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

rolo1_2

Congratulations to all the children who sat the tests.

We went through this two years ago so know what you are all going through.

Can I just say please please do not try to 2nd guess if score is going to be good enough. Just stick with your school choices is strict order and let the clearing system sort it all out. Even if you think first choice school is out of your reach - Still put it down as first choice, don't be swayed by primary head etc.

The last two years are only marker points, I know parents who 'Assumed' their child had not scored enough to get into 1st Choice and choose their 2nd only to find out later that they would have got 1st choice after all.

You have absolutely nothing to lose

BallyclareMum4

rolo1 wrote: »

Congratulations to all the children who sat the tests.

We went through this two years ago so know what you are all going through.

Can I just say please please do not try to 2nd guess if score is going to be good enough. Just stick with your school choices is strict order and let the clearing system sort it all out. Even if you think first choice school is out of your reach - Still put it down as first choice, don't be swayed by primary head etc.

The last two years are only marker points, I know parents who 'Assumed' their child had not scored enough to get into 1st Choice and choose their 2nd only to find out later that they would have got 1st choice after all.

You have absolutely nothing to lose

Our second choice wont accept if not first choice!!!!!
The system seems very messy, too much rumour and quesswork (especially with border line scores.)
Trust your s/d is happy and content at school.

dprovan

Ballyclare4mum, thank you for the kind words, it is appreciated. I think there will be tears for a day or two and then there will be chat about other matters at least until the end of May.

I came across a wonderful article re state of post primary schools http://www.thedetail.tv/issues/62/educational-achievement/exam-results-show-a-third-of-our-schools-are-failing there is a link to the right of the article (gcse and a level result data for every post primary school... which gives every post primary schools record at gcse and a level. I found this very helpful.

dprovan

Hi can anyone see the belfast telegraph scores for last year I am wondering what score st Louis grammar took last year. I can see that it was 218 the year before.

molly68

BallyclareMum4 wrote: »

My ds got 96, so I've the same dilemma as you. Worried that he won't get into secondary if we take a chance.
Torn between belief (misguided or otherwise) that grammar school offers best opportunities and the hope that he would be at higher end of secondary and perhaps be better off than at the lower end of grammar.

Such a difficult decision. Good luck.

Hi Ballyclare Mum,

Unfortunately we are faced with the choice of one of the very few oversubscribed secondary schools in Northern Ireland as our second choice. I think tomorrow nights meeting will be very telling, I do think that your sons score of 96 should be enough to get him in though, from what I've been told 96 has been admitted the past two years. I think the only chance my son has of being admitted will be due to his sister being at the school but it's probably a slim chance. It's a horrible situation to be in and it's left us more confused than before we got the result. Roll on tomorrow night and hopefully a little clarity!

BOBS

dprovan wrote: »

Hi can anyone see the belfast telegraph scores for last year I am wondering what score st Louis grammar took last year. I can see that it was 218 the year before.

was on radio yesterday that belfast telegraph are going to publish the scores that got into grammar schools last year - some time this week. Should prob appear on website too I would expect.

flymetothemoon_2

molly68 wrote: »

hi flymetothemmon,
Do you know if the lowest score of 96 for Ballyclare high included the 5% pool? my ds got a score of 94, I'm torn between trying for the high school (where his sister goes) or putting the secondary school as first choice.

Molly68

Did you see message 143 (posted by Ball Boy) and then my message 144. These should clarify the position for you. I understand the terrible dilemna for parents who are interested in Ballyclare High but if their child doesn't get in would want Ballyclare Sec and this issue was very much discussed by the Head at Ballyclare High's Info Evening last year. If I were you, I would definitely go and hear what he is saying this year before you make this diffficult decision. Very best of luck.

flymetothemoon_2

dprovan wrote: »

Hi can anyone see the belfast telegraph scores for last year I am wondering what score st Louis grammar took last year. I can see that it was 218 the year before.

Dprovan

St Louis Grammar (Ballymena) intake last year was

80 As, 21 B1s, 12 B2s, 17 C1s, 5 C2s & 5 Ds

Lowest score accepted was 208.

152 applications & 140 admitted.

Hope this is hlepful. I really do feel for you and yours. It's an awful predicament and just highlights how badly we need a better transfer system, this one is horrible.

Very best wishes

P.S. If anyone else needs scores, I have the Bel Tel articles for the past 2 yrs.

dprovan

flymetothe moon, thank you for the information and your wishes. My dd got 224 so if the scores are remotely comparable she should be elligable. I never considered this option until we found ourselves in this position, however st louis achievement record is second to none in ballymena including the academy. My dd would clearly end up beside none of her friends and it would be a huge step/change but something to consider. I know a temp teacher from the school so have left a message to get more info.

I have never even been in the school never mind going to an open evening which i now see was last week. I wonder if i contacted the school whether they would be accomodating.

BOBS

flymetothemoon wrote: »

Dprovan


P.S. If anyone else needs scores, I have the Bel Tel articles for the past 2 yrs.

Yes please - Coleraine High and Coleraine Academical Institution for past 2 years please - really appreciated. Thanks