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Introduction
Open Days
The 11+ Selection Tests
Application Procedure
11+ Arrangements
The Nature of the Tests
Preparation for the Tests
Marking the Tests
The Results and Allocation of Places
Over-Subscription
Late Applictions
12+ and 13+ Applications
Year 7 Admission Details
Destination of Leavers

INTRODUCTION

As a Foundation School the Governors of Devonport High School for Boys are the admission authority for the school and so are responsible for the administration of their selection procedure. top

OPEN DAYS

The school will be open in July and September. In July the Headmaster will make a short address at 6.30 pm and then our visitors will have the opportunity to look around the school, to meet pupils and staff and to see examples of boys' work. The school will also be open during a morning in September, the Headmaster's address starting at 9.30 am. Parents are welcome to look around the school during these open days and requests to visit the school or to discuss admission can be made to the Headmaster at other times. Please check the diary for current dates. top

THE 11+ SELECTION TESTS

Devonport High School for Boys as a grammar school admits pupils who have demonstrated academic aptitude and ability in an 11+ test. Our tests are based on two papers set by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) - Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Mathematics, and an additional English paper set by the school. top

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Parents who wish to apply for a place at the school for admission should complete school's application form (included with this prospectus) and return it to school by the Ocotober half term. Parents should also return the Plymouth Local Education Authority's application form published in their "NEXT STEP" booklet. The 11+ testing will take place over two Saturdays in January - the specific arrangements being sent out by post to all applicants during the second half of the autumn term. top

11+ ARRANGEMENTS

All the tests will take place at Devonport High School for Boys on two Saturdays in January.

• Session One: Familiarisation and internal English paper (60 minutes).
• Session Two: NFER papers: Verbal Reasoning (50 mins) and Mathematics (50 mins). top

THE NATURE OF THE TESTS:

• Verbal Reasoning (VR) tests mainly involve reasoning with words, and typically include a variety of question types that are principally concerned with the production of, use of and relationships between words. Sometimes these tests also include questions that require the manipulation of letters or numbers.
• Mathematics tests assess the National Curriculum mathematics, mainly at Levels 4 and 5. The test consists of short, individual questions principally focused on: Number, Algebra, Measures, Shape and Space, Handling Data.
• The English paper will be set by Devonport High School for Boys and will focus on Composition and Comprehension.

The two NFER answer papers will be marked on a special sheet (similar to a National Lottery entry) and will be read and scored by computer. The scores will be standardised by reference to NFER data to take account of the age of the candidate. top

PREPARATION FOR THE TESTS

The NFER tests are set on the assumption that candidates have not had any special coaching. However, if parents want to see the nature of the Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics tests then there are readily available books and packs that are based on the same style of question. Able primary school pupils following the National Curriculum should have covered sufficient Mathematics and English at Levels 4 and 5 to prepare them adequately for these two papers. The PTFA will be providing an NFER practice paper on in September, details at the Open Evening and from the PTFA Secretary via the school. top

MARKING THE TESTS

To qualify a candidate must gain a mark in the NFER tests equal to or greater than the 170th candidate (i.e. in the top 25% by ability) and achieve at least 50% in the English paper. Borderline candidates who get within 2% of the school's qualifying mark and achieve at least 50% in the English paper will have their result reviewed automatically. As a part of this review the headteacher of their Primary School will be invited to submit evidence of their work to the panel. The panel will take account of the Headteacher's recommendation, the work provided by the primary school and the English test paper (as evidence of first-draft prose). Those deemed to be of an appropriate ability will be qualified for admission, subject to the over-subscription criteria below. top

THE RESULTS AND ALLOCATION OF PLACES

Parents will be informed of their son's allocation of school by their home Local Education Authority in March. top

OVER-SUBSCRIPTION

If more boys qualify for a place than the approved admission limit (174), then the following criteria will be applied, in order of priority, to identify those who will be offered a place at the school:

1. Those achieving the highest NFER score will have priority.
2. Those who qualify who have siblings at Plymouth Grammar Schools (Devonport High School for Boys or Devonport High School for Girls or Plymouth High School for Girls) will have next highest priority.
3. In the event of a tie then the mark for the English paper will be used to discriminate between candidates.
4. If there is still a tie then distance from the school, measured in a straight line on a map, will be used to favour those living nearer to the school. top

LATE APPLICATIONS

If there are vacancies then arrangements will be made for the 11+ test to be taken. Those who qualify will be eligible for a place. The over-subscription criteria will be applied if necessary. Parents will be advised if there are no vacancies, but will be given the option for their son to sit the 11+ test, if they wish. top

12+ AND 13+ APPLICATIONS

If there are vacancies the school provides an opportunity for boys aged 12 and 13 to sit 12+ or 13+ tests. If successful then the candidate will be eligible for a place at the school. The above over-subscription criteria will apply if there are insufficient places in the school. top

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