Episode 1

In the first episode we follow a group of children from Upland Primary School as they prepare to take the test right up until results day. Ten-year-old Joanita has had extra lessons outside school for nearly three years in preparation for the test. Summer, also ten, is one of the few children at the school who will be taking the test without any private tuition. Critics of the selection test say private tutors give an unfair advantage to the children of wealthier families but supporters argue the test is designed to be tutor-proof. If Joanita and Summer don't reach the 'selective' level, they might go to Erith School, a secondary modern which is striving to pick itself up after an Ofsted report which judged the school to require improvement. Two miles away is another possible destination if they do reach the selective level - Townley Grammar school is one of the country's best, judged to be outstanding by Ofsted.