Hill House International Junior School in Knightsbridge has made the following announcements to parents regarding changes to their 11+ and 13+ preparation for boys and girls. Due to the difference between 11+ exams and Common Entrance / 13+ scholarship preparation, boys and girls were previously taught and prepared separately, but this is due to change going forward:
“Dear Parents,
You may be aware of the changes that are taking place with the Common Entrance Examination particularly to boys’ secondary schools. There are an increasing number of boys’ schools requiring an entrance test at age 11 for entry at 13. Equally a growing number of girls’ schools (led by JAGS and Downe House) are promoting an 11+ examination with entry deferred to 13. In addition, we are seeing an increased interest in boarding schools – particularly those offering a weekly boarding option close to London – for both boys and girls. These changes have made the differences between the preparation required for our boys and girls at 11 minimal. This makes the splitting of genders at age nine to ten unnecessary. Responding to these changes we will therefore be making a phased return to full co-educational teaching in all year groups from this coming September. We have been preparing for this change over the past year with our tutors teaching across the year groups to both boys and girls.
This September the current Upper School Beta and Gamma classes will continue as mixed classes when they come to Hans Place in September. The current Lower Senior School and Lower Transitus will continue as a single sex year group to provide them with consistency as they move to Upper Senior School and Upper Transitus respectively. These changes will not affect courses in Glion because there is only a single dormitory.
In addition, in the autumn, to fully motivate and stretch those pupils who have passed their 11+ tests for entry to their secondary school at 13 we will be launching a two-year Hill House Diploma with credits for academic, artistic and sporting prowess. This will be linked to the recently announced ISEB certificate.
These exciting innovations with the academic, cultural and sporting opportunities we offer your children will keep us at the forefront of a progressive educational experience fit for the new decade.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Townend”