Good luck - 11 transfer Northern Ireland

Doggies

RikM, My daughters primary school in Lisburn has been really supportive the whole way, from the start of P7, even the end of P6. They did loads of practise tests etc in school and all children were encouraged to sit the tests. There were only 2 in her large class that didn't sit the test. The results were excellent. A great teacher and a great school. They have went against the lovely Catriona every step of the way. Will be so sad to see her leaving here.

facingthefuture

Doggies I would remove the location of the school so it cannot be attacked by the horrid CR. Glad to hear there are some schools out these who are dedicated to teaching to a high level despite the threats.

butterflymum

Doggies wrote: »

RikM, My daughters primary school in Lisburn has been really supportive the whole way, from the start of P7, even the end of P6. They did loads of practise tests etc in school and all children were encouraged to sit the tests. There were only 2 in her large class that didn't sit the test. The results were excellent. A great teacher and a great school. They have went against the lovely Catriona every step of the way. Will be so sad to see her leaving here.

Good job you said 'daughter' or I may have thought you were the friend I was chatting to last night who said almost word for word the same in relation to her son ...sounds like he and your daughter go to same school.

Doggies

Facingthefuture, there are so many primary schools in Lisburn she would never have a clue where my daughter goes. She's a big joke that woman. I turn the tv over if she is ever on. Not in total agreement with the 11 plus and the pressure it puts on kids, but to get rid of it with no alternative and no plan, she should be prosecuted!!! Witch.

facingthefuture

I am envious but our head is very nice but scared! He said a child that would have gone through the school a couple of years ago would have got an A, the same child going through now, because they cannot teach them "to" the exam would get a C. He was right. The only children who got an A (4 boys 1 girl) were tutored. I find that sickening.CR is actually making a system that discriminates against children whose parents could not fund this extra tuition.( I do not know how many of the children with other scores were tutored.)

Doggies

Facingthefuture, I know. She is wanting a fairer system, but in itself she is discriminating against an awful lot of kids. I was lucky that our school was supportive, but I know so many other kids that didn't even do the test as the work wasn't being taught in the class. I would have been upset had that been our situation. They can't all be clever and go to the best schools but they all deserve the same chances should they want them.
My wee girl had a tutor for a while, but I think she would have needed it regardless of the test. Her Maths had been a big struggle the last few years. I think no matter what school she gets into she will need help with it. I myself had a rotten GCSE Maths teacher who picked on me as I was weak and hopeless at it. I got a U in my mock and my mum sent me to a tutor for 2 months. We didn't have much money, so it was a big thing for her at the time. 8 hours of a tutor and a bit of confidence building and I got a B in my exam. I was so so happy to prove to that teacher that I wasn't thick. So I guess I didn't want missy to feel like I did. She has never been top of the class and has to work so hard for every result. Makes me a happy mummy.x

Martin_Chambers

facingthefuture wrote: »

I am envious but our head is very nice but scared! He said a child that would have gone through the school a couple of years ago would have got an A, the same child going through now, because they cannot teach them "to" the exam would get a C. He was right. The only children who got an A (4 boys 1 girl) were tutored. I find that sickening.CR is actually making a system that discriminates against children whose parents could not fund this extra tuition.( I do not know how many of the children with other scores were tutored.)

Facingthefuture seems to be providing the weakest excuse note I have ever read on behalf of primary heads and teachers for what appears to be their admitted failure to teach numeracy and literacy in primary school. It is not Ruane's fault that teachers fail to teach it is the sole professional responsibility of the teacher. The AQE and GLA tests are tests of numeracy and literacy. Of course he fails to point out the paradox of the tutoring complaint, i.e. that it is the very same teachers who fail to teach in the classroom during the day who profit by teaching the subjects to the same children outside of school for additional reward. Stop blaming the Minister and start putting the accountability where it belongs - with poor teachers (excuse the pun)

Martin_Chambers

Awec wrote: »

I fail to see the issue Martin. An A is an A, a B is a B. Whether you are 1 mark inside the boundary for an A or 20 marks inside it makes no difference at all.

If you don't like the system you're in for a long, rocky road. GCSE's, AS and A levels all use grading.

Grades remove information - why would you support the removal of information when this forum is replete with parents seeking information?
You have a lot to learn about test theory and practice. How many international standards of validity and reliability do each of the GL Assessment and AQE tests meet? Let's start with the specification?

facingthefuture

Martin_Chambers wrote: »

Facingthefuture seems to be providing the weakest excuse note I have ever read on behalf of primary heads and teachers for what appears to be their admitted failure to teach numeracy and literacy in primary school. It is not Ruane's fault that teachers fail to teach it is the sole professional responsibility of the teacher. The AQE and GLA tests are tests of numeracy and literacy. Of course he fails to point out the paradox of the tutoring complaint, i.e. that it is the very same teachers who fail to teach in the classroom during the day who profit by teaching the subjects to the same children outside of school for additional reward. Stop blaming the Minister and start putting the accountability where it belongs - with poor teachers (excuse the pun)

I think it is totally unacceptable that certain teachers fail to do their job unless they have to prove their worth by an exam such as the 11+. It (this lack of a system)is an excuse for laziness on the part of certain teachers but it is a fact of life, if we don't have goals and a way of monitoring achievement then performance is simply weaker.Other teachers are still managing to do their job and teach all their class well...how we deal with weak teaching is a whole debate in itself. The minister is obviously to blame since her role is Minister for education....surely she has to accept responsibility for something she has done in life?

Martin_Chambers

facingthefuture wrote: »

I think it is totally unacceptable that certain teachers fail to do their job unless they have to prove their worth by an exam such as the 11+. It (this lack of a system)is an excuse for laziness on the part of certain teachers but it is a fact of life, if we don't have goals and a way of monitoring achievement then performance is simply weaker.Other teachers are still managing to do their job and teach all their class well...how we deal with weak teaching is a whole debate in itself. The minister is obviously to blame since her role is Minister for education....surely she has to accept responsibility for something she has done in life?

Caitriona Ruane is not a teaching professional she is a retired professional tennis player. Only teachers can be held to account for their professional actions. (another story).

I am glad that you too find it unacceptable that teachers no longer have to provide evidence of their effectiveness. The goal of removing accountability for their unions and members (teachers) - the removal of ALL TESTING - has been behind the shift to an absence of objective measuring in assessment (120 v 118 v 97 or 71% 75% 84% with class median 56% etc). In schools today there is assessment FOR learning, not assessment OF learning. It was principals and teachers that signed up to this change and many drove it enthusiastically on behalf of CCEA.
It will only be the voice of parents that will change the direction of teaching. No principal or teacher has spoken out in public to defend the right of pupils to be taught.
Instead they offer excuses for promoting private tuition in an admission that they have refused or failed to teach instead of battling against harmful changes to the curriculum and assessment arrangements. Parents must know that there is only one private school in N.I. All others are paid out of your taxes. If you were getting lousy health service you would not accept it - why do you do so in education?