Covid has changed the landscape forever; how should schools adapt their admissions process accordingly?

Over recent years we have seen many shifting trends within the world of education, especially movements towards an increasing reliance on a more digital approach to learning, research, and assessment. Arguably, Covid-19 has served as a catalyst in accelerating a move to learning online out of necessity, and with it has brought many fresh challenges to schools, as well as exacerbating long-standing ones.

Not only have schools had to race to create a stable online provision for remote learning in order to efficiently teach their pupils, but they also still face the challenge of securing new applicants that fit in with the ethos and academic rigour of the school. It goes without saying that a key factor of ensuring this, is the method in which the candidates are assessed when they apply, and given that schools can no longer invite candidates to visit in person, they must work out how to make their admissions ‘Covid-friendly’, without compromising the insight that their assessments previously provided. All whilst ensuring that it remains as smooth a process as possible.

Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, many schools had already made use of tools like the ISEB Common Pre-Test, or the UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test (UKiset), alongside their own internal assessments, as means of testing potential pupils. The reasons for this are that these tests are adaptive and there is no need for candidates to sit the assessment at the exact same time as everyone else taking it, as each individual’s questions are bespoke. Covid has, in many ways made these methods of testing imperative, given that the majority of candidates, especially international ones, are unable to be physically present at the school to take the test.

Another reason is that these tests are used by hundreds of schools, linking a network of prestigious schools from around the world together, and ensuring a fair, standardised assessment for all candidates. In other words, everyone’s result can be easily compared to their peers’, without the worry of discrepancies between those who mark the papers. In turn, this has helped speed up the admissions process by decreasing pressure on admissions departments, and reducing — sometimes even eliminating — the need for schools to set and mark their own additional entry assessments.

There are benefits for the candidates taking these assessments too; whilst preparing for these tests, they learn valuable transferable skills which will help them going forward in the British education system, as well as beyond, to university and in their careers. By taking something like the UKiset, they can also apply to several schools at once, reducing time and stress.

As a testament to the reliability and security of these assessment tools, they are becoming increasingly commonplace to aid admissions processes in more and more British and international schools across the world. For instance, Lucton school in Shanghai has made UKiset a prerequisite for entry, as well as over 150 others within the UK also using it as a means of entry assessment.

In conclusion, as we go forward into the uncertain post-Covid future, there is sufficient reason why schools should be looking increasingly to transform their admissions into a more comprehensive online process, given that as well as being pandemic-friendly, the benefits are tenfold.

If you’d like more information on how UKiset could benefit your school and those who are applying, head to our UKiset for schools page or get in touch via email or telephone.

 

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This article from Isabel Sheehan at Gabbitas first appeared in the April 2021 edition of Independent Education Today

Whether you are thinking about moving your child to a new school locally or contemplating looking further afield for your child’s education, for families living abroad you need to start thinking about it earlier than you may think. Sara Boomsma of Gabbitas Middle East shares some key milestones to consider when planning for your child’s educational future.

 

Choosing a school

Choosing a secondary school for your child can seem a far-off dream when you are still getting to know your child’s new Year 5 teacher but actually by this stage the next move should be firmly on your agenda. Too often our advisers meet with parents who are delighted to tell us that they have found the perfect school for their Year 7 child, only for us to have to gently break the news that they have missed all the registration and assessment deadlines and that all the places in that school have already been allocated.

 

When to move

One of the challenges for international families is that for many they are not quite sure how long they will be here and when they may have to move; whilst jobs and economics can play a role in this decision, we would argue that education should also be a key consideration where possible. There are certain transition times, particularly at secondary level, which make moving a relatively straight forward process both in the UAE and the UK, such as Year 7 or Year 9 respectively or Year 12. However, there are some that you definitely need to try and avoid; moving in Year 11 or Year 13 in the British system would mean moving half way through a 2 year exam programme GCSEs or A Levels and similarly with the International IB programme once you start in Grade 11 you are really committed to two years.

 

Start early

So how can you avoid disrupting your child’s education at critical stages and give them the best chances of success without restricting the family’s movements? Information is key! And the earlier the better. One of the many services we offer our clients is the ‘Education Road Map’. Starting a few years before any key transition points are on the horizon, we identify a range of schools both here and in the UK that would be suitable for the family given their potential location or family ties. An education road map can then pull together of all the options and choices and key dates that everyone needs to be aware of in order to secure a place at the chosen schools and to be sure that no deadlines are missed.

 

Schools in the UAE

For many British curriculum schools in Dubai the Year 7 entry assessments take place in the November of Year 6. Registration dates will often be early in the autumn term and because of the competitive nature of the applications these deadlines are rigorously enforced. Prior to the registration there is plenty to prepare for; information days in the schools, taking your child to look around, collating all the information required for submitting an application, notifying the child’s current school. Then it is important to be aware of what form the assessments will take, the dates they are offered and what preparation your child will need to do to be in the best frame of mind to take the tests.

 

Schools in the UK

If you are considering applying to schools in the UK, then you need to start even earlier. Highly selective schools such as Winchester College, will want to meet your child when they are still in Year 4. At this point they will have the opportunity to meet up to three Housemasters and registration must be submitted by the end of Year 5.  Students will then be invited to take the ISEB Common Pre Test in October/November of Year 6 and if successful they will be invited back for interview between January and March of Year 6. If offered a provisional place at this point, a student will still need to take the Winchester Entrance exam in the April/May of Year 8 before being able to take up their Year 9 place. So a 5 year process from start to finish.

Other well-known schools operate a similar timeline with Eton requiring prospective students to be registered by the summer of Year 5 and others by the first term of Year 6. Many UK schools such as Wellington College, Charterhouse or Bradfield, require prospective pupils to sit the ISEB test in the November of Year 6. Successful candidates will then be invited for interviews and assessment days the following spring. So, for families considering this option it is best to start early and be prepared even if you decide not to action it later on.

 

Sixth form

For a move to 6^th form the timeline is less pressured. Most schools will expect you to be registered by the September and many will offer assessments in the November of the year preceding taking up a place. But again, it is wise to be aware of all of the dates and the requirements for entry.

 

In conclusion

There are, of course, a wide range of other schools in the UAE and the UK who operate more of a rolling programme of admissions, so there is absolutely no need to despair that all avenues will be closed! There will always be great schools who will have a less rigorous approach and be happy to accommodate a last minute application.

Being forewarned is to be prepared and arming yourself with an Education Road Map can give you a clear time line, a heads up about the when you need to act and how your child needs to prepare and most importantly peace of mind so you do miss out on a place in your child’s dream school. Interested in sourcing an Education Road Map for your family? Get in touch with us today.