Transfer Arrangements for September May 2012 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 2013.

 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  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.

 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.

 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 14 th Sept. 2012

Registration Process  Application forms available from primary schools, the AQE office, Omagh Academy or the Websites ( or )  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.

 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 10:00am.  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

 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 (SC12 form).  Enter details of the special circumstance together with relevant evidence.  Submit this form to WELB with green Transfer Form in February 2013.

 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.

 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

 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.

Further advice Tel (028)