The Highcrest Academy

The Highcrest Academy is an "All ability" school. Therefore, it operates a banding test that has to be done by all applicants to the school. 
It is an mandatory part of their admissions process for Year 7 entry.

To be a truly “all ability” academy, they need to ensure that the intake is balanced and reflective of our society. As Bucks County Council uses a selective system (ie: some children go to grammar school, and therefore they may not have the most able children attending the academy), they need to show that we are taking an equal number of children of all abilities. The results of the banding test are used as part of our admissions process by dividing applicants to the school into four equal-sized groups. Once children have been allocated to a band (A,B,C or D), the admissions criteria are then applied to each band to ensure a broad mix of students. There is no “pass” or
“fail” - the children’s test scores simply separate them into different bands.

The Highcrest Academy Applications for Year 7 in September 2027
If you wish to apply for a Highcrest Year 7 place for your child in September 2027, your child must sit a banding test in either June, July, September, October or November 2026.
They recommend that you book your child for the earlier test dates to avoid disappointment.
There is no advantage in your child sitting the banding test when they are older, the test results are ‘standardised’ which takes into account their age on the day they sit the test.
The academy banding tests will take place on:
• Saturday 20 June 9.00am and 11.00am
•Saturday 4 July 9.00am and 11.00am
•Saturday 26 September 9.00am and 11.00am
•Tuesday 29 October 4.15pm
•Tuesday 13 October 4.15pm
•Wednesday 4 November 4.15pm
PLEASE NOTE: these are the ONLY dates available and no further test dates will be added.