Panel calls for review of 14-plus system in Jersey

A States of Jersey panel has called for a review of the 14-plus selective policy at secondary schools.

The policy is the entry test pupils wanting to move to Hautlieu School for their GCSE and A Level education must pass.

But the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Panel said in its report that it had found evidence the policy was "loved by some, hated by others".

Deputy Catherine Curtis, panel chair, said: "The fact remains, it causes a lot of anxiety and heartache, as well as relief and optimism for some."

To pass the tests, students in Year 7 and Year 9 need a score of 109 in their cognitive ability tests.

This involves tackling a range of patterns and logic questions that are both maths and English based.

The students must also achieve above average scores in the subjects.

Deputy Rob Ward, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said reviewing the system was not a priority in this political term but that he would like to start the conversation about it before the next election.

The panel has recommended that the 14-plus selective process should be reviewed anyway because it found there was no evidence that it was the best way to structure secondary schooling.

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