End to automatic grammar school selection tests for Bexley pupils (From News Shopper)

End to automatic grammar school selection tests for Bexley pupils

4:40pm Tuesday 11th December 2012 in Bexley By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

PUPILS in Bexley will no longer have to sit selection tests for grammar schools thanks to changes coming in next year.

Under the current system children automatically sit the exams at the beginning of year six to decide whether they can be considered for a place at one of the borough's four grammar schools.

But when next year’s tests take place on September 18, 2013 pupils currently in year five will be able to opt out if parents or carers decide.

The new tests will include questions on verbal and non verbal reasoning, English comprehension and mathematical problem solving.

Another change will see children take both exam papers on the same morning or afternoon with a short break between each one.

Cabinet member for education Councillor John Fuller said: "These new tests are based much more on what children learn everyday at school.

"By allowing parents to 'opt in' we take the stress away from those children for whom a selective school is not the right choice but who, in the past, have still had to sit the test."

For more information visit bexley.gov.uk/selectiontests or phone the school admissions team on 020 8303 7777.