Secondary Transfer 2015

The Kent System Kent is a selective area which means it has different types of secondary school available. There are all ability intake schools – these may include faith schools, high schools and academies There are also selective or grammar schools. Places at these schools are only made available to children who are successful in passing the Kent Test (otherwise known as 11+). Finally there are private schools which may or may not have an academic selection process and may or may not interview as part of the admissions process. Some of these have bursaries available to cover some or all of the cost of the fees.

Visiting schools Most Kent schools have open days in October as this corresponds to the time of year when parents are making their choices and completing their application forms. Some also have open days at other times of year, but these are less common.

We would strongly advise visiting as many of the schools you are considering as possible. The time period for viewing and making decisions when you child is in year 6 is very tight, so it is often a good idea to visit when they are in Y5 too.

Schools in this area

Knole Academy Local Sevenoaks academy Replaced the boys and girls’ comprehensives in 2010 Specialises in expressive arts and languages Grammar Stream Ofsted: Good (2012) Open Days

Trinity School Trinity is a small free school in Sevenoaks It has been open for 2 year and has already gained an enviable reputation It moves to new accomodation on the old Wildernesse site in September It has split admissions with 50% being allocated on Christian status and 50% being allocated according to distance.

Hugh Christie Large mixed secondary in Tonbridge Prides itself in staying at the forefront of emerging Information Technology Pastoral Support is excellent Ofsted: Good (2014) Open Days: , Open Eves: ,

Hayesbrook All boys school with mixed sixth form Specialisms: Sports College and Mathematics Ofsted: Good (2013)

Hillview All girls secondary in Tonbridge Specialist Performing Arts College Ofsted: Good (2013)

Bennett Memorial All ability Church of England mixed secondary in Tunbridge Wells. Entrance Criteria based on Christian Status Preference given to C of E worshippers Ofsted: Outstanding

St Gregory’s Closest Roman Catholic Secondary School Church based entrance criteria, but… Ofsted: Outstanding (2013)

Weald of Kent Grammar Girls’ Grammar School in Tonbridge Level of pass score does not affect chance of a place Specialisms in Languages and Science Ofsted: Outstanding (prior to academy conversion)

Tonbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Large boys’ grammar school in Tunbridge Wells Takes pupils who have passed the Kent Test but score does not affect chance of a place Distance criteria, but favour north over south Ofsted: Good Open Days: 5 th, 9 th, 19 th Oct

Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar All Girls Grammar School in Tunbridge Wells Reputation for excellence in Creative Arts Selects from children who have passed the Kent Test, but also operates distance criteria Ofsted: Outstanding Open Days: 24 th Sept (eve), 16 th Oct (day)

The Skinners School The Skinners School is a boys’ grammar school in Tunbridge Wells It takes boys who have high Kent Test Scores Ofsted: Outstanding Open Days: 29.6, 30.6, 1.7, 20.10, 21.10

Tonbridge Grammar Girls’ grammar in Tonbridge Takes girls with the highest scores in Kent Test. High flying academic environment which is right for some children but not all. Ofsted: Outstanding Open Days: 25.6, 7.10, 21.10, 22.10

Judd School The Judd School in Tonbridge takes boys with the very highest scores in the Kent Test. It provides a very academic environment for boys for whom this is desirable. Ofsted: Outstanding Open Days: 2.7

Oxted Oxted is a large mixed secondary in Surrey Surrey has not grammar system so Oxted is truly all-ability. Transport is not available from KCC as it is out of Kent. Ofsted: Good

Sevenoaks School Sevenoaks is a large mixed private school in the town It has high academic standards and admission is via the school’s own entrance papers in Maths, English and Reasoning It has a strong reputation internationally and takes many borders from other parts of the country and overseas. Open Morning: 13.6, 19.9

Walthamstow Hall Walthamstow is a small private girls’ school in the town It has an excellent academic record, small classes and good pastoral care. It has a Christian ethos as its historical foundations were as a school for the daughters of missionaries. Open day: 26.9

Combe Bank Combe Bank is based in Sundridge. It has always been a girls’ school but is becoming co-educational from September It takes a wider academic range than Walthamstow Hall. It is very small and has good pastoral care Open Days 30.6, 10.10

Lingfield Notre Dame Lingfield is a co-educational private school in Surrey It offers an excellent all-round education. It takes a wider academic range than Sevenoaks School Open Day 11/10

Taking the Kent Test Parents need to make a positive choice to enter their children for the Kent test. Applications can be done online and we are happy to do this with you in school if you do not have internet access at home. The period for doing so this year (for Y5 parents) is open now and closes on 1 st July.

There are 3 papers this year: 1 English and maths paper 1 reasoning paper 1 piece of extended writing They will all be taken on the same day – this year the date for the tests is 10 th September 2015.

The first test will be an English and Maths paper, with each section consisting of a 5 minute practice paper and a 25 minute test. The English paper with comprise a set of comprehension questions as well as some questions designed to test literacy skills.

The second test will be a reasoning paper. It will take about an hour, including the practice sections and questions. It will contain a verbal reasoning section and a non-verbal reasoning section of roughly the same length. The non-verbal reasoning will be split into short sections, administered and timed individually (as in the previous tests).

There will also be a writing exercise which will not be marked but may be used by a local headteacher panel to review borderline cases. Forty minutes will be allowed for the writing task, including 10 minutes planning time. There is a Kent Test Familiarisation booklet, which is the first hit if you google those words.

Preparation The school is not allowed to coach your child for the 11+! However, we will ensure that the children are well prepared in the curriculum which is being assessed by the Kent Test and familiar with the common layouts and structures of such tests. You are of course entitled to prepare you child in any way you see fit and many parents across the Sevenoaks area choose to do this.

Results Day If you register online the results will be ed to you after 4pm on 14 October The exact time you'll receive your cannot be determined as this will depend on your service provider. The results will also be sent to you the by first-class post on 14 October 2015.

Scores The score for a successful assessment is different every year depending on the range of results children achieve. Each child’s raw score is standardised which means it is slightly adjusted to take account of their age. A standardised score of 100 represents an average performance for a child of a given age, with the lowest standardised score normally around 70 and the highest around 140. Scores are available from the school on 15 th October The Kent Grammar Threshold will be published on the website after the results are sent out.

Applying for Secondary School You can list up to four schools of your choice on your application form, naming them in order of preference. It is in your best interests to use all 4 spaces. There is no benefit to trying to manipulate the system by naming only one school or naming a school multiple times. Applications open in early September and close on 31 st October.

Applying for a Grammar School Name the grammar school/s of your choice on the application form. If your child’s assessment was ‘grammar’ then these schools will consider your application, applying their over-subscription criteria if there are more eligible applicants than places. If your child’s assessment was ‘high school’ then you can still name a grammar school. They will turn you down, but this then opens up the right to appeal to that school for a place.

Timescales

Things to consider – Kent Test How well is my child doing academically? How would I rate my child’s confidence and self-esteem? Which style of education is likely to suit my child’s personality best? How will travelling affect my child?

Things to consider - schools Where are my child’s siblings at school? What are the school’s admissions criteria? What does the Ofsted report say? What would be the transport arrangements? What subject areas does my child naturally lean towards? What is the academic / pastoral / SEN support like at the school? How did we feel about the school when we visited?

Help and Advice We have a wealth of knowledge and experience of both the process and local schools. Please come and talk to us if: You are unsure about any part of the process You require help with applications You would like to discuss the best options for your child

A Final Plea... Please let us know what you decide!