Holland Park Art aptitude for Sep 2018 admission

[Mummynutty]

Hi all, would appreciate some advice on Holland Park admission through aptitude. Following the recent art aptitude test at Holland Park High School, we received a letter from the school saying that our daughter “achieved a score of 20 or more out of a possible 40 points” and that this “will allow consideration for admission through Art Apitude for September 2018”. The letter doesn’t tell us her exact score. Further, it says that the 24 aptitude places “will be allocated in descending order starting with the highest score” and that the highest scoring students will be made an offer on the National Offer Day and everyone else will be placed on the waiting list. It’s a hard call for us to make. Do we put Holland Park first and risk not getting a place? Or do we put our local school first safe in the knowledge she’d get a place there? Please has anyone been in a similar situation when your child scored “enough points” through aptitude but has not been offered a place? Your advice is much appreciated. Thank you.

[Hersetta427]

You don't not get a school because you list it second...it's all down to how well you fit the admission criteria. You can safely list holland first with jeopardising your place at the local school when you list it second.

[Taxminion]

If you don’t get an art aptitude place and don’t get in but fulfill the requirements for your second choice you will be offered that. Then if enough people turn HP down you MAY be offered a place.

I am sorry. It I don’t see the problem.

[Mummynutty]

Than’ you, it’s always reassuring to hear other mums’ views. I guess we’ll just have to make a leap of faith and put HP first and wait and see what happens.

[hillbilly]

What’s your local school nutty? I would say put HP as 1st choice if it is your 1st choice. Then if you don’t get the art place you have it as 1st choice regardless for your DD. K & C will offer place if eligible to lower choices if higher choice had not been given. I have a daughter at HP who got in on distance after not gaining a place on art aptitude.

[CamperVamp]

It’s not a ‘leap of faith’!

List the schools in the exact order you prefer them.

The schools admit according to the published criteria. If your local school can offer you a place, and HP can offer you a place, you will be allocated whichever you have put higher.

[CamperVamp]

Is your local school, where you would definitely get a place, your genuine second choice or are there others you would prefer?

You can put your local school last, if you know you will get in on distance. If there are other schools you would also like to try for.

[BananaDaiquiri]

As CamperVamp said "it isn't s leap of faith"! Put HP first if you want it. This will have absolutely no bearing on the likelihood of getting a place at your second choice school. Places are allocated on the equal preference system. Put the schools down in your genuine order of preference, making sure you have a school somewhere on your list that you are likely to get a place at.

[Greenthree]

Hi all my son is going to try for an art place this year if anyone has any advise can you please pm me as I would love to know what types of drawing they are expecting 🙂 thank you

[hillbilly]

Usually it's a chair and a hand holding something. I think when my daughter did it a couple of years ago she had to draw her own hand holding a paperclip.

[KingscoteStaff]

Last year (might have been the year before?) they had to draw their own shoe. Lots of opportunity for shading skills.

[TammyWhyNot]

And for anyone reading the OP, thinking about next year PLEASE study the Equal Preference System which is law throughout England. (And possibly Wales: not sure).

The schools assess your entry only against the admissions criteria. They do not prioritise people who list them first, then second, and so on.

They tell the LA whether they can admit you, and then the LA offer you the highest school on your list that says yes. If you first choice say ‘no’ they allocate you your next highest listed school that can admit you based on the criteria.

The system is exactly designed so that you can safely list your preferences in the true order you prefer them, and NOT have to take risks or make ‘leaps of faith’.

Sorry to bang on, but so many people misunderstand this to their detriment.

[yokota]

My son went this years drawing test (2018), where he has been ask to draw his shoes on one paper, and a hand holding a clip on the another paper.
Both with pencil which is supplied at a test.

Apparently the school had 600 applicant! They now have selected 70 students who are allowed to apply for the school. (1st stage)

Our son and his friend have been selected, waiting the outcome in March...

He is naturally creative and talented drawer, he attended Royal Drawing School for 2 terms, which I think it was worth doing to blush up more drawing skills.

Hope this helps.

[Mumof3under3]

Hello Yokota
Did your son not have to draw a chair this year? I'd heard that it was always their own hand holding something plus a chair on its side.

Was he told how to position his shoes or left entirely up to him to arrange? Be good to know any more info as we're thinking of trying next year.
Good luck to your son for March!

[yumiami]

I think the students have been asked to draw their shoe first on one paper.
and the next task was that to draw their hand holding a clip.

Sorry I don't know if they asked to draw one shoe or both shoes.
Only thing I know : the hand was the main drawing and the shoe was a warm up.