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Grammar School Test Moves Earlier for Fairness
16 Apr
Summary
- Entrance test date shifted from September of Year 6 to summer of Year 5.
- New test focuses on national curriculum, reducing emphasis on tutoring.
- Changes aim to create a level playing field for underrepresented groups.
Seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire are set to implement a new admissions process for Year 7 entry from September 2028. The entrance test date will be moved from September of Year 6 to the summer term of Year 5, a change effective from summer 2027. This aims to alleviate pressure on pupils as they begin their final year of Key Stage Two and expedite result dissemination.
Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE), a not-for-profit organization, has been appointed to manage the exam. The new test will be based on the national curriculum, designed to foster natural curiosity and critical thinking rather than reward intensive preparation. Non-verbal reasoning sections, often a focus of private tutoring, will be removed. Organizers believe this will allow students to prepare by concentrating on their regular lessons, particularly English and Maths.
Headteachers state the changes are intended to make the selection process more accessible and create a level playing field, especially for children eligible for free school meals and other typically underrepresented groups. While welcomed by many, some tutors suggest that disparities in school resources may still create advantages for certain students. Full details of the new testing procedures are expected in September 2026.
