Bucks replacing selection appeals with HT review
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:56 pm
I have just received the following via PM. The bold type is mine.
I am off to lie down in a darkened room ...11+ Testing for 2013 Admissions Published: 19 March 2012
As you are aware, the 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire have entered into a contract with Buckinghamshire County Council to administer the 11+ selection process for the 2013 admissions round. In October 2011, the LA ceased to be the admissions authority for any of the 13 schools, since all are now either academies or, in one case, a foundation school. The agreement has been the result of complex negotiations between the schools and the Council which have been conducted under considerable time pressure. The main aim has been to secure the stability and continuity of the selection arrangements for 2013 so that parents can have confidence in the arrangements. As a result, the process will remain largely unchanged and primary schools will be asked to continue to act as test centres.
A group of primary headteachers have already been involved in discussions and these will continue through the Headteachers' Admissions Working Group which will be expanded and will meet more regularly in order to act as a consultative body as the process evolves. Grammar School headteachers fully understand the considerable burden which the 11+ process places on primary colleagues and are extremely grateful for their continued collaboration in the interests of pupils and parents.
The single change to the process for 2013 will be the replacement of Selection Appeals with a Selection Review process which will be undertaken by a panel of headteachers. This change to process will be developed and managed in collaboration with the primary colleagues represented on the Headteachers' Admissions Working Group.
It is recognised that communication with primary schools is vital and the primary headteacher colleagues who attend the Headteachers' Admissions Working Group will ensure that Liaison Groups and other groups, for example, the Primary Consultative Board, are involved and updated.