While key stage 2 Sats results at my school were above national averages, we were disappointed by many children’s scores in writing, particularly in the “short writing paper”. Fortunately, we had a former member of staff who had acted as a KS2 English marker this year. She advised us that there were grounds for appeal in 15 cases. She prepared the appeals, which we sent off before the due date.

When the results of the appeals came, not a single child had received any change in marks. We were left with no change in levels, our level 5 English results below our targets, demoralised Year 6 teachers and an invoice from the National Assessment Agency for pound;97.50.

If the marker who prepared the appeals had been assessing the papers, all 15 appeals would have been upheld and we would have had 15 extra levels 4 and 5 in writing, level 5 English results above our targets, ecstatic Year 6 teachers and no invoices from the agency.

Can we put in a special request for our English marker for 2009? We know a really good one who lives at least six miles from our school.

Trevor Stevenson, Chair of governors, Weston Coyney Junior School, Stoke- on-Trent, Staffordshire.