moving up to secondary school in september 2014. the selection process more information at
TRANSCRIPT
MOVING UP TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2014
THE SELECTION PROCESS
More information at www.buckscc.gov.uk/admissions
What do the secondary transfer tests measure?
Verbal ability includes comprehension and vocabulary
Numerical ability includes problem solving and multi-stage items
Non-verbal ability includes diagrammatic reasoning
Does my child have to sit the transfer tests?
No, only if they want to attend a grammar school.
Will a grammar school suit my child?
Yes, if they are comfortable learning at a faster pace and a greater depth
TimelineWhat When
Preparation tests 10 September 2013
Transfer tests 12 September 2013
Results published 11 October 2013
Preference deadline 31 October 2013
School place offers 3 March 2014
Start secondary school 4 September 2014
Familiarisation Booklet (to take home)
Explains:
•what the question books and answer sheets will look like
•how the answer sheets should be completed
Includes:
•example questions
It will not be looked at in school
Preparation Tests - 10 September• Two tests• Exam conditions• 35 minutes each • CD instructions • Each paper - three separately timed
topics (Verbal ability/ Numerical reasoning and Non-verbal skills)
• Not marked
What if my child misses the Preparation?
• Talk to Headteacher to reschedule
• Transfer Tests should be delayed until the preparation tests are completed
• Results may be delayed – so…
• …list both grammar and upper school preferences on your application
The Transfer Tests 12 September
• Produced by The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham (CEM)
• Two test papers
• Taken on the same day
• Short 15/20 minute gap between the tests
• Each test - about an hour
Marking
• Computer marked (scanned)
• One point is given for each correct
answer
• Each pupil will have three raw scores • verbal ability
• numerical ability
• non-verbal ability
Standardisation and Weighting
• Three raw scores
• Each is age standardised
• Weighted and combined to produce an overall result (STTS)
• STTS and the three standardised scores will be provided in the results letter
Qualifying Score
STTS of 121 or more
Range of scores
• Standardised scores in previous years between 69 to 141
• With new tests range of scores will be wider 40 to 180+
• The same percentage of pupils will qualify as in previous years
What happens if my child is unwell and misses the tests?
• Able to sit the tests later
• Parent told date in advance
• Children should NOT sit the tests when unwell*
* (even if they want to!)
Special Arrangements
• Adjusted tests for children with disabilities
• Apply via headteacher
• Discuss NOW!
• Application must be completed as soon as possible
Results - 11 October• Sent by letter • Handed out at end of school day• STTS plus 3 element scores• Confirms whether qualified for entry to
grammar school
How many children qualify?
• Approx 30% of children score 121 or more
• At the end of the process and following Selection Reviews, 34% qualify for grammar school
What do I do if I think my child might not have done as well in the tests as I had hoped?
• At the time, collect evidence, for example a doctor’s letter
• Once you have the test results, talk to your child’s headteacher
What can I do if my child does not qualify?
• Ask for a Selection Review • Procedure in the results letter in October• Selection Review Panel sits November-
January• Review outcomes included in 3 March
allocation• Can still appeal later
Non-qualified appeal
• Possible to go straight to appeal
• Appeal still heard after 3 March
• You would have to prove academic potential AND why a place should be offered above number
• Most schools will already be full by then
Whether a qualified child will be offered a grammar school place
depends on:
• Preference order
• Grammar school admission rules
• A place being available
THE ALLOCATION PROCESS
Timelines, Preferences and Offers
KEY MESSAGE:
Apply on time:
31 October – deadline
How to apply
ONLINE: If you live in Buckinghamshire visit the
council’s website www.buckscc.gov.uk between 5 September and 31 October 2013
If not, go to your own LA’s website.
Applying on-line
• All you need is an email address
• Email reminders will be sent
• Resubmit if you make changes
• 31 October deadline
• Offer emailed on 3 March
• Accept the place online
There may be issues if using an Ipad!
More information:
• ‘Moving up to Secondary School’ leaflet
• Schools’ websites
• In August more information in the Guide available at:
www.buckscc.gov.uk/schooladmission
Making an application
You will be able to:
• List up to 6 schools, including grammar, upper and out of county schools
• Put the schools in the order you prefer them
• Give reasons why you have listed these schools
Do your homework!
• Does your child need to sit or pass a test to be considered for a place at the school?
• Do you have priority of admission?
• Do you need to complete a supplementary form?
