Transfer 2011/2012

flymetothemoon_2

LeftieM

I hadn't understood how the key stage levels were arrived at but now that you've explained it I agree that it could not be relied upon for transfer purposes (unless it was being used as part of a package together with something(s) more reliable) - on it's own it wouldn't stand up and wouldn't be fair on primary teachers.

Charliedevil

I agree with you that, from the info given, the only AQE school with a 95 cut-off last yr was B'bridge Academy. How worrying though for people who are currently hoping to get their child into this school as the cut off seems to have risen significantly to 100 or more from 95 (in 2011) and 92 (in 2010). Just goes to show that the cut-off for any school will be decided by the number of applicants in a particular year. B'bridge has presumably received a higher no. of applications this year than last year (when they turned away only 31 kids), I say only, because Grosvenor turned away 141 kids last yr, BRA turned away 113 and Wallace turned away 110! The whole process is a lottery .

stephenni1971

Does anyone have any stats on the numbers taking the AQE test over the last few years?

There seems to have been a big jump in results required at most schools between 2010 and 2011. It would seem this would be mostly down to higher numbers applying. A lot has been said about a lower birth rate in 2000/01 but I have looked at the figures and this doesn't seem to be the case.

My son got 101 and last year the cutoff at his first choice was 100 so am obviously concerned.

Charliedevil

The numbers of children taking the tests has fallen every year. Read it somewhere but can't remember where! The first year of the tests seemed yo be guess work as people where thinking the test was out of 145 and thought scores in the high 90's and 100,s where too low for the top grammars so didn't apply! So savvy parents got their kids in, while pupils with higher scores didn't apply! Last year I think people went by these scores, so more people got into the school they wanted! The current % of pupils gaining their 1st preference school in Belfast is 87% in country areas it is higher! I did read all this online can't remember where though! Iny opinion the lowest score to gain entrance to a school this year will be the same as last year or slightly lower! I hope so as my dd has the exact lowest score that her 1st preference took last year :-)

Charliedevil

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/transfer-tests-for-thousands-getting-under-way-16076437.html

This gives the information on the number of children sitting the exams this year!

Charliedevil

http://www.gtcni.org.uk/index.cfm/area/news/page/news/news_key/136/

This gives the info on % of children achieving their 1st preferance post primary school!

Hope this answers some of your queries!

RikM

Maybe the whole thing should run off IQ tests...
Standard, non-arguable tests, with easy to understand results. You can't really train for them, and they correllate well with academic achievement.

the_price_is_right

Does your son have a statement of educational needs if that is the case then your son could receive details of his school before everyone else as the rules for statemented children are not the same. My child has a statement and he may find out before the 28th or after there is no set time scale for these children. Once a school accepts them the educational team for sen children or the chosen school inform them straight away they dont have to wait until the 28th May

Charliedevil

2 weeks today! Hope all goes well for everyone and of course my daughter! God knows I need a bit of luck! It's been quiet on here :-)

MeAndMrsJones

Charliedevil when are the letters sent to us? I was under the impression they were being posted on sat 26th may to be received on the monday morning?!

Third_Time_Mum

MeAndMrsJones wrote: »

Charliedevil when are the letters sent to us? I was under the impression they were being posted on sat 26th may to be received on the monday morning?!

The BELB transfer booklet states that letters will be posted on Monday 28 May to arrive on Tuesday 29 May. Presumably it's the same for the other boards?