What are occasional places?
An occasional place is a place in a year group which is outside the normal entrance points. Usually, a child would enter a grammar school into either Year 7 or Year 12. Sometimes families may need a place in a different year group or, more unusually, in the middle of the academic year. There are various reasons for this, including new financial circumstances, changes in family structures, or moves to new areas of the country for employment or opportunity. Children sometimes need to move school for other reasons, and so occasional places can assist families at what can be a difficult time in their lives.
Why do grammar schools have occasional places?
All schools need to recognise the value of the child as an individual. Children do, for the reasons indicated above, often need to move in the middle of their secondary education. Grammar schools, like any other school, will therefore have movement both in and out of the year group. It should be noted that all applicants for grammar schools, whether at traditional entry points or not, will need to sit an entrance assessment. This will be age-appropriate and are sometimes called ‘In-Year Tests’.
How popular are occasional places at grammar school?
These places can be popular, but there are some key tips and strategies we can share with you. Once your child has passed the entrance assessment and is ready to move, you should maintain an open and honest communication with the preferred school. If you’re happy for your child to remain on a waiting list for a place, you will most likely eventually be offered one. Similarly, if you are able to take up a place with very little notice, you should be successful.
