Decision Made on Selection Tests
The London Borough of Bexley has announced the tests that children will take
as part of the changes to its secondary school selection process. The two tests
will be Verbal Reasoning and Maths.
The reduction in the tests from four to two is part of the overall changes
made following extensive consultation with parents and school staff.
"The decision on the tests to include in the new process was not taken
lightly," says Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services,
Cllr Simon Windle.
"We listened carefully to the views of Head Teachers of Bexley schools
and concerns expressed during the consultation that tests of traditional subjects
should not be completely discontinued, as they reflect what children learn
at school."
Example questions will be provided to schools and parents for them to work
through with children, and there are practice questions at the start of each
test to enable all children to understand what is required.
Formal familiarisation sessions will no longer be held. Children should be
able to tackle the new tests using knowledge and skills they have learnt during
normal school lessons.
Other changes will see selection test results published at least one week
before the closing date for applications for secondary school places. Tests
will be held in September in the third week of the autumn term, rather than
in November.
Verbal Reasoning and Maths will be the only tests from this year. The new
arrangements will begin with the tests this September, for children who will
transfer to secondary school in September 2009. This will affect children born
between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998.
The changes will make it easier for parents and carers to decide on secondary
school preferences for their children, and will mean that children take fewer
tests in Year 6.
Leaflets will be available at the beginning of the summer term that will provide
some more details about the tests and how children not attending Bexley primary
schools can register to sit the tests.
You can also look at the Selection
Test page for the
latest information.
