What do I say at appeal?

[Whereisegg]

I posted earlier this year regarding my surprise that dd failed the 11+ (I know, I know).

Anyway, her class teacher and head teacher agree and have agreed to support our appeal, and the head teacher also said she knows the grammar has spaces.

This is all great news but has given me The Fear that the only person that can now muck this up is me

Does anyone have any advice for me please?

How can there be places when they haven't been allocated yet?

Primary head said that she knew there were places, I didn't think to question her on how she knew.

So, um, I don't really know.

The only way the head can know at this stage is if not enough applicants passed the test to fill all the available places.

Given that offers have not yet been made I presume this is an appeal against your daughter's 11+ result rather than an ordinary admissions appeal. If that is the case you need to convince your panel that your daughter is of the required academic standard to go to grammar school. It will help if you can explain her underperformance in the test.

Make sure you have notes listing all the points you want to make so that you don't miss anything. Highlight the evidence from her teachers and anything else you can produce to show she is of the required standard. For example, do the NC levels in her school reports show that she is ahead of the expected level. Be prepared to answer questions. You may be asked to briefly sum up your case so be prepared for that.

OP have you looked at the elevenplusexams website - they have appeals threads on there and a lot of advice.

That's excellent, thankyou!

She scored brilliantly in all practice papers, and top of her year in the practice sats they have done already.
Her teachers said she was at level 5 in first parents evening, so early October?

I know people say it all the time, but we were all really shocked at her results.

x-post rein, I'll do that, thanks.

If they don't think she's 'suitable' then fine, but I just don't want it to be because I made a hash of it!

Is it super or normal grammar?

Erm, normal I think.
I've never heard anyone describe it as a Super Grammar!

Meant superselective.

Just normal I believe...

I thought there was only one kind tbh, where I'm from there isn't grammar schools.
As if you couldn't tell

If she's failed the test, regardless of previous scores, are you sure a grammar school is the best place for her? If the underperformance is because she couldn't cope with the pressure this might not be a great plan.

I totally get what you're saying, but I really do.

I would not dream of appealing if her teacher didn't think it was the best place for her either, it was our first question.

I know of at least one local grammar (and I'd lay money on another one being in the same situation) which will not be filled on the day that school places are given out.

In my DD's class, the child she considers to be the brightest failed her 11+, and only got a grammar school place on appeal. The thing about an appeal is, it has to show the child's ability as a whole, and it's not based on a couple of highly stressful days. If they're really not up to grammar standards, it's unlikely an appeal will be successful - irrespective of the places available.

In short, I'd appeal.... it won't commit you to anything anyway. But please make sure you've already accepted the non-grammar place before the appeal.

More wise words and advice taken on board, thank you

I think reading the OP that this is not about a referral on the basis of the 11+ tests were not a true reflection of child's ability, it is actually about a school admission appeal. The reason i say this is that the 11+ and appeals should have been completed before the cut off date for preferences, so that you knew before the cutoff date whether child is of a standard appropriate for a grammar school.
If it is a school admission appeal then from experience of many grammar school appeals the panel will truly have to be convinced by the data to allow the appeal. There are usually lots of appeals and every one thinks their child is of a grammar school standard and frankly many are not in my opinion. You need to get as much information of the school as possible about the progress your child has made and I am talking about their KS1 results onwards as a starting point for the appeal.
Can you mess up the appeal? No is the simple answer the panel will be well used to parents who are on edge, crying and generally not coping well in the appeal. It comes with the job. What is important is the data. I would also say that it would be good to get the alternative preference school organised and your child in a frame of mind to be going to that school. That is do no tell them about the appeal. If, which is quite likely,it does not succeed then the worst possible scenario is that you child is hurt twice by not getting into the grammar school, if they are aware of the appeal.
Please also understand that when the head teacher says they know the grammar have spare places that this does not matter at appeal. The school admission criteria is initially about passing the test and the school does not have to take up to the PAN as other schools do if they do not meet the required academic standard. The appeal panel will not admit up to the PAN they will only admit those that they think really do meet the academic standard.

Excellent post admission, I appreciate it