Buckinghamshire 11 Plus

The New Schools Admissions Code, which became law in February, and governs admissions for September 2013, states that “schools must take all reasonable steps to inform parents of the outcome of tests before the closing deadline for applications on October 31st 2012”.

However, for administrative reasons Bucks CC has invoked a special power that allows them to continue to test according to the previous timescale, with 11+ tests taking place in October, and results being provided in late November. This is expected to change to comply with the timings required by the new Admissions Code for admissions from 2014.

Buckinghamshire School Allocation Profiles Page 2

Buckinghamshire 12+ and 13+ Tests Page 3

Bucks 11 Plus

Buckinghamshire (Bucks) is one of the last remaining Counties where education is fully selective. There are 13 grammar schools and 21 upper schools in the County. Admission into Year 7 at all schools is managed centrally by Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC).

Buckinghamshire operates an “opt out” system for the 11+, whereby children at Bucks state primary schools are automatically entered for the test unless their parents actively withdraw them from taking it. Children at private schools and those attending schools outside Buckinghamshire must actively apply to take the test. Application forms for entry to the tests are available from July each year and have to be submitted at the start of September each year (see table below for the current year’s dates).

Many private schools in the county and some large schools outside the county administer the Bucks 11 plus on behalf of Bucks CC. These are known as “Partner Schools”. The children receive the application form for the test and the CAF (school application form) via their school, the tests take place in the school and the results are provided via the school in exactly the same way as for children attending Bucks state schools.

Children attending schools outside Buckinghamshire which do not have a Partner School arrangement with Bucks County Council take the test at central venues around the county on two days, one day apart, during the autumn half term.

Approximately 30 percent of children qualify for a grammar school place each year, and around a further 5% are deemed qualified after a successful appeal against non-qualification. School places are allocated by distance from school gates with defined catchment areas that receive priority.

The Buckinghamshire 11+ tests comprises two multiple choice verbal reasoning tests, and it is only necessary to achieve a qualifying mark of 121 on one of the papers to be deemed qualified. A child’s 11+ score ceased to be a deciding factor in the allocation of places several years ago and all children scoring 121 or higher, or whose case is successful at an appeal, are considered equally qualified. Every child living in Bucks who scores 121 or higher will be offered a grammar school place, although this may not be for their first preference school.

To assess your chances of gaining a place at your preferred school you can view our summary of past Allocation Profiles (Distances).

Buckinghamshire is unusual in that it has retained the 12+ and 13+ tests for grammar school entry. There is no guarantee that a successful candidate in these tests will be allocated a school place, but for some children it offers a second bite of the cherry if they have been unsuccessful in the 11+.

Bucks 11 Plus Admissions Information for September 2013 entry

Bucks 11 Plus Appropriate Practice Materials

• AFN – Verbal Reasoning – Easier papers for beginners or younger children.
• IPS – Verbal Reasoning materials.
• The Tutors – Verbal Reasoning 15 minute tests, Level 3.
• The Tutors – Epapers (1B – 12B)
• The Tutors – Software (Verbal Reasoning volume 1 & 2) or Beginner volume 1 & 2 for younger children.
• PHI Learning Labs – Verbal Reasoning
• Susan Daughtrey – Bright Sparks, but not her Books 1-4 – these do not cover the exact question types used in the Bucks 11+
• GL Assessment – Verbal Reasoning Pack 1 – Contains 15 of the 21 types and 85 questions.
• GL Assessment – Verbal Reasoning Pack 2 – Contains all 21 types and 80 questions.
• Walsh – provide more challenging material for use towards the end of tutoring.

All of these materials are listed in the Buckinghamshire part of the 11+ Regions section of the online shop where you can purchase these in a convenient place.

More information and advice can also be found in the Buckinghamshire section of the 11+ Forum

Bucks 11 Plus School Information

Open evening information for all Bucks schools, including grammar schools, is published on the Buckinghamshire County Council website each year. Dates for grammar school open days and evenings for 2012 are shown below.

N.B. Chesham Grammar School was known as Chesham High School until September 2010.

Upper Schools in Buckinghamshire

All Buckinghamshire Upper Schools are co-educational.

• The Amersham School, Amersham
• The Aylesbury Vale Academy, Aylesbury, (formerly Quarrendon Upper School)
• The Beaconsfield School, Beaconsfield
• Buckingham School, Buckingham
• Burnham Upper School, Burnham
• The Chalfonts Community College, Chalfont St. Peter
• Chiltern Hills Academy, Chesham
• Cottesloe School, Wing
• Cressex Community School, High Wycombe
• The Grange School, Aylesbury
• Great Marlow School, Marlow
• The Highcrest Academy, High Wycombe
• Holmer Green Senior School, Holmer Green
• John Colet School, Wendover
• Mandeville Upper School, Aylesbury
• The Misbourne School, Great Missenden
• Princes Risborough School, Princes Risborough
• Sir William Ramsay School, Hazlemere
• St Bernard’s Catholic School, High Wycombe
• Waddesdon CofE School, Waddesdon
• The Wye Valley School, Bourne End

N.B. Chiltern Hills Academy was previously called Chesham Park Community College. The Highcrest Academy was previously known as Highcrest Community School.

Buckinghamshire School Allocation Profiles Page 2

Buckinghamshire 12+ and 13+ Tests Page 3

_{Page updated on 11th May 2012}