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

confused_mummy_3

Yes you can get though you wont know who the other children are it will only be scores without giving away the identity of the child.

flymetothemoon_2

Thought I'd post a few stats gathered from friends and work colleagues today on lowest scores accepted by some AQE schools this year. All of these schools applied their criteria at the scores mentioned below and so were unable to accept all applicants on the lowest score.

Belfast Royal Academy - 94
Ballyclare High - 94
Belfast High - 95
Carrickfergus Grammar - 97
Methody - within band 7 ie: 95 - 99
RBAI - within band 5A ie; less than 87

a friend with score of 107 got 1st choice, Antrim Grammar and another with a score of 94 was refused by 1st choice (Belfast High) and 2nd choice (Ballyclare High) - very hard for them to accept as Ballyclare took some 94s but not their child.

flymetothemoon_2

Bad_Hair_Day wrote: »

Anyone out there know the admission cut off for Belfast High School?
DD of a family friend did not manage to gain admission and she is unwilling (too upset) to make the call.
As it was not my DD I have no business ringing the school on her behalf.
Any ideas as it could influence joining a waiting list?

Belfast High School's cut-off was 95 this year. You could ring and ask info on your friends behalf, you don't need to have had a child going through the test to ask for general info and this school is very open about such info, the Principal is particularly helpful and pleasant. If your friend's DD scored 95/94/93 it may well be worth going on the waiting list, the Principal would probably advise on this. Best of luck to your friend.

cat313

Fortune wrote: »

DD heading there as well.Shes already looking forward to the BBQ on the 26th!!!:) Glad it is all over. Thanks to everyone for advice and comments.

DD looking forward to BBQ, they have never done that before (my other 3 go there too). Here's hoping for a good day!

flymetothemoon_2

confused_mummy wrote: »

In our case it went down to distance from the school and we obviously weren't close enough. Time to up sticks an move the house :rotfl: We had the same Aqe score as the last children admitted

Confused mummy

Really sorry to hear that your child has also missed out so narrowly - it must be very hard to take, knowing that others were accepted with the same score. If you don't mind me asking, which school was it? You should defo consider putting your child's name on the waiting list. Best wishes - hope all works out well.

Third_Time_Mum

travellinglight wrote: »

I don't have this info about other children and doubt I can get it... but I know my child was not functioning at his best due to circumstnces and wonder how this can be irrelevant? Awaiting appeals info from Board...

Hi Travellinglight, the primary school should have provided you with this information when you had your transfer interview. Our primary school had bought a Special Circumstances pack (I can't remember if it was from AQE or from the board), which was a spreadsheet of scores from the NFER tests, end of year tests and practice tests (but the NFER and end of year tests were much more prominent than the practice tests, probably because primary schools aren't supposed to be doing these and they are much more subjective - certain pupils may have done them at home or with tutors, also they aren't standardised). The school then is obliged to provide the scores for all the tests for your child and comparative scores for all the other children in the class, only the other children aren't named - just their AQE score is given against their scores in the other tests. It might be worth talking to your primary school to ask why they didn't provide you with this information when you said you were claiming Special Circumstances. You then might be able to appeal on the grounds that you hadn't been properly guided by the primary school? But I think under the new arrangements the onus is on the parents to make sure all the relevant information is included with the transfer form. However if you haven't been offered this by the primary school when you said you were claiming Special Circumstances I think this is very remiss of them.

travellinglight_2

Third_Time_Mum wrote: »

Hi Travellinglight, the primary school should have provided you with this information when you had your transfer interview. Our primary school had bought a Special Circumstances pack (I can't remember if it was from AQE or from the board), which was a spreadsheet of scores from the NFER tests, end of year tests and practice tests (but the NFER and end of year tests were much more prominent than the practice tests, probably because primary schools aren't supposed to be doing these and they are much more subjective - certain pupils may have done them at home or with tutors, also they aren't standardised). The school then is obliged to provide the scores for all the tests for your child and comparative scores for all the other children in the class, only the other children aren't named - just their AQE score is given against their scores in the other tests. It might be worth talking to your primary school to ask why they didn't provide you with this information when you said you were claiming Special Circumstances. You then might be able to appeal on the grounds that you hadn't been properly guided by the primary school? But I think under the new arrangements the onus is on the parents to make sure all the relevant information is included with the transfer form. However if you haven't been offered this by the primary school when you said you were claiming Special Circumstances I think this is very remiss of them.

apologies, the ps did make this available, but did not give me a copy due to advice they'd had @ confidentiality i think i thought the poster meant for those who got into the school ahead of my child.... only 1 child from his school got in and I know their score....will proceed anyway. thanks everyone and best wishes for all the children in year 8 2012.

Mumsicle

A big thanks to all who posted on this thread for the past number of months. Although I only posted a few times, I logged on regularly and it was always reassuring to know that others were experiencing the same concerns as me! My ds got his 1st choice with a score of 105. He's over the moon and we're so relieved as he's one of those sensitive kids that over thinks everything and wouldn't have coped well with the rejection. I really feel for those parents and kids that didn't get their 1st (and in some cases 2nd) choice. My advice is to keep trying to get into your school of choice as other people's circumstances can change and a child may not take up an offer. However, you may just find that your ds/dd will end up loving the school they've been offered and will not want to change. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but I always think things happen for a reason. Something really good could come out of something bad. Good luck to you all - your children are already winners, as they have clearly got supportive parents who care about their education.

Pmum

travellinglight wrote: »

apologies, the ps did make this available, but did not give me a copy due to advice they'd had @ confidentiality i think i thought the poster meant for those who got into the school ahead of my child.... only 1 child from his school got in and I know their score....will proceed anyway. thanks everyone and best wishes for all the children in year 8 2012.

Travellinglight,

The reason for giving all those scores isn't really anything to do with whether any of the kids in his class got into the school you are talking about. It is so that you can show that your lad's score was lower than expected.If you can show the your lad was scoring the same as "Child X" in all the standardised tests and practice papers and then he didn't do anywhere near as well in the real thing as Child X because of the difficulties/illness/bereavement then they might accept that he should be given some relief because of the difficulties.

They will want some evidence to show that he underperformed in comparison to his usual scores.
AFAIK that is the only way they can elevate a child's score.

BallyclareMum4

Don't understand why a child who has achieved a score higher than the lowest accepted by a school isn't offered a place - can anyone explain please?

Sorry to hear that some children were disappointed with their placements, no matter how enevitable it was that not all would achieve their first choice. We discussed with our ds which schools he would be happy to attend, but we didn't tell him the order of preference we stated on the form. As far as he's concerned he got into a school he chose and is happy with and has not had to worry about it being the 'first choice.' We asked him to trust us, he did and he is very excited!
It doesn't matter which school a child attends, it is what they do with the opportunities they are presented with during their education journey that counts -to that end I wish all of your children success and contentment.

One down, three to go, I wonder if this process will ever be sorted out?

Best wishes to all x


:-)