Grammar test change will allow 'fairer testing'

Moving the grammar school entrance test date from October to July will create "fairer testing", a headteacher says.

The seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire have changed their entrance exam provider to Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE), meaning those in the county will take their 11+ at the end of year five rather than at the start of year six.

Dr James Richardson, headteacher of Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham, said working with FSCE will allow "fairer and more accessible testing".

Adam Rush, a private tutor who helps pupils prepare for the 11+, said while this year's cohort now has less time to prepare, the change is positive as children can be "sluggish" after summer.

The entrance exam will consist of two English and maths papers and one paper covering a wider range of subjects including art, science, history and geography.

Organisers believe the new test will encourage "natural curiosity and critical thinking" rather than intensive preparation through private tutoring, but some parents previously told the BBC it was unlikely to stop children receiving private tutoring.

The changes will come into effect from 2027, for entrance into year seven in 2028.

Artem Marie-Magdeleine, a parent with a child sitting the exams in July, said they felt "a bit left in the dark" with the change in format.

"My main concern is without enough familiarisation, my child may feel lost and not understand what she is being asked to do," Artem said.

Rush said while he believes the change in date is a good thing, he understands the concerns around having less time to prepare, adding a change in the format of the exams was "needed".

"The old format required children to learn skills specifically to be able to pass the exam but wouldn't be much use once they had done so," he explained.

"The new format is more in line with asking children to apply the knowledge that they have learned in school," he added.

Richardson said focusing the test on everyday primary classroom learning will "increase families' confidence in a selection process which is accessible".

"Our statement of intent is clear: children attending our local primary schools, regardless of background, should feel Pate's Grammar School is a welcoming and achievable option for their secondary schooling," he added.

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