Information for Entry/Appeal 2008
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:57 pm
I am writing the following as information which may serve as a legacy, certainly in the short term, and help those whose children will be applying for GS 2008 entry.
We heard today that our appeal was successful. Indeed at one stage today we held offers of places at three schools, including the two girls GS in Gloucester! Clearly we are all delighted.
a) The VRQ tests are standardised according to which GS appeared higher on your list. ie at the school you sat the test. The Admissions Team have never made this clear. It does not appear in any documenation we received.
b) VRQ is not an absolute value. A VRQ of 105 at one school may be different at another.
c) The difference in the 2 VRQ scores between schools can be very high.
d) It was far easier to get int Ribston Hall than the High School. This may be of importance next November when you are told you have passed. Passed for which school?
e) A difference of VRQ of 6 or 7 may only correspond to two/three more questions answered correctly. That is 2/3 out of 85!
f) The response sheets this year were not the same style. One paper you filled in a lozenge next to the answers. The other paper you filled in next to a sheet with abcde. If your child has not practised both styles I believe they could be at a disadvantge.
With the latter style the right answer in the wrong place is likely to be the wrong answer!
When it came to the appeal we did the following (based very much on Etieinne's information)
Primary School standardised VRQ scores well above 105
Predicted 5s at KS3
Top sets at an above average(county and country) primary school
CAT scores giving a very high NVR. Reference to this website
http://eduwight.iow.gov.uk/curriculum/a ... tscats.asp
(The Admissions Team provided this.)
Strong recommendation letters from the school (Form teacher and Subject teachers)
A strong quote from the Head Teacher
Everything had measurable, quantified and written proof.
There was no waffle/no ref. to hobbies etc. We stuck to academic evidence which could not be disputed.
And we stayed calm and polite throughout.
I hope this helps. If I think of anything else I shall post again.
We heard today that our appeal was successful. Indeed at one stage today we held offers of places at three schools, including the two girls GS in Gloucester! Clearly we are all delighted.
a) The VRQ tests are standardised according to which GS appeared higher on your list. ie at the school you sat the test. The Admissions Team have never made this clear. It does not appear in any documenation we received.
b) VRQ is not an absolute value. A VRQ of 105 at one school may be different at another.
c) The difference in the 2 VRQ scores between schools can be very high.
d) It was far easier to get int Ribston Hall than the High School. This may be of importance next November when you are told you have passed. Passed for which school?
e) A difference of VRQ of 6 or 7 may only correspond to two/three more questions answered correctly. That is 2/3 out of 85!
f) The response sheets this year were not the same style. One paper you filled in a lozenge next to the answers. The other paper you filled in next to a sheet with abcde. If your child has not practised both styles I believe they could be at a disadvantge.
With the latter style the right answer in the wrong place is likely to be the wrong answer!
When it came to the appeal we did the following (based very much on Etieinne's information)
Primary School standardised VRQ scores well above 105
Predicted 5s at KS3
Top sets at an above average(county and country) primary school
CAT scores giving a very high NVR. Reference to this website
http://eduwight.iow.gov.uk/curriculum/a ... tscats.asp
(The Admissions Team provided this.)
Strong recommendation letters from the school (Form teacher and Subject teachers)
A strong quote from the Head Teacher
Everything had measurable, quantified and written proof.
There was no waffle/no ref. to hobbies etc. We stuck to academic evidence which could not be disputed.
And we stayed calm and polite throughout.
I hope this helps. If I think of anything else I shall post again.