Support thread for parents of pupils sitting AQE exam in November

butterflymum

Has anyone else heard that the Primary schools are being told by DENI to have Transfer Interviews completed on or before 4th February 2011?

more info on page 3 of the following:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/circular_2010-12_-_the_procedure_for_transfer_from_primary_to_post-primary_education_2011-12_pdf_2.62mb.pdf

steveymp

butterflymum wrote: »

Has anyone else heard that the Primary schools are being told by DENI to have Transfer Interviews completed on or before 4th February 2011?

more info on page 3 of the following:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/circular_2010-12_-_the_procedure_for_transfer_from_primary_to_post-primary_education_2011-12_pdf_2.62mb.pdf

Yep our favourite Crack W hore is at it again



Will someone sort this bloody woman out please:mad:

butterflymum

Begs the question, are all parents of children who sat either/both AQE/PPTC tests, supposed then to have a crystal ball? Will we all have to boycott completing the transfer forms (assuming this has to be done, as in past, during the 'interview').....or will we be allowed to take the forms home after the interview, and complete and return them to the school after the results are known (forgive me if I have missed reading which it is likely to be - but I don't recall it saying)? From memory, when it was still the 11+ system, the transfer forms had a section to be signed by the primary principal........so, if parents are allowed to take it home to complete it after 5th February, will the head/principals be allowed to counter sign it after the 5th (and feel free to correct me if there never was a need for the counter signature......the grey matter is being seriously tested with all this ludicracy).

Also begs the obvious question (and I asked myself the same when it was the previous 11+ system), what is the point of the 'interviews' (and what a silly choice of word anyhow), if completion of the forms is the sole responsibility of the parents, other than simply that it is the school who hold the form and the school who forward them to the department of education, so parents have no access to them directly?

And, what is the point of Primary School's receiving the AQE/PPTC test results at same time as parents, if they are not supposed to have anything to do with such results anyhow.......can we ask AQE/PPTC to not bother sending the results to the Primary School?

Oops...rant over.....for now


Edit:

may have found an answer, albeit the circular is directed at schools not parents, as now having had chance to read more of it:
http://www.deni.gov.uk/circular_2010-12_-_the_procedure_for_transfer_from_primary_to_post-primary_education_2011-12_pdf_2.62mb.pdf


I see section 3.11 and 3.12 says 'parents are responsible for ensuring transfer forms.....are submitted on time' and that they are 'returned to the Primary......in good time for them to be submitted to the relevant ELB by 18th February 2011'

So, it does seem that we will be able to take the transfer forms home and return them after the results are received on 5th February.

butterflymum

These are apparently the guidance leaflets that were issued to parents last year....can't see any (yet) for this year, but please someone post them if found. I don't recall (unless it is at the bottom of a schoolbag ) having had any leaflet yet this year.

The first of two leaflets to inform parents about the process of post-primary transfer in 2010 (sent to parents, I think, September 2009)
Getting ready to move from Primary to Post-Primary School - A guide for parents (English) PDF 113KB

A second leaflet with advice on choosing a post-primary school and completing a Transfer Form (sent, I think, December 2009)
Choosing a Post-Primary School - A guide for parents (English) PDF 389KB

The 'Directed at Parents' part of the following, current, DENI page, still seems to only relate to last year:
http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/85-schools/6-admission-and-choice/6-transfer-procedure.htm

Freefromdebt_2

jinnywren wrote: »

My son did the GL assessment yesterday.
He said the English was tricky but doable but the Mathswas extremely easy, most other kids with him saidthe same.
Thank God it's over.
Good Luck to al the AQE folk:beer:

My daughter said the same - just have to wait now until February for results.

facingthefuture

I met a lady who told me her next door neighbours child had applied for Lumen Christi last year after getting an A mark. However, competition was stiff and she didn't get in, as a result of putting Thornhill second, they would not accept her and the girl had to go to a secondary school. I though this was nasty and vindictive of Thornhill. (Schoolsarein derry/Londonderry).

I am dreading making the decision as to what will go on the form. Does anyone know what exact mark last year would have got you in to what school - has it been released? (Any journos....hint hint freedom of info)

Freefromdebt_2

facingthefuture wrote: »

I met a lady who told me her next door neighbours child had applied for Lumen Christi last year after getting an A mark. However, competition was stiff and she didn't get in, as a result of putting Thornhill second, they would not accept her and the girl had to go to a secondary school. I though this was nasty and vindictive of Thornhill. (Schoolsarein derry/Londonderry).

I am dreading making the decision as to what will go on the form. Does anyone know what exact mark last year would have got you in to what school - has it been released? (Any journos....hint hint freedom of info)

We live in the NEELB area and in January we will get a Transfer booklet showing ALL schools in the board area. The information should be contained there. I know that the school my child wants to go to accepted scores of 228 and higher.

BOBS

facingthefuture wrote: »

I met a lady who told me her next door neighbours child had applied for Lumen Christi last year after getting an A mark. However, competition was stiff and she didn't get in, as a result of putting Thornhill second, they would not accept her and the girl had to go to a secondary school. I though this was nasty and vindictive of Thornhill. (Schoolsarein derry/Londonderry).

I am dreading making the decision as to what will go on the form. Does anyone know what exact mark last year would have got you in to what school - has it been released? (Any journos....hint hint freedom of info)

Belfast telegraph listed the results for grammer schools a few weeks back - http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/post-primary-selection/revealed-northern-irelands-grammar-school-entrance-test-lottery-14971040.html

steveymp

facingthefuture wrote: »

I met a lady who told me her next door neighbours child had applied for Lumen Christi last year after getting an A mark. However, competition was stiff and she didn't get in, as a result of putting Thornhill second, they would not accept her and the girl had to go to a secondary school. I though this was nasty and vindictive of Thornhill. (Schoolsarein derry/Londonderry).

I am dreading making the decision as to what will go on the form. Does anyone know what exact mark last year would have got you in to what school - has it been released? (Any journos....hint hint freedom of info)

Have heard several similar stories myself:o Lumen is a VERY good school as the Results prove year after year, competition for places is very competitive and even a top score in the entrance test will not automatically ensure a place. They base selection on score and extra activities taken on by the children, eg Drama, music etc.... and it helps if Daddy is a solicitor or Doctor too apparently:o They only have a limited number of places and they can and do cherry pick their pupils:o

As for Thornhill or St Columbs shunning kids who have them as second preference, thats just crazy, but YES it happens:o

I will have my son down for an Integrated Grammer if his score is suitable or else an Integrated Secondary, the Grammer have told parents face to face that they don't mind being put as second preference:T

WellTestedDad

Just wondering if anyone has any advice for those of us whose little darlings where sitting their 2nd CEA test when the power failed and it was not the fault of the school