High School Change Due to GCSE RESULT

[NOSANENE]

Asking on behalf of a friend and hoping to get some advice.
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@prh47bridge*;^@admissions; *@panelchair^;**@tiggytape
I wanted to pick your brains on the school appeal process. I wondered on what grounds an appeal could be upheld by Hertfordshire council. My circumstance is detailed below.
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I have a daughter who was refused 6th form admission as she did not make the entry requirements for her secondary school. She fell short of the requirement by not meeting the required grade for English Language.
However, she suffered from anxiety from when she started to take the GCSE mock exams in Year 10 and Year 11. This led me to ask the school to apply for extra time for her GCSE exams.
The school made me understand the exam board does not grant extra time for anxiety except there is an inherent ability. I then asked them to test her for inherent ability (evidence available) but they did not. When i received the GCSE result and having consulted with a few specialists, i decided to run this test privately. The test shows my daughter has Dyslexia which means she could have been provided with the extra support i initially asked for and this would have made a big difference. In addition to this, she is terrified of flies and she had a case of flies in her English exams which further impacted on her concentration span.

It is also important to let you know that she had counselling sessions to help her with anxiety while in school. She also found it hard settling in school making friends and feeling comfortable around the teachers. In year 8 and Year 10, she had to move forms and class respectively. This was to enable her concentrate on her studies. In addition, due to the grade she had in English the state schools she can apply for are certain colleges where smoking is permitted in school compounds as adults also study there. This environment is causing her more anxiety.

Thank you

It doesn't sound like there is much grounds for appeal, and in fact a fresh start may be a good thing

"I then asked them to test her for inherent ability (evidence available) but they did not. "

Did they just 'not'. Or did they 'refuse'? In writing?

I note that the possibility of a retrospective special consideration application is mentioned up thread. If that is still possible, I would pursue that.

The big question for appeal is whether this is a school or a college. If it is a college, it is not bound by the Admissions Code and your chances of success are slim. You may be able to persuade an appeal panel that your daughter should be admitted since there is reason to believe that she missed out due to the school's refusal to apply for special consideration and the other factors you mention, but there is no guarantee.

If it is a school, the Admissions Code applies. Contrary to what has been said up thread, an appeal panel can force the school to admit a child who has not met the criteria. You can still run the argument about your daughter's grades, but you should also identify the things this school offers her that are not available elsewhere and that are particularly relevant to her. You could mention the smoke-free environment under this heading but try to identify other things too.

OK so I ask again, how many marks off a 5 was she?

Disappointing for her and for you. But this is an opportunity for her to learn to tolerate feeling disappointed and having to change plans due to issues outside her control. It is a horrible feeling but it will pass. Encourage her to believe that she is a bright and capable person who can thrive in a different school or college, and who can learn to manage change. Use your energy to support her in choosing and applying to a different school.

Why does she still want to go somewhere where they didn't support her anxiety, didn't notice her dyslexia, and can't recognise her potential due to one less grade? No. She should move her talents to a new environment and you shouldn't waste your time arguing with them.

Sorry but it sounds like a list of excuses. Are A levels really right for her if she has this much anxiety around exams? If she's thinking about university that is also going to involve exams. She might be better off bro realistic and thinking of an alternative plan