The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools
What do I need to know about Grammar Schools and the Secondary Transfer Test?
There are two types of mainstream secondary school in Buckinghamshire:
• Upper/all-ability schools, which admit children without reference to their academic ability
• Grammar schools, which admit children who score 121 or higher in the Secondary Transfer Test (11 plus)
How do I know if Grammar School would be right for my child?
Grammar Schools are not suitable for everyone. Around a third of children taking the test in Bucks qualify for grammar school – that means the majority of children leave Year 6 to attend a non-selective school.
Generally, a child will be successful at Grammar School if they are…
- very able academically - All assessments from Year 3 onwards are at least ARE, with some indicating GDS.
- a highly motivated independent learner, who enjoys a challenge; is consistently hard-working and reliable in what they produce.
The Secondary Transfer Test (STT), also referred to as 11+, measures verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English skills and mathematical skills. There are two papers, each about 60 minutes long, with a break between. The tests take place in school during the school day, usually in the first few weeks of term in September of Year 6. A shorter practice test is taken two days before the test, to help children learn what to expect.
Children who attend a Buckinghamshire state-funded primary school are automatically entered for the STT and do not need to be registered for testing separately.
Children do not have to sit the test. If you think that Grammar School would not be suitable for your child, you can withdraw your child from the test.
How can parents best help their children to prepare for the test?
There are a number of things that parents can do to help their children. They can:
- ensure that they have experience of working quietly on their own, uninterrupted by noise or distractions;
- ensure that they do any homework that is set;
- help their children to read with understanding, for example by asking them what certain words mean and what is happening in the passage or book that they are reading;
- encourage them to solve problems by themselves or to look up things for themselves;
- work through the familiarisation materials, that will be available in the summer term of Year 5, with their children as these will show what the test papers and answer sheets look like. These materials will be sent home to parents.
Are tutoring and coaching required?
No, the STT is designed to enable all children to demonstrate their academic potential without the need for coaching or excessive preparation however, we know that many children are receiving private tutoring for the test (often starting in year 5 but in some instance in Year 4 or even as young as year 3). Primary schools that undertake testing on behalf of the grammar schools are asked not to tutor or coach children in their school prior to the test over and above enabling the children to follow the national curriculum relevant for their age.
TBGS does not endorse tutoring for the test. The test is produced specifically for Buckinghamshire. Tutors do not see the test papers or associated materials. This means they do not know the content of the tests and are not able to advise children on how to proceed through the specific test or about the questions within it. Tutors may provide advice for testing in general, but they are not in a reliable position to advise accurately on the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT).
To prepare children appropriately for the STT, parents of children in Year 5 are provided with a familiarisation booklet in the summer term so that they can familiarise children with how the test papers will look. All children are also encouraged to prepare by taking the practice test so that they have the experience of taking a test under similar conditions to the STT. This includes experience of hearing the test instructions on the audio files.
There is a virtual meeting for parents about the Secondary Transfer Test on Thursday 7th May at 6pm. At this meeting we share information provided by the local authority which means that every parent and child in Buckinghamshire has the same information. In addition, this year we are also offering a drop in clinic for any parents wishing to discuss anything further at 8:50am on Friday 8th May.
GL Assessment has also published a series of free 11+ familiarisation materials, which parents are welcome to download from the GL Assessment website. The familiarisation papers cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and maths. GL Assessment has also published free parents’ guides for both VR and NVR, which you can also download from their website.
Views about the amount of preparation needed vary considerably, however TBGS believe that the materials highlighted above will provide a useful degree of familiarisation for all children.
How many children usually score 121+?
The figures will vary year-on-year but you can see Buckinghamshire data here: https://www.thebucksgrammarschools.org/test-data
How many children at TDS usually score 121+?
The table below shows the number of children passing the STT for the last 2 years at TDS.
|
|
Cohort size |
Number sitting test |
Number scoring 121+ |
|
2024 |
59 |
54 |
11 |
|
2025 |
60 |
42 |
16 |