Bristol Cathedral Choir School

[Serendipity100]

My child obtained a music specialism place, and I have put this as my first preference. I just wondered if anyone from previous experience knows if this would likely mean 100% he gets a place?

Thanks in advance.

What are you told as the outcome of the music aptitude testing?

No personal knowledge of the school, but looking at the admissions policy, if it's the rank after the second assessment and your DS is ranked in the top 15, then he is certain to have a place there, as only children with an EHCP and applicants who are LAC/ PLAC or one of the 8 probationer choristers rank above that category. If he isn't in the top15, then it would depend on how many of those ranked above him both applied and didn’t have a higher preference that they were offered. If he isn't one of the final top 15, he'll go on the waiting lists for a music place, but will also be considered under whichever one of the lower criteria is relevant (staff / feeder school / sibling / defined postcode areas / other) and so whether a place is offered on March 3rd will depend on numbers ranked above him.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:8d6a7b62-dbab-4526-99bc-9f394b9f53e1

Thank you for taking the time to respond. The email states he qualified as one of the top 10% of the applicants. Assuming that then means he will definitely get a place.

Can you clarify whether it actually says he has a place? The top 10% in the stage 1 test are invited to take a 2nd round test from which the 15 being offered a music specialist place are offered.
If he is one of the 15 he will definitely have a place.

The other 10% figure knocking about us that the 15 places represents 10% of the available places so if he's one of that 10% then he's one of the 15. Many hundreds of children take the first round test so being in the top 10% of that wouldn't guarantee a place.

Hi, thank you. This was after the 2nd stage.

Interesting if they actually used the word 'applicants', not 'candidates'. Semantics, one might say (but not according to the AdmissionsCode) and if he is one of the top 10% of the latter, he would, of course, be one of the top 10% of the former - but unless / until you submit your CAF with the school named on it, for a state school, he isn't an 'applicant'.

Yes it doesn't clarify if there is a definite place, just that he qualified as one of the top 10% of applicants after both stage 1 and 2. It's our first preference, so am hoping we don't need to worry!

I also have the same situation with you, just worrying about what is one of the 10% means.... However the letter said that it is a conditional offer, just depending on my preference....Anyway I put the school as the 1st preference, can someone also share their opinion? Thanks a lot.

My child was a music specialist at BCCS. They have to allocate places in accordance with admissions criteria up their maximum admissions number. It's technically possible for all places to be filled by children with EHCPs, looked after children (Priority 1) and choristers (Priority 2) before they can offer all the 10% qualifying for the music specialism places. Hence the slightly cagey wording. However the chances of them not getting a place is virtually zero, so I wouldn't worry.
Just make sure you put BCCS as first preference, otherwise you might be offered somewhere else instead.
It's an excellent school, and the music provision is outstanding!

I am thinking about BCCS as a secondary school for my daughter, and will likely have her try the music specialism place assessment. Are there any ways that she might be able to practice or prepare for this, or have a go at similar music aptitude tests? If you have any advice, or links to similar sort of tests, it would be really appreciated! Not really sure where to start with it all. I know that they don't have to perform anything or sing, but it's hard to know quite how to get them prepared for these tests.
Thanks

There are various links online - sorry, I don't have anything in particular to recommend. My son didn't do any preparation for it, although he was already involved in a lot of music making. I'd reassure your daughter that there will be a few warm up questions at the start to make sure they understand what they have to do. Good luck!