11 Plus Exams in Bexley

Administration

The examination is administered by Bexley Council for the all the community grammar and foundation selective schools within Bexley.

11 Plus Exam Dates for September 2007 Entry

Bexley Council has advised that dates for the 11 plus entrance exams will be as follows and will be held at the Primary School where your child attends: –

All children attending Bexley Primary Schools will automatically be included in the testing process except those attending Roman Catholic Primary Schools and the primary section of the Business Academy, in which case, you will need to let the Head Teacher of these schools know at the start of the Autumn term if you wish your child to take the test.

If you do not wish your child to take the tests, you should inform the Head Teacher of his/her primary school in writing. In this event your child will not be eligible for a place in a selective school. If you withdraw your child from the selection tests your child will still take the English and Mathematics tests so that they are included on your child’s records to monitor his/her progress.

The Bexley 11 Plus Entrance Test

There are four tests all in multiple choice format and designed to be marked by computer.

1. English
2. Mathematics
   The English and Maths are designed to test each child’s attainment in these important areas of the curriculum.
3. Verbal Reasoning
   Assesses understanding and skill in handling logical ideas expressed in writing.
4. The Non-Verbal Reasoning
   Assesses logic and thinking skills using questions in graphic form rather than in words.

The four tests vary slightly in length but each test session around 1 and a half hours long which includes a brief practice test, the time taken for pupils to be given instructions and as well as a short ‘comfort’ break.

All tests carry equal weight and the standardised scores for each will be added up to give a total score.

All four tests are compulsory if you wish your child to be considered for a selective school.

Special Arrangements

If your child suffers from a disability you should discuss this in advance with the Head Teacher of the primary school preferably in July of year 5 to allow for time for any special arrangements to be made. .

If your child is unwell it is advisable that they take the tests at a later date as once they have taken the sent it is impossible to make retrospective allowances for pupils who did not fell during the test. If your child is unwell you should contact the Head Teacher of your child’s school. You may be expected to provide a medical certificate.

Similarly, if there is any other valid reason such as a serious illness or bereavement it is best for your child not to take the test as allowances cannot be made afterwards.

If your child is absent due to ill health arrangements can be made to sit the test on alternative dates. Holidays are not considered an unavoidable cause.

Assessment of Results

There is no pre-set pass mark. For each test the scores range from 70 to 140, with the average score being 100. The scores are “standardised” to take account of the age of the pupil taking the test and to take account of the fact that the tests will not necessarily have the same number of questions. The four standardised test scores are added together and the total score above which pupils will be deemed selective may vary from year to year.
You will be advised of the scores at the time you are advised of the outcome of your application for schools. This will be in a letter posted to your home address by first class post on 1 March 2007.

Apart from the most exceptional circumstances decisions are based only on the total score achieved in the four tests. The decisions are taken by panels of experienced Head Teachers and senior officers from the Directorate of Children’s and Young People’s Services. Independent observers attend the panel meetings.
Only in the most exceptional circumstances, where a Head Teacher has evidence that a test result is unrepresentative of a pupil’s attainment or ability, will that evidence be considered alongside the test scores. An example would be where a child had to leave the test room due to ill health before completing the test.
Competition for places is high and consequently the test pass mark is high. Approximately 4500 pupils will be taking the tests, this means that only the most able pupils will be deemed selective. The number of places in the selective schools totals 841. The necessary score required is dependent upon the exact number of pupils who take part in the test and how well they do so it is not possible to give a precise figure as to the proportion of candidates who will achieve the selective standard. As a guidance for those entering for places in 2006 about 25% of the pupils were deemed selective.

Only if your child is one of the 180 pupils with the highest total scores we a place be guaranteed in the preferred Bexley selective school.

Applying from within Bexley

Parents will complete a form (called a Common Application Form) in October provided by the Bexley Council. On this form you will be able to express your preferences for schools whether these are schools in Bexley or outside Bexley. The Common Application Form must be returned by 20 October 2006.

Applying from outside Bexley

Candidates from other counties should apply via their own LEA’s own common application form giving the Bexley School as a preference.

Bexley Grammar Schools

School Name	Address	Telephone
Beths Grammar School	Hartford Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1NE	Tel 01322 556 538 Fax 01322 526 224 E-mail admin@beths.bexley.sch.uk
Bexley Grammar School	Danson Lane Welling DA16 2BL	Tel 020 8304 8538 Fax 020 8304 0248 E-mail enquiries@bexleygs.co.uk
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School	Hurst Road Sidcup DA15 9AG	Tel 020 8302 6511 Fax 020 8309 6596 E-mail enquiries.chislehurst-sidcup-gmr.bexley@lgfl.net
Townley Grammar School for Girls	Townley Road Bexleyheath DA6 7AB	Tel 020 8304 8311 Fax 020 8298 7421

Further information

Whilst we take great care to ensure that the above general information is a true reflection of the current regime for 11 plus exams in Bexley we would strongly recommend that you contact:

The Admissions Team

Directorate of Children’s and Young Person’s Services
Bexley Council
Hill View, Hill View Drive,
Welling,
Kent
DA16 3RY

Telephone: 020 8303 7777 ext 4230
E-mail: admissions.els@bexley.gov.uk
Website: www.bexley.gov.uk