Widening Access

1. Widening
Access
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
CONFERENCE 2015
Widening Access by Giles HillWidening Access by Giles Hill

2. “The schools of King Edward VI should
be rooted in the communities that
they serve and be responsive to the
nature of those communities.
In particular, all of the schools are
committed to making themselves as
accessible as possible to all pupils,
whatever their background or
circumstances”
Widening
Access
Widening
Access

3. Schools of King Edward VI
• Two fee paying Independent Schools
• Five Grammar Schools:
– Aston (Boys)
– Camp Hill Boys
– Camp Hill Girls
– Five Ways (Mixed)
– Handsworth (Girls)
• One Academy – Sheldon Heath
Widening
Access

4. Performance of Birmingham
Schools
GCSE 2014
National Average – 56.6%
Birmingham – 55.9%
Manchester – 51.4%
Bristol – 55.2%
Leeds – 51%
Sheffield – 53.9%
Nottingham – 44.6%
Key Stage 2 2014
National Average – 78%
Birmingham – 75%
Manchester – 77%
Bristol – 76%
Leeds – 76%
Sheffield – 76%
Nottingham – 79%

5. New Admissions Policy
• Introduced for 2015 entry across the Grammar
Schools
• School rolls expanded (PAN 120 up from 93 at Camp
Hill Boys)
• 11+ cut off score of 215 for Camp Hill Boys
• Priority admissions of up to 20% (24 students at CHB)
given to Pupil Premium places – providing they meet
the cut off score.
• All other children by rank order of scores
Widening
Access

6. New Admissions Policy
• For 2015 entry:
– 15% increase in admissions to take the test to 5,400 for
the 730 places
– 16.3% of pupils who took the entrance exam were
eligible for Pupil Premium for 156 places available
– 272 pupils on Pupil Premium achieved the minimum cut
off score of 200
– Increase in PP pupils offered places in all grammar
schools with Aston, CHB and Five Ways achieving their
maximum
Widening
Access

8. What is on the 11+ Exam?
• Aim to make it accessible for all able
students
• Four key areas:
–English (Comprehension)
–Mathematics
–Verbal Reasoning
–Non-verbal Reasoning

9. Reading Comprehension
The reading comprehension section is
similar to work children will encounter in
school. The section consists of a single
piece of text followed by a series of
multiple-choice questions. It covers a
range of reading skills such as direct
retrieval of facts, inference and
vocabulary.

10. Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning and literacy skills
sections test a range of skills. These
include knowledge of vocabulary,
contextual understanding of words and
sentence construction. The level of
vocabulary used is designed to stretch
and challenge children; however
varied reading and a wide vocabulary will
assist children in accessing the test.

11. Non-verbal Reasoning
The non-verbal reasoning sections involve
using skills such as identifying similarities
and differences between shapes and
patterns; solving problems using visual
reasoning and looking at sequences and
relationships between objects.

12. Mathematics
The mathematics section is based on topics covered
up to and including the Year 5 curriculum. The
test is centred on standard classroom practice
and can include questions focusing on the four
attainment targets in mathematics: Using and
applying mathematics, Number, Shape, Space
and Measures and Handling data. Children will be
required to read word problems in a given
context and then apply their mathematical
knowledge to a range of situations rather
than just answer a series of computations.

13. 2016 Entry2016 Entry
Admissions Timetable
• Admission packs and Test Registration - Tuesday 12 May 2015
Information brochures are available from each of the schools and you may register on the website
• Deadline for Disability Requests for Adjustments to the Test - Wednesday 17 June 2015
If your child has a disability and/or requires additional resources to sit the test you should contact us for
a disability form and return no later than this date
• Closing date for receipt of test registration forms - Friday 10 July 2015 at 4pm
All registration forms will be acknowledged within 14 working days of receipt.
• Applications received after this date will not be accepted and children will not be able to take the test.
• Grammar Schools Entrance Test Date - Saturday 12 September 2015
• Grammar Schools Test Results - by 16 October 2015
Note this is not the offer of a place
• Local Authority Preference form deadline - 31 October each year
All parents must complete a preference form in addition to applying for the test. These are distributed
through primary schools or available through your home Local Authority.

14. 2016 Documentation
ACTIVITY:
-Read the 2016 Admissions Brochure
-Identify any issues that parents/guardians may
have accessing the information and any
suggested means to make it more accessible

15. Familiarisation
• Series of 5 sessions taking place in June
• Four lessons to build confidence and familiarity
with our schools and with the 11+
• Final session is a practice test which covers the
various parts of the 11+
• Students will assess their own performance
• Parents have an opportunity to visit while their
children take the practice test
• Staff CPD available while pupils have sessions
with secondary teachers

16. Familiarisation
• 15 schools took part in June 2014, pupils were
selected by their own Headteachers
• 112 students attended – 73% attended all
sessions
• 77% took the practice 11+ test
• 25 Pupil Premium Pupils took the 11+ in
September from the Familiarisation Group
• 240 places available across the two Camp Hill
schools for 2015
Widening
Access

17. Familiarisation
• 30% of pupils had not heard of the schools prior to
familiarisation
• All pupils found the sessions useful (over two
thirds very useful)
• 60% said they were very likely to apply for a KE
Grammar School with a quarter more quite likely.
• 95% of pupils who took the practice test said they
were confident to take the exam in September
• Successful support for staff
Widening
Access

18. Widening
Access
Outreach
• Open to all schools
• Masterclasses and Saturday Schools
• Student Mentoring
• Curriculum support for New National Curriculum
• School visits for staff
• Competitions
• Online resources

19. …enjoy your day!