any chance

[threehearts]

This is my first time on the forum, advice on this website is fantastic.I have a question about secondary schools appeals.We have just found out that DD got a place in very low achieving,rough and a very far school. She did not get in a grammer ,around the test time family had to deal with a tricky situation at home so she did not perform well.We do not want to sent her to that school and want to appeal against the first two school of top choice.Can anyone advice what are our chances,first school nearest catholic school,secnd a girls school just a 15 min bus journey.She is on a waiting list for a private aswell.Very stressfull at the moment.Thanks.

Can you appeal to the Grammar school? My DD has a friend in her class who got in on appeal - I gather not many people appeal but they have to keep some places open for possible appeals so (DD's school anyway) appeals are often successful (get primary schools back up that your DD was expected to pass)

But I have to say don't just choose by academic results - check pastoral care reputation - DD's school very high on legue tables, not so hot on welfare of pupils :(

What were the reasons for not getting places at the girls school and catholic school?

Hello.

Appeals for grammar schools are outside my experience - the boroughs in which I chair appeals don't have grammars - but my understanding is that there are two elements. First, you can apply to have the entrance test remarked. You may need to get the school to start that process - ask the school for advice. Second, you can appeal for a place at the grammar school, but this is unlikely to succeed unless you can convince the panel that your daughter would have got a high enough mark in the test to put her at least on a par with the pupils who did get places.

As I understand it, schools get 11+ results (I'm assuming you're in an 11+ area) before pupils and parents do and do challenge results that they think are out of line with expectations. Have the school done this on your daughter's behalf? Have they said anything to suggest that they expected your daughter to get a place at the grammar school? I can understand your disappointment, but if you are trying to get your daughter's test remarked and her score increased to take account of the family problems she was experiencing, I doubt you'll get very far without the school supporting your case.

One of the other appeal experts can probably offer more useful advice about grammar school appeals.

Your chances may be better of winning an appeal at the other school, where (I assume) you don't have to deal with all the additional issues about passing a test. You need to remember that you are appealing for your preferred school(s), not appealing against the one you don't like. The fact that your allocated school is lower-achieving than the ones you prefer isn't grounds for appeal. You need to identify things about the preferred school(s) that would particularly benefit your daughter and aren't available at the preferred school.

If you object to the allocated school on the grounds that it is 'rough' this won't cut any ice at appeal - it isn't something that any panel can take into consideration - and may antagonise the panel. For all you know, their children attend that school. You won't lose an appeal just because the panel dislike you, but you need to win them over, to the extent that they give you the benefit of any lingering doubt.