Streamlining 11+ Entrance Procedures in the West Midlands: A New Collaborative Approach
Introduction: In a significant development for education in the West Midlands, selective grammar schools in the region have come together to create the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership. This collaborative effort aims to simplify the 11+ entrance procedure, making it a smoother, more efficient, and less stressful experience for both students and their families. This blog explores this exciting initiative, highlighting the key details of this groundbreaking approach.
The West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership: Fostering Educational Synergies
The newly formed West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership is a collaborative endeavor involving grammar schools from various areas, including Birmingham, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, and Wolverhampton. This strategic partnership represents a giant leap toward fostering educational synergies across the region.
A Unified Test to Reduce Stress
One of the most innovative aspects of this collaboration is the introduction of a single unified entrance test. This groundbreaking approach is designed not only to alleviate the stress that students often face during the 11+ entrance process but also to actively promote their well-being and positive mental health.
Scheduled to take place in September of the year prior to entry, this unified entrance examination aims to provide a smoother, more integrated admission process. An essential advantage of this approach is the ability to share candidates’ test scores among all schools within the partnership, eliminating the need for children to sit through multiple tests. This, in turn, simplifies the admissions process and reduces stress on both students and their families.
Complete List of Grammar Schools in the West Midlands
The West Midlands Grammar School Partnership consists of 18 grammar schools across the region, each committed to the success and well-being of their students. Here’s the complete list of schools involved:
Birmingham:
- Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
- King Edward VI Aston School
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- King Edward VI Five Ways School
- King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Shropshire:
- Haberdashers’ Adams Grammar School
- Newport Girls’ High School
Walsall:
- Queen Mary’s High School
- Queen Mary’s Grammar School
Warwickshire:
- Alcester Grammar School
- King Edward VI School
- Rugby High School for Girls
- Stratford Girls’ Grammar School
- Lawrence Sheriff School
Wolverhampton:
- Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
11 Plus Exam Information for the West Midlands Grammar School Consortium
The results of the West Midlands entrance examination serve as a unified standard for making admission decisions across the participating grammar schools. Students who excel in the examination have the unique opportunity to be considered for entry to several schools within the area, broadening their prospects of gaining a position at a grammar school.
Exam Details:
- Exam board type: GL Assessment
- Results date: Mid October
How to Register for the West Midlands Grammar School Consortium 11+ Exam
If your child wishes to be considered for a grammar school place in the West Midlands, they should be pre-registered for the entrance examination and sit the relevant assessment at a designated test center. This can be done using an online portal, where you initially need to enter your postal code and your child’s gender.
West Midlands Consortium 11 Plus Exam Format
The test will consist of two papers assessing children’s skills in various subjects, including English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning, and Mathematics. Each paper will be approximately 50 minutes in length, with a one-hour administration time. Candidates will have a short break between papers and must record their answers on separate answer sheets provided. All questions are multiple-choice.
To help prepare candidates, familiarization guides will be available from GL Assessment, the test providers for the West Midlands Partnership. However, it’s worth noting that these materials are generic and may not accurately reflect the format and question types of the new West Midlands Partnership test.
In conclusion, the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership represents a positive change in the landscape of 11+ entrance examinations. By streamlining the process and focusing on the well-being of students, this collaboration ensures that students have the best possible chance to succeed and gain access to top-notch grammar schools in the West Midlands. This approach promises a brighter future for the region’s young learners.
