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St Margarets C of E Junior School Secondary Admissions 2016 Presentation for Parents 3 rd June 2015 Welcome

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Why now? The admission processes for September 2016 starts on the 8 th of June 2015. The admission processes for September 2016 starts on the 8 th of June 2015. This is because you will need to decide if you want your child to sit the Medway Test in September 2015 before you apply for secondary school places. This is because you will need to decide if you want your child to sit the Medway Test in September 2015 before you apply for secondary school places. The aim of this presentation is to help you understand the processes ahead and, hopefully, to answer any questions you may have. The aim of this presentation is to help you understand the processes ahead and, hopefully, to answer any questions you may have. Details of all 17 secondary schools and academies can be found in the admissions booklet. This will provide you with details of their published admission number, oversubscription criteria and other useful information including the dates and times for their planned open sessions. Details of all 17 secondary schools and academies can be found in the admissions booklet. This will provide you with details of their published admission number, oversubscription criteria and other useful information including the dates and times for their planned open sessions.

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Are you interested in applying for Medway Grammar Schools? Firstly, discuss with your childs teacher whether a grammar school would be the right place for your child. Ultimately it is your decision whether you register your child to sit the test or not. Medway operates a testing before preference system. This means that your child will sit the Medway Test and received their assessment decision (result) before the closing date for school applications. This is to help you in making the most informed decision you can when selecting which schools to name on your application. First Steps The Medway Test (11+) process and other testing arrangements

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The Medway System 2015 Very Important to remember! The Medway Test is for Medway grammar schools only. The Kent Test is for Kent grammar schools only, etc.* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Please note that Chatham Grammar School for Boys and Chatham Grammar School for Girls will also be considering children who have passed the Kent Test. *Kent and Medway do have an agreement about the placement of pupils in Kent & Medway Schools.

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Which schools does the Medway Test apply to? In Medway, we have 6 selective (grammar) secondary schools. These are: Chatham Grammar School for Boys Chatham Grammar School for Girls Fort Pitt Grammar School Rainham Mark Grammar School Sir Joseph Williamsons Mathematical School The Rochester Grammar School In addition to these, The Howard School will also provide places for children assessed as suitable to admission to a Medway grammar school and children will be placed into the grammar stream after places have been allocated

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Brompton Academy, Robert Napier & Strood Academy Require all applicants to sit a Fair Banding test. This test is to assess a childs level of ability and is used to help the school ensure that they admit an all ability intake of pupils. It is not a pass or fail test and is used to ensure that students from across the ability range are admitted. If you are considering naming either as one of your preferences on your school application, you will need to register your child with the academy to enable them to sit the fair banding test. More details can be found on the individual academys information page in the booklet.

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How do I register my child to sit the Medway Test? Registration opened from 9am on Monday 8 th June 2015 until 4pm on Friday 3 rd July 2015. You can register your child online at www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions You can do this in school if you wish. Or You can complete a registration form and return it to our school office or to the Student Services (Admissions) Team

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Opting into the tests I live outside of Medway, how do I register? If you live in another authority but wish your child to sit the Medway Test, then you can register your child in either of the ways mentioned above. If you complete a paper registration form it must be returned to the Student Services (Admissions) Team by the closing date. I live in Medway, but want my child to sit a selective test in another area. What do I do? You must contact the local authority concerned to find out how and when to register for their test. Can my child sit selective tests in more than one area? Yes, but you must contact each authority and register.

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From Medway to a Kent School Medway Residents wishing to consider a Kent school/Test Medway Residents wishing to consider a Kent school/Test Let Kent know you will be opting into the test procedure before 1 st July. Let Kent know you will be opting into the test procedure before 1 st July. Register online at: www.kent.gov.uk/ola Register online at: www.kent.gov.uk/olawww.kent.gov.uk/ola Kent Test 12 th September [out of county] Kent Test 12 th September [out of county] VR, NVR & Mathematics [ + Written task] VR, NVR & Mathematics [ + Written task] Result posted to parents on 14 th October Result posted to parents on 14 th October Complete Medways CAF form stating Kent school choices Complete Medways CAF form stating Kent school choices

