Common Entrance CE

Good Schools Guide common entrance

In the state sector, English schools must follow the National Curriculum, adapted as necessary. However, independent schools are free to do as they like. A good many prepare their youngsters for common entrance examinations (or common scholarship) to senior school at either age 11 or age 13.

Schools are free to set their own grade boundaries for CE so a grade B at one school does not necessarily equate to a grade B at another.

Interpreting Common Entrance results

Some independent schools loosely follow the National Curriculum, even taking SATs but they are not obliged to report results.

Beware the school that boasts the best SATs results among independent schools in an area, they may be the ONLY independent school taking SATs!

Ten things you should know about Common Entrance

Common Entrance results are not made public so it can be difficult to know just how well a school is really doing. Do ask if all children get into their first choice school (and what those are) and what proportion win academic scholarships and to which schools.
Assessment is infrequent. Many schools assess or even examine youngsters on entry but do little else until Common Entrance (CE) at either 11+ or 13+.
CE tests youngsters in a range of subjects: maths, English and science for all with a range of other subjects, including Latin, Greek, modern foreign languages, history, geography and RE on offer.
Papers are offered at different levels to suit the ability of the child.
Papers are marked by a child’s proposed senior school and graded according to their own grade boundaries.
Children do not fail CE but many schools set minimum CE admission requirements.
Academically selective schools are those that require a minimum of 60 per cent with children sitting the higher CE papers where offered.
Scholarships and beyond. The most able children may be invited to sit for a scholarship at their school of choice, rather than sit CE. For many schools this takes the form of common scholarship rather than papers written by the school. Some subjects - maths and Greek for example - may have additional papers on offer beyond scholarship to stretch those who have an especial gift.
The CE curriculum generally results in a better spread and depth of knowledge than the National Curriculum – mostly because of the freedoms inherent within it.
Preparation for whatever test is to be sat becomes focused and can become ferocious for the last two years of prep school.

Learning to learn

Learning to learn Sometimes children have the knowledge but lack the ability to apply themselves to study.

If this sounds like your child we thoroughly recommend Elizabeth Holtom's book - Study Skills. This highly readable guide (which can be purchased from our online shop), aimed at children aged 10-13, teaches children how their brain works, helps increase their capacity to retain information and so helps with exam success.

There are brain warm-ups, learning maps, memory tricks, box and bubble flow-charts as well as plenty of advice and help on making notes, understanding instructions and answering questions fully.