EXETER JUNIOR SCHOOL

Entry into Exeter Junior School

Entry to the junior school usually takes place at 7+ and 9+ (Years 3 and 5), but children may also enter at other ages where places are available. Selection is by assessment and a report and reference from the child’s current school once they have been confirmed as a candidate for entry. Registrations for 2024 entry should be received by Friday 12 January 2024. Late registrations are possible when space is available in the year group. Applicants are encouraged to attend a taster day in the junior school as this provides an opportunity to meet the Headmistress, staff, and current pupils.

Children in Year 2 at Exeter Pre-Prep School will attend a taster day and be assessed for entry to Exeter Junior School in their class rather than at the junior school. Parents do not need to complete another registration nor attend the assessment day on Saturday 3 February 2024. Assessments for children at Exeter Pre-Prep School will be held in class on Friday 2 February 2024.

During the assessment pupils will be given the opportunity to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills as appropriate for their age.

English

The English tests will assess the child’s skills in all the key aspects of literacy: reading, comprehension, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting. The writing test comprises a planning/introductory session with the teacher before writing. The introduction may take the form of verbal, visual or concrete stimulus which is fully discussed with the pupils before they start. A good standard of presentation, punctuation and content of writing, is encouraged rather than the quantity.

Pupils will sit an online English reading test which will comprise a range of age-appropriate English exercises and reading skills. There will also be a short spelling test.

For Year 3 and Year 4 entry, the pupil will also read a passage from an age-appropriate text to the teacher

Mathematics

The maths assessment takes the form of two papers. A general maths paper covering a range of topics where pupils are encouraged to show their working. There is also a timed mental maths paper, assessing accuracy and speed across a variety of mathematical concepts including number work. The questions are read out and repeated by the teacher. Children sitting the 7+ and 8+ (Years 3 and 4 entry) have the maths paper read aloud by the teacher.

Children sitting the 10+ (Year 6 entry) are allowed to use a calculator for the first part of the maths test so it would be useful to familiarise children with calculators beforehand.

Depending on progress, children joining Years 5 and 6 may also need to sit the 11+ entry assessment for progression to Exeter School. Pupils who are assessed remotely will have an online interview with the Headmistress or Deputy Head. Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.