Consultation meeting at KEGS

Eleven Plus (11+) in Essex

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
concerned parent
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:54 pm

Consultation meeting at KEGS

Post by concerned parent »

Re: Proposed Changes to Admissions Criteria for KEGs and CCHS

Kings Edward VI Grammar School (KEGs) (boys) and Chelmsford County High School (CCHS) (girls) are currently undergoing a process of consultation to change their admissions criteria. If this proposal is agreed and implemented it will mean that (for the 2013 11plus examination for entry into the schools in September 2014) 80% of the children will be selected from within a 12.5 mile radius from the school. Only 20% of the places will be given to children who live outside of this area (i.e. 22 places for boys and 24 places for girls). If implemented this proposal will make it much more difficult for children who live in Ilford, Romford, Loughton, Havering, Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, Debden, Burnham on Crouch etc to be selected for the school even if the children perform significantly better in the 11plus exam to the children who live within the proposed catchment.

In addition it is proposed that for KEGs, 10% of places will be given to children who demonstrate significant musical aptitude. Therefore realistically only around 10 places will be given to children who live outside of the catchment regardless of their ‘intelligence’.

The main reasons given for the changes are:

• Children travel more than 60 mins to reach the schools and are therefore tired.
• Only the ‘most’ able children are able to cope with the greater journey times.
• The schools are unable to play an active role in the local community.

For full consultation letter and media articles, please visit http://www.kegs.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or http://www.cchs.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The main reasons that we as concerned parents and members of the public are opposed to this proposal are:

• There will be a decline in quality and ability to compete with the best schools in the country. When academic achievement comparisons are made between schools that have catchments (e.g., the Southend Grammar Schools) and those that do not (e.g., the Barnet Grammar Schools), the schools without catchment criteria perform significantly better. Distance and travel time from school appears to have a negligible effect on academic achievement. For example, the Barnet Grammar Schools (ranked first and second state schools in England by the Sunday Times, Dec 2011) have over 40% of pupils living more than 12.5miles away from the schools.

• KEGS/CCHS have not presented evidence that only the most able children can cope with the longer journey times. Both schools have had at least 20% of children from outside of the proposed catchment area for many decades. The schools have not provided any evidence that these children perform worst at GCSE and A levels.
• The two schools are now academies which are funded by central government rather than through local authority funding. The emphasis should therefore be on selecting the most ‘able’ children rather than focusing on supporting the local community. Given the schools’ philosophy that they specialise in the ‘gifted and talented’ selection should be solely on the ‘gifted and talented’ and not dependent on where you live.
• Loss of status and quality in the future will have impact on competing for University Places especially Oxford, Cambridge and other top universities. For example, the Southend Grammar Schools have proportionally fewer children who win places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities compared to KEGs, CCHS and the two Barnet Grammar Schools.

• The schools have not shown evidence that the proposal is Equality Impact Assessed. It appears that when considering the current intake from outside of the 12.5 mile radius, this proposal disproportionately affects children who are from Ethnic Minorities much more than any other group.


We have until 29th February 2012 to respond to this proposal. Please use the points listed above or make other points that you feel are relevant. You must respond directly to the two schools using the following email addresses:

admissions@kegs.org.uk (KEGs)

office@cchs.essex.sch.uk (CCHS)

In addition we are compiling a collective response via completion of a standard response form
(see attached form.) The completed forms must be signed and completed and handed back to the parent who gave it to you OR post to the two schools . We will ensure that all signed and returned forms are hand delivered to the Heads of the two schools.

Please note the proposal will be implemented before the end of this year if a substantial number of objections are not raised to the change in admissions criteria.

Finally you should note that there is a formal consultation meeting at KEGs on 1st February 2012, 6.30pm open to all who want to voice their opinions / objections. We want to ensure that there is a substantial attendance at this meeting in opposition to the proposals so that the schools reconsider the need for a catchment criteria. Please make every attempt to attend. Transport to the consultation meeting will be available free of charge. If you require transport please contact Jitesh on 07931 741 901.


