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Original poster

Unsuccessful grammar school appeal

214 replies

Will2 · 03/05/2026 09:21

Good morning all,

I'm looking for further advice from people who have found themselves in this situation, or any advice from ex panel members which may prove beneficial please.

We got the awful news that my we didn't win my son's grammar school appeal on Friday, with my son being devastated.

We felt we put a compelling argument together;however the panel we had must've felt the schools case was heavier considering our of 39 cases only 1 case was upheld!

My main argument was around a rare medical condition he has and how this impacted him on the day of his first test. He scored above the pass mark on his verbal reasoning test but didn't perform to the best of his ability, citing how he was struggling to focus and concentrate which connects to his condition (NHS diagnosis letter of his condition was provided as evidence) - this is the main reason why he didn't achieve the historically high entry score because he achieved a brilliant score in his spatial reasoning test.

We are waiting for feedback; however the panel didn't ask us one single question about his condition during our individual appeal hearing which my wife thought was quite strange. I just thought they must've researched it and understood how this could've affected him.

The other point I felt was strong in our argument, was how our son is musically gifted and what the school we were appealing for could offer him. He has a grade three certification from the trinity college in London (soon to be 4) and this particular school has a recording studio (his allocated school doesn't have this) as well as opportunities to represent the school in this field.

We highlighted other points during our appeal and I'll be honest, I came away from our appeal quite positive, boy was I wrong!

Any advice from this point forward would be much appreciated. I'm waiting on the feedback which I hope will give me closure. Such an awful process to go through. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 03/05/2026 10:04

I’m sorry to say that I don’t think that grade 3 is particularly gifted either. Who’s telling you that they are musically gifted?

Thingcanonlygetbetter · 03/05/2026 10:02

It is awful OP when they have their hearts set on a school and don’t get it.
Can he go on a waiting list, our local Grammar’s would have those. My son’s friend didn’t get a place and was on the waiting list and did get in. My top tip would be - be very nice to the staff of the school when speaking to them. I remember my friend saying that when they rang about their son not getting in the Principal commented that they were the only parents not shouting and giving off that their son didn’t get in. There are only so many spaces and there is a criteria to fill them. Next big up the school he has got. He will make new friends. He may well be average in a Grammar school but could be seen as exceptional in a non grammar so could get more opportunities. I always look at life as a road that is mapped out for you, and teach my kids there are reasons for everything and what is for you won’t go past you. Whatever happens he will be ok.

Clearinguptheclutter · 03/05/2026 10:01

I’m not sure that not going with any friends is a big factor really
yes it makes it less scary on day 1 but the reality for my son was that by the end of the first term he was barely spending any time with primary school friends. The only primary school friend he still sees went to a completely different school!

grade 3 musical instrument is definitely good but not necessarily the “gifted” department.

it’s very disappointing but I’d try not to dwell on that too much to your ds.

awfulapril · 03/05/2026 09:59

you said ' I think that is also playing a part as to why he is feeling so down about going to secondary school and not looking forward to the next stage of his education.'

No YOU are the part as to why he is down! Sorry - but you need to reframe and move on

soundof · 03/05/2026 09:59

musically!

LIZS · 03/05/2026 09:59

Will2 · 03/05/2026 09:39

Thanks for taking time to reply.

The places were given on score, so 242 and above was good enough for a place. Any score below that and no place was offered. My son scored 235, slightly under the pass mark. The catchment area being a 30 mile radius from the school.

We are trying to be positive but the school he has been allocated he doesn't have any friends going there, not was it one of his schools on his preference list ( we only have three to choose in our area). I think that is also playing a part as to why he is feeling so down about going to secondary school and not looking forward to the next stage of his education.

I'm just trying to gauge if his medical condition wasn't even considered, would this warrant further questions as to why it wasn't.

Was there a social or medical criteria on the Admissions policy? It sounds as if allocation was purely on score though. They may have taken the view that even taking that into account he did not meet the threshold. Even in gcses etc you only get a few additional marks for mitigating circumstances if unwell on the day. Is he on any other waiting lists?

awfulapril · 03/05/2026 09:58

Will2 · 03/05/2026 09:39

Thanks for taking time to reply.

The places were given on score, so 242 and above was good enough for a place. Any score below that and no place was offered. My son scored 235, slightly under the pass mark. The catchment area being a 30 mile radius from the school.

We are trying to be positive but the school he has been allocated he doesn't have any friends going there, not was it one of his schools on his preference list ( we only have three to choose in our area). I think that is also playing a part as to why he is feeling so down about going to secondary school and not looking forward to the next stage of his education.

I'm just trying to gauge if his medical condition wasn't even considered, would this warrant further questions as to why it wasn't.

Also parents do not believe that existing friendships in Y7 are irrelevant

the MINUTE they arrive a lot of them are happy to spread their wings and make new pals and being saddled with a mate who won't let that happen is a big theme of year 7

I would say accept the verdict and start getting your son excited for this new stage

soundof · 03/05/2026 09:58

yeah not to brag but my son was grade 7 at that age, its more to do with how early they start lessons. He knew several kids in year 7 who were already grade 8. The truly muscular gifted had achieved that at primary school.

Anyway, im not sure there is anywhere else to go after losing at appeal other than stay on the waiting list for a place.

awfulapril · 03/05/2026 09:57

Also ( as a teacher of over 30 years) better to be a big fish in a small pond than struggling against kids who can pull it out of the bag on the day

awfulapril · 03/05/2026 09:56

I am sure he will be fine at another school. Parents need to be careful how much importance they pass to the kids about this kind of test - seems you might have overloaded your son.
TOTALLY agree that Grade 3 something is pretty average

Smartiepants79 · 03/05/2026 09:54

Grade 3 music at age 11 is not particularly ‘gifted’. The trouble with the medical thing is that it’s pretty difficult to actually prove that this is what caused your son’s scores to slip. The panel can’t possibly know that for a fact.

italianlondongirl · 03/05/2026 09:54

Did you have the chance to talk about his medical condition and make the panel aware?

Did you ask the school where your son scored in relation to other candidates? You say he scored above the pass mark, but the question should have been whether any other child who scored BELOW your child was admitted?

Original poster
Will2 · 03/05/2026 09:39

Thanks for taking time to reply.

The places were given on score, so 242 and above was good enough for a place. Any score below that and no place was offered. My son scored 235, slightly under the pass mark. The catchment area being a 30 mile radius from the school.

We are trying to be positive but the school he has been allocated he doesn't have any friends going there, not was it one of his schools on his preference list ( we only have three to choose in our area). I think that is also playing a part as to why he is feeling so down about going to secondary school and not looking forward to the next stage of his education.

I'm just trying to gauge if his medical condition wasn't even considered, would this warrant further questions as to why it wasn't.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 03/05/2026 09:29

Was this a school where they are admitted only on marks in descending order, or one where there is a pass mark and then other criteria such as catchment, siblings and distance?

I'm not an expert, but I'm not sure if there is anywhere further to go on this as you can only appeal once per academic year for a school, unless you think the appeal process itself didn't follow the rules which doesn't seem to be the case.

So my advice is: Go with the allocated school, talk up its good points, be positive.

Added: There clearly will be a bunch of other bright kids also not going to the grammar if 38 appeals were turned down, so he won't be an outlier at whatever school he goes to, surely?

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