11+ mystery.... can you shed any light?

[MissMisery]

My DS1 is going back to school to sit his 11+ this Autumn. (Don't even get me started on what a dreadful system I think this is... that's a whole 'nother thing....)

Anyhoo, we have been told that the pass mark is 121 (or more obs), and that if you reach this mark, you will get a place at grammar school.

My question is this: How can they possibly ensure that EXACTLY the right amount of children pass to fill the EXACT amount of places they have available at grammar schools?

At my sons school, the pass rate varies between 25% and 60%, which means a variation of approximately 20 pupils (for his school alone)

When this issue was raised at a school meeting, the head muttered something about 'standardisation' of marks, but didn't clarify further.

I would very much appreciate clarification from someone with inside knowledge.

Thanks in advance

It goes to the edge of the Bucks villages and follows the county boundary- I wouldn't classify that as Henley but maybe I'm nit picking. None of Oxfordshire is in catchment.

Anyone, in Bucks, living along the boundary would also be catchment for WHS and JHGS. With the exception of the last 2 years all catchment children have got in. My ds's year (just finished yr 9) offered all of catchment and up to 6 miles out so would just scrape Henley. Also offered all OOC siblings. My ds's year (just finished year 7) offered all catchment siblings and to 3.1 miles in catchment so would not have gone as far as Northend or Turville for instance. Yr 7 starting in September offered similarly.

Can't believe the nit picking!!! He lives in a hamlet just north of Henley but for ease I wrote Henley (as nobody would know where he actually lives). I then clarified this.

My point was that getting the score of 121 in itself is not enough to get you a place at your preferred or even closest grammar. So whilst, yes, Bucks has enough places for everyone who passes, it may not be logistically possible for a child to take up that place.

I am well aware of how the Bucks 11+ system works thank you!!!

Fair enough but talking about a score of 136 etc sounded like you didn't understand the system- all Bucks schools (whether Upper or Grammar) have catchment areas and all give them priority by distance - score is irrelevant.

The Bucks villages which are in catchment have no association with Henley or South Oxfordshire Council - they are in Bucks and part of Wycombe District Council and have Bucks catchment schools.

I think the vast majority of Bucks children with 121 or above get a place at a grammar school they can get to. It may not be their first choice. Where places are tight for those in catchment, (but very many are not) then there is a bigger problem and parents may have to research a route to school and go by car. This is pretty rare though and it no doubt varies from year to year. For most parents, putting down the catchment grammar/s on the form will get you the first or second preference. So, op, don't worry unless you live just north of Henley.

Where I'm from a score of 121 qualifies you to apply. It doesn't mean you'll get a place.