MOVING UP TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2016

1. THE SELECTION PROCESS

2. THE ALLOCATION PROCESS

More information at www.buckscc.gov.uk/admissions

TimelineWhat When

Preparation tests 8th September 2015

Transfer tests 10th September 2015

Results published 16th October 2015

Preference deadline 31st October 2015

School place offers Beg March 2016

Start secondary school September 2016

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

Headteacher Recommendations3 levels of recommendation:

1. Exceptionally highly recommended

2. Highly recommended

3. Recommended with reservations

4th’recommendation’ - ‘not recommended for grammar school’.

4 levels of attitude to work:

1. Self starter, independent worker, consistent and highly motivated

2. Hard working and reliable

3. Output varies

4th level – ‘lacks organisation and requires support’.

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

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

VERBAL ABILITY

• Verbal reasoning

• Comprehension

• Vocabulary

Verbal Ability Example

Verbal reasoning example

NUMERICAL ABILITY

• Problem-solving

• Multi-stage

Numerical reasoning example

NON-VERBAL ABILITY

• Reasoning in a diagrammatic/abstract context

Non verbal reasoning example

Preparation Tests – 8th 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 10th September

• Produced by The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham (CEM)

• Two test papers (45-50 minutes)

• Taken on the same day

• Short 15/20 minute gap between the tests

• Each test - about an hour to administer

Marking

• Computer marked (scanned)

• One point is given for each correct

answer

• Each pupil will have three raw scores • verbal ability -------------STTS x 50%

• numerical ability -------------STTS x 30%

• non-verbal ability -------------STTS x 20%

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

• 121 is the same but not other scores eg old 110 = new 98

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 – 16th 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 March allocation

• Can still appeal later

Non-qualified appeal

• Possible to go straight to Appeal

• Appeal still heard after March allocation

• 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

PART 2THE 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 4 September and 31 October 2015

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 March allocation day

• Accept the place online

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 – 1st March 2016Online applicants•Offer emails sent 1st March •Can log on and accept the school place online

Postal applicants•Offer letters posted 1st 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 2015• 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:

admissions@buckscc.gov.uk

Call:

Admissions & Transport Team on 01296 383250

Where to get help