Guide to partially selective & bilateral schools

What is a partially selective school?

A partially selective school selects a certain number of children for entry based on a particular ability or aptitude. For example, it may reserve 25% of Year 7 places for children who can demonstrate excellence in sports or 15% for children who show strong academic potential. Children studying on a partially selective place may have access to extra resources and opportunities to support their talent – such as lectures, workshops and tuition.

To be offered a selective place, children will need to achieve the qualifying standard in an aptitude test – for example, an exam, sports assessment, or musical audition. Children applying for general ability places usually take the 11 plus exam or a similar test.

Partially selective schools are state-funded schools, so they're free to attend.

What is a bilateral school?

A bilateral school teaches students on two 'streams' – one which follows a grammar (selective) education, and the other which is non-selective. Children applying for a place on the selective stream must achieve the qualifying standard in the 11 plus exam.

Bilateral schools are usually competing with neighbouring grammar schools (which are fully selective), so they are often undersubscribed. If not all of the selective places are filled, the school is required to fill the remaining places with non-selective applicants.

Like partially selective schools, bilateral schools are funded by the government, so you do not need to pay for your child to attend.

How to apply to partially-selective and bilateral schools

The admissions process for bilateral and partially selective schools is similar to most grammar schools in the UK.

Learn more: guide to grammar schools

1. Register for the assessment

If you would like your child to be considered for a place on the selective stream at a bilateral school, or for a selective place at a partially selective school, they will need to take an entrance exam or subject assessment to demonstrate their ability.

Check your target school's website for details about the exam and to find out how to apply. If your target school is a member of a consortium (e.g. the South West Herts Consortium), you can apply directly through the consortium website. Schools not linked to a consortium usually have their own registration process or application portal.

Children who are looked after or previously looked after, or eligible for the pupil premium, may be prioritised for places under the school's admission criteria. If your child falls into one of these categories, you may need to complete a supplementary information form (SIF) to indicate this. Check your target school's admissions policy to see if this applies.

2. Apply for a school place

The school will let you know whether your child has been successful in the assessment – usually in mid-October in Year 6. If they have achieved the pass mark or met a particular qualifying standard, they will then be eligible for a selective place.

You can then name the school as one of your preferred choices on your common application form. This needs to be submitted to your local authority by the 31st October when your child is in Year 6.

Before listing the school as a preference on your form, we recommend checking the admissions policy first. If the school is oversubscribed for selective places, certain groups of children will be prioritised within that criteria. Priority groups usually include looked after and previously looked after children, children eligible for the pupil premium, and children who live within a particular catchment area or distance from the school.