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

ni-mum

For those that didn't get first choice, ring the school and ask to be put on a waiting list. Places can become available for various reasons, eg if someone moves away from the area.

travellinglight_2

Pmum wrote: »

That must be so hard to explain to the wee fella Travellinglight.

That was one of the advantages of the old system. When there were situations like this at least the kids (and parents) were not so acutely aware of the precise details and so it was a wee bit easier to deal with.

Really sorry.

Are you happy with the quality of the school that he has been accepted by?

At the end of the day I suppose that is the most important thing. Very hard to deal with just now but I'm sure he will get over his disappointment more quickly than you will and as long as he ends up happy it will be okay.

Are many of his friends going to the school he has been accepted by?

Rotten seeing them unhappy though.

Sadly not really....cant believe this is where we're at. didnt get diddly squat for special circumstances.

ni-mum

travellinglight wrote: »

Sadly not really....cant believe this is where we're at. didnt get diddly squat for special circumstances.

Did you apply for SC before or after results? If it was before then it may have been taken into consideration when he was given his score???

Which school has he ended up with?

3Mum

It's heartbreaking for the children who are disappointed and confused today.
Hoping that appeals and/or waiting lists work out for those now facing that hurdle. X

RikM

stephenni1971 wrote: »

Not at all delighted with his school!

Just fed up with 'the system needs changed' comments you see here and elsewhere :-)

That's probably because the system doesn't seem to be very good. And this year appears to be worse than last year (from the comments I've seen)...
But it has inertia. I don't see it getting better any time soon. I'm one of the lucky ones though; ds was in no danger of missing his first choice last year. My dd has a good few years to go yet, but early indications are similar (so far as you can tell from a 2yo!).
So why am I bothered? Itchy fingers. I can't see a broken process, without wishing I could fix it.

Pmum

If it's any consolation, I can not think of any of the friends of my older kids who are not happy at their school even though it was not their 1st choice. There are a couple who moved when a place became available at another school but the vast majority are happy where they ended up even though that was not where they wanted to go.

I can think of 2 who are not happy despite being at their 1st preference school.

It is a very difficult situation just now but the kids I know actually came to terms with the disappointment very quickly. I hope your son is the same. I have one friend who has not come to that point herself yet as a parent but the child is happy. I think getting in touch with the school and letting them know you are still interested in any place that becomes available is a very worthwhile idea.

flymetothemoon_2

stephenni1971 wrote: »

... And if 200 grade A's apply for 150 places what happens then?

It's called Academic Selection for a reason and if your child didn't get his first choice with 109 that's only because everyone else got more than him.

My own son got his 2nd choice and that doesn't mean the system is wrong or unfair it means he didn't get a high enough score ... End of.

stephenni1971

Can't understand why you felt the need to respond as you did - only rubbing salt in people's wounds. An old adage springs to mind -

IF YOU'VE GOT NOTHING NICE TO SAY, THEN SAY NOTHING AT ALL!

flymetothemoon_2

mumalias wrote: »

My son worked really hard and got an excellent mark of 109. He really loved a local grammar school from the first time he saw it in P6 . He worked really hard to get what was thought to be a safe mark. Unfortunately he was turned down by his first choice school. His second choice school is also a brillant school and we are really glad that they accepted him. However I saw his wee face drop when a score which would have got him into his 1st choice school in the last two years wasn't enough this year. Please do away with scores and bring back grades.

mumalias

So sorry for you and your son, this is the most surprising outcome I've seen in the 1st 3 yrs of AQE/GL. 109 was a super score and certainly A standard, I can only imagine that the great video boosted the number of applications for Friends this year. Up until now, 109 would have guaranteed a place in ANY school so I'm sure you are shocked. I hope he'll soon love the school he is going to go to and at least you know how bright and capable he is. Best wishes.

stephenni1971

flymetothemoon wrote: »

stephenni1971

Can't understand why you felt the need to respond as you did - only rubbing salt in people's wounds. An old adage springs to mind -

IF YOU'VE GOT NOTHING NICE TO SAY, THEN SAY NOTHING AT ALL!

Not rubbing salt in anyones wounds but I think some need a little dose or reality.

It's done, it's over so rather than wail about it I'll be getting behind my son and focusing on the next seven years rather than getting tied up over the AQE system.

flymetothemoon_2

Charliedevil wrote: »

My daughter got into her 1st choice Victoria college!!!!! So happy and proud!! Tears of joy I've never felt before!

Hey Charliedevil

I had felt your nerves before and now your joy is tangible - I was quietly confident your DD would get into VCB - it's a great school - has it sunk in yet?? Many congratulations :j:j :T:T :rotfl::rotfl: