Every year, the vast majority (frequently all) of Year 8 Preparatory School pupils move into the 750 strong Senior School. Bromsgrove, though technically selective, bends over backwards to be a family school and seeks to smooth the path to 13-18 education, not trip people up. The Senior School achieves outstanding results because of its work ethic, not because it recruits only very bright children.

At the end of year 6, pupils sit standardised tests in Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning. These tests, together with a Headmaster’s Essay paper looking for flair and verve, will, if passed, guarantee entry to the Senior School two years later (subject to good behaviour and continued application). If a dyslexic pupil is better served by a Non-Verbal rather than Verbal Reasoning score, we will happily look at that instead. We seek scores of at least 100 on these papers (the national average), though most children score far higher.

Should a pupil not do well in these standardised tests in Year 6, they can sit again in Year 7 for guaranteed entry and even again in Year 8 should it prove necessary. In other words, there are three opportunities to “pass” into the Senior School.