Transfer Arrangements for September 2014 21 May 2013 OMAGH ACADEMY GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Transfer Arrangements for September 2014

21 May 2013

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 2014.

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 2014.

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

Admissions Criteria 2014 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 £44 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 twelve past papers will be 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 13th Sept. 2013

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 (£44) by cheque, postal order or banker’s draft (No Cash).

Help available from Omagh Academy, if required.

CONFIRMATION FROM AQE September 2013

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 (Thursday 17th October).

Grammar schools receive details of applications.

Familiarisation Meeting 17th October 2013

An evening meeting on 17th 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 2013: TESTS

Three Saturday mornings – 1 hour

9th November, 23rd November and 30th November.

Starting at 10:00am.

Tests have run very smoothly

January/February/March 2014 Academy Open Night (Thursday 23 January)

Results sent to parents (Sat. 1st February 2014)

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 2014 Application Process

Post-Primary schools receive forms from ELBs

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

May 2014

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 (SC13 form).

Enter details of the special circumstance together with relevant evidence.

Submit this form to WELB with green Transfer Form in February 2014.

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 largely educated outside N.I. or 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 (11-18) - a proven route to

success - 21 GCSE and 27 A level subjects

Focus on achievement – track record of success in preparing pupils for university or leaving school with the qualifications for further study or employment

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

Meeting individual needs – pastoral care.

Rounded education: wide extra curricular programme

Emphasis on the individual - values and supports all its pupils equally irrespective of academic ability.

OMAGH ACADEMY

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