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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

11 plus support thread 2022

623 replies

PalindromemordnilaP · 23/09/2022 20:35

Anyone else have a DC sitting 11+ this Autumn?

If so, would you like to chat on a support thread?

DD is sitting her exam tomorrow.

Anyone else? Waiting for the results will be nail-biting.

OP posts:
delilahhey · 07/10/2022 12:22

MagnaQuestion · 07/10/2022 08:19

Ours in the south come out next Friday. Or rather they are posted then! So it will be eagerly waiting on Saturday and hoping it's not delayed in the post!

I havent found out exactly if we can appeal based in their usual standard of working. Online when Ive googled Ive seen others appeal but that's different areas where you can appeal if you're a mark or two away.

CSSE?

MavisMonkey · 07/10/2022 13:45

So I got my email. DS didn't pass 😞 he missed out by one point so now debating whether to appeal.

I think we would have some basis for appeal- his test was taken offsite away from his primary school and due to logistical mishaps over ran by 90 minutes. He was supposed to be finished at 11.30 but didn't get out until 1pm. His first words were "that took so long, I felt really stressed and it was hard to concentrate" so maybe there would be grounds? We already lodged a complaint about it with the LA.

Although part of me thinks just move on and be happy in the fact that he will likely be one of the highest performers in the local comp and that might suit him better.

Argh, I though the results would be the end of my agonising but it's not yet! I'm going to speak to his head teacher and see what they advise and go from there.

Aethelfleda · 07/10/2022 14:01

So sorry to hear that Mavis: I don’t know where you live, but take a look at the threads for your area on the elevenplusexams forum…

regions forum threads

and then head to their Appeals section for lots of info and support if you do want to look into appealing.

appeals section.

Aethelfleda · 07/10/2022 14:03

and yes, chat with head teacher as one mark off is so close, if they think he should have passed, can help with appeals etc.

wejammin · 07/10/2022 14:16

@jessieminto I think Urmston grammar have a "soft" appeals process - if they are very close to a pass you can submit evidence from school (yr 5 tests and similar) to show that they are capable, and they may bump you up to a pass. The other grammars don't have this though.
DS's tutor said this may be particularly helpful due to DS's ASD diagnosis as he may have been more adversely affected by test conditions. If your DS is the same it may be worth considering if he just misses a pass.

jessieminto · 07/10/2022 14:57

@MavisMonkey so sorry to hear that.

@wejammin thanks that's good to know. I will start exploring that for if we need it.

MagnaQuestion · 07/10/2022 17:11

Oh Mavis that is soooo close. I am so sorry to hear that.

Yes I'd been reading about appeals for one mark away - we're Dorset though so not too sure they accept that as grounds (not that we have results yet)

Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 07/10/2022 18:11

Oh @MavisMonkey , I'm so sorry he missed out by ONE measly mark! How on earth did they overrun by 90mins?

I wish I knew anything about appeals, to offer advice.

OP posts:
MavisMonkey · 07/10/2022 19:40

Thanks everyone for all the kinds words.

I have been reading up on the appeals process and I spoke to the head teacher and it seems where we are (Bexley, which is on the edge of London and Kent) appeals are nigh on impossible. I'll add him to the reserve list but with 1440 applicants for 180 spaces last year I don't hold much hope.

Argh it's a tricky system! I wish everyone else best of luck and hope you fare better than us.

ElvenDreamer · 07/10/2022 19:50

Tricky system indeed, good luck with potential appeal/waiting list @MavisMonkey .

The agonising wait continues here, as we look round yet more plan Bs!

Well done to your DC @Roomba

Tivadivaz · 07/10/2022 22:40

jessieminto · 07/10/2022 08:14

I've come up with the theory that Trafford results will be out next Friday. It's also the middle of the month and will then give the weekend for parents to get a grip before schools and the council are open again to answer questions.

I really hope you are right, but last year they sat the exam on 13th Sept and results were out on 15th Oct, so that would be a week shorter than last year. The wait is tough. I will be delighted to be wrong!

