Kingsdale banding test

[dotty81]

Trying to get my head around the dark art that is the Kingsdale application process.

Does anyone know the focus of the banding test around Nov Dec time? Is it VR and NVR only or Maths and English too?

Hello.

It's NVR - I think we did ours from home online. It's not an assessment for entry to the school so you don't need to prep as such (though it might help to do a couple of things as first time these things are confusing).

Everyone who applies does have to sit it though, and they are then put into 3 or 4 bands (I can't remember now). An equal number is then selected from each band to ensure a mix of abilities gain entry to the school.

I've heard it said that those in the highest band have a greater chance of getting in on the waiting list as more kids in that band are also likely to have applied for private schools, but I don't know how true that is.

The other way to gain entry is via a sports or music scholorship. I can't remember the % that get in via this route, maybe 15% (it should be listed in the admission criteria). It should be noted that a full scholorship for a child does not guarantee entry - more full scholorships than places available are offered and only the top x% are likely to get a place via this route, but it does give an alternative waiting list route.

Hope that helps.

LondonHOPDad is correct.

Banding test is purely NVR. The scores are divided in 3 equal bands and then students randomised within the band (so it doesn't matter what score you get within your band). Definitely seems to be the case that Band 1 waiting list moves quickest.

With the music and sports scholarships it's slightly different. For music they have 4 different parts to the scholarship and you are scored on each. The totals are then ranked and children given a full scholarship, half scholarship and G&T. The top 10% (not sure of exact number) of full scholarship students are automatically given a place, everyone else gets ranked on a separate scholarship waiting list.

So children on waiting list for a scholarship essentially have two shots - via both their band list and the scholarship list (It doesn't matter which you get a place on - if you have been awarded a scholarship but get a place via banding list you still get all the scholarship goodies).

They're very nice and relaxed with the kids at the banding tests, nothing to revise, SEN kids all get 25% extra time. Everyone seemed to come out smiling, even DD's friend who said he couldn't answer any of it! Our year I suspect they used the results to do initial Y7 sets as none of them had SATS, but the school is very good about tweaking what set kids are in to find the right fit and pace regardless of what it does or doesn't say on paper about them.

OK thank you both.

So there are essentially 5 bands - band 1, band 2, band 3, music band, sports band?

And you could be in 1 or 2 or 3 of those bands depending on whether you apply for the music and sports scholarships, in addition to a general place.

Or are you only allowed to go for either music or sport? We won't be going for both incidentally - just trying to understand the process.

G&T @OhCrumbsWhereNow Gin and tonic? ;-)

'Gifted & Talented' - there are differing levels of things on offer depending on which scholarship band you are in. So, for example, full music scholars get free 1:1 lessons in their main instrument, half scholars and G&T get free group lessons etc.

I think it's very unlikely that anyone awarded G&T would get a place via the scholarship band route, but they will get the music provision for G&T should they get a place via lottery/siblings/LAC routes.

Once you have a place at the school there are also Maths and Art Scholarships - and a few others that get offered if school pick up that your child has aptitude.

There's no reason why you couldn't sit for both Sport and Music, the only thing to look out for is level of commitment. To keep the scholarship you do have to take the relevant GCSE option, so someone with both would have to take both Music and PE from Y9 onwards which may or may not suit. You don't lose your place if you opt not to - but you do lose scholarship provision.

I am not entirely sure if the Music band and Sports bands are separate or combined - ie if a music scholar declines a place are they replaced by another music scholar or by whoever is next up on the overall scholarship ranking. From what I can work out, most full scholars will get a place off the waiting list by September of entry, but anyone below that can't bank on it.