What to Say in an 11+ Select Review - Bucks

[OneThingAndThenTheNext]

Hi all,
My son got 120 on his recent 11+ test. I was fine with this, we didn't tutor him, he did a couple of pages of workbooks with me for a few weeks before the test but I wasn't expecting him to pass with only that preparation! He would (hopefully) go to the same non-selective as his brother and that was the end of that. So, I wasn't planning on a review, but his headteacher thinks we should, that he's very suited to a grammar school and would do well there - so obviously supportive and will do the paperwork if necessary.

I've looked into it, there were no extenuating circumstances on the day, he just didn't qualify - what if anything can I say for a select review?! Is it worth doing when all I have to offer is "he's actually really clever just missed it by a mark?"

Any help or opinions are much appreciated, thank you.

There is loads of really helpful information on selection reviews on the elevenplusforum website. There is a specific section for Bucks on there. Good luck!

You just have to send all their school reports from reception. Just photocopy them. If they're all exceeding in every year, in maths, writing and reading, he'll get through. You just have to prove he didn't perform up to the standard he is on the day.

RifRafia thanks for this, I’ve had a very fruitful afternoon over there!

I feel the school will have all of that covered, it was more for what I could say - which to be honest I don’t think is a lot, but it’s worth a shot at least I think.

We have been through this, albeit a couple of years back.
You have to be really passionate. If you think it's ok for him to go to the non-selective school and are only going to appeal because the school reccomend it then why bother (that sounds rude...not meant to be....sorry). When we did this it was very stressful and if you are 'ok' with the alternative I'd opt for less stress. In our case, the headteachers was so supportive of our appeal that she turned up at the hearing....the first time she had done it in her x years of headteachership.
Our son went to grammar. Later diagnosed with Aspergers, so an exam was a bit too much for him to demonstrate his ability.

No. - the schools don't cover that. You do. It doesn't matter what passionate literary masterpiece you make up. What matters is his proven academic track record, ie reports.

@Theoldwrinkley
Thats for an appeal. The op is talking about selection review- for which you just click the link and send what they ask, - reports - and the HT fills in a standard form.

If you think he'd flourish it's definitely worth trying.

It's worth applying for the form, then finding out what the headteacher's two numbers are for grammar suitability. If they gave your son a 3&4 (or two 3s or two 4s), then it may count against him. If the head gave him 1s or 2s (or a 1&2), then it's worth a shot.

You don't need to include all reports since reception, just the last couple, but only if he's getting GDS, if he's got mainly EXS then it'll be harder to prove academic ability.

Don't include none academic successes or interests, your aim is to prove academic ability and anything else will detract from that.

Also worth mentioning that the head's score for academic ability, will count for more if they are in a Bucks primary, as they are given before the exam; in out of county schools they are given after. As you said your other DC went to a non selective school, I wonder if your son goes to an out of county primary, as there are no non selectives in Bucks (except Milton Keynes, which doesn't fall under Bucks anyway).

Thanks you - we are in Bucks, I just meant my eldest is not in a grammar school - sorry if I phrased that wrong!

Headteacher has indicated she’ll be putting 1:1, will have to wait to see obviously. I’ve decided it’s worth a shot, and see what happens - will have to dig out reports!

@Theoldwrinkley that’s a fair comment 🤣 I think he’d do great at a grammar, but equally he’ll do great at the non-grammar his brother is at. But, does grammar open up more possibilities? Probably. I really don’t like the system in Bucks, but it is what it is and I’m stuck with it as never moved away, so will make the most of it. I won’t go to appeal, but think the select review is worth a go.

@OneThingAndThenTheNext Firstly the review is for you to put forward your views on why a grammar would be a suitable school. If you truly cannot think of anything to say, I’m rather in the camp of why bother? Most people tend to look at subject choices, (eg MFLs) style of teaching to suit academic ability, PE opportunities, other interests that are catered for more effectively, plus all the academic evidence you can muster: of course. If you don’t have anything, it’s going to be difficult to make a case against those who will go all out for their DC.

120 is a decent mark and he’s so close without tuition. It’s a shame you are ambivalent about backing DS, when the head will, but what does he want? If other DC are at a top performing non selective school, are you happy for him to go there knowing he was so close? Is he happy with that?

I’m assuming you really do know the difference between secondaries and the grammars but, at the margins, not much! Plenty of high achievers go to the secondary schools in Bucks. Many have over 30% high achievers.

I meant to add, the differences are not necessarily academic for the marginal children but you might want to look at sport, art, music, clubs, curriculum and behaviour. Are these what he needs?

For a selection review all you're proving is the child's academic suitability for a grammar and any potential reason for underperformance. With a score of 120, the stats are absolutely in your favour - last year nearly 84% were successful.

The head's recommendation had to be submitted pre-test - she knows what she put and if it was a 1-1, it's in her interests to support you as he was being viewed by the school as one of their most likely children to qualify. They can't give that recommendation lightly as their predictions are noted.

Wrt data, the school's report will have their levels from Y3 onwards - they will be expected to be consistently greater depth unless there's a compelling reason. If they do any other testing such as CATs, higher scores are also worth mentioning as additional evidence.

What strikes me though is that you're not sure why the grammar would suit your son over the non-selective and that's key. What does he want? Is it a single sex or mixed? Does he want to go somewhere different? Where are his friends going? Grammars will expect a MFL to GCSE and most do single sciences. He will have less access to alternatives such as BTECs.

@TizerorFizz is absolutely right, high ability children at non-selective schools get excellent results. What you have to think about is what your child needs. With our 4 dcs, they went to 3 different grammars - for sixth form, two of three changed and the youngest will probably move too.

Good luck!

Secondary 6th forms can have limited subjects. Eg no FM. Few doing sciences.

Although academics are the main criteria, if Dc is a great musician or plays rugby and your grammar is a rugby school, I’d write a sentence saying that! I’d also say if a child was bilingual in a MFL at the grammar but wasn’t offered at the secondary, I’d mention that too. It won’t go against you. However knowing what school suits Dc best is key to making a decision at this stage.

Thank you all for your help - headteacher gave him a 1:1 and we submitted our bit over the weekend. Now we wait!

If DS would like a shot and with the heads grade, you’ve done the best for him.

Good luck!

An update no one asked for or likely wants - the review was successful, we found out yesterday that he will be considered for grammar.

Thank you for the help ❤️

120 should be successful. Glad it worked out. Not sure what you mean about “wants”.

Great news, must be a relief for you!

well done, so pleased that all the stress is worth it.

kindly share what you said to convince the panel? Regards