjusted. Could it be all the additional time kids were together and therefore he didn’t realise he did have the extra time, just everyone he saw did?

if not, to be honest, it would put me off sending him to this school. If they can’t be bothered to get this right now, how good will they be at making adjustments for his SEN in the classroom and for his GCSEs and so on? Wouldn’t fill me with confidence.

yoshiblue · 15/09/2024 08:16

You will have a strong case for appeal. My friend successfully appealed several years ago when her dyslexic daughter didn't get 25% extra time. You would need to also have evidence from school about his general levels, but serious case of them fcking up.

I would contact the school though, as have they realised they didn't give him the extra time? You need to get it logged as an issue now while it's fresh in peoples minds.

Original poster
Nobodyknew2022 · 15/09/2024 08:12

@MeanLeanRunnerbean - I’m sorry to hear that. It’s not a great situation, is it? And appealing is stressful and time consuming. How did you find out that your daughter didn’t get the extra time? Were the school apologetic about the mistake? I hope the school they ended up in was a good one for them. 🤞

I’d like to hope his performance wasn’t affected… but I know he’ll have been listening to the other kids being told the get the extra time and waiting to be told he would … then wondering why he wasn’t… so it may well have impacted!

We only have a choice of two grammar schools and this should have been the easier back up one, though may not be this year with the vat issues causing double the number of applicants. I just hope this timing issue doesn’t totally ruin the chances.

OP posts:
MeanLeanRunnerbean · 14/09/2024 22:59

Hi, my DD had the same at one of the schools she sat for. I was advised that if she didn't pass/wasn't offered a place we could then appeal and mention it in the appeal. I was a bit peeved as it unsettled her (she is very rule driven/doesn't find it easy to deviate from a plan so it felt like quite a disadvantage) and it was one of the factors that made us decide against that school.

Original poster
Nobodyknew2022 · 14/09/2024 21:19

@Prh47bridge - i hope it’s ok to tag you in, I’ve seen you give great advice in the past.

OP posts: