Grammar School

[user1478197457]

Hello
My 10 year old daughter was a bright girl until December 2015. I never got her tuition but she was very quick and accurate on bond papers.I was very optimistic about her going into grammar school.
But then in December 2015 she diagnosed with Leukaemia. Since then she only attended school for not more then 10 to 15 days. She gone through intensive chemotherapy, high doses of steroids and antibiotics. her wait increased from 39 to 52 kg in 9 months and her concentration level gone down.
She appeared this year in 11+ exam. she was discharged from hospital a week before and admitted again next day of exam. I had filled the medical form but they only offered her seperate seating to avoid infection. She scored 177 which was 23 marks below the last year intake.
Her consultant oncologist said that she had done great as on basis of her condition, she was not expecting her to score 100.
Is it worth to appeal????

What does she want to do?

I don't know anything about grammar school appeals but your DD is amazing having conquered so much. I hope she knows how amazing she is.

I would look at it this way. Yes it's worth appealing. If the appeal fails it is because the school I'd run by heartless bastards who have no idea how much perseverance and hard work has been demonstrated by your DD to achieve what she has. If that is the case then you don't want her to go there anyway. If they are intelligent and caring enough to realise that she scoring 177 after what she has gone through means she is way brighter than any kid who scored 200 without having to cope with anything else.

I'd is an autocorrect fail for is

I agree with itly

So sorry to hear about your daughter's illness, it must be really hard for both of you. I know nothing of the process but from a purely personal point of view, yes I would appeal if I had the energy. This is assuming that you believe that the grammar is the best place for your girl.
This would depend on the school in question and the alternatives.
I would consider if a heavily pressurised environment is the best place for DD and it could be that a school with a wider ability range and a more flexible attitude would suit better.
I am making assumptions about the schools here which may be completely wrong, only you know this.
I wish your girl a speedy recovery.

thanks to all for encouragement. yes she wants to get into grammar school as her elder brother is an ex grammarian she is very disappointed with her result although we are reassuring her that she has done a great job and as she is recovering by grace of Almighty and now on maintenance therapy, we want her to go there. Her oncologist nurse have given us a supporting letter and I am a appealing tommorow.

Yes, if she and you want this school, I would say appeal!

Get specialist advice. It may be that the school's admission experts on this site can help. They include PanelChair, Admission and TiggyTape. You may need to provide specific and detailed evidence. For example a detailed letter from her consultant describing the effect of her treatment and it's level of impact on her thinking, quick thinking, mental stamina etc. also confirming that this is a temporary effect and he is confident she will regain her abolities. Also a report from her teacher possibly with her expected SATS levels pre her illness and opinion / evidence on her ability.

Is this for a 'regular grammar' in a grammar area , or a super selective on a comprehensive area?

So sorry she is going through this: her illness should not be allowed to rob her of choices.

Good luck.

Do you have to appeal tomorrow? Or just lodge that you wish to appeal? Get all your evidence ready. Honestly I would start a thread to attract the expert help: a thread called 'admission experts please help; appeal for child with serious illness'

Oh, and prh47bridge, another top admissions expert.

The test was for admission in Grammar schools in Birmingham. There is no deadline for appeal. I am just thinking its a bit late. We got result on 16/10 and already submitted LEA form. Though cancer specialist nurse in her letter has explained in detail that how her abilities are affected But yes you are right I need to collect more evidences and supporting letter from school.

It may be that you can give notice that you are appealing and then send the evidence on.

I would have thought a letter from her school about her ability would be good, so hopefully you can get that v quickly.

Did you list the grammar school on your form?

I think you should revisit the schools and see what support they offer while she is still having treatment.

I would also look in to transfer at 13 if a non grammar offers better support right now.

Have a look at this forum. They seem quite clued up on the appeals process for some areas and they may be able to help with regards to preparing for the appeal.

www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=35&sid=dea9c0060ac0579a9e9c0b389d5056fa

I was also going to suggest the elevenplus website. If you look, there is a Forum page which takes you to the various regions, there is a forum a bit like this dedicated to Birmingham so you'll get some school-specific information.

Then there is another section called Appeals and a number of really knowledgable people who can give general advice. They also have a private message box where you can provide information specifically about your daughter and her case, and they will give you advice about how best to present your appeal, the timings and what to do.

Best wishes to you and your daugher.

Be aware, though, that some grammar schools are very high pressure and not brilliant pastorally. Your dd may well thrive somewhere where she can pace herself, and not feel obliged to be a high flier all the time.........

Don't forget many grammar schools have a sixth form entry as well, she may yet be a grammarian.Best of luck.

"Grammarian"? Honestly?

Also bear in mind, some grammars are exceptional regarding special needs and pastoral support. You can't generalise, it's like everything else in education, it depends 100% on the school itself, regardless of whether it's a comp, private or grammar.

Agree with badbad

You did notice my use of the word "some", didn't you, badbad?

But it's pointless saying that Bertrand. There are schools whose pastoral care is crap irrespective of their intake, so you may as well say "beware, some schools have a lot of pressure and poor pastoral care".

Grammar schools are by definition high pressure places. That is their raison d'etre.

They are also places which often have little experience in dealing with children who have additional needs or who need pastoral support -simply because they don't have many kids needing it.

Of course not all grammar schools fit that image. But it is more likely that they will than non grammar schools will- simply by force of circumstance. Not a criticism-just a statement. And something the OP really needs to rake into consideration.

Hmm In our area they are very clear that by bringing your child to the exam you are certifying they are fit and well, otherwise they stay away and sit it in the future when they are fit .What do the specific instructions in your area say?
23 marks below the pass mark is a big fail.Sorry to be harsh but I would not expect your DDs condition to make that much difference to a candidate of grammar school calibre .
Perhaps if the school had evidence that your DD was more academically able than some who had passed, well that might be worth a try?