I was always an advocate for the Dickson Plan having gone through it myself, however, my children will move through this process from the Tandragee school and I believe they are at a disadvantage compared to the Portadown junior highs. A certain number from each feeder school is allocated each year. They sit different exams, some use year 9 summer marks some don't. I think the same exam for Portadown College should be sat and whoever comes top gets in. Currently there will be children from Tandragee who will miss out on a place if they place, for example, number 50 in that school. If those same children would have attended Clounagh or Killicomaine and ranked number 50 there they would get a place in the grammar school. The system is not fair. In saying that the college is not the be all and end all and the quality of education in the senior high has certainly improved over the past number of years.
I have 3 kids all going through this ..1 doing her transfers now.. its the best of both worlds let the weeins grow up at their own pace what child has any wit at 11.. if its not broke don't fix ir
It is infinitely preferable that children are not pressurised to perform at age 11. So many children get coached privately while other families can’t afford that. Fourteen is a much better age for children to opt for the subjects and pathway that suits them best.
Some schools are better than others at guiding children along the right path, even older children. Early career guidance can sometimes be lacking i.e maybe university isn't the be all and end all. Unfortunately, so many can get lost in the cracks along the way when it comes to post-primary.
University is certainly not the only positive career path. Vocational education should be up there as well. I agree.
I was always an advocate for the Dickson Plan having gone through it myself, however, my children will move through this process from the Tandragee school and I believe they are at a disadvantage compared to the Portadown junior highs. A certain number from each feeder school is allocated each year. They sit different exams, some use year 9 summer marks some don't. I think the same exam for Portadown College should be sat and whoever comes top gets in. Currently there will be children from Tandragee who will miss out on a place if they place, for example, number 50 in that school. If those same children would have attended Clounagh or Killicomaine and ranked number 50 there they would get a place in the grammar school. The system is not fair. In saying that the college is not the be all and end all and the quality of education in the senior high has certainly improved over the past number of years.
I have 3 kids all going through this ..1 doing her transfers now.. its the best of both worlds let the weeins grow up at their own pace what child has any wit at 11.. if its not broke don't fix ir
Also however much children and adults cover it up the children who don’t get the 11 plus have failed a major exam. Not a great feeling at that age.
It is infinitely preferable that children are not pressurised to perform at age 11. So many children get coached privately while other families can’t afford that. Fourteen is a much better age for children to opt for the subjects and pathway that suits them best.
Some schools are better than others at guiding children along the right path, even older children. Early career guidance can sometimes be lacking i.e maybe university isn't the be all and end all. Unfortunately, so many can get lost in the cracks along the way when it comes to post-primary.