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AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:35 pm
by logic32
I was hoping someone could just confirm the sibling rule for me.

For AHS admissions it states that siblings of girls at AHS or boys at AGS are the second group to be considered followed by in catchment children.

We are OOC but have a DS at AGS. I assumed this meant that DD would get a place but two people have told me that they believe the sibling rule still only applies to Bucks Children, and that we would then be considered lower down the admissions table.

I know we still have a reasonable chance of getting in on distance and therefore not relying on me being correct ( probably just as well ) but selfishly would love not to wait until March to be more certain.

Just as a footnote can I add what a brutal process the STTS seems to be this year compared with 3 years ago when DS sat the old 11+.
DD certainly worked hard but then so did lots of her friends and I'm sure all the children with parents on this forum. Unfortunately many of her peers didn't quite make it and several of those were 'expected' to pass (though I have certainly learned nothing is certain in this 11+ testing from both experiences).

The overall impression appears to be to me that the new tests have proved more traumatic for the kids, with the added time pressure etc. But obviously the old tests needed to change because of the increasingly high pass rate needed, and techniques that could all be learnt.
From my point of view, I'm still not sure if they manage to prove natural ability / intelligence any better as there seems such a high number of 'bright' children who still missed out. I also wonder if all the talk of tutor proofing the tests put some off helping their children too much, assuming there might finally be a level playing field. ( We had a tutor and my DD said on Friday she didn't think she would have passed without them)

I was wondering what those more experienced in this 11+ testing feel. Is the new system an improvement in actually identifying the top 30% or not ?

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:57 pm
by Sally-Anne
logic32 wrote:two people have told me that they believe the sibling rule still only applies to Bucks Children, and that we would then be considered lower down the admissions table.
Maybe the two people who told you that should actually read the Admissions Policy? It is crystal clear that siblings take priority over catchment. (Not to mention the fact that it would be illegal under the Greenwich Judgement 1989 to give priority to Bucks children solely on the grounds that they live within BCC's administrative boundaries.)
Where eligible applications for admission exceed the number of places available at the main point of admission, the following criteria will be applied in the order set out below to decide which student to admit:

1. Looked after girls and previously looked after girls1.
2. Students who qualify for Free School Meals2.
3. For the main point of admission, siblings3 of girls in Years 7 to 12 at Aylesbury High School who are on the roll and will be on the roll of the applicable school at the time of the proposed admission.
4. For the main point of admission, siblings of boys at Aylesbury Grammar School who are on the roll and will be on the roll of the applicable school at the time of the proposed admission.
5. Girls living in the catchment area of the school.
6. Once the above rules have been applied, and if there were to be a tie within any of the above rules, then any further places will be offered in distance order,
As an aside, on the Admissions page for AHS there is some extremely helpful information about where current pupils of the school live, how many girls might come from state and independent schools, transport to Aylesbury, etc. Well worth a look, and well done to the school for providing such details http://www.ahsonline.co.uk/Admissions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:13 pm
by southbucks3
Post edited

30% will have passed from the entire cohort, it will be interesting to see how many passed from the entire catchment bucks state primary cohort, as that used to be 35% many moons ago, snd how nany pass from the ooc cohort. Perhaps the demographics of the applications from ooc would highlight where the greatest demand for a new grammar would be outside the bucks boundaries.
I am impartial as i have a son at rgs, and a great upper school, but many are disappointed they cannot attend rgs from greater distances particulatly along ghe m4 corridor, even though john hampden is equally as good, so perhaps it could move to a larger site near maidrnhead and reduce traffic congestion too. I am fairly sure there is a need for a school towards mk, leighton, dunstable area too, as many travel to henry floyd from there.

As so many people want to gain sought after grammar place, perhaps the local primaries should change to opt in, and people are given realistic and truthful expectations of thrir childs outcome brfore they enter them into the test, and are also fully informed about how much extra work their specific child would have to do to have a shot at passing.

Good luck yo everyone, and i hope your child is happy and supported eherever they go

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:30 pm
by Guest55
Sorry, I don't understand this post at all.

The Floyd is just where it is needed - few places in Year 7 and a mixed school.

RGS - why should that move?

There is a banded school in High Wycombe called Highcrest and, if you want a comprehensive school then there some just over the borders.

Buses are needed because of distances - some of us are miles from a secondary school.

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:49 pm
by Garnett
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Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:57 pm
by Garnett
Guest55 wrote:Sorry, I don't understand this post at all.

The Floyd is just where it is needed - few places in Year 7 and a mixed school.

RGS - why should that move?

There is a banded school in High Wycombe called Highcrest and, if you want a comprehensive school then there some just over the borders.

Buses are needed because of distances - some of us are miles from a secondary school.
It will be interesting to see how many local primary school children have been successful in passing the new test.

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:40 pm
by scary mum
Garnett wrote:
Guest55 wrote:Sorry, I don't understand this post at all.

The Floyd is just where it is needed - few places in Year 7 and a mixed school.

RGS - why should that move?

There is a banded school in High Wycombe called Highcrest and, if you want a comprehensive school then there some just over the borders.

Buses are needed because of distances - some of us are miles from a secondary school.
It will be interesting to see how many local primary school children have been successful in passing the new test.
I think it will be hard to tell anything from that. Under the previous 11us, my DCs' school ranged from under 20% to over 50% year on year. The numbers are just too small, so a few children in one direction makes a huge difference.

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:43 pm
by Garnett
Scary Mum - It is a completely different exam to the old one - I don't think you will see a 50 per cent success rate any more!

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:55 pm
by scary mum
You miss my point. If there is to be an overall pass rate of 30%, some schools will have a higher success rate than that & some lower. From one year to the next a change of a few more passing or failing can make a huge difference in the percentage passing due to small numbers in year 6. There will still be the same number of children going to grammar schools. I really feel for those taking the test this year, it sounds awful, but nevertheless 30% will pass - it is designed that way.

Re: AHS sibling rule

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:56 pm
by logic32
Thank you very much Sally-Anne for confirming my initial assumption. Strange how you start to doubt everything once someone puts the seed in place !!

I had a look at the AHS website and you are right it's a great addition and very forward thinking.

Southbucks I read your post in the results section on Friday and thought what a great parent you sounded to understand your offspring so well. I am truly sorry that your DS missed by a small margin, he is clearly a very determined boy.

I totally understand that the OOC issue is always a hot potato for Bucks residents and hope that I can see that side of the argument as well as my own. Though it is my understanding that the opt in verses opt out system makes some of the figures inaccurate.

Having lots of friends ( and some mere acquaintances !! ) within the bucks school system I have to agree with your edited post re realistic expectations by bucks teachers and heads. The misinformation regarding policy alone is astounding and I've directed several people here to get the actual facts.