EDUCATION chiefs are to reconsider whether the 11-plus in Kent could be replaced or changed to incorporate some kind of continuous assessment.

The idea was ruled out two years ago, but Kent County Council has confirmed the option will form part of a wide-ranging review of how the selective system is operated.

There is no suggestion the grammar system will end. However, KCC says the time is right to look at possible alternatives to tests thousands of Year 6 pupils take each year to determine if they will go to one of the 33 grammar schools in the county.

A working group of head teachers and education officials is to meet within weeks to begin the review, and it is possible changes could be in place by 2008.

The review follows the Government’s confirmation of new rules on admissions that KCC believes removes some of the obstacles that thwarted its earlier attempt to find a workable alternative to the 11-plus.

In particular, the new schools admissions code now makes clear education authorities in selective areas should, if possible, tell parents if their child has passed the test before applying for a secondary school place.

KCC said recently that would make no difference to the timing of the test. However, KCC education director of operations Dr Ian Craig said the code meant the education authority could now explore other options, including the concept of continuous assessment.

He said: “We need to look and talk about testing before preference and what the implications are. We’re looking more broadly at whether to test and what else we might do in its place.”

Among possible options is whether children could be recommended to particular schools on the basis of their performance in the SATs. There may also be an additional SAT taken in Year 5.

Even if the review does not recommend any changes, KCC says the new admissions rules mean it will have to reform some aspects of the system. These include the fact applicants for grammar school places from outside Kent sit the tests over one day, whereas Kent pupils sit them over two days.

That will have to change so out-of-county pupils from neighbouring education authorities are not at a disadvantage.

The idea of replacing the 11-plus with some form of continuous assessment was last considered by the county council in 2005.

It was ruled out by a working party that concluded it would be impractical. The council accepted there were difficulties with the 11-plus test.