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Original poster

Is this a good enough reason to appeal if my DD doesn't pass the Grammar test?

20 replies

pinkbubbleGUM · 27/09/2008 18:19

DD is going to be borderline for Grammar. We know that so does she. I am not under any illusions.

Her literacy is strong but her maths are just average.

Was wearing glasses for short sightedness but only mild(.50 in both eyes)

Day of practise test DD told me she couldn't read clock properly. I informed teacher, she said that she would move DD nearer the front for actual test. Nothing more was mentioned.

Then on Monday I got called in to see her teacher, she is concerned about DDs eye sight. She stresses to me to get her eyes checked as soon as possible as she is rather worried. I agree that I will make an appointment.
Just as I was leaving the room, teacher then said, if her eyes have worsened then we can use that as a good appeal for DD in case we need to.

All I can think is surely, that would not be a good reason would it, her eye sight is not affected with close up.

I have got her eyes tested today, and the poor thing - both eyes have gone from being 0.50 to 1.25. The optician advised her to wear her glasses all the time now and not just for working off the board or TV.

So in a nut shell she has been struggling, but it was less than a yr ago I had her eyes tested.

OP posts:
maidamess · 27/09/2008 18:21

I don't think it is grounds . If you had discovered it after she had taken her test...I still don't reckon it would matter.

Original poster
pinkbubbleGUM · 27/09/2008 18:46

Sorry have just re read my OP!

Her 1st eye test was less than a yr ago. The 2nd one was today, a week after all the tests have finished. It was the earliest appointment I could get.

We have discovered it after she had taken her Grammar tests. Plus the Teacher never moved her nearer the front.

OP posts:
maidamess · 27/09/2008 22:24

Well in that case it might be worth a shot...why not, I expect folk have appealed for alot less.

WendyWeber · 27/09/2008 22:32

It could be argued that because her glasses weren't strong enough a) she might have misread some questions & b) she might have wasted some time squinting & refocussing (& c) she might not have been able to use her time as well if she couldn't see the clock)

So yes, if she is a borderline fail & her teacher thinks she could have passed then it would be worth an appeal I'd have thought. Obviously she didn't realise herself that her eyes were deteriorating, & nobody could realistically expect you to realise that they had got so much worse so quickly.

When do you get the results?

Quattrocento · 27/09/2008 22:34

You're working on the basis that grammar is the right solution for your DD - fair enough you know your DD and you know the schools in your area, but I just wondered if you had considered other alternatives?

I mention this because DD's school is a bit of an academic hothouse and the girls who struggle know who they are. This has a tremendously negative effect on their self-confidence. One of DD's friends was counselled out and she had seemed permanently miserable at DD's school and now when we see her she is full of jollity and good stuff.

maidamess · 27/09/2008 22:35

You won't regret appealing. You will only regret NOT appealing.

Original poster
pinkbubbleGUM · 27/09/2008 23:02

That is why I am in a bit of a quandry I think!

DD will be fine in Literacy, no probs! Its her Maths.

I had made up my mind before all this came up about her eye sight, what will be will be!
If she passes she passes and so forth! But now I feel uneasy. I really do not want to short change her.

We find out at the end of October! So at least 4/5 weeks of what if....

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkbubbleGUM · 27/09/2008 23:04

Oh and the other thing is, she is a real worker. If you ask her if she has any homework, she gets it out straight away, never fights and argues over it - not like my elder DD!!!!!

OP posts:
magentadreamer · 27/09/2008 23:35

Did your DD complain about not being able to see the actual papers? or was it the fact she didn't know how long she had to do stuff ie couldn't see the clock? I'm only asking as my DD has a similar prescription but often takes off her glasses to read or do close work.

Hope she does well

LynetteScavo · 27/09/2008 23:40

Apealing couldn't hurt I supose, but I'm 1.25/ 1.5 long sighted and harldy ever wear my glasses.

DS is 5.5/2.5 long sighted and could work perfectly well without glasses.

I suppose it would depend on the sympathy of the apeal panel. (Luckily for you it wont' have me on it. )

SqueakyPop · 28/09/2008 07:24

I would think that appealing is giving DD the message that her best is not good enough.

Freckle · 28/09/2008 07:41

To be honest, if she's a borderline pass, I'd be tempted to look at alternatives anyway. It would be far better for her to be working at the top level in a high school than struggling at the bottom of a grammar.

DS3 has just taken the 11+ and we too are awaiting results. We have secondary school visits this week and next and, depending on how he feels about it, I'm pretty much convinced that, if his result is a borderline pass, we'll send him to the high school. Most of his friends will be going there and he has already said he wants to go to a school where there are girls and the grammar is boys only!

TotalChaos · 28/09/2008 07:52

1.25 short sightedness is still quite mild, so I wouldn't necessary expect the appeal panel to be all that sympathetic. And did she not have a watch?

Quattrocento · 28/09/2008 09:28

That's what I was trying to say Freckle

Twelvelegs · 28/09/2008 09:31

Usually children who get into schools that they shouldn't by merit alone can struggle and this is really damaging for their confidence.

WendyWeber · 28/09/2008 16:30

OTOH I know of plenty of borderline children who scraped in (not on appeal, but because some of those who were originally offered a place took one elsewhere so they moved up the list) but then went on to do at least as well as some of those who sailed in, & sometimes much better.

AbbeyA · 28/09/2008 16:49

It is too early to say how well she would do as a borderline fail. The whole problem with the exam is that it can't sort the ones in the middle.My brother failed at 11, passed at 12 and went into the express high flyer stream at 13! I was a borderline fail, I didn't struggle and did better than many who were an outright pass. It is wrong to sort DCs at such an early age IMO. I would appeal, you have nothing to lose.

NotCod · 28/09/2008 16:54

you need that book abotu how to appeal

Freckle · 28/09/2008 16:59

Yes, WW, I have to say that my niece failed the 11+, got into grammar on appeal and is doing splendidly. I would say that it is not so much ability which should separate children into grammar/high school, but application and work ethic.

Original poster
pinkbubbleGUM · 28/09/2008 21:31

Thanks guys. I guess I might not even need a reason to appeal! She may pass!
TBH, if she fails on only a couple of marks then may be I will try, but if she fails big time - I won't put her through anymore trauma. She has sat both the so called 11+ and in addition the local Grammar test. Apparently she only needs to pass one of the tests to get a place. (the Grammar School mark differently than the 11+)

Have to say, I was really surprised that its a reason to appeal on, because in my eyes She is short sighted and not long sighted!

The reason why we have put her through this is she is desperate to go to this particular school. (I must say I also quite liked it too!)Although its not because her friends will be going as they will probably be going to the other Grammar School.

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