HEAD TEACHERS RANKINGS FOR ATTITUDE AND SUITABILITY

Eleven Plus (11+) in Buckinghamshire (Bucks)

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CJS

HEAD TEACHERS RANKINGS FOR ATTITUDE AND SUITABILITY

Post by CJS »

We had our headteachers 11+ talk yesterday (good powerpoint presentation by Bucks county council) and when I asked the headteacher about the headteachers marks for my child 'ie suitability for grammar school and attitude' I was told that these marks

"could not be given to the parents and that are totally private and confidential"

Moreover " only parents going to appeal can find out these marks".

Is this possible? Is there not a law in the land that says that information held about one's child has to be open to the parents? All I want to know is where my child stands. Any comments?
Sally-Anne
Posts: 9235
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Post by Sally-Anne »

Hi CJS

Our Head (prep school) was totally open with parents who went to see him on their child's ranking. Likewise a local state school Head was as well.

I would simply say to the Head that other schools are not saying this, so why is he? My guess is that he doesn't want you all rushing in to lobby him for better rankings! To prove that there is no such rule laid down by Bucks you can read the 11+ Transfer Manual for Heads here.

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/schools/docum ... 1_plus.pdf

Note that it still relates to 2007 Admissions, and the 2008 Manual is only likely to appear sometime over the summer or early in the autumn term.

The deadline for the OoS last year was 17th November, so I see no reason why, on the date of this year's deadline and once the process is done and dusted, you can't ask the Head what your child's ranking is. After all, if your child is borderline for the 11+ it will at least tell you whether your would stand a chance at an Appeal (bearing in mind that the lowest likely ranking for a successful appeal is 2:1.) and give you a chance to weigh up your options before the result.

Sally-Anne
Catherine
Posts: 1348
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 4:47 pm
Location: Berks,Bucks

Post by Catherine »

Hi CJS,

I seem to remember that parents have the right to ask for any information about their child. If the school refuses, they can apply in writing and the achool have to answer within a few weeks. I will look for the source of this information.

You could ask Bucks CC about it
Catherine
Posts: 1348
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 4:47 pm
Location: Berks,Bucks

Post by Catherine »

Here's a few links about access to a child record according to the data protection act:

http://www.bullying.co.uk/parents/pupilrecords.php
http://www.home-education.org.uk/school-records.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/19980029.htm

The trouble is, most parent choose not to antagonise their child school. We didn't, altough my son's junior school was quite infuriating.
CJS

Post by CJS »

Thanks for the links. I can now tell the school that they are required to give me this information about my child.

It is clear to me that the school is actually withholding information so that they have less work/trouble from the parents. My child did do a VR paper at school a few months ago and they refused to tell the parents the results until the last day of the summer term when the school shuts for the summer hols. If we were told earlier perhaps we could see if our children required additional help. Trouble is, Bucks say that 'no VR teaching is allowed at school except for their familiarisation papers'.
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