Changes for 2028 entry

We are aware of the announcement that the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools (G7) have appointed Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) as their new admissions test provider for entry from September 2028 onwards. 

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If your child is preparing for the September 2026 test (2027 entry), nothing changes for you. The existing GL test arrangements remain fully in place, and our preparation programmes, including our 11+ Mock Tests, will continue exactly as planned. There is no reason to change course.

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Who is Affected and When?

The new FSCE format will first apply to children sitting the test in Summer 2027 for entry in September 2028. Under the proposed changes, the test will move to the summer term of Year 5 - a significant shift from the current September sitting. This means:

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• Current Year 5 pupils are not affected

• Current Year 4 pupils will sit the new FSCE test in Summer 2027

• Year 3 and younger will also sit under the new format

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Please do not rush to buy new resources. The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools have not yet confirmed the full format of the FSCE papers. Purchasing materials now, before the specification is finalised, is premature.

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What do We Know About FSCE?

FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) is already used in other counties, so this is not an untested format. Here is what we know so far:

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• FSCE was designed to align more closely with the National Curriculum up to the end of Year 5, with the aim of being accessible to all children and testing the ability to apply knowledge rather than memorise techniques

• The exam is taken on paper, under standard exam conditions

• The standard paper structure focuses on English and Maths, with one multiple choice paper and one free response paper

• Some schools include creative writing; others include a broader range of subjects. Gloucestershire has not yet confirmed its specific arrangements

• FSCE has not authorised any past papers or official practice materials

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Our Response at Cotswold Education

Our team has experience supporting children with FSCE-style tests in other areas of the country, and our initial response to this change is genuinely positive. The FSCE format is designed to level the playing field, reducing the advantage that intensive drilling can bring, and instead rewarding children who have a secure grasp of core knowledge and can think flexibly. That aligns closely with our own values and the way we approach 11+ preparation.

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We have already begun reviewing and updating our courses and materials. As a first step, our Year 4 Online Course has been updated to incorporate FSCE-style skills. We will continue to update our programmes as further details are confirmed by the schools.

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What Should Year 4 Families Do Right Now?

The best thing you can do for your child at this stage is simply to support their everyday learning. Encourage their curiosity, read with them regularly, and help them develop a genuine love of learning. That is exactly the kind of preparation that the FSCE format rewards and it is never wasted effort.

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We know uncertainty can feel unsettling, and you are not alone in wondering what these changes will mean. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information from the schools. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly with any questions.

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For context, this is not the first time the county has changed test provider. Many families will remember the move from CEM to the current GL format back in 2023. Change can feel daunting, but with the right preparation, your child will be ready.