Photos to stop cheats in exams

The head teachers say it is a safeguard

Children sitting entrance exams for some of England's grammar schools are to be photographed - to prevent cheating.

It is feared parents could send stand-ins to sit entrance exams for their children.

From this year 11 year olds sitting the tests for Birmingham's five King Edward VI grammar schools will have to send photographs with their applications.

Invigilators will then check that the children match their photographs.

Head teachers say the measure has been taken as a precaution, "to maintain the integrity of the system".

'Safeguard'

There have been a few allegations about the use of "ringers" or stand-ins in the past two decades according to the foundation which represents the five King Edward VI schools.

They say they want to close a loophole to remove temptation.

Dr Steven Grainger, the secretary of the governors at King Edward VI foundation, told BBC News Online: "There have been some allegations but they have been unfounded.

"We are not aware of stand-ins ever being used but we want to remove the suspicion as the talk is damaging.

"It is an added safeguard, because people are really keen and there are some who will go to any lengths."

Desperate

Elspeth Inch, the head teacher of King Edward VI Handsworth School, says she has never had claims of a stand-in taking an exam in her 14 years at the school.

She says children sit the tests with others from their school and a register is taken, at which time an impostor could be uncovered.

"This is an extra safeguard, which will bring our schools into line with what some other schools are doing across the country," she said.

"More and more people are realising what a grand job King Edward schools and grammar schools are doing and that does make parents desperate to get a place."

Earlier this month a poll found that one in three parents would be prepared to do something dishonest, such as lying about where they live, to secure a place for their child at a good school.