Shirley High entrance exam

[alisonmb7]

Hi,

I tried this question before but didn't really get the answer I was after. I'd like my daughter to get into Shirley High in Croydon, but we don't live in the catchment - we currently live very close to the kids' primary in East Croydon and I'd like to move over to Shirley after they start secondary - so this is the school we will be in the catchment for (after they start!).

Does anyone know what the entrance exam is like - is it verbal reasoning, how many papers? Can I get past exam papers for it? Do they do a standard 11+ type exam, or a more open 'write about X' type exam. I'm happy to go and buy some to give her some practise, as she'll at least need to know what she'll face on the day. But what do I get? Does the school give out info on the exam?

Any answers gratefully received!

[Boski]

My DS sat the tests in November. There were two papers, verbal and non-verbal reasoning - standard 11+ papers set by GL Assessment. It was a late decision to apply for a place at the school so hadn't attended open evening. This may be the reason why we received no prior information about the tests and the school's website shed no light on the issue. My DS didn't even know which papers he would be sitting until the day of the tests. GL Assessment practice papers are widely available, which your DD should find useful.

[alisonmb7]

That's great - that is exactly what I wanted to know. I'll maybe give them a call to confirm that is what they do every year. I hope the new academy status doesn't mean they'll change their entrance criteria or we'll be moving first and changing schools later!

Hope you get the school you are after!

Alison