Choosing the right secondary school for your child is a major decision. We hope this guide helps families understand the admission process and criteria for the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools.
Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools have a specific admissions process for Year 7 entry, which includes academic selection through an assessment known as the Secondary Transfer Test or 11+ Exam (“STT 11+”) taken at the beginning of Year 6. The STT 11+ assesses a child’s suitability for Grammar School and is designed to be a test of academic ability.
The tests consist of two papers, one in Verbal Reasoning and the other testing Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths. Even though English is not mentioned in the test title, English is tested as part of the verbal reasoning paper and includes comprehension as well as technical English questions.
The STT 11+ test papers are produced by GL Assessment, which has a contract to provide the tests for the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools until 2029.
REGISTRATION
-
Children attending Buckinghamshire local authority Primary Schools are usually automatically registered to sit the STT 11+ in their school, however for peace of mind, we recommend getting written confirmation of this from your child’s School Office (most Primary Schools in Buckinghamshire will write to parents about the Bucks 11+ when you child is in Year 5 at school).
-
Children attending a non-Buckinghamshire Primary School or an Independent School usually need to register for the STT 11+. Registration for the STT 11+ typically takes place in the spring when the child is in Year 5 at school
-
It is important to research and visit the Secondary Schools you would like to apply to by attending their Open Days and reviewing their Admission Policies on their websites. Grammar Schools usually start to publish their Open Day information from May onwards. Open Days are often held in September and October. It can be very motivating for children to see the different school opportunities. Attending Open Days (even perhaps for schools you are not keen for your child to attend) is highly recommended so you and your child can see the full range of secondary school options available.
-
Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire operate with varying and strict admission policies, so it's essential to research specific schools of interest. Each Grammar School will have a different catchment area and an over-subscription criteria. Please see the websites for the 13 Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools below:
Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools for girls
o Aylesbury High School (Girls)
o Beaconsfield High School (Girls)
o Dr Challoner’s High School, Little Chalfont (Girls)
o Wycombe High School (Girls)
Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools for boys
o Aylesbury Grammar School
o Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham
o John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe
o The Royal Grammar School (RGS), High Wycombe
Mixed Gender Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (boys or girls)
o Burnham Grammar School
o Chesham Grammar School
o Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Aylesbury
o Sir William Borlase School, Marlow
o The Royal Latin Grammar School, Buckingham
THE STT 11+ TESTS
The Verbal Reasoning test comprises (a) comprehension; and (b) technical English (such as cloze and proof reading - often involving questions requiring the candidate to identify spelling, punctuation or grammar errors in text); and (c) verbal reasoning questions (typically from the ‘21 Types’ of verbal reasoning question, with some newer format verbal reasoning questions occasionally appearing).
The Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning test will include a longer Maths section and several shorter non-verbal reasoning sections (potentially also including Spatial Reasoning questions where 3D non-verbal reasoning skills are tested).
Both tests take place on the same day and are separated by a short break.
Each test contains 45 minutes of 'questions that count' (see below).
The tests are multiple-choice with a question paper and a separate multiple-choice answer sheet. Candidates must use a pencil (not a pen).
The tests are administered using audio administration, and the test papers contain separate timed Sections. This further helps to standardise the testing procedure between testing centres (as all candidates hear the same test instructions as well as completing the same test papers).
Before each timed Section within the test paper, the Instructions for the questions in that Section and an example of each type of question are presented (and read out audibly by the audio administration). There is then a short period given to attempt several practice questions (the answers to which are subsequently read out by the audio administration). The Practice questions do not count towards the final mark, and so candidates can familiarise themselves with what they are required to do before being asked to answer the questions that will count towards their 11+ score.
Due to the time taken by the audio administration to read out the Instructions, the Examples, and to administer the Practice questions, each test takes about 1 hour to administer (even though there are only 45 minutes worth of ‘questions that count’).
Each question is eligible for one mark if answered correctly. There is no negative marking, so a point will not be taken away if your child answers a question incorrectly. It is therefore important that candidates enter an answer for every question on their multiple-choice answer sheet, even if they are not entirely confident they have answered the question correctly. If the child needs to change an answer, they should use their rubber to thoroughly rub out the original answer and then clearly mark their final answer.
The arrangements can vary a little from one year to the next. It is therefore essential that students listen carefully to the instructions given on the 11+ test day and follow them.
RESULTS & SCHOOL SELECTION
-
Results from the 11+ exam are typically released in mid-October when the student is in Year 6 at school. Your child will need to score 121 or above in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test to be considered for a Buckinghamshire Grammar School (although there is also a separate “Selection Review” procedure open to those who did not quite achieve a qualifying score of 121).
-
Your child’s Secondary School application must be submitted to your home local authority. If you live in Buckinghamshire, apply on the secondary school application page. If you live outside Buckinghamshire, you may include Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools in the application submitted to your home local authority (although please refer to the Admissions Policies and, in particular, catchment areas to check eligibility). The national deadline to submit your child’s Secondary School application is currently 31 October.
-
A Selection Review is an opportunity for the child’s Headteacher and Parent(s) to explain, in writing, why they think the child is best suited to a grammar school education even though the child did not reach the qualifying score of 121 in the STT 11+. To have a good chance of success at Selection Review, the child’s case should be backed up with strong academic evidence that clearly demonstrates their suitability for grammar school. Any extenuating circumstances on or around the 11+ test day (such as a family bereavement) should also be stated. For more information on the Selection Review procedure, please see the dedicated page on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
The content of this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for thorough research by parents. The arrangements for the 11+ exams vary widely between areas, and there are often changes from year to year. You should consult the official sources of information in your area, such as the grammar school admissions policies, local authority website and/or local 11+ exam testing consortium website. Do not rely on information on third-party websites, as it may be incorrect or out of date.