Transfer Test AQE 2015-2016 *NEW THREAD*

k4s_2

BOBS wrote: »

Yes k4s - its an expensive carry on.
Check your pm !

hence why we're all on here :rotfl:

Flashfriend

I'm starting to get a little nervous that I'm making the right decision about schools! My DD seems to be the only one from her school going to her chosen grammar school. It's her choice at the end of the day but I just hope she is happy there and make new friends quickly. Anyone else in the same position?

emanlu

Flashfriend wrote: »

I'm starting to get a little nervous that I'm making the right decision about schools! My DD seems to be the only one from her school going to her chosen grammar school. It's her choice at the end of the day but I just hope she is happy there and make new friends quickly. Anyone else in the same position?

I was in that position a couple of years ago - there were only a handful of girls in DD1's class who sat the test and the others all chose to go to what was at that stage the local single sex grammar (has since amalgamated with the boys grammar). DD along with 7 or 8 boys went to the mixed grammar in the next town. It was the right choice for her and she loves the school and has made friends.

MiaMam

DD a her heart set on Sullivan and some of her friends are putting it down as first choice too although they got higher scores -116+.

However someone told me today they heard that Sullivan turned away 109 last year! I'm
really worried now! What are the chances the scores could jump that much? She'll be gutted if she doesn't get it! :eek:

I'm going to phone them tomorrow and find out what's the lowest score they accepted last year before applying criteria. This bloody system!! Argh! :mad:

MiaMam

Should add - DD got 111.

flymetothemoon_2

k4s wrote: »

good to know!! apparently they don't stock the games kit though? it has to be bought from the school or a sport shop (cant remember its name). £400 is ridiculous for a school uniform but I guess we're all in the same boat re that one!!

K4s
The only shop that stocks sports kit is Podium 4 Sport which is on other side of Belfast - so not very convenient - hence opportunity to buy at school is much handier, if they have your sizes.

I know £400 + is a lot but it is no different to some other schools, On the plus side, the sports gear is very good quality so it does last a few years - as long as they don't grow out of it. Many schools use Canterbury and Kukri sportswear and they are really good quality.

There's also fees of £425 p.a. - again, a lot of money but some other grammars ask for double that and more. I don't mind paying it as you can see where it goes, the school is continuously improving facilities and offers a lot.

flymetothemoon_2

MiaMam wrote: »

DD a her heart set on Sullivan and some of her friends are putting it down as first choice too although they got higher scores -116+.

However someone told me today they heard that Sullivan turned away 109 last year! I'm
really worried now! What are the chances the scores could jump that much? She'll be gutted if she doesn't get it! :eek:

I'm going to phone them tomorrow and find out what's the lowest score they accepted last year before applying criteria. This bloody system!! Argh! :mad:

MiaMam
According to the transfertest.com site which shows all stats for schools since AQE began, Sullivan's cut off has never been higher than 102 - so hopefully the 109 thing is just a rumour. Your DD should sail in with such a high score - congrats to her on doing so well :T

MiaMam

Thanks Flymetothemoon! As I understand it, Sullivan allocate their top 120 places to the applicants with the highest AQE scores then apply criteria to the final 30 spaces. This criteria is siblings, feeder schools, catchment area, etc.

It may have been the case that their 120th place was given to a score of 110 last year and that 102 score has criteria attached. Unfortunately no criteria applies to DD so she'll have to be accepted on
mark alone hence my concern!

I think people should carefully exam admission policies for each school as those published lowest scored often have criteria attached which don't apply to everyone. This can be misleading. Special circumstances can come into play too resulting in even lower lowest scores X

rolo1_2

The way SC work is
1. School considers evidence submitted by Parents and decide if indeed the SC could have had a detrimental effect on score.
2. If it is deemed that yes SC do apply, then and only then do they look at academical evidence (usually provided by primary school)
3. Grammar school will then decide if score should be uplifted -it may be the case that SC are accepted but score is not uplifted, as the academical evidence does not support this
4. If SC accepted and academical evidence suggests that child did under-perform, then score is uplifted to reflect what they probably would have got had SC not got in the way
5. Score uplifted - now the new score becomes the official AQE result.
The important bit to remember is that Yes in some cases SC are accepted but score wont be changed -it will only be uplifted if the academic evidence is there to support it.
If any-one is going down the SC route you have to be tuned in to providing clear and accurate evidence not just to prove SC existed but academically they under-performed.

Flashfriend

MiaMam wrote: »

Thanks Flymetothemoon! As I understand it, Sullivan allocate their top 120 places to the applicants with the highest AQE scores then apply criteria to the final 30 spaces. This criteria is siblings, feeder schools, catchment area, etc.

It may have been the case that their 120th place was given to a score of 110 last year and that 102 score has criteria attached. Unfortunately no criteria applies to DD so she'll have to be accepted on
mark alone hence my concern!

I think people should carefully exam admission policies for each school as those published lowest scored often have criteria attached which don't apply to everyone. This can be misleading. Special circumstances can come into play too resulting in even lower lowest scores X

Well done on your great score! I think we had similar scores on practice papers and yet we ended up with 103. My DD was a little disappointed until she heard that her friend got the same score and then she was fine. Anyway I think you should put Sullivan 1st and take the chance as you will regret it if others get in on lower scores and you missed out. It's really hard to tell from one year to the next!