Fairer Schools: Three Asks for Andy Burnham
Three practical reforms to make school admissions fairer and move England closer to a truly comprehensive education system.
Comprehensive Future’s aim hasn’t changed: we want an end to academic selection. These are three steps the government could take now, each achievable on its own and each moving us closer to that goal. We’re asking Andy Burnham’s government to end academic selection in partially selective schools, to commission an independent review of how the 11-plus affects children’s wellbeing, and to publish who takes and passes the 11-plus, so that everyone can see who selection works for.
Our three asks
End academic selection in partially selective schools
Around 40 secondary schools in England still reserve a share of their places for children who qualify through an academic test. We’re asking the government to set a date for these schools to stop selecting Year 7 pupils with an 11-plus test.
Commission an independent review of the 11-plus and children’s wellbeing
What does the 11-plus mean for children as they prepare, sit the test and find out their results? We’re asking for a review that hears from experts, as well as directly from children, including from those who don’t sit the test. We want it to publish its findings.
Collect and publish information about who takes and passes the 11-plus
Families should be able to see who sits the test, who qualifies and who goes on to get a place. We’re asking for clear local figures and for individual test records to be linked securely to the National Pupil Database, so researchers can identify where barriers arise.
Help make the case for reform
Each proposal page sets out what we want to change, what the evidence tells us and who supports it. If you have relevant research or first-hand experience of how selective admissions work in your area, we’d like to hear from you. We’re particularly interested in hearing from families who have applied to a partially selective school, and from anyone with experience of test preparation or test day.
Join us on 25 November
We’ll discuss the three proposals at our panel event in Westminster on Wednesday 25 November at 5pm. Meet the speakers and find out how to book HERE.