Transfer Arrangements for September 2013

29 May 2012

OMAGH ACADEMY

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The Education Minister has published guidance for the Transfer Process that does not provide for the use of academic criteria (a test).

Schools must pay regard to the Minister’s guidance but are not obliged to follow it.

It is lawful for schools to continue to use an academic test (St. Andrew’s Agreement).

Omagh Academy has decided that it will continue use an academic test to select pupils in 2013.

Omagh Academy wishes to select pupils fairly on the basis of academic ability.

In the absence of an “official test”, we will use the test produced by AQE Ltd for selecting pupils for entry to Year 8 in 2013.

As will the other Controlled Grammars in the Western Board Area.

Admissions Criteria 2013 Omagh Academy will consider first those

applicants who have taken the AQE Test (the Common Entrance Assessment – CEA) and received a mark.

Candidates will be put in rank order of test result and the first 95 will be accepted.

Other criteria will be used to distinguish between any pupils tied for the last place.

Questions on English and Mathematics from the current primary curriculum (no Science).

Three one hour papers (best two results count, but pupils sit either two or three tests).

A charge of £42 covers all tests.

No charge if in receipt of Free School Meals.

The tests are done in the Academy.

Pupils can sit the test in one school but apply to another.

The questions are similar to the English and maths questions on the old transfer test

A sample paper and the nine past papers are available from the Academy or the AQE website.

Procedures similar to those used by the examination boards.

Chief Examiner, with extensive knowledge of test design.

A team of revisers ( including experienced primary school teachers).

Registration until 14th Sept. 2012

Registration Process Application forms available from primary schools, the

AQE office, Omagh Academy or the Websites (www.aqe.org.uk or www.omaghacademy.com )

Choice of test centre ( up to three Schools).

To be returned to AQE office with 3 passport-sized photographs, a copy of birth certificate and, if appropriate, an ELB letter authorising free school meals (or letter from Primary School).

Payment (£42) by cheque, postal order or banker’s draft (No Cash).

Help available from Omagh Academy, if required.

CONFIRMATION FROM AQE Sept 2012

Applicants receive an Admission Card with photograph & candidate number.

And notification of the test centre (School).

Information about the tests and the Date of Familiarisation Event in the test centre.

Grammar schools receive details of applications.

Familiarisation Meeting October 2012

An evening meeting in October lasting about 45 minutes

Dummy run for pupils◦ Rooms and Seating◦ Rules and Procedures◦ Putting pupils at ease

Talk/Presentation to Parents

NOV/DEC 2012: TESTS

Three Saturday mornings – 1 hour

10th November, 24th November and 1st December.

Starting at 10:00am.

Tests have run very smoothly

January/February/March 2013 Academy Open Night (January) Results sent to parents (Sat. 2nd February 2013) Results sent to schools

Following the issue of results We provide guidance on interpreting results Parents liaise with Primary Schools Transfer Form (green form) completed Transfer Form sent on to WELB

March-May 2013 Application Process (as normal)

Post-Primary schools receive forms from ELBs

Schools apply admissions criteria Decisions are made and ELBs informed Parents informed of allocated schools in

May 2013

Special Arrangements

Access Arrangements

Special Circumstances

Special Provisions

Special Educational Needs

ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS e.g. Dyslexia: extra time (based on a report)

Visual impairment: enlarged question booklet

First language different: bilingual dictionary

Physical disability: e.g. wheelchair access

Asperger’s syndrome: e.g. prompter, etc.

Tick a box on application form and give brief details of the disability

Separate form for full details of access requirements will be sent out by AQE

Decision made by a team of three assessors Decision sent to parents and to test centre Appropriate arrangements are made by

AQE and the test centre

This is an arrangement that permits an

adjustment of the marks received by a

candidate after the assessment has taken

place, where the assessment has been

carried out in adverse circumstances.

E.g. illness during tests, bereavement etc.

After the test parent/guardian applies to AQE for the relevant form (SC12 form).

Enter details of the special circumstance together with relevant evidence.

Submit this form to WELB with green Transfer Form in February 2013.

Special Provisions◦If your child cannot sit the CEAs (tests) for a valid

reason e.g. illness, he or she can still apply under special provisions.( As can pupils arriving in N.I. post CEAs.)

SEN – current process remains: statemented pupils do not need to sit the test; application through ELB Special Education Department.

An Irish language version of the test will be available.

Why Omagh Academy? Grammar School - a route to success

21 GCSE and 25 A level subjects

Focus on achievement◦ All pupils are helped and encouraged to believe in

themselves and achieve to the best of their ability.

Support to overcome barriers to achievement◦ Literacy, reading, numeracy, science.

Meeting individual needs – pastoral care.

Wide extra curricular programme:◦ Sport, Music, Drama, Duke of Edinburgh Award◦ Volunteering, Service in the Community◦ Public Speaking, Debating, Scripture Union ◦ Broadening experience – European trips & tours◦ Ecology, Sea Fishing, Clubs & Societies etc.

Track record in preparing pupils for university and ensuring they leave school with the necessary qualifications for further study or employment

OMAGH ACADEMY Offers a rounded education with an

emphasis on the individual and a focus on success.

Values and supports all its pupils equally irrespective of academic ability.

If you want the option of sending your child to the Academy he or she needs to sit the AQE test.

Further adviceTel (028)82242688

E-mail info@omaghacademy.omagh.ni.sch.uk