Out of County application for Kent test 2024

[expatinmys]

Hi All, we are returning to the UK by June this year but due to issues with tenants not moving out, we will not be able to move into our home in Kent.

We will be living near Surrey and register DS in a school there.

Will this be an issue with the registration for the Kent Test?

Where are normally the test centres for Out of county applicants and would the council communicate directly with the parents or via the school?

We understand that we need to move into our Kent address before the end of October to be within catchment area.

Thanks all

From Kent County Council website:

If you live outside Kent

You can register your child for testing, but please only do so if you intend to apply for a place at a Kent grammar school. Every year, time and resources are wasted when children who are registered to take the test do not turn up.
Some of Kent’s grammar schools - particularly those which are most likely to offer places to children from outside Kent - give priority to those with the highest scores.

You'd probably have to contact KCC to find out where your nearest test centre would be as your DDs primary school won't administer the test. The test for candidates outside of Kent this year will likely be weekend of 8th/9th September, just after those in Kent have sat it.

Thanks. I thought it would be the second Saturday of September for out of County exams. So we were planning for the 14th of Saturday. Just wondering if many are doing multiple exams. I heard some children sit for up to 4 exams for different counties.

I was going by when my DS did it, it was the first Thursday back in September and same for 2023. Regardless it’s always early. It’ll be published on the KCC website probably when registration opens in the summer (June/July) if not before. Yes some will also sit tests for Medway Grammars and Bexley grammars I believe. But there are catchments at play so you’ll need to investigate those too. TBH it’s a minefield and quite stressful and passing the test still doesn’t guarantee you a place!

Thanks for the insight. I've read recently on some forums that there are parents who get their DC to sit up to 5 exams and then move to the region where the child has scored the highest. Kent seems to be most popular with parents aiming for Judd or Skinners.

Some people do sit for a range of grammars, either as practise or to keep their options open. It is easier with grammars who offer some places regardless of distance, as you don't have to move by October. Otherwise the timescales don't really work, as it is usually a few weeks between getting results and application deadline. Plus moving home is a big commitment that many decide is not worth it after all.

@expatinmys as BendingSpoons says, the timelines would be tight as you sit early Sept, results 6 weeks later and SCAF deadline a week after that. Judd and Skinners and TW boys grammar all have catchments, the former two have “inner” and “outer” catchments. You have to score higher if you’re in the outer catchment. I think 2023 cut offs are available on the school website or on KCC website. As are each school’s admissions policy and also how far the last place offered was last year (think it was around 13-14 miles for Skinners, but don’t quote me on that!)