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Applying for 6th form at a grammar
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:35 am
by onebigdilemma
My twins will be going into year 12 next September. One of them is at a grammar, the other (although very similar ability) didn't get a high enough score in the entrance test so went to a local comprehensive.
Now it is nearing time to apply for 6th form and the twin who didn't get in to the grammar wants to try again.
They don't take many extra pupils so his chances are slim (which he understands) although he should meet the minimum entrance criteria.
My question is in the personal statement would you mention anything about him being a twin? As a parent I am so proud of how he has coped with his brother being classed as the "clever" twin, just because he is in the grammar. He has remained competitive with his brother when it comes to tests etc and they should come out with very similar GCSE results. He has shown a real strength of character and I don't know whether it would be appropriate to mention this or it just reinforces to the school that he applied for year 7 and wasn't good enough!
Re: Applying for 6th form at a grammar
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:46 am
by scary mum
Do siblings get priority in the admissions criteria? They have to follow them so if there is no mention of siblings it is irrelevant.
Re: Applying for 6th form at a grammar
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:00 am
by KB
My understanding, and I may be out of date, is that in state schools the selection should be on academic grounds and the PS should not be part of the selection process?
+1 to check if there is sibling priority in admissions criteria.
I wouldn't worry about the being unsuccessful at 11+ though. Most if those applying will be in a similar position.
Re: Applying for 6th form at a grammar
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:02 am
by onebigdilemma
No sibling criteria
Re: Applying for 6th form at a grammar
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 3:48 pm
by Etienne
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:
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 not
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.