Inspired by some musings on another thread on this forum (https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum ... hp?t=65529) ...
Following a consultation, the King Edward Foundation introduced catchment areas for its six state grammar schools in 2019 (for 2020 intake). That cohort will be sitting their GCSEs in summer 2025.
What was it like before that?
There used to be a clear hierarchy between the KE grammars. The Camp Hill schools commanded the highest scores for entry, and (consequently?) achieved the best results, with Five Ways close behind.
Many children didn’t attend the grammar school closest to them, but instead went to the ‘best’ one their score allowed. Many therefore travelled long distances or had complicated commutes. The Green Bus Company had a fleet of coaches criss-crossing all over Birmingham (and beyond) to deliver children to their chosen grammar.
There was a lot of discussion on this forum about scores, with occasional resentment of people boasting of their children’s high scores, and general requests to use ballpark scores (eg 250+) rather than their actual scores. People were desperate for their children to attend the ‘best’ school with others advising them to consider commutes and community aspects.
What did we think would happen with the introduction of catchment areas, and has it happened?
Some topics that featured on this forum included:
•Would the schools’ results ‘normalise’? (We will find out in August 2025!)
•Would the score requirements for the other local grammars (Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire etc) rise dramatically?
•Would house prices in the most popular catchment areas soar?
•Would the Green Bus Company and other private transport services adapt/survive?
•How would families with siblings at different schools cope?
•Would demand for private school places increase?
What has been the impact so far?
There have been barely enough places at Five Ways for all the children in catchment reaching the priority score. The same has been true, to some extent, of the Camp Hill schools, though it has varied year by year. Out-of-catchment places tended to be awarded to just a small handful of very high scoring children each year. By contrast, there has been no shortage of places for out-of-catchment children at the Handsworth schools and Aston, with required scores dropping below 224. Their required scores are increasing year on year though.
The required scores at the other local grammars without catchment areas have increased, but not as much as anticipated.
The Green Bus Company folded this year at very short notice.
(I don’t have insight into the impact on house prices in certain areas, or private schools. Any views?)
What else has changed in the past five years?
What will the future hold?
Do we think there will be a shift in the pattern of results, or will the Camp Hill schools retain their high rankings even with a more local intake?
Will other local grammars introduce catchment areas?
Will the King Edward Foundation make further adjustments to admissions in the next few years?
What else do people predict might happen?
Following a consultation, the King Edward Foundation introduced catchment areas for its six state grammar schools in 2019 (for 2020 intake). That cohort will be sitting their GCSEs in summer 2025.
What was it like before that?
There used to be a clear hierarchy between the KE grammars. The Camp Hill schools commanded the highest scores for entry, and (consequently?) achieved the best results, with Five Ways close behind.
Many children didn’t attend the grammar school closest to them, but instead went to the ‘best’ one their score allowed. Many therefore travelled long distances or had complicated commutes. The Green Bus Company had a fleet of coaches criss-crossing all over Birmingham (and beyond) to deliver children to their chosen grammar.
There was a lot of discussion on this forum about scores, with occasional resentment of people boasting of their children’s high scores, and general requests to use ballpark scores (eg 250+) rather than their actual scores. People were desperate for their children to attend the ‘best’ school with others advising them to consider commutes and community aspects.
What did we think would happen with the introduction of catchment areas, and has it happened?
Some topics that featured on this forum included:
•Would the schools’ results ‘normalise’? (We will find out in August 2025!)
•Would the score requirements for the other local grammars (Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire etc) rise dramatically?
•Would house prices in the most popular catchment areas soar?
•Would the Green Bus Company and other private transport services adapt/survive?
•How would families with siblings at different schools cope?
•Would demand for private school places increase?
What has been the impact so far?
There have been barely enough places at Five Ways for all the children in catchment reaching the priority score. The same has been true, to some extent, of the Camp Hill schools, though it has varied year by year. Out-of-catchment places tended to be awarded to just a small handful of very high scoring children each year. By contrast, there has been no shortage of places for out-of-catchment children at the Handsworth schools and Aston, with required scores dropping below 224. Their required scores are increasing year on year though.
The required scores at the other local grammars without catchment areas have increased, but not as much as anticipated.
The Green Bus Company folded this year at very short notice.
(I don’t have insight into the impact on house prices in certain areas, or private schools. Any views?)
What else has changed in the past five years?
What will the future hold?
Do we think there will be a shift in the pattern of results, or will the Camp Hill schools retain their high rankings even with a more local intake?
Will other local grammars introduce catchment areas?
Will the King Edward Foundation make further adjustments to admissions in the next few years?
What else do people predict might happen?
Statistics: Posted by JustOutside — Tue Sep 17, 2024 2:34 pm