High-flyers fail 11-plus

Headmaster Andrew MacTavish sets the tone

Pupils expected to score high grades in their GCSEs this year failed an 11-plus exam from the 1950s.

The test, set as part of a television series experiment, adds fuel to traditionalists' argument that standards in schools are slipping.

Thirty 16 year olds have been transported back in time to a 1950s-style state boarding school for the Channel 4 programme called That'll Teach 'Em.

During their first week at the fictional school, the teenagers, who have just sat their GCSEs, were given an arithmetic test.

Surely 16 year olds should be doing better at an exam targeted at 11 year olds That'll Teach 'Em maths teacher Austin Vince

Only 43% passed what in fact was an 11-plus paper from 1957; but 75% of the candidates are predicted to get A or B grades in their maths GCSE.

Just one teenager scored 100% in the 11-plus paper and of the 17 who failed (scoring below 50%), three were grammar school pupils.

Maths teacher at the That'll Teach 'Em school, Austin Vince, said pupils should have done better.

"Even though there was a difference in question style between an old-fashioned 11-plus and today's GCSEs, surely 16 year olds should be doing better at an exam targeted at 11 year olds," said Mr Vince.

1950s regime

As part of the programme, the teenagers are spending one month under the supervision of a headmaster, two housemasters and a number of subject tutors, all former or working teachers.

The world of a 1950s state boarding school is recreated in almost every detail.

There will be no chatting on mobile phones in the 1950s school

The 15 boys and 15 girls can expect a menu which reflects the severity of the time, such as spam fritters, suet pudding and stewed prunes.

Religious instruction and strict discipline will be integral to the regime.

The pupils will be expected to take part in cross-country runs and swim in an outdoor pool.

Pupils have had to leave modern-day luxuries, such as mobile phones, at the school gate.

Series producer Simon Rockell, in reality a former teacher, is the history teacher in the shows.

He said: "This series will help answer some of the questions that have exercised the minds of academics over the last 50 years.

"Has political correctness in modern teaching methods not only allowed split infinitives to run wild, but squeezed out the competitive spirit in sport and academia for fear of hurting the feelings of a molly-coddled generation?

"Or will the experience merely strengthen our attachment to the modern system where everyone, not just the elite, gets prepared for, and takes, public examinations?"