1. MOVING UP TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2018
If you wish to provide a handout to accompany this presentation, we suggest that you print the presentation (as a handout with notes, 6 slides per page).

2. THE SELECTION PROCESS
More information at
This sets out the process.

3. The Secondary Transfer Test
The Secondary Transfer Test is a test to determine whether or not a child is suited to a grammar school.
The 2018 entry test is produced by CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) which is part of the University of Durham
Buckinghamshire County Council undertake the administration on behalf of the 13 grammar schools
2019 test will be produced by GL assessment and details will be available from October 2017.

4. What does the Secondary Transfer Test measure?
Verbal ability
includes comprehension and vocabulary
Numerical ability
includes problem solving and multi-stage items
Non-verbal ability
includes diagrammatic reasoning
Modern research into the nature of ability suggests that people have multiple abilities. The Secondary Transfer Test therefore measures multiple abilities. The papers test pupils’ ability to think in a range of different contexts.

5. Verbal question example
Select the word that means the opposite to the word on the left
CEM have provided examples to illustrate the sort of questions and the level of difficulty the children will face in the test. This and the next two slides are some realistic examples to show parents.
The answer to this one is D – hurriedly is the opposite to leisurely

6. Maths question example
The answer to this one is E – 52
50 bags will give you 450 kgs – not enough
51 bags will give you 459 kgs – which is not quite as much as you need
52 bags will give you 480 kgs – which is more than you need

7. Non-verbal question example Look at the picture on the left then pick one picture on the right that best answers the question
The answer to this one is D.
Why? The other two shapes in the row are upside down (rotated 180 degrees) so the answer must be B, C, D or F.
The shading in the shapes in the picture is the same shape irrespective of whether the shape is upright or upside down. F and B have different shading which leaves C or D.
The other two shapes in the row have been flipped as well as rotated so the answer is D.
Why is non-verbal included? CEM advice is: Non-verbal reasoning tests are widely accepted measures of ability, as they are able to capture an individual’s ability to reason, recognise patterns, and solve problems, by assessing their logical thinking and their ability to learn new things quickly.
The non-verbal ability sections of the Secondary Transfer Test (STT) are non-curriculum based, and are therefore able to measure a child’s reasoning skills, independently of the teaching they have received in school.
The non-verbal sections that are included in the secondary selection tests are designed to introduce children initially to types of questions at a lower difficulty level so that they can become familiar with the principles of the problems they are trying to solve. Children are then moved on to more difficult questions, in which they are asked to build on these principles.
The non-verbal sections do not include verbal instructions or explanations beyond how to write answers onto the answer sheet; this means for children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), reasoning skills can be assessed independently of their language skills.  It is also helpful to gain a profile of children’s strengths and weaknesses across a range of cognitive domains.
Children are provided with familiarisation materials that demonstrate examples of types of questions which may be included in the tests. These examples are available to all children taking the tests so that they have equal exposure to the format of questions.

8. Does my child have to sit the Secondary Transfer Test?
No, only if you want them to attend a grammar school
Will a grammar school suit my child?
Discuss this with your child’s headteacher
The Secondary Transfer Test is not compulsory.
Think about your child’s attainment in school to date. The national expectation for a child in Year 6 is to achieve a standardised score of 100 in the new National Tests which were introduced in May 2016 for the first time. Most children starting at grammar school in 2018 will have qualified in the Secondary Transfer Test and are likely to have gained a score of at least 100 in the new National Tests.
If a grammar school is not something you would expect your child to attend then you can discuss this with your child’s headteacher and agree if it is not appropriate for your child to take part in the Secondary Transfer Test.
If your child has Special Educational Needs and they are to sit the test then there is more information available later about what you may do.
Headteachers are asked to provide a recommendation about the suitability of children for grammar school before the outcomes of the test are known.
There are three levels of recommendation:
1. Exceptionally able so very highly recommended
2. Very able so recommended without any reservation
3. Recommended with reservation (the headteacher must be prepared to say what that reservation is based on)
There is a 4th ’recommendation’ - ‘not recommended for grammar school’.
and three levels of attitude to work:
1. Enjoys challenge and is a highly motivated independent learner.
2. Consistently hardworking and reliable.
3. Output varies.
There is a 4th level – ‘Lacks self organisation, requires support’.
These are combined together to make the overall recommendation ( e.g. 2:1)

9. Coaching
Primary schools that undertake testing on behalf of the grammar schools are asked not to tutor or coach the children in their school prior to the test over and above enabling the children to follow the national curriculum relevant for their age.

