Out of catchment area...and Couty!
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Hi Rob
I am slightly perplexed by your post? CHS has had quite large numbers of vacant places in Year 7 for some years now.
No, the pass mark is no longer relevant for allocations for any school. That system was also abolished around 5 years ago. Personally I don't think it will have a huge effect on GCSE results, because a high mark in a VR test at 11 years old is not going to guarantee anything. It is the teaching in between that is going to make by far the greatest difference.
Sally-Anne
I am slightly perplexed by your post? CHS has had quite large numbers of vacant places in Year 7 for some years now.
No, the pass mark is no longer relevant for allocations for any school. That system was also abolished around 5 years ago. Personally I don't think it will have a huge effect on GCSE results, because a high mark in a VR test at 11 years old is not going to guarantee anything. It is the teaching in between that is going to make by far the greatest difference.
Sally-Anne
‘I am slightly perplexed by your post? CHS has had quite large numbers of vacant places in Year 7 for some years now.’
But you have to pass the exam (or appeal) first, Sally-Anne. I meant it was a shame they didn’t offer DD a place even though she hasn’t passed…
‘Personally I don't think it will have a huge effect on GCSE results, because a high mark in a VR test at 11 years old is not going to guarantee anything’
Not a huge effect, probably, but I believe there was an element of ‘snob value’ in the past – because the single-sex GS required a higher mark, some parents opted for Challoner’s because it was perceived by some as being a ‘better’ school in the sense that everyone knew you had to get a higher mark in the 11+ to get in.
Now that’s no longer the case, it’s easier to judge the various GS on their merits, perhaps…
But you have to pass the exam (or appeal) first, Sally-Anne. I meant it was a shame they didn’t offer DD a place even though she hasn’t passed…
‘Personally I don't think it will have a huge effect on GCSE results, because a high mark in a VR test at 11 years old is not going to guarantee anything’
Not a huge effect, probably, but I believe there was an element of ‘snob value’ in the past – because the single-sex GS required a higher mark, some parents opted for Challoner’s because it was perceived by some as being a ‘better’ school in the sense that everyone knew you had to get a higher mark in the 11+ to get in.
Now that’s no longer the case, it’s easier to judge the various GS on their merits, perhaps…
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Hi Shelly8
Bucks mum1 is quite right to add the obvious note of caution because of recent events at the school, but I do think it is still unlikely that you wouldn't get a place from Berkhamsted. There are children coming to CHS from as far away as Harrow at present.
CHS suffers from 2 particular problems in filling places. Firstly, it is right on the edge of the county, so people living in the far reaches of it's catchment area may actually find a non-catchment school more convenient for them.
It also shares it's catchment area with the two Challoners, which have superb reputations.
I think they will have places for children from Berkhamsted for a while to come.
Sally-Anne
Bucks mum1 is quite right to add the obvious note of caution because of recent events at the school, but I do think it is still unlikely that you wouldn't get a place from Berkhamsted. There are children coming to CHS from as far away as Harrow at present.
CHS suffers from 2 particular problems in filling places. Firstly, it is right on the edge of the county, so people living in the far reaches of it's catchment area may actually find a non-catchment school more convenient for them.
It also shares it's catchment area with the two Challoners, which have superb reputations.
I think they will have places for children from Berkhamsted for a while to come.
Sally-Anne
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Hi Shelly8
Take a look at www.bucksfreepress.co.uk - sorry I'm no good at attaching posts. It says that CHS has quite a few spaces this year; this is the media so hope they are correct.
Take a look at www.bucksfreepress.co.uk - sorry I'm no good at attaching posts. It says that CHS has quite a few spaces this year; this is the media so hope they are correct.
All Too Much
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The data quoted relates to the current Year 7, saying that there are "28% vacant places". That tallies with the data published by Bucks CC in July 2008, when their figures showed 50 vacant places.
What is interesting about the link, though, are the statistics from the DCSF on school allocations for 2008 and 2009. I am going to post those on a separate thread, so thank you All Too Much for putting that link on here.
Sally-Anne
What is interesting about the link, though, are the statistics from the DCSF on school allocations for 2008 and 2009. I am going to post those on a separate thread, so thank you All Too Much for putting that link on here.
Sally-Anne
Thought you may be interested in this from CHS March newsletter.
There is
a strong possibility of a number of Year 8 pupils joining us following the 12 plus
examinations - we have places in the current Year 7 and I gather that a large number have
qualified for a grammar school place in our area. Parents of current Year 7 pupils will be
kept fully informed about how the school will need to make arrangements for this.
It looks increasingly likely that, for the first time in many years, we will be close to capacity
in the next Year 7. I sincerely hope that this is the start of a trend.
There is
a strong possibility of a number of Year 8 pupils joining us following the 12 plus
examinations - we have places in the current Year 7 and I gather that a large number have
qualified for a grammar school place in our area. Parents of current Year 7 pupils will be
kept fully informed about how the school will need to make arrangements for this.
It looks increasingly likely that, for the first time in many years, we will be close to capacity
in the next Year 7. I sincerely hope that this is the start of a trend.