SECONDARY TRANSFER Y5 Parents’ meeting Tuesday 27th March @ 9.05am KS1 Hall

Introduction To go through the process for Secondary School Transfer for September 2019. To update on the changes to the 11+ test. Dates are with brackets as they are last year’s. This year’s have not been published yet

11+, Kent Test , PESE test The Kent Scheme (Tests) are open to all pupils, not just in Kent but across the county boundaries to include Bromley and Bexley. These are historically known as the 11+ tests! Taking the test is only necessary if you are considering a grammar school for your child. Pupils sit the tests in their own primary school at the start of Year 6. Invigilators are brought in from local schools. The County Council are responsible for marking the papers. Parents are informed either by e-mail (12th) October 2018 or by post the following day.

What to do next? You need to decide whether or not you wish your child to be assessed for Grammar School education. If you feel that a Grammar School would suit your child you then you must send/e-mail the registration form by (3rd) July at the latest. No form by that date will mean that your child will not be able to sit the tests! However, you can drop out if you wish!

How to decide! You need to consider many factors before opting into the Grammar School Assessments: Get information about the schools available to you in the area (website, Ofsted Reports, speak to other parents, attend Open Days) Visit the schools! Speak to Miss Cooper or Mrs Phillips. Discuss with your child, but remember you are the adult and make the decision!

Changes KCC introduced some changes to the Kent Test . Pupils will not take practice papers. Instead, practice exercises will be incorporated into the main papers. There will be 2 main tests: 1 assessing reasoning ability and 1 assessing literacy and numeracy. There will be scope to vary the exercises within the tests to keep the format fresh.

Changes All tests will be in multiple-choice format and will be standardised against the performance of a national sample. All candidates will complete a writing task under test conditions. This will not be marked, but will be available to local headteacher panels that can look at borderline cases at the request of the primary school. The new writing task will be shorter, so that all the assignments can be completed on 1 day.

Pass Marks Required pass marks scores vary from year to year. Last year the ‘pass’ mark was an aggregated score of 320 or more, with no single score lower than 117. Some schools require higher scores. Dartford Grammar

Help making the decision! All Y5 children sat a multiple choice test on the computer, in Non-Verbal reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Spatial reasoning and Maths. Each child received a standardised score for each test. We will advise you, however it is your decision ultimately.

What we do know! The option regarding whether or not you child sit the test is entirely yours as parents. The school can give advice but this is all it is. The LEA does not expect schools to ‘tutor’ for the test as the national curriculum does to allow for this. However, we will prepare them with some example questions etc. More to allow them to get use to pace and speed rather than to give them the answers! Ensure that they are prepared on the day!

School Support! Ensure that the maths curriculum is accelerated during Year 5 so that topics including algebra are covered. Provide frequent opportunities to discuss your child’s progress. Advise you whether we think that your child will be likely to pass the selection test and or be happy within a grammar school environment.

Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) A leaflet entitled ‘Admission to Secondary School in Kent’ will be sent home by the school at the beginning of September. A paper or online form must then be completed by 31st October 2018 (half term). Offers of places posted to parents on 2nd March 2019.

Dates! (3rd) July: Closing date for test registration for the Kent Test on line via www.kent.gov.uk/ola Early September 2018: 2019 Secondary Admissions leaflets and Secondary Common Application Forms available – to be filled in online or collected from local primary schools. (6th) September 2018: Testing for Kent pupils. (12th) October 2018: Assessment decisions sent to parents

Finally! Consider carefully if your child is suitable for a Grammar School Education. Consider transport - Think about your child and the expectation Grammar Schools will have upon them and you as the family. If in any doubt please ask!

Contacts Secondary Admissions Team – 03000 412121 (9.00 am – 5.00 pm) or kent.admissions@kent.gov.uk Good Luck! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any advice, help or support…