CHELMSFORD: Big rise in applications for grammar school places

By goldershaw

CHELMSFORD'S two grammar schools are more popular than ever.

The number of applicants for a place at King Edward VI Grammar School is up 10 per cent compared to 2008, while the number wanting to go to Chelmsford County High School for Girls has increased by 13 per cent.

The excellent reputations of the two schools and their consistent high results at GCSE and A-level – both are always in the top 20, if not the top 10 in the country – are obviously behind their popularity.

But this year, two other factors are believed to be kicking in.

First, the credit crunch means parents who would previously have sent their children to private schools are now attempting to get them into state selective education in order to save cash.

Secondly, workshops and outreach work by both schools at state primary schools in mid-Essex are encouraging more pupils to consider the grammar schools.

In November, 726 girls sat the 11-plus in an attempt to gain one of the 120 places at Chelmsford County High School for Girls. This compares with 642 who sat the exam in 2007.

Head teacher Nicole Chapman said: "We are a school looking to and planning for the future, aiming to develop the leaders of tomorrow and continuing to strive for excellence.

"We share our expertise with our local community. Our Gifted and Talented programme, which extends to 21 local primary schools, encouraged 51 additional girls to sit the 11-plus in 2008, who may not have aspired to do so without the encouragement and close links we have developed with all our partner schools."

One of those schools is Melbourne Park Primary and Nursery School, where acting head teacher Neil Taggart believes: "The outreach programme has given our students the confidence to enter the 11-plus examination when perhaps they may not have done so without the support of the high school."

King Edward VI Grammar School hosted 733 boys in November for the 11-plus, up from 668 in 2007.

The school also has a thriving outreach programme with its partner primary schools

Head teacher Tom Sherrington said: "I think the rise is due to a number of factors. Yes, there are parents who are not wanting to pay for private education and see grammar schools as an attractive alternative.

"There are also a lot of parents who are predisposed for their child to travel further to school – we receive a significant number of applications from families as far away as east London.

"Obviously our excellent reputation attracts parents, as do our specialisms."