Postponement of 11+ testing in Warwickshire

School children planning to sit their 11+ tests for selective schools in Warwickshire this September will now have to wait until November 2020.

New guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) has advised that no selection testing should take place before the end of October/early November this year.

Warwickshire County council says this guidance affects the 11+ testing and the admissions process for the six selective schools in Warwickshire.

They say once the revised dates for testing have been confirmed, the local authority – who operate the 11+ testing process on behalf of the selective schools within the county - will send further information to all families who registered candidates for the 2021 entry 11+ selection test.

This information will advise how 11+ testing sessions will be adapted and what kind of protective measures will be put in place, in order to operate in line with health protection measures. Such measures will be in accordance with Government guidelines relating to coronavirus and this new guidance published by the DfE.

Education bosses say they are aware that postponing the 11+ testing sessions will mean that parents will need to make an application for secondary school places before the results of the 11+ test are known.

They have said Warwickshire residents are already provided with the opportunity to name up to six schools on their secondary school application. However, for the secondary 2021 entry year only, this will be increased to a maximum of seven preferences per applicant.

They've said other local authorities may also increase their existing number of preferences to accommodate current circumstances, for this year of entry only. If you are not a Warwickshire resident, please contact your home authority for further information about their process for applying for secondary school places.

Parents are advised to read through Warwickshire’s 2021 entry admission arrangements, as well as the 2021 entry admission arrangements for any of the secondary schools that they wish to apply for, to understand how these school places will be allocated: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-secondary-school-place

Councillor Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Learning, said: “Children preparing to take the 11+ tests in Warwickshire can be reassured that these tests will still go ahead this year, but slightly later in November, to meet DfE guidelines.
"We have also increased the number of school preferences for applicants to choose when applying for secondary school places. This will ensure all children in Warwickshire have access to high quality education and can achieve their full potential.”