Yours sincerely,


KEGs Concerned Committee (KCC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

please complete with your details and post/email it to BOTH Schools--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation for Proposed Changes to Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI Grammar School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls


I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the admissions criteria for 2013/14 for KEGs and CCHS for the following reasons:

• Grammar schools were introduced to bring much needed social mobility to Britain regardless of constraints of wealth, background, social class or race impeding students from acquiring an excellent education. The change proposed will not allow bright children from poorer backgrounds to have a chance of a good education. In particular the Kegs proposal to further safeguard 10 of the 20 places for children having attained level 5 in Music ,demonstrates this point further. Not many parents can privately tutor their child in the amount of music lessons required to reach level 5 by the age of 10 !
• The schools are part of the Essex consortium and should at the very least serve any child living in Essex. Children living in Romford,have no other performing schools to attend as they are already discriminated on grounds of religion, musical or sporting ability, or not being children of, or related to the existing closed network of previous students etc.

The two schools are now academies which are funded by central government rather than through local authority funding. The emphasis should therefore be on selecting the most ‘able’ children rather than focusing on supporting the local community. Given the schools’ philosophy that they specialise in the ‘gifted and talented’ selection should be solely on the ‘gifted and talented’ and not dependent on where you live.
• There will be a decline in quality and ability to compete with the best schools in the country. When academic achievement comparisons are made between schools that have catchments (e.g., the Southend Grammar Schools) and those that do not (e.g., the Barnet Grammar Schools), the schools without catchment criteria perform significantly better. Distance and travel time from school appears to have a negligible effect on academic achievement. For example, the Barnet Grammar Schools (ranked first and second state schools in England by the Sunday Times, Dec 2011) have over 40% of pupils living more than 12.5miles away from the schools.

• KEGS/CCHS have not presented evidence that only the most able children can cope with the longer journey times. Both schools have had at least 20% of children from outside of the proposed catchment area for many decades. The schools have not provided any evidence that these children perform worst at GCSE and A levels.
• Loss of status and quality in the future will have impact on competing for University Places especially Oxford, Cambridge and other top universities. For example, the Southend Grammar Schools have proportionally fewer children who win places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities compared to KEGs, CCHS and the two Barnet Grammar Schools.

• The schools have not shown evidence that the proposal is Equality Impact Assessed. It appears that when considering the intake from outside of the 12.5 mile radius, this proposal affects children who are from Ethnic Minorities much more than children who are from White Background.

• If the Chelmsford Grammars do not concede to the above points, at the very least they need to consider they have a duty to offer a free and unbiased opportunity to all the places available to children in Essex who cannot apply for the schools in Redbridge. Otherwise they will again be penalised from being given an equal opportunity in gaining a place to the only few Schools remaining accessible in our locality.

• There has also been no thought given to siblings who would not be given an equal opportunity to join these schools under the new proposals.


…………………………………… ……………………………..........………………………………

Signature Print Name

Address: ……………………………………..………………………………………………………………………….

Please tick as appropriate:
I am a parent of a child at KEGS □
I am a parent of a child at CCHS □
I am a concerned member of public □

For KEGs and CCHS parents only:

I live ………..………miles away from the school and my child reaches the school in ……....………minutes.
Last edited by concerned parent on Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:35 pm, edited 4 times in total.
concerned parent
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:54 pm

Re: KEGS consulting on a priority admissions area for 2013/1

Post by concerned parent »

subscribe to CCHS_KEGS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com if you want to know more about what is happening with the proposal.
campergirl
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:47 am

Re: KEGS consulting on a priority admissions area for 2013/1

Post by campergirl »

Thank you for the newspaper article and the yahoo group (I've subscribed).

My dd's primary school weren't aware of the new proposals when I spoke to them a couple of weeks ago so I think there needs to be more awareness amoungst primary schools. I have asked our headteacher for help on this.

I know the competition will still be tough as there are still Prep schools within the 12.5 miles, we will hope for it to all fall into place on the day of the exam.