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From Kent to a Medway School Kent Residents wishing to consider a Medway Selective School Kent Residents wishing to consider a Medway Selective School Kent form should be with you? Kent form should be with you? Returned by 1 st July or register online Returned by 1 st July or register online Let Medway know you will be entering the test procedure by filling in a Test Request Form Let Medway know you will be entering the test procedure by filling in a Test Request Form Name Medway school/s on Kents CAF form when returned Name Medway school/s on Kents CAF form when returned Equal preference system Equal preference system Discuss this with Kents admissions team 01622 696565 Discuss this with Kents admissions team 01622 696565

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When and where is the Medway Test being held? Children attending this school will be tested HERE. ON Tuesday 15 th & Wednesday 16 th September 2015 Saturday 19 th September 2015 Children attending Medway primary/junior schools which have opted for Saturday testing (in their own school) and children from schools from outside of Medway (in larger test centres). The test day usually runs between 8.30am and 1.30pm.

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The Selection Tests Extended Writing - carries double weighting and is externally marked. Extended Writing - carries double weighting and is externally marked. Verbal Reasoning Test single weighting and marked by computer. Verbal Reasoning Test single weighting and marked by computer. Mathematics Test double weighting and computer marked. Mathematics Test double weighting and computer marked. All tests 15 th & 16 th September All tests 15 th & 16 th September Results posted on 2 nd October 2015 no offer of a school place at this stage Results posted on 2 nd October 2015 no offer of a school place at this stage REMINDER You cannot opt into the tests on line after 3 rd July REMINDER You cannot opt into the tests on line after 3 rd July

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What are we aiming for? Each test will be given a standardised score. 2011 508 2012 505 2013 509 2014 528 2015 - 525 Each test will be given a standardised score. 2011 508 2012 505 2013 509 2014 528 2015 - 525 The scores are added together e.g. The scores are added together e.g. Ew 119 (119x2) =238 V.R. 122 (122x1) =122 Ma 117 (117x2) =234 Total weighted score =594 Total weighted score =594 These tests are specifically written for Medway and are designed to select 23 per cent of children in the year group as assessed suitable for grammar school education.

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My child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs or EHCP; can he/she sit the Medway Test? The Medway Test is open to all children in Year 5 who wish to be considered for a Medway grammar school place. If your child has a statement you should be starting discussions with the SEN Team shortly regarding which schools you wish your child to be considered for. If these include Medway grammar schools, then you will need to ensure that you register your child to sit the test in the same way as all other applicants. Your child will not go through the main admissions process, but their assessment decision will be taken into account when being considered for schools through the SEN processes.

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You will need to discuss this with Miss Dalmedo as soon as you have registered your child for the Medway Test. You will need to discuss this with Miss Dalmedo as soon as you have registered your child for the Medway Test. A request for special arrangements can be made by the school to be considered by the LAs Special Arrangements Panel. A request for special arrangements can be made by the school to be considered by the LAs Special Arrangements Panel. Requests cannot be accepted directly from parents/carers, but you need to speak to your childs school in the first instance. Requests cannot be accepted directly from parents/carers, but you need to speak to your childs school in the first instance. Once the panel has considered all the requests it will advise schools and parents/carers of the outcome. Once the panel has considered all the requests it will advise schools and parents/carers of the outcome. Whilst every request will be carefully considered against NCA guidelines, the LA cannot guarantee that all requests will be upheld and special arrangements put into place. Please note that the decision made by the panel is final no opportunity for an appeal. Whilst every request will be carefully considered against NCA guidelines, the LA cannot guarantee that all requests will be upheld and special arrangements put into place. Please note that the decision made by the panel is final no opportunity for an appeal. I think my child may need special arrangements for testing, what can I do?

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When will I receive my childs test results? For children who registered on time to sit the Medway Test, assessment decision letters will be posted by 1 st class post on Friday 2 nd October 2015. These letters will provide full details of your childs result and what to do next. Those parents who registered their child online, and provided an e-mail address, will also be sent an e- mail after 4pm on Friday 2 nd October 2015. This e- mail will advise you of your childs assessment decision and you will also receive a letter with full details of your childs result and what to do next.

