Selective School

A selective school is one that admits pupils based on academic ability, usually via an entrance exam.

Selective schools include:

• State grammar schools, which use the 11+ exam
• Many independent senior schools, which use Common Entrance, the ISEB Pre-Test, or their own exams
• A few partially selective state schools, which reserve a fixed share of places for a particular aptitude (music, languages, sport)

Selection differs from banding: selective schools admit only pupils who pass a threshold; banded schools admit pupils across the full ability range.

Whether a selective school is the right choice depends on more than just whether your child is likely to pass the exam. Consider:

• The intensity of preparation involved
• Whether the school’s pace and ethos suits your child
• The realistic chance of admission given competition
• The strength of nearby comprehensives as a backup