Strathearn School Transfer 2014 Information for P6 parents

Strathearn School Transfer 2014 Information for P6 parents

Key Issues 1. Strathearn Transfer 2014 2. The AQE Common Entrance Assessment 3. The Assessment Process 4. Transfer Applications 2014 5. Strathearn Admissions Criteria 6. Key Dates and Information

1. Strathearn Transfer 2014 Common Approach 34 grammar schools using the AQE Common Entrance Assessment for example BRA Down High Grosvenor GS Methodist College Sullivan Upper Wellington Campbell Bloomfield Collegiate Glenlola Collegiate Hunterhouse Regent House Victoria College Bangor Grammar RBAI

1. Strathearn Transfer 2014 Common Approach 34 grammar schools using the AQE Common Entrance Assessment Similar admission criteria for Strathearn Bloomfield Collegiate Sullivan Upper Result of the Assessment - 1 st Criterion If you want your daughter to have a chance to enter Strathearn she must sit the Assessment

2. AQE Common Entrance Assessment AQE - company formed to produce a test based on current NI curriculum The company (not the schools) will administer application process set 3 papers 1 hour each mark the assessments give out the results

3. Assessment Process 3 papers 1 hour each Pupils sit any 2 or all 3 papers Sit in a grammar school 10.00 11.00am Saturday morning 9 November 2013 23 November 2013 30 November 2013 Note GL tests Sat 16 November

3. Assessment Process Format of CEA 8 mathematics items Poem 1 with 7 comprehension items 8 mathematics items Basic English skills passage 8 mathematics items Poem 2 with 7 comprehension items 8 mathematics items. Prose passage with 7 comprehension items.

3. Assessment Process CEA takes account of Revised KS2 Curriculum for English and mathematics (no science) Previous Transfer Test questions are suitable for practice (exclude science) Practice paper and answers are available on the AQE website (www.aqe.org.uk)

3. Assessment Process The Assessments Held in each participating Grammar Register with AQE for preferred centre - centre allocated by AQE Preferred centre likely to be most convenient independent of school to which pupil may wish to transfer Familiarisation session details after registration Strathearn Monday 4 Nov.

3. Assessment Process The Assessments in Strathearn Held in classrooms Invigilation team from Strathearn Familiarisation afternoon for pupils (Monday 4 November) to see rooms meet invigilators be briefed on conduct of assessment

3. Assessment Process Marking Each paper marked twice by different markers Then checked by a third marker Will take place in two centres in presence of chief examiners Opportunity to apply for a remark

3. Assessment Process Results Best of 2 out of 3 results Age adjusted Given as a standardised score (therefore the average score is 100) Saturday 1 February 2014 to parents and participating grammar schools Opportunity to apply for a remark

3. Assessment Process Registering to sit the AQE CEA From Monday 13 May 2013, application forms available from AQE website and from participating schools Forms also sent to Primary Schools Completed forms returned to AQE no later than Friday 13 September 2013 Fee 44.00 although free if entitled to FSM

3. Assessment Process Registration Form asks you to Nominate your preference of 3 test centres (no bearing on Transfer) Identify any special access arrangements Submit 3 passport photographs If applicable, provide evidence of entitlement to Free School Meals

4. Transfer Applications 2014 Based on current process Interview with Primary Principal February 2014 Complete a Transfer form nominating schools in order of preference Forms submitted by primary schools to ELB Schools receive first preference forms etc. Parents informed of allocated school by end of May 2014

5. Strathearn Admissions - current The Process (110 places) First 115 applicants placed in rank order of AQE score Top 100 applicants allocated a place The remaining 15 applicants then considered for the final 10 places Other criteria will be applied to these 15 applicants to allocate the remaining 10 places

5. Strathearn Admissions - current Criteria for remaining 10 places i. Girls at Strathearn Preparatory Dept. ii. iii. iv. Girls with a sister at the school Girls eldest eligible girl Girls entitled to FSM v. Girls with sister a past pupil vi. vii. Girls with brothers at Campbell or RBAI, or a with parent who is an employee, or with a parent who was a former pupil AQE score viii. Distance

6. Key Dates and Information 13 May - AQE forms available 13 Sept. last date for AQE registration 4 Nov. Familiarisation afternoon 9, 23, 30 November - Assessment dates December 2013 - January 2014, visit schools 1 Feb. 2014 publication of results Feb. March complete Transfer forms End May 2014 - notification of allocated school

6. Key Dates and Information What should I do as a parent? If you wish your child to be considered by any of the AQE schools 1. Register with AQE 2. Support him/her with their school work (English and mathematics) 3. Bring him/her to allocated test centre 4. Visit schools Dec Jan and consider admissions criteria 5. Complete Transfer form at Primary School

6. Key Dates and Information Website Addresses www.aqe.org.uk www.strathearn.org.uk www.bloomfieldcollegiate.org.uk www.sullivanupper.co.uk