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Secondary education

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Original poster

Another appeal one!

9 replies

Iamnotanugget · 01/03/2023 12:22

DC has not got a place at the local grammar. This isn't unexpected as they missed the pass mark for 11+ and local review was unsuccessful. Trying to find out why review was unsuccessful has been impossible other than being told that Y5 report only stated DC was working at greater depth for maths and on target for English (wish I hadn't included the bloody thing now!). There was also a statement from Y6 teacher saying DC working at greater depth for both and a covering letter explaining discrepancy. DC outperformed peers who were successful and had similar Y5 reports, the only other difference being DC had extra time due to dyslexia and potential ASD.

I would like to appeal as I have nothing to lose grammar school offers friends that allocated school doesn't (I know this isn't a good enough reason but I do think he would benefit from being with some people who already know him well). It also offers mixed sex education unlike allocated school and most importantly for me it has a 6th form so DC won't have to change school again after Y11 to do A-levels before changing environment again 2 years later. With Asd DC doesn't like change and if I can avoid this upheaval I would like too. We already have DC at grammar s o know what the workload is like and we're sure that it is still a good fit. Is this a valid reason or am I wasting our time?

Thank you

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 01/03/2023 12:38

Realistically - there really isn't anything there atm.

You have 2 hurdles to cross -

  • firstly, non-qualification. You would need to persuade the panel that even though he didn't get the pass mark, and also failed at local review, he is of grammar ability. So evidence from school of persistent attainment at a high level, and any evidence about why he didn't perform on the day.
  • If you convince on that, then you need to tackle oversubscription - you need to show the detriment to him of not attending is greater than the detriment to the school of taking another pupil. Things like friends, travel, single sex school, sixth form are of very low weight here. Are there any subjects or specialisms the grammar offer that suit him specifically well, for example? Such as, say, they offer 2 languages at GCSE and he is a talented linguist, or they have a very high regarded chess club and he's a chess wizz, etc.
MrsMitford3 · 01/03/2023 12:43

I thought that if they didn't qualify that that appeal process is done separately?

I had friends with DC who had this scenario and they appealed earlier-completely different process-then if they are successful they just go in the pot with other successful applicants for allocation. (Buckinghamshire)

So based on that I can't see how you could be successful at this point?

It is difficult to admit-and I say this gently-but maybe if Dc didn't pass it's not the right place for them?

PatriciaHolm · 01/03/2023 12:48

MrsMitford3 · 01/03/2023 12:43

I thought that if they didn't qualify that that appeal process is done separately?

I had friends with DC who had this scenario and they appealed earlier-completely different process-then if they are successful they just go in the pot with other successful applicants for allocation. (Buckinghamshire)

So based on that I can't see how you could be successful at this point?

It is difficult to admit-and I say this gently-but maybe if Dc didn't pass it's not the right place for them?

In some areas there is a local review, as OP says, which is a review done in the autumn term if a child fails. However it doesn't happen for all 11+ regions. If the child passes review, then yes they go forward into the allocations process with a pass.

Even if they fail review though, a normal appeal can still be heard, as I lay out above. In reality, it can make winning the non-qual part of that appeal harder if they have also failed at the local review stage. But an appeal can still be heard, and it could be won should the convincing evidence be presented.

PanelChair · 01/03/2023 12:53

I agree with PatriciaHolm.

As this is an appeal for a grammar school, there are two hurdles. To overcome the non-qualification you’ll need very persuasive evidence. An unsuccessful local review is not a good omen here. The other things you mention, such as being a co-ed school with a sixth form, come across as being about your preference rather than your child’s needs, so you need to shift the focus into their needs.

No appeal is a waste of time, if it helps you feel you’ve done everything possible for your child, but be realistic about your chances.

Original poster
Iamnotanugget · 01/03/2023 13:00

Thank you, I haven't even mentioned the appeal to DC to avoid getting their hopes up. I am unsure how anything can be framed as a need. I feel a 6th form would help as they wouldn't need to go through a change of school again, which they will if they go to allocated school after they have completed GCSEs. The primary are very supportive and have said they feel that a pass was expected and that DC does work to a grammar school level. They are willing to attend appeal with me to state that. I do know that our chances are exceptionally slim but they are zero if we don't appeal. Just feeling rather sad today

OP posts:
MrsMitford3 · 01/03/2023 13:06

@PatriciaHolm thanks for clarifying-that's why I put that my experience was from Bucks.

Good luck @Iamnotanugget I hope it works out for the best for you and Dc!

SheilaFentiman · 01/03/2023 13:10

“DC outperformed peers who were successful and had similar Y5 reports, the only other difference being DC had extra time due to dyslexia and potential ASD.”

did those peers also go to local review?

Original poster
Iamnotanugget · 01/03/2023 13:13

Shelia yes they did and we're successful

OP posts:
viques · 01/03/2023 20:56

Iamnotanugget · 01/03/2023 13:00

Thank you, I haven't even mentioned the appeal to DC to avoid getting their hopes up. I am unsure how anything can be framed as a need. I feel a 6th form would help as they wouldn't need to go through a change of school again, which they will if they go to allocated school after they have completed GCSEs. The primary are very supportive and have said they feel that a pass was expected and that DC does work to a grammar school level. They are willing to attend appeal with me to state that. I do know that our chances are exceptionally slim but they are zero if we don't appeal. Just feeling rather sad today

I am not an expert , but would have thought that focussing on the sixth form provision is not going to help an appeal. Your child has a lot of learning and maturing to do before they need to be thinking about which sixth form they will attend. I understand it is an issue for you, but don’t think a panel would find it very compelling.

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