• Do you live in-catchment? (Check this on the website)
• How will your child get to school?
School Transport
Transport given to the nearest secondary school if: •Over three miles away, or •Under three miles but the route is an ‘unsafe walking route’•Check on www.buckscc.gov.uk which school is the nearest school to you•All secondary schools are treated equally (grammar/upper/comprehensive/free)•Discretionary bus tickets can be purchased
The offer process – Step 1• Local authorities share offer information
• All admission authorities apply their admission rules to all the children with the school as a preference
• Each school preference is treated separately• The schools are not told where they are placed on
the preference list by the parent• The schools tell the ranking order to their council
The offer process – Step 2
• Where more than one offer can be made to the same child the highest preference is offered
• The lower preference is declined• The lower preference is offered to another
child • Spare places are offered to nearest
children without a school place offered
Important notes
• Only qualified children are offered grammar school places
• Think carefully about the order you put the preferences in
• Try to include a local school that you have a good chance of being offered
Offer Day – 3 March 2014Online applicants•Offer emails sent 3 March •Can log on and accept the school place online
Postal applicants•Offer letters posted 3 March
All applicants •Can ask to go on the waiting list, •Can register an appeal•Have 14 days to accept the offer.
An Example
• Tom has three preferences. His mum lists them as
• 1. High Town School
• 2. Leafy Lane School
• 3. Long Avenue School
Step 1step 1 High Town School Leafy Lane School Long Avenue School
Billy Tansy Razia
Rachel Norris Naureen
J anice Phoebe TOM
J ohn Katie Susannah
Barney Siobhan Lily
Tansy Billy Harry
Shahim Marcus J ohn
J onathan Rachel Amy
Wilson TOM Lacey
Susannah Susannah Patrick
TOM Liam Ahmed
Lacey Shahim Tansy
Carly Ernie Billy
At step 1 Tom is off ered Long Avenue
OFFERS
WA
ITIN
G L
IST
Step 2step 2 High Town School Leafy Lane School Long Avenue School
Billy Tansy Razia
Rachel Norris Naureen
J anice Phoebe TOM
J ohn Katie Susannah
Barney Siobhan Lily
Tansy Billy Harry
Shahim Marcus J ohn
J onathan Rachel Amy
Wilson TOM Lacey
Susannah Susannah Patrick
TOM Liam Ahmed
Lacey Shahim Tansy
Carly Ernie Billy
All children are taken off lower preference lists
OFFERS
WA
ITIN
G L
IST
Step 3step 3 High Town School Leafy Lane School Long Avenue School
Rachel Norris Razia
J ohn Katie Naureen
Barney Siobhan TOM
Tansy Billy Susannah
Shahim Marcus Lily
Wilson TOM Harry
TOM Liam Amy
Lacey Lacey
Carly Ahmed
Tom can now be off ered Leafy Lane School
OFFERS
WA
ITIN
G L
IST
Step 4step 4 High Town School Leafy Lane School Long Avenue School
Rachel Norris Razia
J ohn Katie Naureen
Barney Siobhan TOM
Tansy Billy Susannah
Shahim Marcus Lily
Wilson TOM Harry
TOM Liam Amy
Lacey Lacey
Carly Ahmed
All children are taken off lower preference lists
OFFERS
WA
ITIN
G L
IST
Step 5step 5 High Town School Leafy Lane School Long Avenue School
Rachel Norris Razia
J ohn Katie Naureen
Tansy Siobhan Susannah
Shahim Billy Lily
Wilson Marcus Harry
TOM TOM Amy
Lacey Liam Lacey
Carly Ahmed
Tom can now be off ered High Town School
His Leaf y Lane place is given back and next time will be off ered to Liam….
OFFERS
WA
ITIN
G L
IST
Admission Appeals
• You can ask for an appeal if your child was not offered a place at your preferred school
• This includes where your preference is a grammar school and your child has not qualified
About Appeals
• Three independent people
• Not paid by the Admission Authority or council
• With no connection to the school
• You can put your case in person
Finally – remember!
• Apply by 31 October 2013• Apply online at www.buckscc.gov.uk or on
your home LA’s website• List schools in true preference order• Be realistic, understand the rules• Consider transport arrangements• Visit the schools• Don’t rely on the opinions of others
Where to get help
Web: www.buckscc.gov.uk/schooladmission
Email:
Call:
Admissions & Transport Team on 01296 383250