Support Thread for parents of children sitting the AQE /GL Transfer Test in 2012

Freefromdebt_2

I think I'm going crazy......DD didn't do as we'll as expected (C2). I saw the principal and her class teacher today to pick schools. We have claimed Special Circumstances as she was ill on the day. He said that she will only go up to a B2 and that will not be sufficient to get her into any of our local grammars (we only have 2). My patience is wearing thin......Her P5 and P6 scores were ok......are these taken into account when claiming special circumstances ? He dismissed me and thought the idea of me trying to get her into either grammars as ridiculous. He kept referring to our local secondary school - I would not be against her enrolling there.
I think the scores for GL this year are haywire. I know of some kids whose P7 teacher advised them against doing the test as they were so weak have in fact came out with As. Congratulations to them but what about the kids like my DD who consistently was getting high scores. I think her lowest score was in the mid 70s. One grammar took as low as C2 last year and 221 was the lowest score. DD score is 216.

Think I will go and eat a tonne of Galaxy now........

butterflymum

Freefromdebt wrote: »

My patience is wearing thin......Her P5 and P6 scores were ok......are these taken into account when claiming special circumstances ? ... kids like my DD who consistently was getting high scores. I think her lowest score was in the mid 70s.

It must indeed seem like you cannot see the wood for the trees and be a frustrating time for you and your child.

As far as I know, the transfer information and admission book that you use to choose schools, contains details of all the Special Circumstances Claim requirements for each school. Do please be aware that each school's requirements can vary....it is up to you, the parent, to read/understand/act upon same. Yes, any strong, educational based evidence such as P5 and P6/7 scores from standardised tests should be submitted along with any other supporting education based evidence that may also help prove your belief that your child underperformed. It is up to you, the parent, to gather this info from the Primary and be satisfied that all possible info is included, asking them for other such evidence if available.

I note you already have mentioned medical evidence, so assume you have that aspect well documented. As it is a GL Assessment test you have been discussing, I trust you completed and submitted the initial Special Circumstances Form that, I understand, had a deadline for receipt of sometime in December, as it would seem such initial registration of Special Circumstances was essential for GL Assessment tests, but not for AQE test (the latter, Special Circumstances could just be advised at time of making application for school place I think).

Picking up on your point regarding only 2 possible options of Grammar, obviously I do not know your circumstances, but if you are set on a Grammar education for your child and feel the local non Grammar alternative is not best suited to their needs, could you consider a Grammar further away that, historically, has accepted C2? Realise this may not be an option due to personal circumstances and/or travel logistics, but always worth mentioning in case you hadn't realised you are not restricted to local schools.

Trusting whatever way things work out for you, that your child will achieve to the best of their ability in their new school and be happy.

BOBS

When do the letters come out to tell us what school our kids have been accepted into ?

minnimo

Letters will be posted on Friday 24 May to arrive Sat 25th, hth

BOBS

thanks minnimo

Freefromdebt_2

I need a bit of advice.......I asked the primary school for some information in relation to DD and her standardised testing since the beginning of key stage 2. I had asked the school for information concerning her and where her standardised scores placed her in her class. I asked the school the remove the names of the other pupils so that my daughters name only would appear but that the scores would appear so I would have a comparative table of scores. The school has refused this request stating that I am not permitted to receive information relating to any other child. Was I wrong to request this even if I have asked for all other names to be removed ?

leftieM

There is no way that a school could legally give you data on other children in the school, blacked out or not.

jjd

Why would you need other kids results? Couldn't you just ask how your child is performing compared to peers.
I'm pretty confident providing you with this information regardless if names are removed would conflict with data protection.

I would not want a score for my child provided to any other parent whether it had their name or not. I can't actually understand how you think this is acceptable.

It's not a public exam, it's personal information about little kids.

Freefromdebt_2

I don't think I have explained myself correctly. The principal is extremely difficult and very unhelpful. All I wanted to know was if my dd was struggling in any areas in comparison to her peers. I do not want to know anyone else's scores.....that is none of my business ! He is a very obnoxious person who unfortunately is very difficult to talk to or seek advice from. Everything has to go through him so unfortunately we are unable to approach the class teacher directly. If that was the case I most certainly would have asked the appropriate questions to her rather than having to go through the principal who does not teach my child. All I wanted to know was how she was doing compared to her peers.

Freefromdebt_2

At my last meeting with him he told me she was weaker in maths. When I asked him how I could help her he told me that she had to work hard from now til the end of June. I have tried time and time again to get him to explain to me in which specific area she needs to brush up on. He has not given me any explanation and that is the reason why I have asked for this. Perhaps it was the wrong thing I asked for......I am not a teacher.......all I am trying to do is help my child who according to her school needs to work hard from now til the end of June......but they cannot tell me which areas she needs to work hard at. At this point in time I am ready to tear my hair out. Stupidly of me I thought that the standardised scores would show me where she was in comparison to her class mates and I could then take it from there. If only the principal in the school was helpful and would show me where she is weakest then this would never have been an issue. But sadly he is stubborn and refuses to give me the information. I do not know where to go from here except start from scratch again with her maths and do it myself.