Buckinghamshire: 12+ & 13+ Late Transfer Procedure
The “Late Transfer Process”, commonly known as the 12+ or 13+, is almost unknown to most parents until their child’s 11+ results bring disappointment. This page aims to explain the process.
Please note: The advice on this page relates primarily to children who have already taken the Bucks 11+ and did not qualify. If you are moving into the area you can apply for immediate “in-year” testing to either Bucks County Council (Bucks CC) or your preferred grammar school, according to the table below.
12+/13+ testing by school
Since becoming academies a number of Bucks grammar schools have opted to set their own, in-house tests . Places will be allocated by highest score (or aggregate score where there are multiple tests), and usually only to pupils living in the catchment area of the school.
Other schools have elected to continue using the Bucks CC late transfer test, which is a computer-based test involving verbal ability, numerical ability and non-verbal ability. For these schools places will continue to be allocated by distance from school gates for all children achieving a score of 121 or higher in the test.
The table below summarises the test types by school.
| GRAMMAR SCHOOL | TEST CONTENT |
|---|---|
| Aylesbury Grammar School (Boys) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Aylesbury High School (Girls) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Beaconsfield High School (Girls) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Burnham Grammar School (Mixed) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Chesham Grammar School (Mixed) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Dr. Challoners Grammar School (Boys) | Manage their own late transfer testing |
| Dr. Challoners High School (Girls) | Manage their own late transfer testing |
| John Hampden Grammar School (Boys) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Royal Grammar School (Boys) | Manage their own late transfer testing |
| Royal Latin School (Mixed) Year 8 | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Sir Henry Floyd (Mixed) | On line test in Verbal ability, Numerical ability, non-verbal ability, 75 minutes, administered by Bucks CC |
| Sir William Borlase (Mixed) | Manage their own late transfer testing |
| Wycombe High School (Girls) | Manage their own late transfer testing |
Where schools administer their own tests, you should visit their websites for full details of test content and to check the key dates for applications and testing.
Should my child take the 12+/13+?
If your child has missed the 11+ by up to 4 or 5 points it is certainly worth them attempting the 12+. A lower score could also be worth a go, provided you really do believe that your child will be suited to a Grammar school.
What are my child’s chances of passing?
The 12+ has a reputation for being easier to pass than the 11+. The sensible explanation is that there are some children who need the additional 18 months maturity to prove themselves. Also, there is often less pressure on the child and less tension at school for the 12+, so those children who did not qualify for the 11+ because of nerves may be more relaxed for the 12+.
If my child passes, will he or she get a place at a Grammar School automatically?
NO! Places at Grammar Schools are not reserved for late transfer candidates. Only a small number of pupils who qualify through the Late Transfer Procedure are offered a grammar school place each year.
Where is the test taken?
The tests are held at two or three central testing venues, usually Bucks senior schools.
Should I change my preferred order of schools for the 12+ application form?
No, probably not. In common with all other admission authorities, Bucks CC operates the Equal Preference System, which means that you should put your preferred school in first place, exactly as you did for the 11+, even if the school is unlikely to have vacancies. However, it would be very wise to make sure that your second preference school is your catchment school, it is likely to have vacancies and is one that (hopefully) you live fairly close to.
What preparation should we do for the 12+?
Given the very limited supply of places, we do not recommend intensive preparation for the tests.
What happens if my child is unwell on the day of the 12+ test?
The same “rules” apply as for the 11+. Do not allow your child to take the test if they are unwell. Call Bucks CC Admissions immediately to advise them of the problem and they will arrange for a new test date.
My child didn’t achieve the qualifying mark for the 12+ – what should I do?
If your child’s score is fairly close to the qualifying mark, and if you have a realistic chance of being offered a Grammar school place, then a Selection Appeal is worth considering. Please look at Etienne’s Appeals Q&A document, Section B
The further away your child’s mark is from the qualifying mark, or the more difficult it is to be sure of being allocated a school place, the more seriously you should consider whether to put yourself and your child through the uncertainty and stress of an Appeal.
My child qualified on the 12+, but we have not been given a Grammar school place – what should I do?
You can go to a Transfer Appeal – again, information about this is given in the Appeals Q&A document, Section C.
What about the 13+?
Everything above applies equally to the 13+. However, you should exercise caution when approaching the 13+ for two reasons.
Firstly, there are likely to be very few places at Bucks Grammars for successful 13+ candidates. Secondly, do you want to put your child through the testing process for what might be their third time if they have previously taken the 11+ and 12+ without success?
