Good results:Grammar schools get great academic results. This is not only because of the selection of more able pupils, but also because they can often be pushed harder due to a more equal level of ability in class.
However, it was Margaret Thatcher who, as education secretary in the early 1970s, agreed to the closure of most grammar schools.
Certain counties, such as Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire, are well known for supporting the grammar-school system. There are around 160 grammar schools in England, none of which charges fees, plus a further 69 schools in Northern Ireland.
The only figure I can find is for Kent grammar schools in 2016, where 57% of these pupils are attending grammar school, as compared with 79% of non-disadvantaged pupils.
There are currently 163 grammar schools in England with a total of around 176,000 pupils. Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 no new maintained grammar schools can be opened, and existing schools cannot introduce new selection by ability. Grammar schools have a higher proportion of non-white pupils.
There are only about 163 grammar schools in England, out of some 3,000 state secondaries, and a further 69 grammar schools in Northern Ireland. There are no state grammars in Wales or Scotland, and although some retain the name "grammar school", they are non-selective and have no special status.
Because grammar pupils are generally of the same ability, it's argued that teachers are able to progress lessons more effectively than at comprehensive level. As such, grammar schools tend to be the highest performing schools in local and national league tables.
In 2017, the Times Higher Education data revealed Exeter University to be among the top 10 of universities with the lowest percentage of state school students, compared to those from a private school background. Only 6.5% of children in the UK attend a private school, yet they make up 31.5%…
According to the Independent Schools Council, only 6.5% of UK students are educated in the independent sector: yet in 2016, Oxford accepted 42% of students from independent schools, and Cambridge, 37.5%.
There are currently 19 grammar schools in London and 164 in England in total. Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools that admit pupils based on their performance in the 11 Plus exam.
While Russell Group universities make up 15% of UK higher education institutions, the proportion of research which is 'world- leading' at Russell Group universities is double that at other UK universities.
About 6% of all children in Britain attend private schools. Children of families of every income level attend private schools. But the number is highest in the families earning over £300,000 – six in ten.
The highest percentage of private school students being 52 per cent and the lowest proportion being 10 per cent. The colleges taking the highest proportion of students from private schools include Trinity College Oxford (52 per cent), Keeble College Oxford (52 per cent) and Robinson College Cambridge (50 per cent).
There are also a number of isolated grammar schools, which admit the candidates who score highest on their entry tests. The remaining 163 English state grammar schools are listed here grouped by region (from north to south) and Local Education Authority.
The pass mark for the exam varies across exam boards, schools and from year-to-year. Typically, the pass mark for the 11 Plus is over 80 percent.
When do I apply for the 11+?Most grammar schools will open their registration for the 11+ exam in April or May for the following academic year, and parents need to register their child by June, July or August.
The new contract for the 11 plus exam in Buckinghamshire has been awarded to GL Assessment rather than CEM, the current providers. The new GL test will cover Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics.
Kent grammar schools with an 11 Plus entry are split into two distinct areas.
Kent Grammar Schools.
| Barton Court Grammar School | Oakwood park Grammar School |
|---|
| Gravesend Grammar School | The Skinner's School |
| Highsted Grammar School | Tonbridge School |
There are six grammar schools remaining in Berkshire, and one “bilateral†school, Reading Girls' School. Two of the grammar schools are in Reading (Reading Grammar and Kendrick School) and the remaining four are in Slough.
What does the 11+ testing involve? The tests are produced for Buckinghamshire LA by GL Assessment. The two tests are broadly of the same level of difficulty and the better of the two results will be your child's Verbal Reasoning Test Score (VRTS). Each test is 50 minutes long and has 80 questions.
Your child will take the Secondary Transfer Test during the autumn term of Year 6. The test is designed to assess a child's suitability for grammar school. The skills measured in the test should make sure that your child will go to a school that can best meet their educational needs.
There is absolutely no obligation for your child to sit the eleven-plus exam. If you and your child are content with their going to state schools – and if you are not particularly interested in private schools or selective secondary schools – then you don't need to do anything else.
In the days of the old test, the maximum standardised score was 141. There is no benefit to knowing the maximum standardised score, or "top scores" because in the Bucks system, scores of 121 and above are equivalent. A child scoring 121 is as qualified as a child scoring 141 (or higher if possible).
The percentage of children who reach the pass mark for 11 plus differs considerably throughout the country. However, taking all of these things into account, it is safe to say that percentage pass mark for 11 plus test falls at around 80%, with some areas shifting the average up to 85%.
How to help your child pass the 11+
- Get them familiar with the style of questions.
- Look over practice questions.
- Make learning fun.
- Encourage regular reading.
- Prepare.
- Enrol them into Kumon.
Some 11 Plus exams have a pass mark. If the pass mark is always 121, the examining body must ensure that the paper is of the same difficulty as it was in previous years otherwise many more students may pass the exam without places being available for them.
How do I register my child for the Slough 11 Plus exam? You need to register your child to take the Slough Consortium 11 Plus test. Online registration for the 2022 exam will open at the beginning of May 2022 on the website of the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools.
GL scores use a standardised age score ranging from 69 to 141 with 100 as the mean (average) score.
