11 Plus Exams Forum

I'm after some advice about filling in the CAF. (Ds is our eldest child and I didn't grow up in this country, so this whole school thing is new to me!)

Ds's 11+ score was high enough for a place at SHSB (we are in catchment and he got 370), so will we be OK simply putting down SHSB and WHSB on the CAF? (Seems a little odd to put schools down that he doesn't actually want to go to simply to fill the spaces on the form).

And also, do we need to submit any separate applications to the schools or does everything happen through the CAF now?

Apologies in advance for sounding so ignorant and thank you for any answers!

Re separate applications, no - all applications for a place at secondary school have to be made via your CAF.

With regard to just naming WHSB and SHSB, some will do that, in your position (and ours, fortunately ) it may be tempting. However, since we do not have rankings and don't know how many in-catchment boys qualified, personally I will still be filling in all the places on our CAF. At the moment, DS2's list goes SHSB / WHSB / Cecil Jones / Sweyne Park / King John. We will be going back to SHSB and WHSB, though and may have to rethink fifth preference if he has not done well in the King John test.

Toadmum is right - although it can on occasion look as though the allocation is certain ie appropriate pass in catchment, you can never be sure .

You do have to be really certain before only putting one or two schools for example DD passed (all that was needed in this area ) school had catchment where 42 passed for 112 places and we are firmly in catchment - even then I hesitated before putting the CAF in - simply because putting others does not affect your chance at the ones you want and also they cannot be added later

I too would put another school(s) on your CAF. With DD2's score last year, it looked very likely that with it being in the green zone, she would gain a place at her chosen school. However, I couldn't bring myself to only enter that one and had an "insurance" school.

If only SHSB and WHSB your DS is interested in then just list these two schools as your 1st and 2nd preferences and in what order is up to you as you are in catchment. If SHSB is your DS top choice than put it as 1st preference. I would also put at least one local school which your DS is certain to get a place as the 3rd preference.

Well done to your DS!

Kace wrote: (Seems a little odd to put schools down that he doesn't actually want to go to simply to fill the spaces on the form).

And also, do we need to submit any separate applications to the schools or does everything happen through the CAF now?

If you have a private back up plan and wouldn't under any circumstances send him anywhere else then don't bother - otherwise better to be safe (although would have to be massive 'flook' results for him not to get a place at chosen schools!)

I think the only schools that requires a SIF - supplementary form - are those such as faith schools where info not on the CAF is required eg. place of worship attended. Should all be in you local admissions hand book.