I tend to agree with KB that a personal statement should not be part of the selection process for 6th form entry.
The current Admissions Code says "
1.8 Oversubscription criteria must be reasonable, clear, objective, procedurally fair, and comply with all relevant legislation." This is a general requirement.
If a personal statement is part of the decision making process, I fail to see how it can be assessed objectively. What criteria would they use? Surely any judgement is likely to be subjective?
However, you won't want to rock the boat at this stage, so I suggest your son completes a statement - but should feel free to mention anything he wants to, including his twin, and how it has always been an ambition to join him at grammar school.
I also agree that the previous lack of success at 11+ doesn't matter.
Just for the record, this is what the Admissions Code specifically states about 6th form entry:
Quote:
2.6 Children and their parents applying for sixth form places may use the CAF, although if they are already on the roll they are not required to do so in order to transfer into year 12. Admission authorities can, however, set academic entry criteria for their sixth forms, which must be the same for both external and internal places. School sixth form admission arrangements for external applicants must be consulted upon, determined and published in accordance with the same timetable as for admission arrangements for other entry points. As with other points of entry to schools, highest priority in oversubscription criteria for sixth form places must be given to looked after children and previously looked after children who meet the academic entry criteria. As stated in paragraph 1.9 m) above, any meetings held to discuss options and courses must not form part of the decision process on whether to offer a place.
And paragraph 1.9 (m) says that Admission Authorities
must notQuote:
interview children or parents. In the case of sixth form applications, a meeting may be held to discuss options and academic entry requirements for particular courses, but this meeting cannot form part of the decision making process on whether to offer a place.