Secondary Transfer

Information meeting for Year 5 Parents

July 2020

Agenda Introductions & objectives of session Our local schools How places are allocated Applying and types of schools Continuing Interest Appeals Timetable Next Steps

Please note that this presentation has been put together based on the published information available at the time. We are in uncertain times, owing to the Covid-19 crisis and certain information is subject to possible change(for example I believe that large-scale testing is very likely to be affected).

Purpose is:To give you the information you

need to help you stand the best chance of getting the school you would like for your child

Purpose is not:To advise you which schools you

should apply to

Introduction & Objectives

Local Schoolshttps://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/schools-directory/school-directory.aspx?searchInput=&page=2&resultsPerPage=10&view=list&schoolTypes=Secondary

Admission Rules Each school has its own admission rules and these are

published on the school web site and in the Hertfordshire school directory

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/schools-directory/

How places are allocated

Factors which impact on admissions• The number of children applying and

where they live• The number of siblings

Preferences Choose 4 schools and rank the schools in order of preference.

Each entry on the form is treated as a separate equal application

If your child qualifies for a place at more than one school, you will be offered the place in your highest preference school

If your child does not qualify for a place at any of your preferred schools, they will be allocated a place at the nearest school with places.

It is not uncommon for this final point to happen, so please take care when selecting your four preferences.

How places are allocated (cont)

Check the admission rules - available on the school website and in Hertfordshire’s Moving On information

Read the advice on the school website

Attend the Open Evenings

Complete the Application form on-line

Complete the supplementary information form (SIF) if required by the school and send it by email or post to the school

Applying for a Secondary School

Type of School

• Faith Schools• Gives priority to pupils based on faith

• Single sex schools

• Non selective, non faith co-educational schools

• Partially Selective Schools• Allocates some places based on

academic/music/sport test results

SW Herts Consortium includes: Croxley Danes (music only) Rickmansworth St Clement Danes Parmiter’s Queens’ Watford Grammar School for Boys Watford Grammar School for Girls

http://www.swhertsschools.org.uk/calendar/

If your child is applying under the Academic Criterion then the tests are in Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. Children applying under the Music criterion will take the Consortium Musical Aptitude test.

All these schools, with the exception of Croxley Danes, allocate a defined number of places based on the scores achieved in the academic test

Watford Boys, Watford Girls, Parmiter's, Croxley Danes, Queens' and Rickmansworth also allocate places based on musical ability

Queens' also allocates places based on sport

Local Partially Selective Schools

To apply for any of these schools

Register for the SW Herts Consortium Music and Aptitude tests, applications open on-line on April 20th and close on 19th June

Visit South West Herts Consortium website www.swhertsschools.org.uk for full details and example tests

If special arrangements are required for the test apply immediately after registering.

You will need to have provided written evidence and letter from your Primary School Headteacher by 19th June to Test Co-Ordinator at South West Herts Schools Tests, PO Box 2439, Watford WD18 1UZ.

The test venues will be announced on 1st July at about noon (Covid-19 may well affect this, however, so please keep checking the website)

Applying to a partially selective school

Previous year's scores and distances and examples

Test results will be provided on 14th October prior to the final application date on 31st

October.

This information can be found on the website for that school.

This is the process by which, post the initial allocation, some changes will take place.

If an offered place is not accepted, that place is made available to another child, in priority order, according to the original rules.

That child’s place, in turn, is made available to someone else.

The first ‘Continuing Interest run’ takes place just after the deadline for acceptance of the initial offer.

Continuing Interest

You will be automatically placed on the CI list for all schools you originally ranked higher than the school you were actually offered

You may remove your child from the CI list if you wish– do so before deadline stated.

New preferences (for schools you did not originally ‘rank’, or ranked lower than your initial offer) may generally only be added after the first CI, there are exceptions please refer to Herts website

Continuing Interest

All places allocated under CI are assumed to be wanted. You will automatically lose your original place if a place is given under CI.

Think carefully about staying on the CI list.

Appeal panels in Hertfordshire are made up of three independent members who are voluntary and have no connection with the school or the Authority

The decision of the appeal panel is binding on the school and the authority

Your appeal case must be strong and specific to the school for which you are appealing.

A very limited number of appeals are upheld each year

Appeals

Tests should have already been applied for. Attend the Open Evenings with your child Observe deadlines Be realistic Rank 4 different schools Complete the Secondary Application form

preferably on Hertfordshire CC website Keep the email confirming your application Attach evidence (for rule 2)

Next Steps

Complete the school’s own form if required

Ask if you have any questions, either at the Open Evenings or call Admissions at Hertfordshire County Council

If you are moving house, discuss with Admissions team at HCC

Next Steps (cont)

Make a decision based on other peoples’ opinions or experiences

Give a false address –checks are made and any place offered will be withdrawn

Do Not

Dates and Deadlines

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-

admissions/secondary-and-upper-schools/important-dates-secondary-school-

admissions.aspx

Dates and Deadlines

20th April 2020 onwards

Apply to register at SW Consortium for Aptitude and Music test

19th June 2020Closing date for applications to SW Consortium including requests for special arrangements

1st July 2020 Test Venue Notifications (around noon)

Saturday 5th September 2020

Academic tests (Watford Boys’ Watford Girls’ Parmiter’s etc.)

Monday 7th

September 2020Music test first round

Fri 11th or Tues 15th September 2020

Queens' Sports test

Thurs 17th

September 20201st round music scores notified to parents (around noon)

Dates and deadlines (cont)

Week commencing 21st September 2020

Second round music test

Wednesday 14th October 2020

Academic tests results and other aptitude scores announced (around noon)

Saturday 31st October 2020

‘Closing date’ for applications to HCC admissionsClosing date for SIFs for VA and Academy schools

1 March 2021 (assumed)

Allocation Day – emails sent if you applied on-line.

Mid March 2021Deadline for accepting offer and opting out of the Continuing Interest process

TBC Appeals lodged

September 2021 Your Child starts their new school

More information on-line at : www.hertsdirect.org/admissions

Thank you for your time.

Any questions?

Any further questions?