12+ exam question

[Blydenstein]

Hi folks

New here so be gentle, Please; I've never quite understood the intricacies of the Education system, and even more so the Secret codes that seem to get used by schools to confuse parents, plus I cannot seem to find an answer to this on Web anywhere.

So, can someone please tell me ?, does a child have to have taken an 11+ exam to qualify for doing a 12+ exam ?, and what else does it depend on as to whether a child can be put forward for it ?, I.E. Teachers reports, the LEA, Funding etc.

I know it might sound like a dumb question, but I've only really ever dealt with the SEN system before for my eldest who's Autistic.

Thanks for looking

A 12+ exam is an unusual but not unknown entry point given most independent schools have their main entires at 11+ or 13+. Certainly you wouldn't have had to have taken 11+ in order to sit 12+. I would expect many of those who are sitting either failed 11+ or didn't know about it in time.

If you are looking at 12+ then i assume you are looking at a feepaying school? Usually you would need a headteacher reference from the dc's current school (which isn't that detailed) and then sit whatever exam format is required (usually a minimum of English, maths and reasoning, but schools may ask for science/French etc.

Thank You so much for that; I was just worried that it was a prerequisite of sitting a 12+.

To be honest we have left it a bit late, the reason being I only finished a 5 year "War" with the LEA to get my eldest into a Special School, a few months ago, and unfortunately and somewhat shaming on my part, my youngest's education took a bit of a back seat, but we have had some Glowing reports from from his current primary recently, and I wanted to find out if it was too late to give the little chap the chance at Grammar School, as he is most definitely bright enough.

Thank you again for your time, it's most appreciated.

I have heard of some grammar schools having a 12+ entry but it is fairly unusual and you will need to talk to the schools to make sure it is possible. Good luck - it is quite a different set of hurdles from the ones you'll have encountered before.

It will depend on where you are.

In our area the 12+ is normally taken by children who move in to the borough. I also heard of a case where the head of a non selective arranged a transfer to a GS for a child who had done very well in year 7 without sitting any additional tests and not passing the 11+ when he left primary school.

I think it really depends on where you are and I would suggest to post on a forum for your area. Have you tried elevenplusexams.co.uk if not it may be worth posting in the forum for your area on that website.

Good luck.