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

Pmum

Just seen your post Ffd.

Do you think that means your child has definately not got a place in any of the schools you listed?

Are there many/any viable alternatives?

I get the impression you are from a country area with a small selection of schools?

Were the board of any assisstance in suggesting schools which might have places?

I hope you have got this sorted.

Freefromdebt_2

We are in a rural area with a grand total of 4 schools to choose from, 2 of which are grammars, one integrated and one secondary. I have spoken to some other parents who received the same letters from the board.......I believe there are serious problems in this area this year with EVERY post primary school being oversubscribed. Roll on Saturday.......my nerves won't last much longer.

butterflymum

Did you list at least 3 schools on original application? If all 4 potential schools in your area are oversubscribed, have you had to now list schools from a different area and if yes, will your child have access to transport to those?

Hoping things work out for your child as well as possible under the circumstances and that they ultimately achieve their best at whichever school they attend.

BOBS

Freefromdebt wrote: »

We are in a rural area with a grand total of 4 schools to choose from, 2 of which are grammars, one integrated and one secondary. I have spoken to some other parents who received the same letters from the board.......I believe there are serious problems in this area this year with EVERY post primary school being oversubscribed. Roll on Saturday.......my nerves won't last much longer.

Sending you hugs - I will be glad to see letter on saturday - my wee one is borderline score for getting into first (and simplest all round) choice of school. Just wish I knew either way.

Freefromdebt_2

We listed 3 schools originally, all within our local town. We then had to list another 2, one in the local town and one in a town not so far away. The only issue with this school is transport. I know of some parents whose children were refused bus passes in the past on the strength that they hadnt sent their child to the nearest school. I am getting rather nervous now and am in 2 minds whether to appeal the decision by the first preference school (thats if we dont get a place there) and on what grounds would I appeal ?
decisions, decisions, decisions......

Freefromdebt_2

Just want to say good luck for Saturday guys.......hope you all get into your first or second choice schools.

Pmum

Ffd,

As I understand it the transport thing is okay so long as you have applied to the nearest "appropriate" schools. They will not disallow a bus pass because you did not get a place in a closer school. It would be a different matter if you had not applied. This can be a problem for some folk who would not have otherwise applied to a very oversubscribed school as they know there would be zero chance of getting a place but they have still had to put it down to allow them to get a bus pass.

Hope all goes well for your wee one, and everyone elses wee ones, on Saturday.

And, as others have pointed out, the vast majority of kids do just fine at whichever school they end up at.

Freefromdebt_2

Well just got the post......DD got into 3rd choice school which was the local integrated. She seems happy enough. Hope everyone else got a place of their choice.

BOBS

Freefromdebt - hope you wee one happy with third choice - she will do her best whereever she goes. We are very fortunate DD got into first choice even though we reckoned she was very very borderline. Delighted here.

butterflymum

Freefromdebt wrote: »

Well just got the post......DD got into 3rd choice school

Good to hear that your daughter did get into one of the original 3 schools you listed - it was a pity you had a few weeks of needless worry after being told all three were oversubscribed and that you needed to list two more, so you must be greatly relieved that things have worked out well.