Appeal to OOC parents...

Eleven Plus (11+) in Buckinghamshire (Bucks)

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now
Marylou
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:21 am

Appeal to OOC parents...

Post by Marylou »

A few posters have spotted the "elephant in the room" with regard to the new 11+ testing arrangements as published in the Admissions Consultation documents issued by the various grammar schools, and the list of FAQs published on the council website. The fact is that there is no information whatsoever regarding the arrangements for OOC applicants at non-partner schools - nor, for that matter, for in-county home-educated applicants. Compare this with the clear and comprehensive information provided some time ago by Bexley, which is also changing to CEM testing this year: http://www.bexley.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11491&p=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now, responding to the Admissions Consultation could be problematic, as firstly the consultation is theoretically only open to parents living in Buckinghamshire with children between the ages of 2 - 18. (Not sure where this leaves parents in official catchment areas outside Buckinghamshire, though :? ). Secondly, it's extremely difficult to comment on the arrangements for OOC applicants because we haven't been told what they are going to be - nor are we likely to be told before the summer term. Therefore, in order to head off any nasty surprises, it might be a good idea for OOC parents with children in Bucks grammar schools or who are planning to enter their children for the process this year, to respond to the consultation anyway, addressing the letter to the relevant grammar school as shown in this page. http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/sites/bcc/sch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... -2014.page.

In the absence of any proposals, my main concern, which I have highlighted in my own response to the consultation, is that applicants from outside the county must be able to access the admission process under the same conditions as in-county applicants. This right is enshrined in the rules resulting from the Greenwich Judgement, which states that “pupils should not be discriminated against in relation to admission to the school simply because they reside outside the local authority area in which the school is situated”. This could be the case, for example, if OOC applicants are unable to take the preparation tests which we are told must be done under controlled conditions, or are expected to sit the preparation tests on the same day as the actual tests. We don't yet know what's being planned for them, so anything's possible!

The closing date for the consultation is 1st March.
Marylou
loopymum64
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:30 am

Re: Appeal to OOC parents...

Post by loopymum64 »

I did ask the question about when OOC children would sit the paper at the heads presentation I attended at DDs school. Her answer was that they would sit it at the same time. Not sure how this would be possible but the head in question was on the working party that decided on the new approach so she should be in the know. She was also very adamant that the practice papers wouldn't make it into the public domain so I guess they would not be sent home to OOC candidates.
Marylou
Posts: 2164
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:21 am

Re: Appeal to OOC parents...

Post by Marylou »

Thank you very much, Loopymum - that's more information than I've been able to get out of the council! In Bexley, the tests are to be held in the grammar schools at the same time as the in-county children sit theirs. That sounds perfectly fair to me, and it would also eliminate the previous problem of the test being held on different dates. The only issue I can foresee is that schools might not allow their children to take time out to do the tests, but I really don't think that's likely to happen in practice.
Marylou
Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now