Come talk to me about secondary school appeals - this evening please!

[lilolilbethlehem]

Got appeal for DD tomorrow.In summary, she failed 11+, her SATS are above average but not going to blow away the appeals panel. So why are we appealing? We weren't going to, on basis that her SATs marks weren't exceptional. But everyone (her class teacher/head teacher/ friends who are teachers and other educational professionals who know her really well) told us we must because she really should be at a grammar. We agree, but not sure whether the panel will look beyond SATS/11+ results. Any advice please?

Any other strengths-music,drama,sport etc ?

Hi Maddy, thanks for posting. Yes, lots of other strengths, but (having now looked at a website on 11+ appeals)I don't think that will count for much. Unfortunately she was quite a way off the pass mark and I don't think we'll stand a chance.

Check out the 11 plus forum. Hugely experience posters. Look out for Etienne and Sally Anne's posts on the appeals page.
here

Hmmm... experienced

Oh and now I see that you have already looked at an 11 plus forum. Sorry. Time for bed, I think!!

thanks infin. Can't get your link to work - could be my computer. Have found this - is that the same thing (I've got 2 threads going cos realised I should have perhaps put this in secondary)

no problem, it could have been a different one. Thanks for trying to help. I think I need to go to bed too, not sure I'll sleep tho!

Yes...same site. Link works for me..which is amazing as I seem to have made numerous blunders tonight!
Good luck for tomorrow. Do you have a decent alternative available if the appeal is not successful?

good luck for tommorow lil x

How did it go?

thanks all. Will repost what I put on my other thread on this subject after the hearing (which was yesterday.) The panel was very focused on mitigating circumstances, which we didn't really have (one minor point which might have distracted her but not enough to really sound compelling). The school had made it very clear they are after proven academic ability, which we don't have from SATS/11+ etc. So expect it'll be a big no, should hear tomorrow or Friday but not at all optimistic. But good practice for when appealing for our preferred high school (we're out of zone for that school)

Appreciate your support and good wishes, thanks.

appeal was not successful. DD fine about it, she is desperate to go to one of the local high schools - but not the one we are zoned for. So another appeal coming up when the places are allocate March time-ish

forgot to say thanks again to all of you for your support.

Gutting. Good luck with the next appeal.
Do you know what your chances are for the school that dd does want?
I feel I will be doing this all in March myself. Waiting list and appeals.

not sure really. The high school where we are guaranteed a place does not have a great reputation, so DD's fave is extremely over-subscribed. We are only just on the edge of the catchment area. We can prove some proficiency in their specialist area so fingers crossed. It could go either way tbh. She has been fine about not making it into grammar school, she is going to be devastated if she doesn't get in to the high school she wants. It's going to be a long year!!!

Well fingers crossed for you both. Its a long long long wait.
When I rang the LA to see if I could squeeze some information about distances from school they said there was a lot of shifting around after the allocations had been done and to get on any waiting lists for any schools that you would want.
Our parents didnt have this hell did they?

nope, I went to the local comp. No school entry issues at all!

lilolilbethlehem - basically when you appeal for a school place the school will argue that all places have been allocated and that it would be detrimental to the other pupils to accept an extra one. That is the foundation of their case.

So your appeal is based entirely on the reasons why the detrimental effects to your daughter outweigh that concern.

I know a guy who sits on local panels and he says that to swing an appeal you have to override your instincts and play dirty. Turn on the tears - say your daughter can't sleep at night because she is so worried about being sent to a school away from her friends, that sort of thing.

He says more appeals succeed if women are sitting on the panel.

It's totally cynical and only you know whether you can play that game with a clear conscience.

lilolilbethlehem and Unfortunately me - good luck both of you.

thanks!

Thank You too, I have just had my nose buried in the admissions booklet AGAIN. I could probably read it backwards..it tells you what date you have to have an apeeal in by, but it give NO information about what reasons are valid for an appeal.
Sigh, are we STILL in december..March the 2nd is MONTHS away.