Kendrick Open Evening

[Tinkers]

Out of curiosity, I have looked at the admissions for CCHS.
They have a 12.5 mile catchment by the look of it and the address to that at date of application (not sure if that is the date applying for the test or date applying on CAF, it doesn't make it clear)

Kendrick have a 15 mile catchment, and in the two years since they brought in the catchment they have not had any one outside catchment get a place. The address they use is will be the address you use when applying for the test ie by 20th June.

I don't know about CCHS, and whether they have admitted anyone from outside catchment in previous years. If you are serious about wanting to apply for both, I doubt it's going to be possible as both schools will not allow you to take the test on another date because of exam clashes. You would also need a very fast car or a helicopter? (And hope that you got allocated morning sitting for one and afternoon for the other). I suspect you are going to have to choose one or the other depending on where you live.

Judging by other posts, you are not the only one dealing with exam clashes, and I suspect schools are doing it for a couple of reasons. One is to reduce the numbers taking the exam and secondly, there aren't that many dates available.

[berks_mum]

The address they use is will be the address you use when applying for the test ie by 20th June.

Is this the case for the slough schools, Langley particularly as it has a designated area too.
Also, what happens if a family has to move after registering for the test but before filling the CAF ?
Here is the situation, (family living in Reading)
Kendrick registration: 10th May 2014.
Moves to Maidenhead/Marlow : 20th July 2014.
Maidenhead is in catchment for Kendrick and also for Langley. Will they still be treated as OOC for Langley admission area ?
Langley and Maidenhead are just examples as areas like Maidenhead and Marlow are in catchment for Kendrick as well as other berks/bucks schools.

[Tinkers]

See page 2 of Langley admissions, in the notes

http://www.lgs.slough.sch.uk/_files/PDf ... 7639BF.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think this implies the date you apply for the test.

[berks_mum]

Thanks Tinkers !

So if it is a genuine move (not just educational tourism) then it shouldn't be a problem (point d) i.e if the family has sold a previous house or entered in a new rental agreement and terminated the old one then that is irreversible and shouldn't cause a problem. Hope my understanding is correct.

c) In applying these admission arrangements, ‘permanent home address’ will be defined as the permanent place of residence of the parent with whom the applicant spends the majority of his/her time. The home address must be the address where the applicant is living at the time of application and before the closing date for applications. Where parents/carers share responsibility for part of the week, then both home addresses must be quoted. The school may check the authenticity of the address stated. Proof of residence or further information may be requested and must be provided.
d) If the main address has changed temporarily, for example where a family is renting a property on a Short Term Tenancy Agreement (12 months or under), then the parental address remains that at which the parent was resident before the period of temporary residence began unless it can be shown that all ties to the previous address have been relinquished, or that the move is not easily reversible. The Governors may refuse to base an allocation on an address which might be considered only a temporary address.

[Uttara1]

Hi,
I am living in Reading. Just was thinking various options to put my dd in the entrance exam as many as possible!
But in real situation, it won't be possible (thanks for the discussion)

[ToadMum]

Firstly, re even considering trying to travel from Reading to Chelmsford over the lunch-break on September 13th - (but I think you have just worked that out for yourself ).

Secondly, if you look at the CCHs website, I think you will find that although you can register for the exam there, you cannot take the test at the school if you have already taken a CEM 11+ test somewhere else. You would only be able to sit the test on the back-up date due to illness - certified - or religion (again certified) preventing you from appearing on the main date, but that would be academic if your DD was going to be taking the Berkshire schools' test (or the one in Gloucestershire) on the 13th.

Tinkers - the admissions policy for CCHS which has been in place for the past two years 'ring-fences' 96 places for girls from the 12.5-mile radius catchment area (in rank order), The remaining 24 places are allocated solely on score, in rank order; these places could therefore go to 24 OOC girls, a mixture of IC and OOC or (though very unlikely) another 24 IC girls. So yes, OOC girls do get places every year, but I think both CCHS and the boys' school, KEGS, introduced the common catchment area because a point had been reached where they felt that too many pupils were travelling in from ridiculous distances, getting too tired, not contributing to or benefitting from extracurricular activities etc. Cue much aggro at the time from parents of prospective entrants from well outside the border claiming that giving priority to the dim locals instead of their DC would send the schools straight to Hades in a handcart, etc.

[Uttara1]

Hi,

Just clarifying again whether CEM tests for Birmingham or Buckingham would be possible to give or you can only attend for one CEM Exam? If my dd gives the test for Berkshire/Slough, will there be an issue to sit for other CEM Exams?
What other parents are thinking about it?
Looking forward to hear from you all!
Thanks.

[sonasona]

Just clarifying again whether CEM tests for Birmingham or Buckingham would be possible to give or you can only attend for one CEM Exam? If my dd gives the test for Berkshire/Slough, will there be an issue to sit for other CEM Exams?

The restriction is with any CEM administered test on 13th September 2014 (different regions doing the same test), you are free to sit anywhere else on another day and it won't have any bearing whatsoever on your test results.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... 10&t=37023" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[childrenanddogs]

1. Space seemed to be at such a premium and thus appeared to be somewhat claustrophobic.
2. Academically the school is superb and the Head we know is very well respected, however we couldn't help but think the place is bit of a hothouse.
3. Our DD does very well across all subjects (well, except French ) and we didn't get a sense the arts were held in such esteem as the sciences.
4. The huge catchment area meant it would most likely be the case she wouldn't have (m)any friends locally and we feel that is vitally important.
5. Oddly the canteen was also an issue as it was so small we asked how the kids were catered for. We were told that the girls bought food pots that were heated up and then taken away to eat outside somewhere or take back to their classroom. This contrasts with BHS which had a huge dining area, sofas in the corner and decking and grass immediately outside. This seems so much better and allows the girls to relax and socialise better, which to our mind is also very important.
6. Lastly, perhaps being over protective, we were uncomfortable putting her on a train from Maidenhead to Reading by herself (as no one else from her school sat the test).

Really interesting to hear somebody else's point of view after the open evening.

Some of your points didn't worry me, I didn't feel it claustrophobic and in fact one of the reasons DD loved it so much was that it's a small school, the arts not being as prioritised also aren't a problem for us as my DD is far more in to the science side of things (she wants to be a vet!) and she absolutely loved the science area and spent ages in there chatting to the girls and teachers. Catchment and travel also aren't a concern for us as we're on the outskirts of Reading, but I certainly wouldn't want my daughter to travel from as far away as Maidenhead, so can see exactly why that's an issue for you!

But the canteen thing I completely agree on, I found that very strange! I think it's good to have a complete break and if the pupils have to go back to their classrooms to eat, I don't know that that is going to enable them to switch off completely for their lunch break, and feel like they've had time to relax?

Anyway, as I said it's really interesting to read another's point of view, so thanks for sharing.

[aliportico]

They can go to any classroom, so there's plenty of mixing at lunchtime. There are also lots of clubs at lunchtime so people eat there, or eat quickly and go to their club. I don't know what was there beforehand - whether when the sports hall and that whole bit was built it reduced the food space. On a naturally-constrained site there are a lot of conflicting priorities!