Preparing for Senior School
Why Have This Meeting? • To provide more information on Common Entrance and Scholarships • To give you a clearer idea of what is expected at each stage, both of your child, yourself and of Great Ballard. • To identify factors to consider when choosing the next school. • To reinforce reasons why a Great Ballard education is the best way to support your child’s continued academic and all round development.
What is Common Entrance? • The principle entrance exam used by the majority of independent senior schools. • Used to assess whether a child has the academic foundation and potential to do well at their senior school • An indicator that children have achieved a suitable standard in a wide range of academic subjects. • Importantly, it is not the only criteria for selection.
At Great Ballard, the children in their final two years will follow the 13+ Common Entrance Syllabus. This provides the children with an acknowledged, broad and high quality academic education. Some of the work covered in Form 6 lays the foundations down for this syllabus.
The 13+ Common Entrance Syllabus The syllabus and exams themselves are set by the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB). They determine the syllabus and prepare and send out the exams to prep schools. There are two or three ability levels in some core subjects. The ISEB website will give you further details about the Common Entrance Syllabus itself - www.iseb.co.uk
What is Examined at Great Ballard? Geography – Includes a English- Comprehension, creative writing and project worth 20% literature (2 levels) Mathematics (3 levels) Religious Studies Science – Physics, Biology History and Chemistry (2 levels) French – includes a Latin, Greek or Mandarin speaking and listening exam ( Not compulsory) (2 levels) Children with formal evidence of additional support needs, can be given further time in the examinations.
The Exams • Pupils sit the actual 13+ Common Entrance exams at all Prep Schools straight after Summer Half Term • These ISEB papers are then sent to, and marked by, the specific senior school each child is registered with. Thus, you can only choose one senior school, which MUST be selected by January of the year of entry. • Each senior school has their own academic entrance standard. As a result the pass grade can vary from school to school depending on how selective the school is.is.
Other Factors Considered • A written report from the Headmaster which highlights talent and ability in other areas (For example; sport, music, drama or art as well as other strengths such as any leadership responsibilities the children may have. • A supportive comment on behaviour and attitude to school and academic work. This must be an honest view, and I do endeavour to be as positive as I can, which is normally very easy. • To an extent, any previous interest you have shown, or family links with the school.
How do senior schools know about their prospective pupils’ progress? • Once a child is registered, we will keep the senior school updated about progress. If there are any potential concerns, we initially talk directly with you and then, if appropriate, the Head of the senior school. Nobody wants a child to fail entry. • The senior schools will receive a full written report from myself prior to the exams. • Be reassured, Great Ballard has an outstanding record of success at CE. We have sent hundreds of children to many different senior schools all over the UK.
How do we prepare the children? • We follow the set syllabus in each subject. This means that we know and can prepare for the topics which are likely to be included in exams. • We go through past papers in great detail with pupils. • We advise on pre-tests if required, exam preparation and revision methods. Children have regular examination experience in Forms 6, 7 & 8 to develop their confidence and raise their own expectations of success.
How can you help? • By being here tonight! You should have a clearer understanding of the process and how you can support your child outside of the classroom. • Establish a good balance between work and play. • Establish clear routines at home for ensuring that any school work or exam revision timetables we give out are completed properly. • If you have any concerns, do speak to the subject teacher. All teachers take pride in their subjects and want your child to do well. • As CE exams approach, it is normal for both you and your child to be a little nervous. This is normal; just wait until GCSE or A level!
Senior School Scholarships • During Forms 7 & 8 we will identify those children with the potential to sit for an Academic Scholarship. We will then need to extend their learning in order to cover the additional expectations of the scholarship papers. • Any decisions about entry for an award will be discussed with parents. The academic scholarship papers are set and marked by the senior school. Exams normally take place during the Spring Term. • Any decision about formal entry for scholarships must always be made in close consultation with the school. The standards are very high and all entries MUST have the strong support of the school. Final entry deadlines are normally early in December or January. Entering for a scholarship does not guarantee success.
Selection for Scholarships • Children in Form 8 with exceptional ability have the opportunity to enter for a scholarship. • Children must have strong school support for scholarship applications. This will be discussed with you. • Decisions for entry are based on ability, attitude and potential. Final decisions about this normally only take place in Form 8. • We help to prepare children for the various scholarships. This includes preparations for interviews or practical assessments.
Scholarship Preparation • Academic – Greater emphasis on interpretation of knowledge and additional or a higher level of work • Music – Prepare musical piece/s for assessment day, usually at least two instruments, one up to Grade 5. They may well need Grade 5 theory of music as well. • Sport – Practical assessment and external references • Art – Portfolio of work / practical assessment day • Drama – Practical assessment day, evidence of public performances • All-Rounder – Practical assessments usually in at least two areas – Sport, music, art, drama etc. Criteria varies between schools. • PLUS, all non academic scholarships may need additional references, a CV of past successes/ability and possibly an interview.
Scholarship Success Great Ballard has an enviable record of scholarship success. Although a small school, in the last 5 years alone we have been awarded 36 different scholarships. These include many academic, as well as all- rounder, music, art, drama and sports scholarships. Note - scholarships vary in monetary value. They are generally less than in the past, and it is now usual practice to potentially supplement any awards with means-tested bursaries.
Which School? This is never an easy decision! • Research - Request a prospectus, look at the website, read inspection reports and educational guides and speak to other parents. • Visit - Do go to an Open Day, but also visit again on a ‘normal’ day for a personal tour during teaching hours and ensure you meet teachers and ideally the Head. • Come to our Senior Schools Fair which we are looking to host again in March 2019. This is a good way to speak to lots of schools under one roof. If you want some further advice, do arrange a meeting with me.
How do you decide? This involves a number of factors:- • Does the school meet the needs of your child? • Do the academic standards and subject options available meet your future expectations e.g. GCSE, A Levels, or International Baccalaureate? • Consider the priority of specific sports and extra curricular opportunities at the school. • Day or boarding? Are their flexi/wrap around care options for working parents? • What are the financial implications? • How does the school fit in with your family logistics? • What does your child think? • Don’t ignore your gut feeling!
Other things to consider •Co -educational or single sex? •Day, boarding or a combination? •Traditional standards or more progressive approach? •Large or small? •Rural or urban? •Size of sixth form •Academically competitive? •Wide all round curriculum with good subject options? Make sure you clarify exactly what you and your child want from their Senior School education before choosing your school.
What happens now you’ve made your decision? • Register with the school – this usually involves a non returnable deposit, but it will reserve a place for your child subject to them meeting their entrance requirements. • Let us know. This will enable us to start communicating with the school and appropriately prepare children for any early entrance tests, Common Entrance or, if appropriate, a Scholarship. • Most entrance tests include papers in English, Maths and Verbal reasoning and often an interview. • The senior school will then communicate directly with you, as well as liaising with us to ensure that things are progressing as expected. If there are any concerns we will discuss these at an early opportunity with you.
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