Hi all,

I'm new to the 11+ this year, DS is taking his tests in September 2019. I've been confused about this issue for the past couple of years, and have never had an answer.

Why does Tiffin Boys (maybe girls too) have their Stage 2 test AFTER the CAF date has passed? My thinking is that many parents would add in these schools on the form, not knowing whether their child was eligible for the place. I can't seem to work out their logic. Could anyone help on this please? I'm comparing this with Sutton, and their stage 2 and results are in October, so as parents we can make an informed choice.

Many thanks,

Javster

I think it's because all the boys who pass the first stage (results of this are given before the CAF deadline) are eligible to apply.

They know that more will put there school as a first choice unaware of the results so they potentially get the best, it’s wrong and shouldn’t be allowed, it’s unfair of everyone else

I'm not sure exactly what you are saying?


The school will 'get the best' of the applicants who apply, because they admit on score (wirh priority given to those applicants living within a large - for a densely populated area - 'local' area). Those who are not ranked high enough in the second round won't get a place, wherever they rank the school on their CAF. Just like for a non-selective school where the main criterion is distance, you may know that you live 'quite close' to the school, but not whether few enough others don't live closer for you to get a place.

If you don't get your first preference school - however the school ranks candidates - it doesn't affect where you are ranked by any of your other preferences.

And if you intend to appeal for a place if you are turned down, however realistic your chance of success, you have to apply, regardless.

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The practical effect is the same as for those schools who don't give out a score or a rank but just say if you've passed or not - the three Sutton boys' grammars do that. It means that the wait for 1 March is a little more stressful but I can't see how it's unfair. They only pass enough boys to be sure they'll fill their places - most boys who go through the exams don't pass.

Thank you all for your replies so far!

If DS passes stage 2 of Sutton and/or Kingston then I think this is what I'm trying to say:

In Sutton, you have stage 1, get the result, have stage 2 if applicable, get the result, apply on CAF. So for stage 2 schools, I would know if DS has qualified to apply, so I'm not using a space on the form for which he's not eligible.

For Tiffin, it's pot luck. That's my bug bear (and I'm sure many others). I would put them on the form, having no idea whether he's passed the stage 2 (the test is after the CAF date anyway!), hence using a space for them on the form instead of another school which may be a better, more realistic option.

Sorry if I'm having a rant, I really don't understand the logic of this!

How many spaces do you have on the form?

6 as I understand

I am not sure that it is much different from people applying after a test in other areas and not knowing the cutoff for that test - they may be "eligible" but have they scored enough - similarly in some areas who admit on distance, the distance may have been fine for the last few years but they don't know if it will be OK this year.

It's not pot luck. EVERYONE who is invited to sit Stage 2 is qualified to apply for Tiffin. No one who sits Stage 2 fails.