Managing expectations....

Discussion and advice on Sixth Form matters

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
Stroller
Posts: 1546
Joined: Thu May 17, 2012 9:39 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Stroller »

A nearby "requires improvement" comp, with an above average number of pupils who are eligible for FSM is omitted, whereas an equally nearby private school - one parents describe as "nurturing" - is on the list.

I'm shocked that independent schools are eligible, even if their results are deemed below par. Those kids have had the advantage of everything those indies claim as "benefits": class sizes, well-heeled peer group, co-curricular activities and trips, etc. And then they get uni offers with lower grades than some kids who went to comps. Enough is enough.
Buying online? Please support music at TGS. No cost to you. Fundraising makes a difference.

Tiffin Girls' School has a designated area; see the determined admission arrangements. Use the journey planner. Note the Admissions timetable and FAQs.
Daogroupie
Posts: 11099
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:01 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Daogroupie »

How can you get preferential treatment because your parents are too lazy to research their private school before just throwing money at it?

I used to feel sorry for the very many parents I meet wasting their money at private schools but perhaps they have seen the list..... DG
Catseye
Posts: 1824
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:03 pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Catseye »

I think you would find that it illegal to discriminate against young people on the basis of choices made by their parents?

The criteria has to be seen to be fairly generic imo.I can already imagine the lawyers at the ISC rubbing their collective hands together if anyone tried to pull that one off let alone one of our most prestigious universities.
southbucks3
Posts: 3579
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:59 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by southbucks3 »

One of the private schools listed would never be considered by parents who wish for academic greatness for their child, it is very nurturing and has an extremely good reputation for helping children with sen. Not all parents choose independent schools purely to try and better their child's academic prospects, some do so in order to provide a comfortable, safe, encouraging environment to prepare them for their future, with easy access to specialist teaching or care if required, and yes a slightly elevated chance of getting something on paper to allow them to go to college and study independently if they wish to. Others simply want the perks, atmosphere, facilities and smaller class sizes a private school can offer, they can afford to pay, so why not. Not every child at private sixth form is there to get 3 A/A* some parents just want to see their child happy and supported during the last two compulsory years of their education and their parents would be saddened and shocked if they read some of the comments above. :(

I don't particularly agree with the lower acceptance grades for some schools not others,although I understand its principle, but if it's going to be offered on the simple basis of average school results I do agree that they cannot discriminate against private school sixth forms, any more than they could discriminate against a comp that has acquired an amazing and dedicated chemistry teacher and has a class size of just four students, or an individual student who has extremely involved parents.
Stroller
Posts: 1546
Joined: Thu May 17, 2012 9:39 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Stroller »

Catseye wrote:I think you would find that it illegal to discriminate against young people on the basis of choices made by their parents?
Unless parental choices resulted in them attending a "requires improvement" comp.
Buying online? Please support music at TGS. No cost to you. Fundraising makes a difference.

Tiffin Girls' School has a designated area; see the determined admission arrangements. Use the journey planner. Note the Admissions timetable and FAQs.
Catseye
Posts: 1824
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:03 pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Catseye »

There are other contextual discriminators that a university could legitimately use and in fact Oxbridge already use, like, parental postcodes,parental education,if on any state benefits.. ect.

This applies equally and fairly across the board and does not discriminate against PP who are on bursary at a high end indies.
southbucks3
Posts: 3579
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:59 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by southbucks3 »

So if your parents bought an inner city slum in 1988, stuck it out through recession, riot, recession and finally benefited from gentrification, you will potentially be discriminated against? Or if the rest of the world decided that the rural area your family have lived in since the year dot is now the place to live and your parents are cash poor and property asset rich but wish to remain near their other family also clinging on to their heritage.

There are glitches in every system.
Stroller
Posts: 1546
Joined: Thu May 17, 2012 9:39 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Stroller »

Catseye wrote:There are other contextual discriminators that a university could legitimately use and in fact Oxbridge already use, like, parental postcodes,parental education,if on any state benefits.. ect.

This applies equally and fairly across the board and does not discriminate against PP who are on bursary at a high end indies.
In that case, why not limit the school list to qualifying state schools, if necessary plus students who qualified for majority / full bursary at qualifying indies with poor results?
Buying online? Please support music at TGS. No cost to you. Fundraising makes a difference.

Tiffin Girls' School has a designated area; see the determined admission arrangements. Use the journey planner. Note the Admissions timetable and FAQs.
Yamin151
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:30 am

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Yamin151 »

Can't think why anyone would encourage their DC to go for Oxbridge if the admissions are as flawed/unfair/difficult as they say. Surely an alternative Russell Group university is fantastic enough, and leave Oxbridge for those who can stand the difficulty.
Catseye
Posts: 1824
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:03 pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: Managing expectations....

Post by Catseye »

southbucks3 wrote:So if your parents bought an inner city slum in 1988, stuck it out through recession, riot, recession and finally benefited from gentrification, you will potentially be discriminated against?
Yes thats right, my children will be for sure but it is still fair.
southbucks3 wrote:Or if the rest of the world decided that the rural area your family have lived in since the year dot is now the place to live and your parents are cash poor and property asset rich but wish to remain near their other family also clinging on to their heritage.
The value of your property is judged against the relative value of your property relative to area you live in,so it would be unfair to judge a house in Knightsbridge against a property in Moss Side.
So it is fair.
Stroller wrote:In that case, why not limit the school list to qualifying state schools, if necessary plus students who qualified for majority / full bursary at qualifying indies with poor results?
As I have already said that would be illegal and the vultures at ISC would have field day.
Yamin151 wrote:Can't think why anyone would encourage their DC to go for Oxbridge if the admissions are as flawed/unfair/difficult as they say.
Admission to Oxbridge is fair they are bending over backwards to facilitate disadvantaged groups to apply but half of them do not have the right facilitating A levels to begin with-whose fault is that?

Almost all of my posts are aimed for disadvantaged forum members ,I do not subscribe to the point of view that for my children to succeed means other DC should be kept in the dark.
Last edited by Catseye on Mon Dec 28, 2015 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Post Reply