Support thread for parents of chilldren sitting the transfer test in 2011

flymetothemoon_2

BallyclareMum4 wrote: »

Relieved to find this forum, don't really want to discuss with school mums because of the completion element that is rife in the primary school! Son's result just through the door 96 - have no idea where this puts him or which schools to apply to. I know Ballyclare Secondary only accepts candidates which have them as first choice and don't know if we should try for a grammar school place - any thoughts?
(By the way what do abbrevs ds and dd mean?)

Your son's score would have got him into Ballyclare High or Belfast High or BRA 2 yrs ago. Last year it would have got him into Ballyclare High. If I were you I would definitely try for a grammar as he is clearly good enough. My DD did the AQE last year and her year was always said to have had a higher birth rate which was attributed to the idea of people wanting a 'millenium' baby! If that was true, there may be a drop in the scores needed for some schools this year. Good Luck.

dprovan

Hi, is there anyone else here looking at schools in ballymena? My child is going to be right on the borderline for Ballymena Academy and Slemish with a score of 224. Would be ok for Cambridge House with 101 but I am very concerned by the inspection report which is very concerning.

RikM

This isn't a specific reply to anyone, but I just thought the normal advice bears repeating;
If your child's scores are at all borderline, ignore them. Put down the schools in strict order of preference, because you don't know what scores they will be taking. And they usually aren't allowed to make a decision based on where you put them in the list.

Flower-power22

dprovan wrote: »

Hi, is there anyone else here looking at schools in ballymena? My child is going to be right on the borderline for Ballymena Academy and Slemish with a score of 224. Would be ok for Cambridge House with 101 but I am very concerned by the inspection report which is very concerning.

It's up to you really. Academy don't like any slacking and don't take any nonsense. If your child is unable to keep up I have been told they get left behind!! The teachers teach the subject not the child! Cambridge House has ended up in this situation due to the fact they they were taking C + D pupils to make up their numbers in previous years. Bullying is a major factor at this school. I know of a few pupils both male and female leaving due to this. I don't believe that a new principal has been appointed as yet. Slemish I'm not that impressed with (personal choice). Your child has only a slight chance of getting entry under academic selection. Good luck with your decision. Make the correct choice for your child

dprovan

Flower-power22, thanks, this made me smile:
choice 1: A school that teaches subject and not the child and will leave anyone who can't keep the pace behind.
choice 2: A school that has a major problem with bullying resulting in many children leaving and has failed an inspection because of their poor results in gcses and a levels. The only grammar to have such measures put in place and has no principal
or
choice 3: A school you dont rate and one my child has a slim chance of getting into...
and then you say make the right choice for my child sounds like another town is the right choice...

confused_mummy_3

Could anyone tell me is it possible to get my ds raw mark?? I know with the old system I could my sons actual marks and not standardised score.

Ball_Boy

DD got 115. Massive relief. She is a clever girl and put in a lot of hard work.The stress of it all meant we still had tears today. I really feel for those with difficult choices ahead. Simply put, this system is cruel and wrong.

flymetothemoon_2

Hey Ball Boy :rotfl:

Fantastic news - now you just have to take your pick (of schools)

Enjoy
:beer:

stephenni1971

Bit confused here... The kip McGrath link has Sullivan accepting a lowest score of 100 last year but the Belfast Tele has it as 79???

Son got 101 today and not sure if that's going to be enough for him.

A lot of people are talking about this year being. a lower birth rate therefore schools probably dropping scores to fill places but is there any real basis for this or is it wishful thinking?

kaja_neale

Dd did both tests - got an A in the GL & 116 in the AQE. We are of course delighted! There is not much pressure schools wise with us, as she is at Victoria College prep & will continue to the senior school with her sisters.

It is a relief to have it all over though & I do feel for those who have a few months agonising wait for their choice of school.

Congrats everyone!!