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Secondary education

academy 10% places reserved for sport

32 replies

3asAbird · 23/10/2016 10:46

I know it's quite common for academies to specialise and some reserve 10% so specific specialism and many have aptitude tests for music /languages/sport ect.

We interested in 1 Co ed comp that reserves places for sport.
But it's not an aptitude test it's based on out of school sports record.

It's says sporting excellence must have reference from sports coach and play sport at national level.

My Dd is very sporty seems good at most sports.
She's been doing 1 specific individual sport since age 3 and reached high level but she's not competitive so therefore cannot be national.
Her coach said he write a reference.

I said to a freind national level is pretty high threshold for a fairly big standard comp.
I would imagine sports people at national try for scholarships at independent or try get into more prestigious schools.

So I messaged admissions officer of the schools clarifying if this strict rules on national always applies if reference and can prove she's talented , reached a high level and is dedicated but she's non competitive.
The reply was there's no specific rules that they have to be competitive but can't see how anyone can be national without competing .

So found last year's allocation statement .
No sports places given.
Does this mean the threshold too high and no one applied or people tried and failed?

Also on the allocation list next to 0 places given to sports it says child performs beyond age range in that particular sport which my dd does and British gymnastics association confirm that advanced proficiency gyms is 11plus secondary level yet we half way through bronze in year 6.

I thourght 10% had be reserved for specialisms and rest distance.
But last year was all distance.
Obviously they can't help it if no implies .
But 2 schools with sporting specialisms are very vague on exact criteria just say national level.

I think sports aptitude test be fairer.
Seems a pointless category to have if not used.

Can't find allocation statement for 2014 or 15 but guess I could ring admissions.
The admissions officer at schools new to position and has not really given me much detail.

Thinking chancing applying under sports criteria worst they can do is reject it and we go on distance which also affords us good chance based on last 2 years furthest distances.

But feel a sports place boost my dd confidence as she's not overly academic.
Not sure if there's such a thing as gifted and talented list anymore although seen it mentioned on mumsnet.

Whilst it has a lovely new sports hall and plays lots matches against local schools and does well dident seem overly better than other schools sports facilities.

Would they tell us which criteria was accepted before March 1st so we had some idea or will it be total surprise in march.

We have done a music aptitude test and languages test for other schools and will be informed by October 31st.

Anyone else applied for similar criteria?

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Spindelina · 25/10/2016 11:36

I suspect that the sporting excellence of the University of Bath is part of the reason that Bath schools select on sporting ability / aptitude. Beechen Cliff, in particular, has a few boarding places available, which often go to sportspeople so they can access facilities up at the uni.