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Parents left in dark over new entrance exam
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Grammar schools have not yet announced how they are going to use the scores and grades obtained in the new entrance exams to determine their intake.
As well as anxiety over the content and preparation for pupils sitting the tests for the first time in the autumn, parents and primary teachers are currently in the dark about how school places will ultimately be allocated.
Caitriona Ruane has also not yet confirmed her non-academic admissions criteria guidance which is expected to be adopted by schools not using tests.
This is likely to recommend that high priority is given to children entitled to free school meals.
The AQE will allocate a mark to pupils to two decimal points, while pupils signed up to GL Assessment tests will be awarded grades similar to the now defunct 11-plus exam.
Billy Young from AQE said they would be providing a score for pupils but that it would be up to each grammar school to decide how they use this to determine their intake.
“I think that most will just use the scores in rank order to select pupils,” he said.
Due to the detailed breakdown of marks it is unlikely two pupils will end up with the same score.
However, at least one school is also considering using rank order for 70% of their intake and other non-academic criteria for the remaining places.
Admissions criteria are normally finalised in September.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “The applications and admissions timetable will have the same schedule as previous years. The responses to the Transfer 2010 consultation are currently being considered.”
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I stand corrected - I see that the Admissions criteria have NOW been published by DENI. Clear as mud is what they are - FSME is first criteria and she can't stop schools setting tests. We are no further forward!!!
Posted by Angry P6 parent | 29.06.09, 16:01 GMT
I am no longer in the dark. The only option open to my child is to do the test/tests! The only darkness is WHEN following her 2 consultations Ms Ruane will decide to publish her Criteria to allow schools to set their Criteria. I am sure this will be at the very last moment to cause even more stress and pressure to parents and P6 children!
This intolerable situation & mess is of HER doing and I refuse to allow my daughter to go to the end of a queue for a school place because her parents work.
Posted by Angry P6 parent | 25.06.09, 13:58 GMT
From the BTs other article on the grades accepted by our so-called "elite" grammar schools, it would appear the score your child achieves in either the AQE or GL test is immaterial. Certainly grammars don't seem to care what 11+ grade a child was awarded!
So turn up, register and submit your child to a grammar-school induced period of stress. They will be accepted 'cos you are most likely to come from the 'right' social background for the grammar school.
If only there was a simpler way.....
Posted by Exasperated | 25.06.09, 12:18 GMT
No, -the reality is that parents have been left in dark by Mrs Ruane.
Posted by T J McClean | 25.06.09, 08:43 GMT