Aethelfleda · 07/10/2022 23:14

sympathy Mavis, we are Slough/Bucks border and Bucks appeals sometimes are successful, Slough almost never… it’s so variable.

jessieminto · 08/10/2022 09:37

@Tivadivaz My theory is based on last year the advice was results would be mid-October and they came out on Friday 15th October. It gave parents 2 weeks to then complete the entry forms and nominate choices. I can't see them reducing that part of the timeline, they need to give parents a chance to react to results and get our shit in order.

Pengweng · 08/10/2022 15:56

jessieminto · 08/10/2022 09:37

@Tivadivaz My theory is based on last year the advice was results would be mid-October and they came out on Friday 15th October. It gave parents 2 weeks to then complete the entry forms and nominate choices. I can't see them reducing that part of the timeline, they need to give parents a chance to react to results and get our shit in order.

I think they are meant to be received by first class post by the 14th. I hope so as we need to complete the secondary application by the 31st October and I can't wait any more! : ) Though the post has been dodgy for the last few weeks so hopefully this won't impact the results getting delivered.
We are waiting for our twins results. I feel a bit sick thinking about one of them passing and the other not. They were both so close on mocks (2-3% difference) but who knows what happened once they were in there.

Tivadivaz · 08/10/2022 17:42

Pengweng · 08/10/2022 15:56

I think they are meant to be received by first class post by the 14th. I hope so as we need to complete the secondary application by the 31st October and I can't wait any more! : ) Though the post has been dodgy for the last few weeks so hopefully this won't impact the results getting delivered.
We are waiting for our twins results. I feel a bit sick thinking about one of them passing and the other not. They were both so close on mocks (2-3% difference) but who knows what happened once they were in there.

Show quote history

I will keep everything crossed they are here then. The wait is so stressful.

ElvenDreamer · 08/10/2022 20:05

Sounds like the 14th for quite a lot of us in different areas of the country then, very best of luck to everyone waiting. How are those in parts of the country that have to sit a second round faring? Are you on the results wait now too or still waiting for second test to happen?

Raindancer411 · 08/10/2022 20:25

We have had our results in Medway this week just gone...

Raindancer411 · 08/10/2022 20:34

Medway is another one of those where it picks out the top 25% but if you pass (pass was over 488 this year), you are not guaranteed a place at the local grammar.

My son passed and we have now put the local selective school as first and two non selective as fall backs. Now to wait until March to see if he gets a space!!!

Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 08/10/2022 21:35

Congratulations to your son @Raindancer411 do you have an idea as to whether the pass will be sufficient or is it really completely up in the air until March?

OP posts:
Raindancer411 · 08/10/2022 22:15

@PalindromemordnilaP Thank you. I have no clue if the marks have any bearing on how likely you are to get in. Our local criteria is all based on looked after children, children with parents on low incomes, medical grounds, then siblings and distance last. I think it's going to be up in the air until March!!

ElvenDreamer · 09/10/2022 09:00

@Raindancer411 is it worth a browse on the 11+ forum for your area to see if you can gauge any info on scores? In our are we get sent a sheet with stats on the last 3 years so you can at least roughly gauge if you are likely to be high enough. A 'pass' is definitely nowhere near enough but the sheets help a little to understand what you're chances may be. Well done to your son, at least you can put it down as your first choice, doesn't help the waiting feeling though!

MagnaQuestion · 09/10/2022 11:38

I'm thinking about Saturday and trying to plan for if she doesn't get in. I know she'll be really upset and don't want to minimise that but also want to make her feel good and not like she's "failed" ... I can big up the other school but obviously it's second choice...

Also going into school Monday when the others are talking about getting in...

Anyone else have ideas. (Obviously if she passes won't need to worry!)

Original poster
PalindromemordnilaP · 09/10/2022 13:01

@MagnaQuestion I have the same concern, but unfortunately don't really have any advice!

OP posts:
ElvenDreamer · 09/10/2022 13:24

We have a bit of a mantra in our house that it's us trying out the schools, not the other way round, so if you don't get in it means the school is not right for you, not that you're not good enough. May help maybe?

MagnaQuestion · 09/10/2022 15:37

Thing is the school would SO suit her as we have a sibling there . And she's excelled at school /mocks so we know she can be of the level to get in, just may have fallen at the final hurdle.

The other school just isn't as good. But she would be "fine" there..