10. Coaching materials
Although there are products on the market claiming to provide practice for CEM tests, there are no commercially available practice papers, materials or services written by CEM (the test provider).
CEM does not recommend that parents purchase or subscribe to any commercially available materials.
The Secondary Transfer Test is designed to enable all children to demonstrate their academic potential without the need for excessive preparation. Tutoring is therefore not required or
recommended.

11. Timeline What When Familiarisation booklet By end of summer term
Preparation Test
12 September 2017
Secondary Transfer Test
14 September 2017
Results published
13 October 2017
Application deadline
31 October 2017 – 3pm
School place offers
1 March 2018
Start secondary school
September 2018

12. Familiarisation Booklet (to take home)
Explains:
what the question books and answer sheets will look like
how the answer sheets should be completed
Includes:
example questions
It will not be looked at in school
A copy of the Familiarisation booklet will be provided for all children to take home during the summer term. It will not be looked at in school.
A pdf of this booklet is also available to download on our website at

13. Preparation Test - 12 September
One test in two papers with a break
Exam conditions
35 minutes each paper
CD instructions
Each paper - three separately timed topics (Verbal ability/ Numerical reasoning and Non-verbal skills)
Not marked
The Preparation Test will be sat on 12 September in two sessions with a short gap in between. Each paper is approx 35 minutes plus time for settling the children, collection and distribution of papers and the CD instructions covering the example questions. The total session time is therefore likely to be 50 – 55 minutes for each paper. Within each paper the time is broken up into sections for each topic and each paper will have elements of the three types of question (verbal, maths, non-verbal).
It is provided to enable children to experience the sound of the CD and give some understanding of the look and format of the test so when they do the Transfer Test they will know what to expect. The instructions are given on CD and once each topic section is complete it is not returned to. The questions included will be of a comparable level of difficulty but the real test questions will be different.
NOTE: The Preparation Test must remain confidential and is the property of CEM. It should not be sent home. The test papers and answer sheets will be collected securely and pulped. The Preparation Test will not be marked -no marking key is provided.

14. What if my child misses the Preparation Test?
Talk to Headteacher to reschedule
Secondary Transfer Test should be delayed until the Preparation Test is completed
If your child misses the Preparation Test you should liaise with the school. A delay at this point may mean the Secondary Transfer Test will be delayed. All children attending Buckinghamshire primary schools or Partner Schools (local independent schools) will be expected to sit the Preparation Test before attempting the Secondary Transfer Test.

15. The Secondary Transfer Test 14 September
One test but two papers
Both papers taken on the same day
Short 15 minute gap between the papers
Each paper - about an hour in total
Each of the papers in the test are expected to take approximately minutes so overall each session will be approximately an hour taking into account the introduction , and going through example questions. In order to get children seated and make sure they have everything they need the total administration time is just over 1 hour.

16. Marking Computer marked (scanned)
One mark is given for each correct answer
Each pupil will have three raw scores
verbal ability
numerical ability
non-verbal ability
A raw score is the total number of marks awarded for correct answers. The marks for the verbal ability sections in the two papers are added together to produce a verbal raw score for the test. The marks for the numerical ability sections in the two papers are added together to produce a numerical raw score for the test. The marks for the non-verbal ability sections in the two papers are added together to produce a non-verbal raw score for the test.

