In theory children writing eleven plus examinations this
year will be sitting a form of the International Baccalaureate. The IB is
supposed to challenge students. Six subjects are studied, three at a Higher
level and three at a lower level.
One of the main aims of the IB is to give students the wherewithal
to be able to compete for places at top universities and, in time, gain worth-while
employment.
The IB is recognised internationally – so a good level pass
at IB level is recognised as a prestigious grade.
It could make a major difference to children sitting the eleven
plus if they were faced with six subjects – three at a higher level and three
at the lower level. This could contribute to far more rounded children entering
grammar school. Suppose eleven plus children had to take mathematics and
English at a higher level. They could then do either verbal reasoning or
non-verbal reasoning at the same level. Children could then be offered a small range
of subjects at the lower level – with one being the discarded reasoning paper,
another the basic elements of a language and the third lower level subject
being science.
Grammar schools could be offered children who were a little more
rounded. Eleven plus children would not be channelled into studying a
restricted number of subjects in great depth. It may, possibly, turn out that
the effects of coaching would be diminished.
