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

BOBS

Freefromdebt wrote: »

I know that the population has been falling generally in the last few years. Does anyone know if the trend is set to continue for the next few years ?
Just curious and have a daughter in P6.

someone told me that that is a really high birth rate year

aqeworrier

The birth rates were falling but are now apparently on the increase again but if you have a child in P6 they are in the lower birth rate category, ie born 2001/2002.

This table shows the birth rates per year - hope this helps!
http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/births2005.pdf

aqeworrier

Just read there as well that 2002 was a record low for births in NI at approximately 21,300 last year's (2011) was approximately 25,300 so surely good news for current P6's and also this year's P7's as 2001 was fairly low too!

Charliedevil

Well it's finally the month of may! Letters confirming placement will be arriving in 4 weeks. It's been 12 weeks since the results came out and I for one will be glad when this is all over! Has anyone had any indication of weather this years intake marks are going to be higher/lower than last year?

annoyedmum

Could you please read my post above entitled "transfer 2011/2012" as I do not know how to link it to this thread and it may be of interest to some of you. thanks.

Ex-Spendaholic

Just adding the link for Annoyed Mum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/52850375#Comment_52850375

flymetothemoon_2

Hey Annoyedmum

I really feel for your poor son receiving this upsetting news in school - I can hardly believe what has happened - it truly beggars belief. I have never heard anything like this and am shocked to think that primary principals are receiving letters weeks before the process is meant to have been concluded - the media would love to get hold of this. I agree with ex-spendaholic, I would take this complaint to all levels and to the media - it is nothing short of disgraceful. I am also gobsmacked that your son's teacher actually gave him a letter to open - what on earth did he/she think it might be - how many times does a primary teacher ever have to give a letter to one child that is not being given to the whole class. Has this teacher no wit? I'd be furious with that teacher and with the head for giving it to her/him if that is what happened. I really cannot imagine such carelessness occurring in my children's primary - this reflects very badly on the primary school. Above all, you son has done very well to achieve a score of 99. This score would have secured a place in most grammars last year and the year before so, if the 1st choice school really has concluded its process then you really are in a doubly unfortunate situation. That said, if I were you, I'd be wondering what is going on here. Neither of you needed this extra stress - the whole process is already stressful enough - I know because I went through it last year and the wait from Feb until end May was very stressful as my child did not have a high enough score to be sure of schools. I think kids with 106 and above can be sure but kids in the 90s really do have to await the letter. So sorry for yous. Keep us all posted and good luck.

caz100

Just heard a rumour from a tutor that my child's first choice grammar has 240 applicants compared with 190 last year? Surely this would mean that the likelihood of bottom result has gone up drastically as well!

travellinglight_2

May at last and we continue to be as busy as possible... happy tired boy is better than one with time to start worrying... sadly everyone we meet asks...do you know yet? It is tooo slow.. amongst other considerations.

Third_Time_Mum

caz100 wrote: »

Just heard a rumour from a tutor that my child's first choice grammar has 240 applicants compared with 190 last year? Surely this would mean that the likelihood of bottom result has gone up drastically as well!

Could this have anything to do with the fact that on the transfer form you can now put down as many schools as you like compared with the old system when you could only list 5 preferences? I have heard of some people putting down all the grammar schools within reasonable travelling distance just in case they don't get one of their top choices.