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

caz100

Has anyone ever heard of the exceptional circumstances body?

MeAndMrsJones

travellinglight wrote: »

yes, if the system was clear and accountable - saying what they considered and why he got no consideration for situation he was in.... but it's not, so I'll do what I think I must on his behalf - appeal, so I get the info... tho I'm told very few ever win on appeal....

Yeah i heard this too which isnt a comfort is it? Im not sure what way the process works but i guess its another secret service body x

MeAndMrsJones

caz100 wrote: »

Has anyone ever heard of the exceptional circumstances body?

Read about it on bbc news ni website....

Third_Time_Mum

Travellinglight, I'm so sorry your child got so close to getting into Grosvenor and then missed out on random selection, especially because of the circumstances he had to endure during the tests. The B of G in schools is supposed to look first at whether there are grounds for special circumstances, which there clearly were in your case, and then at academic evidence that the child underperformed. They now seem to focus particularly on the results of the standardised tests (NFER) in P5 and P6, presumably because the transfer test results are also standardised. Did your child do better in the NFER tests than those who scored higher in AQE/GL? If so you might have good grounds for appeal.

Charliedevil

flymetothemoon wrote: »

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:

Thank you, and it is unbelievable! Have actually never been so happy! She is over the moon! Hopefully she will settle in well!

MeAndMrsJones

Charliedevil wrote: »

Thank you, and it is unbelievable! Have actually never been so happy! She is over the moon! Hopefully she will settle in well!

Congrats charliedevil im glad ur dd got her school! What a horrible long wait for good news!

Shaz3_2

Really delighted my DD got into her 1st choice grammar she's over the moon as are we, I was about to post it yesterday until I started to read the posts of others whose children where disappointed my heart really goes out to them it's a horrible situation to be in, I hope it all works out for you all xx

caz100

Ah feel so bad for my daughter....tears still ongoing today unfortunately

caz100

So happy for everyone else who got their first choice. Good luck to all the kids in their new schools! daughter fourth on waiting list unfortunately

NoDisguise

Thank goodness it's all over! My DD got into 1st choice Methody (tho sadly will be going on her own as no friends made it -- nervousness setting in already).

A few statistical observations -- cut-off for Hunter House appears to have been 94 and Wallace 106 (both a bit up on last year?) while Friends seem to have the highest cut-off of any school since the AQE began (at least 110). 91 was sufficient for Victoria.

Well done to all to sat the tests. I know there are many disappointed homes this morning -- the current arrangements are incredibly tough, both in terms of the ridiculous waiting time and horrendous tie-breakers such as Grosvenor mentioned earlier. I don't know what the solution to this system is, but at the very least the waiting time should be reduced in future years. Surely late March is easily achieveable?