Slough Grammar School Consortium 11 Plus (11+) Exam
Understanding the admissions process for Slough Consortium can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide simplifies the entire process, presenting all the crucial information you need to know in a straightforward manner. Whether you’re a parent thinking about your child’s secondary education or a student interested in the opportunities Slough Consortium offers, this is your starting point.
What is the Slough Consortium 11 plus test?
The 11 plus is a standardised test utilised by grammar schools in the United Kingdom for the purpose of evaluating students’ eligibility for admission. It is utilised to assess the cognitive aptitude of children and determine if they would thrive in a grammar school setting. Children have the opportunity to do the test in September during their Year 6.
All four grammar schools in Slough utilise an identical 11 plus exam and follow the same registration procedure. Consequently, if you are submitting applications to many grammar schools in Slough, your child will only be required to undergo the examination once. The collection of educational institutions is referred to as the Slough Consortium.
Key Information
Registration opens: | Thursday 27th April 2023 |
Reasonable adjustment deadline: | June 2023 |
Registration closes: | Monday 12th June 2023 at 10am |
Exam date: | Saturday 16th September 2023 |
Exam board type: | GL Assessment |
Results: October 2023 | October 2023 |
Apply for schools: | via your local authority (e.g. Slough Borough Council) |
Local authority application deadline: | 31st October 2023 |
National school offer day: | 1st March 2024 |
Admissions information: |
Which schools administer the Slough Consortium 11 Plus exam?
The Slough Consortium consists of four grammar schools. All four schools are coeducational, meaning that they provide instruction to both boys and girls in the same setting.
Herschel Grammar School Northampton Avenue Slough Berkshire SL1 3BW | Tel: 01753 520950 email: mail@herschel.slough.sch.uk |
Reddington Drive Langley Berkshire SL3 7QS | Tel: 01753 598300 email: admissions@lgs.slough.sch.uk |
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 1 Langley Road Slough Berkshire SL3 7AF | Tel: 01753 527020 |
Upton Court Grammar School Lascelles Road Upton Slough Berkshire SL3 7PR | Tel: 01753 522892 |
Application Procedure to grammar schools in Slough
Application Procedure to grammar schools in Slough
The Slough Consortium organises a common entrance test for students seeking admission to one of its grammar schools. This process ensures a standardised assessment method, allowing students to apply to multiple schools within the consortium with a single test.
1. Register for the 11 plus test
The purpose of the 11+ exam is to identify students who are working at the highest academic level in their year group by making it a rigorous academic test. Speak with your child’s teacher to determine if the 11 plus is the proper exam for them before registering them to take it. Further information regarding the 11 plus procedure in the area will be provided at an online information event that the Slough Consortium is hosting on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in the evening.
Your child must register on the Slough Consortium website or the website of the school you wish to send them to for the 11+ exam. On Thursday, April 27, 2023, registration will be open until Monday, June 12, 2023.
2. Take the 11 plus exam
Upon completing the registration process for your child, you will be provided with more information regarding the procedures for the exam day. The 11 plus exam is scheduled for mid-September and will occur simultaneously at all four institutions. Your child will sit for the exam at a designated school location.
3. Apply for designated schools
Upon completion of the examination, you can expect to get your child’s results in the middle of October. The results can be used to determine suitable schools for including on your local government application form. The application form must be submitted to your residential local government no later than October 31, 2023.
Prior to including a school on your form, verify its admissions policy and ensure that your child meets the eligibility requirements.
4. National school offer day
You will receive information on your child’s school enrolment on March 1, 2024. If they fit the requirements for admission and there are openings, they will be given a spot at your first choice school.
They will be offered a spot at another school in your area if there are no openings at the schools you have selected. You have the option to challenge this ruling if it pertains to you. An impartial body will handle appeals after the institution publishes and sets the procedures.
Slough 11 plus test is based on what?
The Slough Consortium 11 plus test is provided by GL Assessment. There are two papers in all, each lasting around an hour. Both papers will include a mix of questions in the following areas:
- English comprehension
- Maths
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
The Key Stage 2 national curriculum serves as the basis for the maths and English problems. The purpose of these assessments is to evaluate your child’s comprehension of the primary subjects they will have studied in Year 5 and the first part of Year 6.
Usually, schools do not teach verbal or nonverbal thinking. These enquiries will evaluate your child’s capacity for reasoning and problem-solving as well as their ability to identify patterns in words and images and to link and modify them. This covers working through issues involving words, letters, numbers, symbols, forms, and images.
There are no writing portions and both papers are multiple-choice. Children record their responses in a separate answer booklet which is marked electronically.
Scoring of Slough 11 plus test
The computer will mark your child’s answer booklets and deliver their “raw” scores. In order to eliminate any age disadvantage for children born later in the year, these raw scores are then standardised. For every child, a total score is determined and graded accordingly. GL Assessment handles all marking and standards.
What are the Passing Marks for Slough 11 plus Exam?
Based on standardised assessments, the eligibility score for the Slough 11 Plus is 111. Students in the top 35% of the exam cohort who receive standardised scores of 111 or higher are eligible for admission to grammar schools.
However, since grammar schools typically overbook students who meet the pass threshold, receiving this score does not ensure your child’s admission to the school of your choice. It is usually advisable to carefully review the oversubscription criteria and read the admissions guidelines of the institutions you are interested in.
In the event that more children meet the eligibility requirements than there are available spots at the school, additional selection criteria will be used. Children might be given priority, for instance, if they:
- Are or were a Looked after Child in the past
- Acquire Pupil Premium.
- Possess an EHCP, or education, health, and care plan.
- Reside in a designated priority or catchment area, which is the region that encircles the school.
- Belong to a specific religious group (for example, Catholic if applying to a Catholic school).
- Have a sibling who attends the school.
- Possess a parent who works at the school right now.
Want a personalised 11 plus preparation for your child?
Success in the 11+ exam requires careful preparation and a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Understand the Exam Format:
Familiarise yourself with the types of questions that will be asked in the exam. This includes understanding the balance between verbal, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English components.
Use Practise Papers:
Practise papers are invaluable for getting students accustomed to the format and time constraints of the actual exam. They also help identify areas where further study is needed. Get our exam specific Mock Practise Papers for a guaranteed success.
Seek Additional Resources:
Numerous books, online resources, and tutoring services specialise in 11+ preparation. These can supplement your child’s study regimen.
Mock Exam Centre:
The Mock Exam Centre offers a comprehensive preparation platform for the Slough Consortium 11 plus exam with features like 300+ school-specific mock test papers crafted by experienced educators, detailed solutions with video explanations, peer comparison, and various difficulty levels to build confidence.
We cover exams for schools across the UK including GL Assessment tests, providing an authentic exam experience to familiarise students with the test format, style, and standards. For more details, you can visit our website directly at Mock Exam Centre.
Conclusion
Securing admission to a grammar school within the Slough Consortium is a competitive and challenging process, but with the right preparation and understanding, it’s certainly achievable. Start early, stay organised, and maintain a positive and supportive environment for your child throughout their preparation journey. Remember, the goal is not just to pass an exam but to set a strong foundation for your child’s future education and development.
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