information evening for p6 parents 7 may 2013 bangor grammar glenlola collegiate regent house school
TRANSCRIPT
Information Evening for P6 Parents
7 May 2013
BANGOR GRAMMAR GLENLOLA COLLEGIATE REGENT HOUSE
SCHOOL
SCHOOL
SCHOOL
What will tonight be about?
Admissions
to
selective
grammar schools
in 2014
What will tonight be about?
‘Tests’Who sets and marks them?
What will they be like?
When will they take place?
Where will they take place?
What will the outcomes look like?
How will the outcomes be used to determine entry to a grammar school?
What will tonight be about?
Process What do I need to do?
When will I need to do it?Where will my child sit the ‘tests’?Where can I find the information
I need to know?How do I apply to
post-primary schools?
What will tonight be about?
Process
What are
‘Access arrangements’
and
‘Special Cases’?
Do I need to know about them?
AQE
Association
For
Quality
Education
AQEParents’ Groups.
Former Pupils’ Associations.
Governors and Principals of
Grammar Schools.
Operated by a consortium
34 Grammar Schools.
Funded by parental fees
supported by
the Grammar Schools.
.
PPTCPost
Primary
Transfer
Consortium
CEA
Common
Entrance
Assessments
Assessments
In almost all AQE grammar
schools, absolute priority
will be given to pupils
who sit
the AQE CEAs.(Campbell College,
Victoria College and
Wellington College
will also accept PPTC grades.)
Assessment2013
• Three Assessments
• Each one hour long
• Three Saturday Mornings at 10.00 am
• November 9
• November 23
• November 30
Assessment• Best two marks out of
three count.
• Children do not have to sit all three CEAs.
• Based on Revised Curriculum.
• English / Mathematics.
• 8 Maths items
• Poem + 7 items
• 8 Maths items
• Basic skills + 5 items
• 8 Maths items
• Poem + 7 items
• 8 Maths items
• Prose passage + 7 items
Why three assessments?
• Reduces the ‘high stakes’ pressure;• children can have an ‘off-day’;• allows children more opportunity
to become used to a strange environment;• reduces the disadvantage for children
who are not coached or prepared by their primary schools;
• increases the technical reliability and validity of the assessments.
Markers?
• Retired teachers with experience of
external examining.
• Two marking centres.
• Each script is marked three times.
• Rigorous quality assurance processes.
Outcomes • Numerical ‘age standardised’
scores (say between 70 – 130).
• 100 = average score for cohort.
When will the results be published?
Saturday
1 February 2014
The Process
How can I arrange
for my child
to sit the
AQE CEAs?
The ProcessFill in the
Registration Form.
When will the form be available?
NOW!
Opening Date for application?
13 May 2013
Closing Date for application?
13 September 2013
The Process
Where can I find the Registration Form?
• Grammar Schools (in our pack).• Grammar School websites.• AQE website.• Some Primary Schools.
Where will the assessments take place?
In the Grammar Schools.
Invigilated by school staff.
You will be able to choose the centre
which best suits you.
The centre you choose does not need
to be the school you wish
your son/daughter to attend.
How will he/she know where to go?
• Nominate your 3 choices of venue on the Registration Form.
• Centres will run Orientation / Information mornings in October (BGS: Saturday 19 October).
• Children will sit with friends.
(The earlier you apply, the greater the chance of obtaining a place in your first choice.)
Important
• Send Registration Form to AQE.
• Fee = £44.00.
• Birth Certificate.
• Three passport sized
photographs to be
enclosed.
• List your choice of centres in order of preference.
• Children who receive Free School Meals pay no fee (proof required).
Access Arrangements(before the assessments)
• Children with specific needs who require special conditions for the tests should indicate these special needs on the Registration Form (Section B).
• A second ‘Access Application’ form will be sent out by AQE to be filled in with more detail.
• AQE Panel will consider application.
• Centre makes suitable arrangements if application is granted.
• Closing date for Access Forms:
20 September 2013
Application Process to Post-Primary Schools
• Meeting in February with Primary School
Principal.• List choice of schools in order of
preference on transfer form provided.• Processed by ELB and sent to school(s) of
choice.• News of placement received at the end of
May.
Application Process to Post-Primary Schools
Admissions Criteria
• Academic
• Non-academic
Admissions Criteria
• Apply rank order for all places available on the basis of a score (AQE) or grade (PPTC).
• Where there are more applicants on the same score than there are places remaining, non-academic criteria are applied.
Examples ofNon-academic Criteria
• Feeder primary schools.• Eldest in family.• Sibling(s) already pupils in the school or
former pupils. • Children in receipt of free school meals.• Parish or borough.• Distance from school.• Random selection.
Special Cases(after the assessments)
• Special Circumstances
• Special Provisions
Special Circumstances• Circumstances beyond the control of the child
which affect his or her performance in the assessments.
• Apply to AQE for special form, on which you may describe circumstances and provide evidence.
• Submit with the Transfer Form (Application).
• Individual schools will evaluate the claim and if necessary and appropriate…
• …adjust the score by a margin determined by other academic information.
Special ProvisionsMay apply to children:
• who live outside NI up to and at the time of the tests, or…
• who have experienced more than half their primary school education outside NI, or…
• have been unable to sit the AQE CEAs.
To take away …
• AQE Guide for Parents (strong green)• AQE ‘Implementation Process’ (cream)• Frequently Asked Questions (red)• Explanation of scoring system (lilac)• Access Arrangements (blue)• CEA Specification (pale green)• Registration Form• Copy of slide presentation
Contacts
www.bangorgrammarschool.com
www.glenlolacollegiate.net
www.regenthouse.org.uk
www.aqe.org.uk
ContactsAQE Office
Unit 3
Weavers Court Business Park
Belfast
BT12 5GH
028 9022 4002 / [email protected]