Comments from Headteachers Admissions Working Group..
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:53 am
There are some interesting comments etc in the recent Headteachers Admissions Working Group minutes:
https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/schoo ... _group.asp
https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/schoo ... _group.asp
Jun08 wrote:It was noted that coaching undermined the accuracy of orders of suitability.
Nov08 wrote:11+ Testing & Coaching –
A discussion took place about 11+ coaching, parents expectations and the comments made on the 11+ Testing Forum website. DM confirmed that she had written to 4 Independent schools that referred to verbal reasoning courses on their websites. She would also be investigating a LA school that may have been coaching 11+ pupils also. A request was made for a formal statement to be issued by CH/Admissions that LA schools are provided with a familiarisation & practice pack for each child and must not facilitate additional coaching. DM confirmed that, in light of GLA’s advice that additional coaching may make a difference to performance, the LA has amended the wording in the guide.
Feb09 wrote:Order of suitability –
Feedback continued to be positive about the amended order of suitability and it was greed that removing the need for Headteacher’s ranking was a popular decision.
Selection Appeals –
Concern was raised about the apparent inconsistencies in panel’s decision making. A discussion took place with examples of the inconsistencies. DM explained the process of the panel’s decision-making process and advised that the comments would be fed-back to the Legal & Admin Team.
It was agreed that Headteacher’s could send copies of their recommendation forms direct to the Admissions Team and that these would be compared to the parents’ submission in the appeal case. Headteacher’s Handbook will be updated to reflect this.
DM confirmed that next year Headteacher’s would receive copies of the statistics used in the appeal cases. She also made it clear that selection appeals are for the parents and that evidence they provide does not have to be made available to schools.
Headteacher’s felt that the selection appeal summary sheet should be an independent document and not part of the parent’s case and that this would relieve some of the pressure Head’s experience to provide only positive recommendations. DM said that the legal view is that this is still a statutory process
11+ Testing & Coaching –
A further discussion took place about 11+ coaching. Concerns were raised that coaching was creating a more uneven playing field, disadvantaging children from poorer backgrounds and it was agreed that it was becoming more difficult for Headteacher’s to discourage coaching when the evidence indicates that there are significant benefits. DM stated that irrespective of the testing method used, coaching will always be an issue and this was agreed.
Nick Waldron raised the issue that Bucks libraries were still selling 11+ coaching materials and that the ‘authority’ was displaying double standards.
DM has agreed to discuss with GLA the issue of updating the Familiarisation & Practice papers.
JS said that she shared the concerns of the Headteacher’s and that and an Educational Psychologist has been commissioned to look at the format of the11+ verbal reasoning tests and consider possible alternative methods of testing. Overview & scrutiny will also be looking at the entire 11+ process, including the tests.
A request was made for statistics indicating the level of achievement of children (who had achieved level 5 SATS at KS2) at KS3. DM thought this to be possible and will discuss with Joanna Preston.