11 Plus Exams Forum

I have a general question for Alex or Etienne.Do you know how many grammars in Lincolnshire no longer apply the sibling rule - this question was prompted by a conversation with a friend living in the South of England whose local grammar is proposing to do away with the rule. They would be affected by this as they have a boy in year 8 at the school and a girl in year 4 hoping to go there. They live about 18 miles from the school so the distance criteria looks doubtful for them.

The latest Schools Admissions Code laid down that schools must not have priority to siblings as part of their oversubscription criteria if the school admitted in score order. Schools which require applicants simply to reach a qualifying standard may still have siblings as part of their oversubscription criteria.

Community and controlled schools in Lincolnshire follow the County's admissions policy which includes priority to siblings before driving distance from the school. These schools include (at present) Bourne Grammar School, Gainsborough Queen Elizabeth's High School, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, Kesteven and Sleaford High School and Spalding High School.

The Boston Grammar Schools Federation is now a Foundation School (Boys always was; Girls used to be Community) but they still have the County Council Admissions policy so give priority to siblings.

The other Foundation and Voluntary Aided Schools all have score order as part of their oversubscription criteria in the admissions policies somewhere, though where it comes in the list varies, some giving priority within a defined area before admitting in score order. None of these, therefore are able to give priority to siblings. It is important to look at the Admissions Policy for any school you are interested in as they do vary quite a lot in the detail.

The "at present" proviso is there because schools can and do change their status. It is a relatively straightforward process to become a Foundation School rather than a Community or Controlled one, so do check up the school details each year. "Going to School in Lincolnshire" has all the relevant facts about schools and their Admission policies and is available in hard copy from schools or the Admissions Department, or on the web.

Thanks Alex,
The question was more of curiosity than anything. As I said, our friends in the south look as though they will not fare too well on this one. It will not apply to us as we only have one child - but thank you anyway for the information.