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

NW_mum_2

Does anyone know the GL boundary grades this year?

flymetothemoon_2

Mumsicle
I have often thought it would be better if AQE gave a grade A/B/C... rather than a score because the comparisons between scores are just never ending both in P7 and now in my DDs Form I class. All this comparison makes kids with lower scores feel that they're not smart or not good enough. If DDs class had all been given a grade they'd only be comparing A's and B's (which as we all know under the old 11+ system were only separated by 1 mark) so it would not even be a talking point. From what I gather the GL test results are a grade although the boundaries for each grade have been published (perhaps unnecessarily). However I think a grade and a score (GL) is much better than a quintile and a score - which is what AQE issued last yr. Mind you, with enough feedback and pressure from parents I think AQE have already been responding by making changes and perhaps parents should keep this up to improve the system for all.
I sympathise with your point about young children as my own 4 yr old was similar when he started school. He had no interest in anything but playing until P3. To be honest I think the solution is not to force kids to start school at age 4 or even 5. If I'd had any choice in the matter he would not have been sent to school until age 6 and would now be in P2 keeping up with the top group in his class (which has consistently been all girls) rather than in P4 where most of the boys are in the bottom half of the class. His immaturity is still noticeable. It will always be hard to find a perfect age-standardisation system but the need for it would be less if kids could start school when they were ready rather than being forced in at 4 yrs of age - which seems to work against boys in particular. The UK really does need to catch up with other countries where kids don't start school until 6 and 7 yrs old yet end up as well educated as our kids at age 18.

flymetothemoon_2

NW_mum wrote: »

Does anyone know the GL boundary grades this year?

N W mum

According to the Belfast Telegraph they are:

A 234+

B1 229 - 233

B2 224 - 228

C1 219 - 223

C2 213 - 218

D 138 - 212

norvern

Can I ask how many schools you are all putting down? And which schools?

I think we are putting, in order of preference:
Inst
Methody
Wallace
Friends

Not sure of high school yet (!)

Pmum

Novern,

Absolutely go with your preferrences but would you consider sticking another school at the bottom of your list before the High School?

Just as a safety net type thing.

It might be worth putting Campbell down before the High School.

Looking at your list, the thing that springs to mind is that if you were to just miss out on Inst then you have 3 schools which have traditionally had quite high entrance requiremments and so you could be setting up for the High School.

It depends on what you feel is best for your son but I would just be concerned that you don't really have a fall back option on there.

Still feel it is very unlikely that your sons score will not get him into Inst but I might not get him into any of the rest on your list.

Do you see what I'm saying?

Ex-Spendaholic

I would think if you dont get Inst then you have no choice of the other 3 as their cut offs are higher than Inst. What about Wellington is it with in travelling distance?

Charliedevil

Anyone know why this year the letters are coming on a Monday as for the last few years it's been a Saturday!

norvern

Ah, yes, sorry, we are putting Campbell down! I knew there was something missing there...

We were thinking of putting Campbell second. I noticed their intake last year fell by about 30, looking at the number of applications too - it looks like they took nearly all that applied. I might be wrong though. I wonder if the high fees puts people off?

Pmum

Good plan Norvern!

I'm sure the high fees are a put off.

I would think it isn't too sensible to put it above the other schools on your list unless you liked it better as he would definately get in there with his score.

norvern

Thanks.

I do like the school, preferred it to Wallace but we need to see it again to make sure!