Q
If I am not happy with the review decision or I did not request a review, what else can I do?
If your child is not assessed as selective as a result of the Medway Test or the review process, or you did not request a review, you will need to wait until after the allocation of school places on 1 March 2016 before you can lodge an admissions appeal.
You can only appeal for a school if you have been refused admission, so you will need to ensure that your have named Medway grammar schools on your application in order to allow you to appeal for a place after 1 March 2016. The appeal will be heard by an independent appeal panel.You can appeal for more than one school, but they must have been named on your application.
Q
Full details of how to appeal will be included with your child’s school offer letter. Will the appeal panel know if my child has had a review or not?
The panel will be made aware if you have had a review or not. This is because it will affect the way they consider the appeal.
If your child has not been through the review process, the independent appeal panel will consider all the factors you put forward in your appeal case.
Q
What happens if I miss the closing date for Medway Test registration?
Late registrations to sit the Medway Test will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances or for good reason (for example, serious illness, bereavement, late move to the area, etc). A letter explaining the reasons for the late registration must accompany any late registration request. Late registrations for good reason and for families who have just moved into the area will be accepted up until Friday, 7 August 2015. The decision on whether a reason for late registration is acceptable will be at the discretion of the Student Services Management Team. Any late registrations received after the above dates may not be able to be tested until after the allocation of places on 1 March 2016.
Q
Are there any other testing arrangements for Medway secondary schools?
Brompton Academy, Strood Academy and The Robert Napier School require all applicants to sit a Fair Banding Test.
This test is to assess a child’s level of ability and is used to help the school ensure that they admit an all ability intake of pupils. It is not a pass or fail test and is used to ensure that students from across the ability range are admitted. If you are considering naming Brompton Academy, The Robert Napier School or Strood Academy as one of your preferences on your school application, you will need to register your child to enable them to sit the Fair Banding Test. You will need to contact the schools directly for more information. Medway Council is not involved in these Fair Banding Tests.
Fair Banding testing across Medway 2015
If your child has gone through the review process then the independent appeal panel will consider if the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective manner for all children and for your child in particular. Only if they feel there is evidence to prove that the review was not carried out in a fair, consistent and objective manner can they then consider all the factors you put forward in your appeal case that may have affected your child’s performance and why you wish them to attend the school you are appealing for.
Brompton Academy
Saturday ,12 September and Saturday, 17 October
The Robert Napier School Saturday, 5 September and Saturday, 10 October
apply online
Strood Academy
Saturday, 26 September and Saturday, 10 October
Medway Test
Tuesday, 15 and Wednesday, 16 September or Saturday, 19 September
www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions
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