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The Medway System 2015-16 The Medway System 2015-16 No school recommendations except during the appeal No school recommendations except during the appeal Reviews need to be backed by evidence that a child is working at the appropriate level. Reviews need to be backed by evidence that a child is working at the appropriate level. No Headteacher appeals support offered only to those who we consider selective we must be honest and act with integrity. No Headteacher appeals support offered only to those who we consider selective we must be honest and act with integrity. Decision at Review is on academic work ONLY Decision at Review is on academic work ONLY Reviews by Secondary and Primary Heads Reviews by Secondary and Primary Heads Appeal by Statutory Appeal Panel Appeal by Statutory Appeal Panel

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If you are unhappy with the decision Apply for a Review of your childs academic work Your decision Apply for a Review of your childs academic work Your decision Review Request Form will be sent to you with results. Review Request Form will be sent to you with results. Deadline for review requests Friday 9 th October Deadline for review requests Friday 9 th October Only a small percentage of Reviews and appeals are successful each year [approximately 1 in 8] Only a small percentage of Reviews and appeals are successful each year [approximately 1 in 8] No supporting statement from schools but we are asked to tick G [Grammar] or H [High School] No supporting statement from schools but we are asked to tick G [Grammar] or H [High School] Y5 work is reviewed and what there is of Y6 work Y5 work is reviewed and what there is of Y6 work

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If you are unhappy with the outcome of the Review Statutory Appeal Panel Parents have the right of appeal against the decision Parents have the right of appeal against the decision Only applies to those who sought a review. Only applies to those who sought a review.

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Step twothe school Parents and children will know their school type before viewing schools Parents and children will know their school type before viewing schools You can apply for school places from Monday 7 th September to Monday 2 nd November If your child enters the test the wait for the result. You can apply for school places from Monday 7 th September to Monday 2 nd November If your child enters the test the wait for the result. If you live in Medway you apply to Medway Council [If Kent apply to Kent] If you live in Medway you apply to Medway Council [If Kent apply to Kent] www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissionswww.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions

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Completing CAF Form Common Application Form If non selective result then High School choices only essential If non selective result then High School choices only essential If selective Grammar School choice is advisable If selective Grammar School choice is advisable If at Review select both types of school If at Review select both types of school Name up to 6 equal preferences Name up to 6 equal preferences November 2 nd deadline for Common Application Form November 2 nd deadline for Common Application Form March 1 st Place will be offered March 1 st Place will be offered

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Apply Online it ticks all the boxes www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Online admissions is the quickest, easiest and safest way to apply for your secondary school place. If you provide your email address when applying you will: Receive confirmation your application has been received Receive details of the school offered on the offer day without having to wait for your offer letter.

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Selecting a school Up to 6 choices can be named Up to 6 choices can be named All become equal preferences schools are not told your preference All become equal preferences schools are not told your preference Naming only one school does not necessarily give you a stronger claim it reduces your options Naming only one school does not necessarily give you a stronger claim it reduces your options The LA will look to offer your child a place at the highest named preference that can offer a place matched to eligibility The LA will look to offer your child a place at the highest named preference that can offer a place matched to eligibility Cant count on the sibling link (RGG, RM) scores count Cant count on the sibling link (RGG, RM) scores count CGG & CGB now have a sibling link not ranked score CGG & CGB now have a sibling link not ranked score Individual schools use their admission criteria to allocate places. Individual schools use their admission criteria to allocate places.

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Your First Choice School Does your child meet the admissions criteria? Does your child meet the admissions criteria? LAC, Sibling, Is it your nearest? LAC, Sibling, Is it your nearest? St John Fisher option for Roman Catholic families St John Fisher option for Roman Catholic families 2015 94.6% of children received a named school 2015 94.6% of children received a named school 2015 80.7% were allocated a first choice school 2015 80.7% were allocated a first choice school

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How will Medway work out what priority my child has for a place at the schools I have named? All school places are allocated in accordance with the individual schools published oversubscription criteria. Student Services Admissions Team work in partnership with each school to ensure that all applicants are prioritised (ranked) correctly against the published oversubscription criteria. How will Medway work out which school is to be offered to my child? Medway operates an equal preference scheme, which means that school places are not offered based on which preference you name the school. Your application will be considered and prioritised against the named schools oversubscription criteria. When school places are being offered, Medway Council will look to offer your child a place at the highest named school where a place can be offered and for which they are eligible.

