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

Pmum

Absolutely.

Put it first and read their "Tie breaker" criteria. Put down everything that they mention that applies to your son. Don't assume that they will notice which primary school he is at, if it is on their list put it down.

I would imagine that those 59 boys were a pretty high proportion of the number in that quintile that applied meaning they probably didn't turn too many of that 4th quintile away.

norvern

Thank you!! You are all very reassuring, it really helps me - I am being a real worry wart about it. But I suppose we'll not know til May anyway.

His primary is quite high up in the list of schools for the tie breaker criteria, plus is the eldest child. We will have to do the hard sell at the school when we have an interview with the Head too.

gsurgenor

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could explain what a score of 104 would be in terms of grade/quintile in the current AQE results, given that the maximum seems to be 123/124? How are these calculated, I know they seem to have dispensed with quintiles this year but it would be useful to know.

BallyclareMum4

Think I may be in the running for a nervous breakdown! Have absolutely no idea what to do. DS hadn't a worry over exam or results, he was totally chilled about all of that. He's been in tears several times since the weekend though, stressing over school choice, terrified that if he doesn't get into B'clare high he's going to have to travel to school despite being in walking distance of both B'clare schools! Very cruel of secondary to stipulate first choice criteria.

Charliedevil

This is so nerve wrecking for all parents and kids alike! As my DD had quite a low score I am pushing my luck at a grammar school place! However, it seems everyone is in the same boat, even with scores in the 100's! I have just made the choices 2 grammars and a secondary. I have decided not to tell DD the preferances(even though they were close to hers, just ruling out a silly one!) this will relieve her of any stress or disappointment in may! For now the stress is mine alone to face and hopefully the disappointment won't happen! After all the procedure does state that it is our decision as parents to make the decision!

travellinglight_2

silly question time... does your child attend interiew with head to fill in transfer form?

Also anyone knoe the aqe quintiles that some school use. I have e-mailed aqe but no reply yet. Thanks

Pmum

gsurgenor wrote: »

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could explain what a score of 104 would be in terms of grade/quintile in the current AQE results, given that the maximum seems to be 123/124? How are these calculated, I know they seem to have dispensed with quintiles this year but it would be useful to know.

Can really only compare it to the results last year as we don't have the quintile boundaries for this year.

Last year the boundary between the 2nd and 3rd quintiles was 105-106.

That means that last year 40% of the kids who sat the AQE test scored 106 or more.

Since 100 was the average we know that another 10% of kids scored between 100 and 105.

As far as I can see from the data on the Kip Magrath link, no child with a score of 104 missed out on their first choice school.

Pmum

travellinglight wrote: »

silly question time... does your child attend interiew with head to fill in transfer form?

Also anyone knoe the aqe quintiles that some school use. I have e-mailed aqe but no reply yet. Thanks

I would phone the Grammar school concerned and ask them. Do any schools apart from Inst use the quintiles as groups?

I don't think you bring the kids with you. At least you don't at our Primary. it means you can have a more frank discussion with the head.

Charliedevil

Could someone please post the link to the kip magrath link please.

Pmum

I can't post the link.

You can find it in the first post on page 9.