GRAMMAR schools in Bucks say they will launch a public consultation on possible changes to their admissions procedure in the new year - although what impact this may have on the existing 11+ test is not yet clear.

As grammar schools in the county have now become academies they can control their own admissions, which are are no longer under the control of the local education authority, Buckinghamshire County Council, which was previously solely responsible for administering the test.

However, the schools have agreed that BCC will continue to manage the test, with further announcements on the grammar's "admissions arrangements" expected in due course. These are likely to take effect with the 2014 intake of pupils.

Speaking on behalf of the grammar school heads in Bucks, Philip Wayne, head teacher of Chesham Grammar School, told the BFP this week: "Since last year all grammar schools in Bucks have become their own admissions authorities.

"Therefore grammar school admissions is no longer the direct responsibility of the local authority.

"However all Bucks grammar schools have expressed their intention to continue to work together with the local authority and to use the local authority to administer on their behalf a single unified admissions procedure based on the 11+ test.

"Grammar schools are currently working with the local authority and will in January be launching a public consultation on admissions arrangements."

Mr Wayne said he could not not comment any further on the matter at this time and could not clarify how any new test might differ from the current 11+ exam, if at all.

Earlier this year Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe introduced its own admissions test for prospective pupils, which would band it's 2013 intake of pupils into one of four different levels of ability.

This move prompted complaints from many upper schools in the county, although these were not upheld by the schools adjudicator.