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Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:45 pm
by SingleDad
Hi all,

Does anyone know if the pass mark is the same for all schools within Bucks? Or does it vary from school to school.

So, for example, I am planning to appy for Burnham Grammar and Beaconsfield High School. My daughter will be sitting one 11+ test for both schools (albeit it will be two VR papers). Is it possible that we could be offered a place in one school, but not the other? Or is it a case of either both will offer a place or neither will offer a place?

(I have asked the same question on the Berkshire board for Berkshire schools too, since we're planning to apply there too)

Many thanks,

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:54 pm
by svg123
Your child need to secure 121 in the test to pass and then the allocation is done as per distance from the school.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:38 pm
by mitasol
The distances are listed in the allocation profile http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/school ... n-profiles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You will only get one school offer on allocation day. It will be the highest ranked school for which you qualify.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:44 am
by drummer
As the others have stated: in Bucks you sit one test (consisting of 2 papers) for all Bucks schools which you either pass or not - a pass is 121 or above, if you pass you have 'qualified' for grammar school.

All qualified children are equally considered according to the schools admissions criteria which is largely based on catchment, siblings and distance from the school (much like most primary schools in any area). You should state your preference on the CAF in the true order that you would prefer.

The situation in Berkshire is very different so I'd pay close attention to the replies you get there.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 12:16 pm
by Sally-Anne
Just to clarify, your child needs to achieve the magic number of 121 on one of the papers, not both.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 12:21 pm
by SingleDad
Thanks all for your replies - most helpful.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:07 am
by Booklady
As others have said - one score of 121 or over on one paper will secure an offer to the highest up school on your CAF which can offer a place based on their criteria.

We are in catchment for BGS so were offered that last year, but it was no 3 on our form. BHS was fist and SWB second. At the Easter reallocation (just before we went to appeal) we got offered our first choice BHS - based on distance (as we are about 100m out of their catchment).

Put the schools in your genuine order of preference. They will allocate you the top one they are able to at each point.

We also sat Berks - which has a different system. She didn't pass (because we had not practiced the NVR eanough). They offer on a mix of scoring 111 and over, to pass - then some schools offere a certain no of places to the top x people, and then some on closeness to the school. Have a look at the school admissions criteria to check out the ones you want.

Good luck in the process! :)

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:42 am
by khanj010
dear posters i know the pass mark is 121 but what mark out of 80 do they need to achive, i am so paranoide about this as my ds is achieving 68-69 does this mean he wont get it with this score for a jan born in bucks for vr test

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:03 pm
by scary mum
I'm not sure that asking this question on several different threads will give you a different answer. As you have seen the scores from last year are posted on the sticky. No-one really knows what score will be needed to pass this year, it depends on the cohort of children and the test. As Patricia says, she likes her pupils to be getting 72 to be sure. Mine isn't but here isn't a great deal I can do other than encourage him to practice.

Good luck to your DS.

Re: Pass criteria between schools with Bucks

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:07 pm
by Sally-Anne
The raw scores on the Sticky for the qualification mark of 121 were obtained through a Freedom of Information request to Bucks CC. They are absolute facts about what happened last year.

As scary says, there is no guarantee that the scores will be the same this year, but they give you an indication of the type of raw scores that might be needed to qualify this year.