Good luck - 11 transfer Northern Ireland

steveymp

Doggies wrote: »

So how come, all the grammars that I put down for my daughter are non-denominational but yet they only accept AQE, with the exception of Victoria? Its all a bit of a mess. Never should have done away with the 11 plus without something to replace it or some form of fair way to apply to grammar schools. There should have been a vote to let the parents decide if they wanted to keep or do away with grammars.

Bit of a mine field indeed having 2 tests and even worse Victoria accepting both :eek: they are really leaving themselves open to complaints form parents who don't get a place for their child.

I think most mixed grammars went for the AQE but we are getting into Norn Iron sillyness again by saying AQE is one side and GL the other:o Quiet a few pupils at my sons school did both tests and my DS would of also if the GL had been used by any Integrated Grammars in our area.

My prescription is running low, anyone else got some Valium:rotfl:

Doggies

My daughters school did all the work based on AQE, GL was never mentioned. I was going to let my daughter do the GL, but would have been added pressure. Also, none of the schools in my area accept GL, except Victoria which is a bit further away for us and as it takes both, was no point really.

Could both sides of the grammar divide not have came together and done one test? Obviously we are still a divided society.

snowJo

Same here. My son's school was all geared towards AQE exams and not a mention of GL at all.

Steveymp....can I have some of your valium as I don't think I'm going to make it to end of May!!

steveymp

snowJo wrote: »

Same here. My son's school was all geared towards AQE exams and not a mention of GL at all.

Steveymp....can I have some of your valium as I don't think I'm going to make it to end of May!!

Valium or Prozac, I have both;)

If your short a wee measure of Vodka using Night Nurse* as a mixer is brilliant for a restful nights sleep:rotfl:



*I no way endorse the use of Night Nurse as a mixer, if you don't wake up in the morning don't come looking for me:rotfl:

alphaomega_2

Hi everyone, just joined. I was wondering if anyone knows about how the Special Circumstances works. I am applying for this for my son who got C1. The grammar school we want took all B2s last year. The Primary school only gave us scores from P6 and P7, which were lower than GL scores but he came on leaps and bounds from end of P6 (class teacher agrees) and these are not a refection of where he is now. The Primary school principal will not help us any further as it is their 'policy' not to. I have Educational Psychology report stating his IQ and academic ability is very high but I feel his scores in GL depleted due to tragic circumstances around the time of exam. I am hoping he will be upgraded to B2 as he was only one mark off this grade.

alphaomega_2

Sorry, meant to say school gave scores from tests when he was in P5 and P6 (not P7).

Doggies

Hahaha, stevey, vodka and night nurse! What a combination, might work wonders though! I'll be having a few vods on Sat night, first night out in a long time.

Alphaomega, I am using Special Circumstances for my daughter also. She was ill from 15th Nov till after the tests. She got 95. Going by last years results, she would need at least 101 for our first 2 choices, prob 105. I got letter from our doctor to confirm her illness. Also Headmaster was to provide the educational evidence. I'm not sure what information he was supplying. He did tell me her averages in class were 109 for English and 106 for Maths. He agreed that her class scores were better and would forward this on. So, I wanted to know how the schools view S.C. so I emailed one of the Headmistresses. She kindly met me and explained it. Out of 17 Special Cir last year, only a couple of people actually moved up the bands. They work it out in bands of 5, ie 95-100, 105-110 and so on. The most they would ever move anyone is 2 bands up. But she said this is rare. Some of the special circ they get aren't considered as there is not enough evidence, so they go back in the pool. When the decision has been made, the child goes back in with the rest of the position.

Your sons Headmaster sounds very unreasonable and unhelpful. Why would he not be including P7 scores, surely that is what counts and would show improvements that have been made by the child. I think they have to show educational achievements throughout the last few years, but P7 shows the most important reflection of their capabilities. I would question this further.

Pmum

Alphao,

I would phone the schools you are applying to and tell them the problem you are having with the Primary School Head. They might be able to suggest what you do in those circumstances.

Are the schools you are looking at accepting pupils by Grade or by Score?

Pigsmightfly_2

Hi all,
just been nipping in and out every few days incase I missed something,
My son did both tests AQE and GL
GL was never mentioned at all in his primary school,but it was my back-up plan and decision to get him to do it.
He didnt get the marks for his first chosen grammar,but got a B2 ,and only one point of a B1 in GL,so will possibly get into the grammar stream of the intergrated college 13 miles away,
I just wish more Grammars would have excepted both results and he may have stood a better chance of his first choice.
It will seem so unfair if a lot of grammars change their minds next year and take both,it just peeves me off.
Keep the valium and night nurse handy !!!!:mad:

alphaomega_2

Thanks for replies. The Principal will only give results of standardised testing which they do at the end of each academic year, so they have not done P7 yet. She would not give information on class tests before the Transfer. There really is no point in arguing with her, she is not very approachable and other parents have not got anywhere with her over the last few years. I am actually thinking of taking 2 younger children out of the school. The P7 class did 2 practice papers a week and the papers were not sent home for corrections as they did not want to be seen preparing for the Transfer! Don't understand this thinking, you either do or you don't, no point in half doing it. I have sent a copy of the Special Circumstances information to the grammar school and I am going to phone them next week, hopefully the Principal will meet with me. The school I want is going by grade not score.