letter from Bucks Council re prep and transfer test

[Desperate_Parents]

I think you are correct. If your daughter qualifies, it doesn't make a difference if she scores 121 or 141.

And how would she qualify?

[mystery]

If she just rang County Hall it would be a person in the contact centre not someone in admissions.

Quite possibly. Need some new staff there as well then!

[ToadMum]

I think you are correct. If your daughter qualifies, it doesn't make a difference if she scores 121 or 141.

And how would she qualify?

Not our area, but 121 was the pass, or "qualifying" mark on the previous VR-only 11+. As I understand it, with the Bucks system, if the qualifying mark is achieved, it is only the individual schools' oversubscription criteria such as distance that are important, not how high the score achieved was.

[Desperate_Parents]

I think you are correct. If your daughter qualifies, it doesn't make a difference if she scores 121 or 141.

And how would she qualify?

Not our area, but 121 was the pass, or "qualifying" mark on the previous VR-only 11+. As I understand it, with the Bucks system, if the qualifying mark is achieved, it is only the individual schools' oversubscription criteria such as distance that are important, not how high the score achieved was.

So in effect she "has" to pass the exam to qualify

[scary mum]

So in effect she "has" to pass the exam to qualify

Of course, it's a fully selective school. The admission criteria for BGS are here (apologies if I've got the wrong school, I can't scroll back up while typing) http://www.bgs.bucks.sch.uk/Mainfolder/ ... Policy.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. This says draft, but I'm sure the final is the same - after qualifying the first 3 criteria are children in care, then in area children, then siblings.

Eta: I have just re-read the thread and think there is some misunderstanding over the word "qualify", which is used to avoid the words "pass" and "fail". In Bucks children qualify for a place at GS if they achieve a score of 121 or more. After qualification the admission criteria for the school apply - for BGS see the above link, each school now varies slightly. If the child does not gain admission under the criteria they will be offered the next available school listed on the CAF according to that schools admission criteria. Usually it comes down to distance from the school which varies by year and by school. The score is never used as a tie-breaker, it's simply a case of qualified or not. If a child is not offered the preferred school you can go on the waiting list and/or appeal.

[mystery]

She could also be deemed selective at an appeal panel.

[Desperate_Parents]

Thank you scary mum