Non selective independant schools with entrance tests

[asdmumandteacher]

We have about 3 of the above mentioned schools in our area- all get about between 70-95% 5 A-C at GCSE compared to 99/100% 5 A-C in the local grammars so obviously they are not taking in grammar school kids...are they looking for bums on seats/the colour of your money or are they more interested in academic levels at entry?Many thanks

[Reallytired]

"Non selective independant schools with entrance tests "

Surely that is a contradiction unless I have missed something.

The only private school I know which isn't academic that has entrance tests is one that specifically caters for children with learning difficulties. Their entrance test is to work out which band to put the child in. (Ie. the academically weaker the child the more fees the parents pay for tiny classes)

I suspect it doesn't take much intelligence to get 5 A*-C grades though. With hard working teachers and parents virtually all children could manage.

[Caoimhe]

I have a couple not too far away - one is very much "bums on seats" and the other uses the test to make sure you aren't totally hopeless. The first has only recently opened up the senior department (about 3 years ago) so no results yet. The latter scores about 75% at GCSE.

[asdmumandteacher]

Its just that they all say they have an entrance exam but is it to find where the kids are at or are they stringent to say "no we don't want you as your academic level isn't good enough"They are definitely not taking in the grammar kids tho as their results are not as good (Am parent and teacher-my son is not grammar material and we are wondering if he will get a place in one of these schools)Anyone any experience?

[Reallytired]

Why don't you go to an open day and ask.

You could ask the school "what national curriculum level does my son need to be to stand a reasonable chance of passing the exam."

[roisin]

Our non-selective inde school has an entrance test, but they rarely turn anyone away. It's more to give them an idea of standards/levels, and to weed out the extremely weak - eg reading age 4 yrs behind chronological age - as they do not believe they are equipped to cope with such children.

[snorkle]

You would have to ask the schools asdmum. If they say they have an extrance exam and don't say they are non-selective (or that the entrance exam is merely for setting/baselining purposes) then it's likely that they are looking at academic levels and there will be a cut-off somewhere. Our school takes approx. the top half of the ability range for example, but different schools will differ as to where they draw the line and they don't usually advertise it either as far as I'm aware.