Good luck to all the children sitting the 11+ this year! :D
concerned parent
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:54 pm

Re: KEGS consulting on a priority admissions area for 2013/1

Post by concerned parent »

FREE TRANSPORT TO KEGS MEETING

Proposed Changes to Admissions Criteria for KEGs and CCHS

These changes will come into place for admissions in September 2013 and therefore directly affect children from Year 5

There is a meeting at KEGs on 1st February 2012, 6.30pm
. It is very important that we actively and strongly oppose this proposal. We have received over 600 responses to the letter attached – not counting those that have responded directly. We must therefore ensure that there is a substantial attendance at this meeting in opposition to the proposals so that the schools reconsider the need for a catchment criteria. If people fail to attend, it is almost 100% certain that these proposals will be implemented by March 2012.

Transport to the consultation meeting will be available free of charge. If you require transport please contact Jitesh on 07931 741 901.

Coach pick ups are as follows (a second coach can be provided if there are enough numbers):
• Ilford outside Valentines house 5pm
• Gants Hill 5.10pm
• Newbury Park Station 5.15pm
A minibus service from Barley lane (5.10pm) and Gidea park (5.40pm) can also be provided depending on numbers. All coaches and minibus will arrive at KEGS for 6.15pm.

PLEASE MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. IF WE DON’T ACT NOW, OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO COMPETE ON AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD FOR PLACES AT THESE TWO GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. – ‘SAY NO TO THE UNFAIR 12.5 MILE CATCHMENT’

Yours sincerely,
KEGs Concerned Committee (KCC)

PS: We have until 29th February 2012 to respond to this proposal. You must respond directly to the two schools using the following email addresses:

admissions@kegs.org.uk (KEGs) office@cchs.essex.sch.uk (CCHS)

In addition we are compiling a collective response via completion of a standard response form
(see attached form.) The completed forms must be signed and completed and handed back to the parent who gave it to you OR post to the two schools We will ensure that all signed and returned forms are hand delivered to the Heads of the two schools.
___________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE PRINT-SEND/EMAIL THE ATTACHED LETTER BELOW TO BOTH SCHOOLS
___________________________________________________________________________________
Consultation for Proposed Changes to Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI Grammar School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls

I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the admissions criteria for 2013 for KEGs and CCHS for the following reasons:

• The two schools are now academies which are funded by central government rather than through local authority funding. The emphasis should therefore be on selecting the most ‘able’ children rather than focusing on supporting the local community. Given the schools’ philosophy that they specialise in the ‘gifted and talented’ selection should be solely on the ‘gifted and talented’ and not dependent on where you live.
• There will be a decline in quality and ability to compete with the best schools in the country. When academic achievement comparisons are made between schools that have catchments (e.g., the Southend Grammar Schools) and those that do not (e.g., the Barnet Grammar Schools), the schools without catchment criteria perform significantly better. Distance and travel time from school appears to have a negligible effect on academic achievement. For example, the Barnet Grammar Schools (ranked first and second state schools in England by the Sunday Times, Dec 2011) have over 40% of pupils living more than 12.5miles away from the schools.

• KEGS/CCHS have not presented evidence that only the most able children can cope with the longer journey times. Both schools have had at least 20% of children from outside of the proposed catchment area for many decades. The schools have not provided any evidence that these children perform worst at GCSE and A levels.
• Loss of status and quality in the future will have impact on competing for University Places especially Oxford, Cambridge and other top universities. For example, the Southend Grammar Schools have proportionally fewer children who win places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities compared to KEGs, CCHS and the two Barnet Grammar Schools.

• The schools have not shown evidence that the proposal is Equality Impact Assessed. It appears that when considering the intake from outside of the 12.5 mile radius, this proposal disproportionately affects children who are from Ethnic Minorities much more than any other group.

…………………………………… …………………………………………………………………

Signature Print Name

Address: ……………………………………..………………………………………………………………………….

Please tick as appropriate:
I am a parent of a child at KEGS □
I am a parent of a child at CCHS □
I am a concerned member of public □

For KEGs and CCHS parents only:

I live …………………miles away from the school and my child reaches the school in ………………minutes.
Last edited by WP on Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: removed excessive sizing
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now