Transfer Arrangements for September 2015 27 May 2014

1. OMAGH ACADEMY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Transfer Arrangements for September 2015 27 May 2014

2. 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 2015.

3. 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 2015. • As will the other Controlled Grammars in the Western Board Area.

4. Admissions Criteria 2015 • 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.

5. The AQE TestCommon 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 £45 covers all tests. • No charge if in receipt of Free School Meals.

6. 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 Fifteen past papers will be available from the Academy (free) or the AQE (£7 for set of 3 tests).

7. 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).

8. Implementation Timetable Registration until 12th Sept. 2014

9. 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 (£45) by cheque, postal order or banker’s draft (No Cash). • Help available from Omagh Academy, if required.

10. CONFIRMATION FROM AQE September 2014 • 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 16th October 2014). • Grammar schools receive details of applications.

11. Familiarisation Meeting 16th October 2014 • An evening meeting on 16th October lasting about 45 minutes • Dummy run for pupils • Rooms and Seating • Rules and Procedures • Putting pupils at ease • Talk/Presentation to Parents

12. NOVEMBER 2014: TESTS • Three Saturday mornings – 1 hour • 8th November, 22nd November and 29th November. • Starting at 10:00am. • Tests have run very smoothly

13. January/February/March 2014 • Academy Open Night (Thursday 22 January ) • Results sent to parents (Sat. 1st February 2015) • 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

14. March-May 2015 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 2015 Appeals Process as normal

15. Special Arrangements • Access Arrangements • Special Circumstances • Special Provisions • Special Educational Needs

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Special Circumstances • E.g. illness during tests, bereavement etc. • After the test parent/guardian applies to AQE for the relevant form (SC14 Form available from September 2014). • Enter details of the special circumstance together with relevant evidence. • Submit this form to WELB with green Transfer Form in February 2015.

20. 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 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. OMAGH ACADEMY • If you want the option of sending your child to the Academy he or she needs to sit the AQE test. • Further information available in Chinese, Irish, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese on Academy and AQE websites

24. Further information www.aqe.org.uk or www.omaghacademy.com Tel (028)82242688 E-mail info@omaghacademy.omagh.ni.sch.uk QUESTIONS