Transfer 2016 Information for Primary 6 Parents

1. Strabane Academy –Transfer 2016

Common Approach:

A. 34 grammar schools using the AQE Common Entrance Assessment (CEA)B. Similar admission criteria for other Grammar SchoolsC. Result of the Assessment - 1st Criterion

If you want your child to enter the top academic stream they must sit the Assessment

Top performers at GCSE

• Best Girl: Courtney Gallagher 8A*, 2A grades

Top Performers at GCSE

• Best Boy: Jonathan Smyth 7A*, 2A, 1B grade

7 or more A*/A grades

Top Performers at A Level

2. AQE Common Entrance Assessment

A. AQE -company formed to produce a test based on current NI curriculum

B. The company (not the schools) will:• administer the application process• set 3 papers –1 hour each• mark the assessments• give out the results

3. Assessment Process

A. 3 papers –1 hour each B. Pupils sit any 2 or all 3 papers C. Sit in a grammar school 10.00 –11.00am

Saturday morning• 7 November 2015• 21 November 2015• 28 November 2015

D. Note –GL tests Sat 14 November

3.Assessment ProcessFormat of CEA

A. 8 mathematics items B. Poem 1 with 7 comprehension itemsC. 8 mathematics itemsD. Basic English skills passageE. 8 mathematics items F. Poem 2 with 7 comprehension itemsG. 8 mathematics items. H. Prose passage with 7 comprehension items.

3. Assessment Process

A. CEA takes account of Revised KS2 Curriculum for English and Mathematics (no Science)

B. Practice papers and answers are available to order on the AQE website (www.aqe.org.uk)

3.Assessment ProcessThe Assessments

A. Held in each of the 34 participating Grammar SchoolsB. Register with AQE for preferred centre -centre allocated by AQEC. Preferred centre likely to be most convenient –independent of school to which pupil may wish to transferD. Familiarisation morning –details after registration –Strabane Academy Saturday 17 October

3. Assessment ProcessThe Assessments in Strabane Academy will take place on Junior Campus, Derry RdA. Held in classroomsB. Invigilation team from Strabane AcademyC. Familiarisation morning for pupils (Saturday 17 October 2015)

• to see rooms• meet invigilators• be briefed on conduct of assessment

3. Assessment ProcessProcedures similar to all other external

examinations like GCSE and ‘A’ LevelMarkingA. Each paper marked twice by different

markersB. Then checked by a third markerC. Will take place in two centres in presence of

chief examinersD. Opportunity to apply for a remark

3. Assessment Process

ResultsA. Best of 2 out of 3 resultsB. Age adjustedC. Given as a standardised score (therefore the

average score is 100)D. Issued to parents on Saturday 30 January

2016

4. Access Arrangements

1. Access Arrangements (see notes)A. Learning difficulties: 25% extra time B. Visual impairment: enlarged question

bookletC. First language different: bilingual dictionaryD. Test papers available in Irish

4. Access Arrangements

A. Disability ( on application form )B. Access form will be sent following

completion of Registration form (Section B)

C. Decision by a Access PanelD. Decision sent to parentsE. Decision sent to test centreF. Appropriate arrangements are made

5. Special Consideration

• 2) Special ConsiderationBased on the Joint Council for Applications (JCQ) as

used in GCSE and A level examinationsA. 5% e.g. extra marks for exceptional

circumstances (terminal illness, recent death )B. 3% e.g. extra marks for a recent domestic crisis.C. 1% e.g. extra marks for incident like a minor

accident on the day

5. Special Consideration

A. After final CEA, parents will be informed about how to apply

B. Regulations, as on the website, will be applied

C. AQE Ltd would not inform parents unless requested

D. A standardised score will be issued

6. Registration Process

Registering to sit the AQE CEAA. From 5 May 2015 , application forms

available from AQE website and from participating schools

B. Forms also sent to Primary SchoolsC. Completed forms returned to AQE no later

than Friday 11 September 2015D. Fee £46 although free if entitled to FSM

6. Registration Process

Registration Form asks you toA. Nominate your preference of 3 test centres

(no bearing on Transfer)B. Identify any special access arrangementsC. Submit 3 passport photographsD. If applicable, provide evidence of entitlement

to Free School Meals

7. Transfer Process 2015

Based on current process

A. Interview with Primary Principal February 2016B. Complete a Transfer form nominating schools in

order of preference (Attach CEA result)C. Forms submitted by primary schools to the

Education AuthorityD. Schools receive first preference forms etc.E. Parents informed of allocated school by end of

May 2016

8. Key Dates and Information

A. 5 May -AQE forms availableB. 11 September. last date for AQE registrationC. 17 October. Familiarisation morningD. 7, 21 and 28 November. Assessment datesE. December 2015 -January 2016, visit schoolsF. 30 January. 2016 publication of resultsG. February. –March complete Transfer formsH. End of May 2016 -notification of allocated

school