17. Standardisation and Weighting
Three raw scores
Each is age standardised
Weighted and combined to produce an overall result – Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS)
Tailored results letter according to result
Age-standardisation is a statistical process which removes the effects of the different ages of pupils in the same school year and so places them all on an equal footing.
Each score is weighted as follows:
Verbal – 50% of the STTS (Secondary Transfer Test Score)
Numerical – 30% of the STTS
Non-verbal – 20% of the STTS
For example: using the agreed weighting, 50% verbal, 30% numerical and 20% non-verbal is:
Pupil’s verbal standardised score of 140 x 50% = 70
Pupil’s numerical standardised score of 120 x 30% = 36
Pupil’s non-verbal standardised score of 75 x 20% = 15
Pupil’s STTS = = 121
Where a pupil scores over 50 then a detailed analysis of their score will be provided both in the letter and to the primary headteacher, along with the decision as to whether this score qualifies the child for entry to a grammar school.
Where a pupil scores 50 or lower then a less detailed letter will be provided for the parent saying that the STTS ‘was 50 or lower’. If the parent wants a detailed breakdown of the score then they can obtain this from the primary headteacher who will still be provided with the detail or it can be obtained on request from the Admissions and Transport Team.
This has been adopted to address concerns about the impact on children of receiving very low scores.

18. Range and Qualifying Scores
The Qualifying score is
121
The range of scores is between
0 and 200+
STTS can be from 0 to 200.
The range of scores allows good differentiation around the qualifying score of 121.

19. What happens if my child is unwell and misses the test?
They may sit the test later
Parent told date in advance
Children should NOT sit the test when unwell (even if they want to!)
Results may be delayed – so list both grammar as well as upper / all-ability school preferences on your application
Children missing school on the day the test is taken will have an opportunity to take the test in school at a later stage.
The headteacher will liaise with you to give you notice of the test date for your child.
If there is a long delay before your child is well enough to sit the test then the results may be delayed. If the results are delayed you should include both upper/all ability schools and grammar schools on your secondary school application so that all eventualities are covered.

20. Special Arrangements Adjusted test for children with disabilities
Apply via headteacher
Discuss NOW!
Application must be completed as soon as possible
The updated guidelines and form to request adjustments are available on SchoolsWeb – please ensure that where adjustments are requested the child’s parent has a copy of the guidelines. The LA will coordinate this information for the grammar schools and a Special Access Panel made up from appropriate professionals will make the decisions on behalf of the grammar schools.
Please also note the deadlines for submitting adjustment requests. No additional Special Access Panel meetings will be scheduled and late requests will not be considered. The process will be completed in the summer term.

21. Results - 13 October Sent by letter Handed out at end of school day
Tailored letter according to score
Confirms whether child has qualified for entry to grammar school
The letter is addressed to the parent/carer not your child
Its contents are confidential and should not be used as a comparison between children

22. How many children qualify?
Approximately 34% of children scored 121 or more in 2017 intake
At the end of the process and following Selection Reviews, approximately 37% qualify for grammar school

23. What do I do if I think something has affected my child’s performance in the test?
At the time, let your headteacher know and also collect evidence, for example a doctor’s letter
Once you have the test results, talk to your child’s headteacher

24. What can I do if my child does not qualify?
You can either
Ask for a Selection Review OR
Just Appeal
The procedure is explained in the results letter in October
The Selection Review Panel can decide a child is qualified and once agreed this qualification is for any grammar school
The grammar schools recognise that there may be circumstances that have impacted on a child’s performance in the test and as a result they have designed a Selection Review Process to consider cases individually. If successful at Selection Review the child is deemed qualified and will be included in the first round allocation of grammar school places.
Parents have a choice as to either ask for a Selection Review which will happen in the autumn / spring term or to wait until after 1 March and just Appeal.

25. Selection Review Panel
Selection Review Panel sits Nov-Jan
3 headteachers - two grammar one primary
Decision included in 1 March allocation
Decision applies to all grammar schools
Can still Appeal later when IAP will consider whether review process was ‘fair, consistent and objective’
The advantages of going to review – you will know the decision before 1 March and if qualified will be qualified for ANY grammar school and your child will be considered for all your preference Buckinghamshire grammar schools in the first round of allocations.
If a child is qualified at appeal, the qualification is for the particular school only.
For 2017 entry, 695 cases were considered at review and 244 were agreed (i.e. over 35% were successful).
For 2016, the grammar school appeal outcomes were as follows:
Of the children that were not qualified at review, 141 appeal cases were submitted: 16 were successful (11%) and of these 13 were granted a place.
When a case that has been to review is considered by the appeal panel, parents need to firstly show that in their child’s case the Selection Review Panel decision was not ‘fair consistent and objective’ and only if they are successful, can then put their full academic case to the Independent Appeal Panel who will consider it.

