Grammar school Application missed

[MK1975]

We made a terrible error in missing the deadline to fill the grammar school application form by a week.

I know these are just excuses but I have been busy with my mom who had a suspect growth, so been traveling back home (she is outside UK) for MRI, surgery etc. for the last 2 months. In the chaos my hubby and I had thought that each other had filled the form. To add to that confusion I had called our council who said I only had to fill the form in october (which I now realize was the CAF and not the school admission form), which made me think we were fine.

We moved to the UK recently so weren't as aware. Our child has been going to coaching etc. for nearly 9 months and is very serious about getting in so you can imagine we are feeling terrible ..

any thoughts on what we can do?

Do you mean the application for the test? You can ring the school and ask if they will accept a late application for the test, explain your mum's situation and they may let your child sit the test.

Is it a school test or Local Authority co ordinated test? If it’s a Local Authority (is MK a clue?) they will have details on the web site about what you can do and what happens now. If it is a school administered test, you must contact the school.

Thanks it’s a school test. We called them but they said they will respond via email and it’s unlikely they will let us take the test 😟. We have emailed and waiting for their response

There was a similar case on here last year (or maybe the year before) where the school initially refused a late entry, but the poster was persuaded to be persistent, but also polite, and escalate it within the school, giving full reasons/justification for the late application at every stage, and eventually was allowed to sit it. And passed ***

We have the tests where I live and there is a late test, might be worth asking if there is one in your area.

What test is it? Can you use a different centre?

Most schools are terrified about being seen to prevent children sitting an entrance exam as the schools adjudicator tends to take a dim view, even if they're following their own policy. In addition to the case listed in a previous post (Latymer Edmonton if I remember correctly), I know a couple of people who applied late but were allowed to sit.
You must make it clear that you were told the deadline was October when you called your council.
My advice would be:

• mail the admissions team, cc'ing the head teacher and the council schools team
• if not successful, mail the board of governors
• if not successful, contact your MP, though I've never seen this step needed.

But you must move fast as once the school shuts for summer, it's hard to get any response at all.

Best of luck.

It's not that kind of exam unfortunately, FanDabby. In our area, the 11+ is run by the grammars on the same day and time - the same exam, too.

OP, have you tried the 11+ forum - it has local areas, have a look on there.

It's the Kendrick school in reading. They flatly refused to let the child sit for the exam though they do have a late exam. I did try to appeal to their values of kindness and tolerance (cheeky I know but am desperate) but it didn't work. I do think they are being very rigid but will try to see if we can escalate. Unfortunately they are not supervised by any council so not sure of what we can do further

It says here that they will consider late entries in exceptional circumstances and what to do.

www.kendrickschool.org.uk/

Says apply and e-mail admissions to say why exceptional circumstances - any proof you have may help.

So if you have any e-mail from council, any MRI /medical details/ proof out of country etc would scan it and send. They can still refuse and its borderline as onus is on parent to get it right but you've been through a lot and hopefully they will be sympathetic. Adding a line or two about how amazing the school is etc never does any harm - Headteacher makes decision.

Thank you for writing in. So the head teacher of our primary school has written to Kendrick and We have also sent across the medical records of mom

Unfortunately it's still a No. even for the late exam which is in Jan 2020 and they can accommodate

My OH is getting worked up on their response and frankly very hard to talk to attitude. He has got our MP to write to them too, and is planning a 1 man protest 😀 at the council offices. His logic is that we pay all this tax and can get a break from the school

It seems a tough decision from the school as we are 9 days late in asking to sit for the exam

It maybe worth trying the 11 plus forum www.elevenplusexams.co.uk and click on forum though think Head has final say.

If he's exceptional at anything it may help to mention it though sounds like she doesn't want to budge. I would persist but would try to avoid anything that makes you look like you will be difficult parents or at least consider it very carefully. Trying council is worth it and see if anyone has ideas on 11 plus forum, done by area. Good luck.

'which I now realize was the CAF and not the school admission form'. What is the CAF?

CAF is council admission form where you list 4 schools in priority order and they will give you admission. The kendrick school admission form is a stand alone document which allows you to sit for the exam

The registration for the 11+ test for the Sutton grammar schools is still open. Yes, I know it is miles away, but if your child is eligible, and is offered a place, you could move house, if a grammar school education is important to you.

link here