11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi, would someone please put me out of my misery!

I have conflicting information regarding the passmark for St Bernard's Catholic girls school in Westcliff.

Is it 303?

I am hoping it is lower!!!!!!!!!


Any advices would be gratefully appreciated. I have been trawling the internet all day driving myself insane.

Thanks so much

I have had an out of catchment student with 298 enter St Bernards last year. She was not Catholic (I believe being Catholic gives you a higher priority with entry into St Bernards).

I was very surprised to see the 303 minimum on the CSSE guidance. I have known girls enter with less than 303 too. I would phone them and check.

There is no preference given to Catholics for the grammar stream.

Thanks for replying.

Do I ring CSSE or St Bernards? I did attend the open evening and they were fairly vague about the passmark. The deputy head said passmark was 303 but if 80 children applied they would simply use highest score and work down.

Forgive me if I upset anyone but I would assume that if your DD sit's the 11+ and gains a pass to go to one of the grammars you would choose that. Perhaps I am wrong there. My DD1 put St Bernards down third but scored more than enough to secure a place at SHSG.

DD2 however scored 297 so unfortunately will not be following her. Have to say I was extremely impressed with St Bernards and if DD2 gained a place I would be more than happy.

But having the dream shattered already of her first choice, following her sister to school, I don't want to pursue St Bernards if there is no realistic chance of her gaining a place.

I am catholic, but not sure it will carry much weight. And I am pretty sure my A level in RE wont either. Hey ho.

293 made it in last year as well.

I wish your daughter all the best.

Really?

Think that is the first time I have smiled since Monday evening.

Praying (literally) that she gets in. Had a tour with my mum today and loved it.

They will take students that apply for the Grammar stream in Rank order. Anecdotally (and confirmed by previous posters) this has gone below 303 in recent years.

The only conflict would be, I guess, if the number of RC applicants exceeded their quota and they had sufficient grammar stream applicants over 303. In the past few years they have had neither a full quota of RC applicants or 303+ grammar applicants. So have been able to accept students with marks below 303.

Good Luck! It's a fantastic school and in my experience (and opinion!) compares very favourably with SHSG and WHSG in what it achieves with its students.

Thank you for replying - its a long wait till March now unfortunately

Well am back to being very depressed again.

Have spoken to St Bernard's and they are adamant that 303 is the passmark, although she did say they wouldn't know until March etc

I have emailed the CSSE but suspect I will get the same response.

Does anyone know how many places they fill throught the selection process, is it a school in demand for their grammar stream ?

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I am off for some more wine

From the current Southend Secondary Admissions booklet, i.e info re the 2012 intake:

http://www.southend.gov.uk/site/scripts ... mentID=194

Number of preferences received for admission to Year 7 in September 2012 = 324
Total number of places offered to:
Catholic girls in Public Care 1
Selective pupils 3
Catholic pupils within the area 89
Catholic pupils outside the area 2
Other baptised Catholics 25
Non-Catholic girls in Public Care 0
Girls of the Eastern Orthodox Church 1
Christian pupils attending Catholic primary schools 1
Other Christian pupils 18
Other faith pupils 4
Non-Christian pupils 0
Pupils with statements of SEN 2
For admissions to Year 7 in September 2012 the last child was admitted under admission criterion (i) -
Other Faith Pupils
Number of appeals lodged: 5
Number of appeals heard: 4
Number of successful appeals: 1

Not an enormous number admitted via the 11+...