OMAGH ACADEMY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Transfer Arrangements for September

OMAGH ACADEMY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Transfer Arrangements for September 2013 29 May 2012

The Legal Position 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’s Position 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.

The AQE Test Common Entrance Assessment (CEA) 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.

How has CEA been designed? 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).

Implementation Timetable Registration until 14 th 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 10 th November, 24 th November and 1 st December. Starting at 10: 00 am. Tests have run very smoothly

January/February/March 2013 Academy Open Night (January) Results sent to parents (Sat. 2 nd 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 Appeals Process as normal

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.

Application for Access Arrangements 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

Special Circumstances 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.

Special Circumstances E. g. illness during tests, bereavement etc. After the test parent/guardian applies to AQE for the relevant form (SC 12 form). Enter details of the special circumstance together with relevant evidence. Submit this form to WELB with green Transfer Form in February 2013.

Other Considerations 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.

QUESTIONS Further advice Tel (028)82242688 E-mail info@omaghacademy. omagh. ni. sch. uk