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What happens if more than one of the schools I name can offer my child a place? You will only receive the offer of one school place on 1 st March 2016 and Medway Council will look to offer your child a place at the highest named school where a place can be offered.

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Viewing schools Open sessions for parents in September & October Open sessions for parents in September & October Open Sessions highlighted [green box] Open Sessions highlighted [green box] P27 47 pen picture of each school P27 47 pen picture of each school Visit more than one get a feel for the school Visit more than one get a feel for the school If at all possible, visit when the school is working good schools have nothing to hide If at all possible, visit when the school is working good schools have nothing to hide

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Medway Secondary Schools School NamePAN / Type Victory Academy was Bishop of Rochester240/ Academy Brompton Academy210 / Academy Chatham Grammar School for Boys120/ Grammar Academy Chatham Grammar School for Girls142 / Grammar Academy Fort Pitt Grammar School120 / Grammar Academy Greenacre School200 / Academy Rainham mark Grammar School205 / Grammar Academy Rainham School for Girls270 / Academy Sir Joseph Williamsons Mathematical School168 / Grammar Academy St John Fisher Catholic School180 / Comprehensive VA Strood Academy240 / Academy The Howard School250/ Bi-lateral The Hundred of Hoo School270 / Academy The Robert Napier School180 / Academy The Rochester Grammar School205 / Grammar Academy The Thomas Aveling School190 / Academy Walderslade Girls School160 / Academy

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Step 3 - offer. When will I find out my childs school offer? Secondary school places are offered on 1 st March 2016. This is a national date when all secondary school places in England will be offered. All parents will be sent a formal offer letter advising them of the school offered and what to do next. These letters will be posted by Medway Council by 1 st class post on 1 st March 2016 to be received in the following few days. If you apply online, and provide an e-mail address, you will also receive an e-mail after 4pm on 1 st March 2016 advising you of your childs school offer. You will still receive a formal letter and will need this to take the next steps.

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If you are unhappy with the school allocation You will have the right of appeal to any of the schools you have named on your application that has not been able to offer your child a place. You can only request to go on a waiting list for a Medway grammar schools, if your child has been assessed as selective, as long as you named the school on your application form. You cannot lodge an appeal for a school you have not named on your application form. You can appeal for more than one school appeal at the same time, as the schools being appealed for will not be aware that you have appealed for another school. All Medway secondary schools/academies are responsible for their own appeals and your appeal request must be lodged with the relevant school/academy. Full details of how to appeal and an appeal form will be included with your information pack that accompanies your offer letter. An Independent Appeal Panel will hear admission appeals. They are independent of the school and the Council and their decision is binding. Appeal requests must be lodged by Thursday 31 st March 2016.

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Monday 8 June 2015Online registration for the Medway Test open - 9am Friday 3 July 2015Closing date for Medway Test registration By Friday 4 September 2015Secondary application information (SCAFs, etc) to Medway primary and junior schools Monday 7 September 2015School applications open. Online opens at 9am Tuesday 15/Wednesday 16 and Saturday 19 September 2015 Medway Test Dates Friday 2 October 2015Assessment Decision Letters posted to parents (e-mails sent after 4pm to those that registered online) Friday 9 October 2015Deadline for Medway Test Review Requests Between Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 October 2015 Medway Test Reviews By Friday 23 October 2015Review decisions posted to parents Monday 2 November 2015Closing date for applications (Online and SCAFs) National Closing Date Monday 1 March 2016Offer e-mails and letters sent to parents National Offer Day By Thursday 31 March 2016Places must be accepted/refused and requests to go on a waiting list and appeals must be submitted w/c Monday 11 April 2016 to Monday 31 October 2016 The LA re-allocates any places that have become available to those who have asked to go on the waiting lists for each school Key Dates for Parents

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If you have any questions, please speak to one of our Year 6 teachers or Mr Gabbett Medways Admissions Team - 331110