Changes to 11+ Exam - Slough Consortium
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:42 pm
The Slough Observer has published an article on changes to this years exams (see below)
Apparently the changes apply to the Consortium only...... not Slough Grammar.
You can view the original article at
http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/articles/1/3217
[quote]ANGRY parents and tutors are fuming after changes to the 11 plus exam could disadvantage Asian youngsters from getting a place at grammar schools.
Slough’s Consortium of Grammar School, which includes Herschel, Langley and St Bernard’s, has decided to drop the maths tests from the exam in November.
Instead children will be tested on their non verbal reasoning, which identifies science and maths skills, and verbal reasoning which includes English.
A tutor, who does not want to be named, added: “It will disadvantage Asian youngsters or any second language speakers.
“Many children from this background often have problems with their literacy as many parents have English as their second language.
“This can hamper a child’s chances in the English test as they cannot always seek the help they might need at home.
However, Slough Grammar School is not in the consortium and will continue to test youngsters’ maths skills during the 11 plus exam. This means children who want to get into Slough Grammar will have to sit the 11 plus exam twice to meet the school’s entry standards and many parents fear this will put a lot of unnecessary stress on their youngsters.
Margaret Lenton, headteacher at Slough Grammar School, added: “We sought widespread advice and felt maths was an important element of the tests that was needed to test the students in our area.â€
Apparently the changes apply to the Consortium only...... not Slough Grammar.
You can view the original article at
http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/articles/1/3217
[quote]ANGRY parents and tutors are fuming after changes to the 11 plus exam could disadvantage Asian youngsters from getting a place at grammar schools.
Slough’s Consortium of Grammar School, which includes Herschel, Langley and St Bernard’s, has decided to drop the maths tests from the exam in November.
Instead children will be tested on their non verbal reasoning, which identifies science and maths skills, and verbal reasoning which includes English.
A tutor, who does not want to be named, added: “It will disadvantage Asian youngsters or any second language speakers.
“Many children from this background often have problems with their literacy as many parents have English as their second language.
“This can hamper a child’s chances in the English test as they cannot always seek the help they might need at home.
However, Slough Grammar School is not in the consortium and will continue to test youngsters’ maths skills during the 11 plus exam. This means children who want to get into Slough Grammar will have to sit the 11 plus exam twice to meet the school’s entry standards and many parents fear this will put a lot of unnecessary stress on their youngsters.
Margaret Lenton, headteacher at Slough Grammar School, added: “We sought widespread advice and felt maths was an important element of the tests that was needed to test the students in our area.â€