Eleven Plus West Sussex

[Amuminhongkong]

Hi I'm planning on returning to UK next year. my son would be in year six and need to sit the Eleven Plus. His current school does not prepare for this so I would prefer he does not sit it. I read that it is now optional and is going to be scrapped. Is that correct? Why is it important when West Sussex doesn't have grammar schools? (Please correct me if I am wrong). Does it effect streaming? Fyi I would eventually be looking at St Paul's in Burgess Hill or Tanbridge/ Forrest in Horsham.

[JoJoSM2]

11+ is an exam you sit if you want to go to an independent (=fee paying) school or a selective state school (=grammar). Children going to other state schools don't take the exam.

[raspberrysuicide]

I wasn't aware there is the 11 plus in West Sussex.
Both schools you mentioned in Horsham are very good as far as I know.

[PatriciaHolm]

West Sussex has no grammar schools as far as I know, so no need to take the 11+. The state 11+ is only taken by students who wish to gain admittance to a grammar school; most secondaries in the UK are no longer grammar schools.

Your bigger issue will be meeting the admittance criteria for St Pauls;
www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/5753/st_pauls_catholic_college_burgess_hill_policy_2016.pdf

Tanbridge and Forrest operate preferred catchment areas, so you need to look carefully at admissions policies and where you would be living.

[mrz]

Are you referring to the end of KS2 assessments (SATs)?

[Amuminhongkong]

Thank you, well I realise I really am clueless! I'm so glad that's clear now! Yes it must be the SATs as I remember a friend saying her son in Horsham was studying hard for tests. I'll look into what these tests mean. Again, thank you all so much for the advice!!!

[mrz]

SATs are statutory tests in reading, maths, spelling, grammar and punctuation for all pupils in state schools.

[PatriciaHolm]

If he's in a state school then yes he will have to sit SATS, they aren't an opt in/out thing. But they are something the school will worry about far more than he or you need to.

[JoJoSM2]

He will need to take the SATs if he's in a state school in Y6. However, don't worry too much as the results have no bearing on admissions to non-selective secondary school. And anyway, there will be some curriculum differences to where you are now but the who of Y6 is long enough for a child from abroad to get settled and do well in them.