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Reference letters from head of primary school to secondary.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:18 pm
by blue
Hi,
does anyone have any experience or know what type of info that a head from a junior school is requested to put in a letter of reference when applying for an independent secondary school?
The school we are applying for seem to like good all rounders ie the child also being involved in after school clubs etc... and the head will be contacting my childs school around January time.
Also does anyone know whether or not the year 5 sats results are needed to give an idea of ability.
Thanks
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:48 pm
by Ed's mum
Sorry, although we have through it once already, I have no idea what sort of information is sought. I could hazard a guess, but I do not know.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:56 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
I expect:
Position in class in each subject and if top by what margin
Attitude and behaviour
Effort
Willingness to participate in extra curricular
Other achievements
General character
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:01 pm
by coolmum123
We were sent the reference forms to complete some of the info and then pass onto the school (these are day schools so not sure whether Boarding Schools ask for more info) but info reqd was things like
after school activities
clubs / membership outside of school
musical ability / grade
drama prodns
sports
attitude to work
attendance
effort
behaviour
special needs
physical disabilities
There are more categories but I can't remember them sorry!
I remeber there being a box requesting SAT exam results
Then General H/masters comments
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:05 pm
by Milla
God, how scary is all this. Thank goodness it's not our bag. Makes the mere GS tests seem a breeze.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:20 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
Milla wrote: Makes the mere GS tests seem a breeze.
Most parents don't have to deal with it. It's the Heads that do!
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:30 pm
by Milla
T.i.p.s.y wrote:
Most parents don't have to deal with it. It's the Heads that do!
yes, but you KNOW they are doing it. It's the powerless bit which is so stressy. Which is why we grown ups should be allowed to take the tests and not leave it to the vagaries of the children
!
Sats grades in reference to entrance to independents.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:38 pm
by blue
Thank you for all your great advice, there is lot's there to consider.
I wonder how much they look at the sats results from year 5 as my daughter has done unexpectedly well with some of the literacy questions getting level 5 and much lower in maths getting 3b when two terms ago we were told she was a year ahead in maths!
It is just one test but still, if the new head sees these results the maths doesn't look great.
I suppose they look at what they can achieve in the future too, as an indicator.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:40 pm
by sp
Do they have an entrance exam? If so they would see her true potential in the subjects tested.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:45 pm
by T-4-2
I was just thinking, if you say what school you are applying to, there may be some people with experience of that particular school who could give you more help