26. Non-qualified Appeal Possible to go straight to appeal
Appeal heard after 1 March
Most schools will already be full by then
You would have to prove academic potential AND give reasons why you believe a place should be offered above number
Again, if qualified the qualification is for the particular school only.
For 2016 entry, 64 appeals were heard for unqualified children who did not go to Selection Review. 3 of these children were granted a grammar school place as a result, and a further child was qualified by the IAP, but was not granted a place.

27. Whether a qualified child will be offered a grammar school place depends on:
Preference order
Grammar school admission rules
A place being available
This slide records the situation for any child irrespective of whether they live in the county or elsewhere.
When there are more applicants than places, grammar school admission rules explain what criteria will be used to allocate places. One of these criteria is to give priority to pupils in the catchment area of the grammar school – so we would always recommend that you include a catchment grammar school amongst your preferences.
Many grammar schools give priority to pupils who are in receipt of Free School Meals so this is one reason to ensure, if you qualify, that this is recorded by the primary school. Make this clear on your application too.

28. THE ALLOCATION PROCESS
Timelines, Preferences and Offers
The following slides are just a brief overview of the more detailed information that will be available on the website in the Moving up to Secondary School guide during August.

29. by 3pm on 31 October – the deadline
KEY MESSAGE:
Apply on time:
by 3pm on 31 October – the deadline
****Applying on time is one of the most important things a parent can do for their child.****

30. How to apply
ONLINE:
If you live in Buckinghamshire, visit
between 12 September and 31 October 2017
If you live elsewhere go to your own LA’s website.

31. Applying online All you need is an email address
reminders will be sent where an application has not been submitted
Resubmit if you make changes
31 October deadline – 3pm
Offer ed on 1 March
Accept the place online
You can make the application at home or at a library or at work (Note to Headteacher: can you support parents by providing them with access to a PC at your school so they can do this at school? Parent will need their own address).
Top tip: make a point of remembering which you used and recording your password and your secret question information so you can re-set it if necessary.

32. More information: ‘Moving up to Secondary School’ leaflet
Schools’ websites
School open evenings- dates:
See School Directory in ‘Find My Child a School Place’
By end of August - more information in the Guide available at:

33. Making an application You will be able to:
List up to 6 schools, including grammar, upper / all-ability and out of county schools
Put the schools in the order you prefer them
Give reasons why you have listed these schools
You will know the outcome of the Secondary Transfer Test before submitting your preferences by the deadline of 3pm on 31 October, so if your child is not tested or has not qualified you do not need to include grammar school preferences. If the testing outcome is clear-cut then you need only include those schools for which your child is qualified.
However, if your child has not qualified and you want to ask for a Selection Review or wish to pursue an appeal later then you should continue to include grammar preferences for use in the event that your child is subsequently deemed qualified. A right of appeal is only triggered when a preference cannot be met so you will need to retain a grammar school as a preference to be able to appeal.
Important: Put the schools in the order you prefer them. When you apply to schools and they are making their decision about the rank order of children in which they will offer the places, this will be according to the policy set out in their published admissions policy.

34. Do your homework!
Does your child need to sit or pass a test to be considered for a place at the school?
Do you have priority of admission?
Do you need to complete a supplementary form?
Do you live in-catchment? (Check this on the website)
How will your child get to school?
For example - The Highcrest Academy’s banding test – parents in the Wycombe area need to be aware of their rules.
All schools give priority to children who are looked after or who are now adopted but prior to being adopted were looked after. If this applies to you - check the small print and include details with your application!
Some schools give priority to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals.
Many schools give priority if your child has an older sibling attending the school already (but some don’t!) .
Some schools require you to complete a supplementary form to provide extra information to help them apply their admission rules – check the school’s website as well as the Guide.

