Transfer 2011/2012

flymetothemoon_2

Annoyedmum

I can well understand that you are unable to think of anything else at this time and without doubt, this is quite a dilemna for you. Only you can decide what to do but I still think you should expose this charade in a bit of detail whilst not naming you child or the schools involved, it could be done anonymously. The timing is also important, you may be better to wait until end of May when all letters have issued. So many other parents would be shocked at this turn of events and I believe there should be more transparency rather than the present veil of secrecy. I also strongly believe that, in this day and age of email, there is absolutely no excuse for the department of education (DENI) to still take more than 3 months to notify parents as to which post primary school their child will be attending the following year. This timescale has existed for many years, DENI must move with the times.
I can well understand that your child's teacher/principal wants to silence you, if I were them, so would I! Finally, I'm not sure how the 2nd choice school would be in trouble over this as they have laid the blame on your child's teacher.

caz100

I would be furious also. I feel so terribly upset for your son to receive this news a month before everyone else!!! Aqe scores must be up across the board I wonder if it is the same for the gl? Anybody have any more info?

sill

OMG what a horrible situation u have been put in I really think you should arrange a meeting with your MP they will be able to talk to people high up in the education board they have been extremely helpful to me ,please do not let the board get away with this as if everyone keeps quiet about these "mistakes" then nothing will change you pay the wages of these people.

caz100

From previous posts on the forum I was under the understanding that aqe scores were down this year compared with last year? Could this be specifically the case in one area or do people believe that lowest scores intake could possibly have increased by FOUR marks+ throughout ni,... Seems awfully high jump in a year were numbers that say the test had supposedly decreased and less children achieved high scores compared with previous years? I am rely confused right now I am hearing different information from everyone and can make NO sense of it all ...to say I am stressed is an understatement and after hearing annoyed
Mums news I am incredibly angry for all these 10/11 year old Children that have no information to go on other than previous years and to be disappointed like that .....doesn't bear thinking about. I am so sad your son had to hear like that 99 is a very deserving score for grammar school ...frig some people said that to get 9@ you had to achieve raw scores of 70 percent +!!! This system has to change. !!

Charliedevil

I'm sure that annoyed mums news has shocked a lot of people after the speculation that cut off marks would be lower due to a decreased birth rate and fewer children taking the tests. What I find more shocking is the fact that teachers in primary schools may know the outcome before us parents!

Her sons first choice school accepted 95 last year and he did not get in with 99! Who's to say the cut off is not a lot higher than that! Very concerning for children sitting in the 90's now!

So glad that my son in p5 is not capable of the tests as I couldn't do this again in 2 years!

Roll on the end if the month so that we all know where we stand!

caz100

Just heard a rumour that my child's first choice grammar has 240 applicants for 120 places compared with applications of 185 last year. Was sort of hoping that the low birth rate made parents put down the grammar as first preference because they were hopeful that their child might get a place this year. Now I don't believe this to be the case and expect the bottom mark to have dramatically increased compared to previous years so I don't believe it is looking hopeful for my dd anymore. Annoyedmums news as really got me very anxious so it is going to be a hard month to sit it out! School or elb refuse to give out any information on whether rumours are true or not so I have nothing to go on other than what I read on the forum and hear from others, which so far is not looking promising

Charliedevil

I would not be listening to rumours as I would think there is a lot of scare mongering going on! The other thing to remember is there is also a lot of fiddling going on concerning bus passes! For example I know someone who applied to our local grammar as first preferance even though they did not sit the test! This is so they can get a bus pass to the secondary! However, this application still counts towards the schools total admissions! Savvy parents have been doing this for years! So really how many viable applications are turned away!

I am very anxious too but I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best! My daughter is doing the same!

flymetothemoon_2

Hi Annoyedmum

How are you today and how is your son?

I've thought about you today and told a colleague at work what had happened, she is awaiting her son's letter at end of May and she could not believe this mess.

Have you decided to take any action, I think speaking to your MLA/MP would be a good start, maybe you should appeal?

Let us know your thoughts and we will offer our thoughts as only parents who have been through this or are currently going through it could really understand the stress levels.

Caz100

I feel for you too as I was equally stressed this time last year. The wait is so long. I would suggest you ignore all the rumours. Inevitably, cut-off scores will be higher for some schools and lower for others and each school's cut-off will be effected by the number of applications the school receives ( and this just depends on the number of P7 children within travelling distance of the school). The more over subscribed a school is, the higher the cut-off is likely to be. It really could go up or down for any school - everyone will just have to wait and see (except for poor annoyedmum!).

travellinglight_2

so sorry to hear about the awful experience your son had. Is this correct that the school who accepts the child send a letter to the primary school who then give or post it to their pupils? I thought the Education board wrote and the school sent a welcome letter which came on the same day... so if u see the schools postmark, you know what the other letter will be saying????? Or is this "old school"???

caz100

I must say this forum is excellent to discuss how everyone is feeling during this stressful time. Really cannot wait until this whole process is over with for good!