Selective entry schools are British schools that have a competitive process of admissions. These include fee-paying independent schools, boarding and non-boarding, as well as non fee-paying grammar schools.
In secondary education, there are typically three opportunities for admissions: 11+, 13+ and 16+.
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| 13+ | Year 9 | Year 9 is the year before GCSE courses begin. As GCSE courses are pressurised and academically rigorous, Year 9 entry is best for your child as it gives them a year to settle down in their new school environment, make friends and get adjusted. | ||
| 16+ | Year 12 | For students wishing to enter in year 12 (Sixth Form) will heavily depend on the GCSE results candidates possess. If they are an international student the respective equivalent of GCSE's will be required. |
The age of 15 is a challenging age to arrive in England. This is because they arrive mid-way through the GCSE syllabus and are consequently behind their fellow peers. Most schools would encourage the students enter in year 10 instead of joining students of the same age in Year 11. The reason behind this is because students joining the English School system would have to learn english and in addition catch up with 22 months of schooling. Alternatively, a small number of schools offer the GCSE course in an intensive one year programme.
For international students, wishing to study GCSEs and attend a selective entry school, the best opportunity for entry is at 13+. Your child would begin studying in Year 9, which is the year before GCSE courses begin. Year 9 usually begins when students are 13 however there is some flexibility for international students, whose English skills may not be as strong as their British-based peers. They can begin Year 9 at 14 if necessary, which gives them ample time to get comfortable in their new school before beginning GCSEs in Year 10.
The admissions process to selective-entry schools can be daunting, especially for international students. It begins with an exam in their home country to determine that they have the academic ability to apply to selective-entry schools in Britain. If they succeed in this exam, they can begin looking at various schools. At 11, you and your child can visit the schools you are interested in and Angloslav will support you during these trips, with transfers and any necessary translations. Following this, we can help your child begin preparing for the competitive exams of selective-entry schools. These exams are in Maths and English and many schools, such as Eton College and Harrow Boys’ School, have specifically designed aptitude tests as well. They usually take place in the November-January period before Year 9, and are followed by interviews for applicants who pass the exams. Both exams and interviews are designed to find the most outstanding students, by testing young people in advanced subject areas and with penetrating questions. With many years of experience, staff at Angloslav can support you and your child during this challenging process to achieve the results you desire.
Education at an independent school cannot guarantee your child a place in their university of choice. However, it does foster them in an environment where they are studying alongside peers of similar abilities and interests. Their friends and schoolmates inspire them to push themselves intellectually and academically. This is crucial during the period when young people are maturing, from the ages of 12 or 13 onwards, and looking for role models outside of their immediate family. Being around the wrong peers can easily lead them astray, which will present you with a new challenge to deal with. We may advise you as a result to find a school for your child where they will be nurtured on both an academic and social level, and can achieve their potential without being held back by any disruptions or emotional difficulties.