35. School Transport Transport given to the nearest secondary school if:
Over three miles away, or
Under three miles but the route is an ‘unsafe walking route’
Check on which school is the nearest school to you
All secondary schools are treated equally (grammar/upper/comprehensive/free)
Paid-for bus tickets can be purchased
It is difficult to summarise this in one slide, parents should read the School Transport Policy and Guidance on the website at:
(pdf of transport guidance)
On the website there is a Transport Nearest School Checker which will give routed distances to up to 10 of the nearest schools to your home.
If you qualify for grammar school and attend your nearest grammar school you will only be assisted with transport if there is no nearer upper school.

36. The offer process – Step 1
Local authorities share offer information
Each school preference is treated separately
The schools are not told where they are placed on the preference list by the parent
All admission authorities apply their admission rules to all the children with the school as a preference and sort the children into ‘ranked order’
The schools tell the ranked order to their council

37. The offer process – Step 2
Where more than one offer can be made to the same child the higher preference place is offered
The lower preference place is declined
The lower preference place is offered to another child
Children who cannot be offered any of their preferences are then offered a place at the nearest school with vacant places remaining
Each year some children are not offered any of their preferred schools and are offered a school place that was not on their list. This happens because parents:
do not include their most local or catchment school amongst their preferences – this is the school they have most chance of getting so leaving it out raises the risk of not being offered a local school
only give one preference, even if you live really close to a school or have a sibling already there, still include other local schools that will be acceptable to you as lower preferences, this reduces the risk of not being offered a local school.

38. Important notes
Only qualified children are offered grammar school places
Think carefully about the order you put the preferences in
Try to include a local school that you have a good chance of being offered a place at
Look at the transport rules
Appeal qualifiers are only added to that grammar school’s waiting list once all of the qualification appeals for that school are completed.

39. Offer Day – 1 March 2018 Online applicants Offer emails sent 1 March
Can log on and accept the school place online
Postal applicants
Offer letters posted 1 March
All applicants
Can ask to go on the waiting list,
Can register an appeal
Have 14 days to accept the offer.

40. Admission Appeals You can appeal for any school you have been refused
This includes where your preference is a grammar school and your child has not qualified
You can appeal for a place at any school that you have been refused. This includes grammar schools when your child has not qualified. In all appeals, you will need to make a case for why your child should be offered a place above the school’s admission number (the number of places available in Year 7).
See the earlier slide that explains that you can appeal for a grammar school whether you went to Selection Review or not.

41. About Appeals Three independent people
Unpaid volunteers who are not connected to the Admission Authority
With no connection to the school
You can put your case in person
The panel is made up of three plus a clerk who will record the appeal and decision. The Panel members will not be connected to the school involved in the appeal or with the decision not to offer your child a place.
You usually need to attend the appeal hearing and put your case in person, although it can be held in your absence.

42. Finally – remember! Apply by 3pm on 31 October 2017
Apply online at or on your home LA’s website
List schools in true preference order
Be realistic, understand the rules
Consider transport arrangements
Visit the schools
Don’t rely on the opinions of others

43. After Year 7
Full details about the late entry requirements for all grammar schools can be found at:
Each school will have details on their own website of the testing dates
There is no guarantee that children who qualify in the tests will be offered a place at a grammar school
In-year Late Transfer testing for Grammar Schools
The Late Transfer Testing Procedure is the process that determines whether a child would be suitably placed in a grammar school, after the normal point of entry, into Year 7 (late Transfer Testing), Year 8 or Year 9 (Key Stage 3).
All applicants seeking a Buckinghamshire grammar school place need to be tested to establish whether a grammar school would be appropriate. However, there is no guarantee of a Buckinghamshire grammar school place through this process even if a child qualifies.
The process for different schools varies.
These 8 schools are working together with the LA , and will accept the results of one test:
Aylesbury Grammar School
Aylesbury High School
Beaconsfield High School
Burnham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School
John Hampden Grammar School
Sir Henry Floyd School
Royal Latin School
The same test is sat for Wycombe High School but is standardised separately. The 8 schools will accept the raw scores of WHS test but will use their own standardisation.
All other grammar schools manage their own Late Transfer testing although some work together and will share the test results. You will therefore need to contact your preferred school directly for testing information.
At Late Transfer - there are more applicants than grammar school vacancies!

44. Where to get help
Web: Fill in the ‘Contact Us’ form: