Kent Test and applying for schools

[StringersBell]

Apologies if this has been done to death, but I have what on the face of it should be a simple query, but can’t seem to find the answer!

DC, currently Y5, will likely be taking the Kent Test next year. I understand that even if they pass, it still doesn’t guarantee them a place. We live v close to an excellent comprehensive school which we would definitely want DC to go to should they pass Kent Test but still not get into a grammar.

So - when choosing the four schools on the selection form, am I right in that we will need to put the comprehensive on there, in 4th preference, to guarantee a place if the three grammars decline?

Yes you do - for one thing you can’t appeal to schools if you haven’t named them on your initial application.

Always put schools in your true order of preference, regardless of whether they're grammars. So if the three grammars are your true favourites, you should put them first (in preference order), followed by the comp. But if you'd actually prefer the comp to say your least favourite of the grammars, then you should reflect that in your ordering.

Do be aware that the comp isn't guaranteed either, though it may be very very likely depending on your distance and any other criteria. You should always try to include a 'safe bet' school in there somewhere. Sounds like you might he lucky and have this excellent comp as your safe bet.

Thanks Both for taking the time to reply, really appreciated. That does confirm what I thought would need to happen. We are v lucky indeed to have the excel comp on our doorstep. I’m not yet sure whether a grammar would suit D.C., but will decide once the 11+ is done; even if they pass, we may still choose the comp anyway.

Thanks again!

Take your child around to school viewings and see which schools they feel happy with. We viewed a mix of main stream schools and grammar. Gives you a chance to weigh everything up.

Thanks @Sunshine12098, def will be doing that 😊

I’m not yet sure whether a grammar would suit D.C., but will decide once the 11+ is done; even if they pass, we may still choose the comp anyway

Can you do that? Usually once you are allocated a school the places at other choices lower down the list are withdrawn.

If the comp is as excellent as you say it’s presumably oversubscribed? If so if you are allocated a grammar and then change your mind you will go on a waiting list with everyone else and will be hoping enough people drop out.

Or are the 11+ exams/results done with before the application goes in? It isn’t in my area.

@Nomoreusernames1244

I’m not yet sure whether a grammar would suit D.C., but will decide once the 11+ is done; even if they pass, we may still choose the comp anyway

Can you do that? Usually once you are allocated a school the places at other choices lower down the list are withdrawn.

If the comp is as excellent as you say it’s presumably oversubscribed? If so if you are allocated a grammar and then change your mind you will go on a waiting list with everyone else and will be hoping enough people drop out.

Or are the 11+ exams/results done with before the application goes in? It isn’t in my area.

Kent Test results come out before the schools application deadline.

@Nomoreusernames1244

I’m not yet sure whether a grammar would suit D.C., but will decide once the 11+ is done; even if they pass, we may still choose the comp anyway

Can you do that? Usually once you are allocated a school the places at other choices lower down the list are withdrawn.

If the comp is as excellent as you say it’s presumably oversubscribed? If so if you are allocated a grammar and then change your mind you will go on a waiting list with everyone else and will be hoping enough people drop out.

Or are the 11+ exams/results done with before the application goes in? It isn’t in my area.

Yes, test is done in September, the results come out October (they came out on Thursday last week) and you have until 1st week of November to apply for schools. If you put down grammar schools, they will get to see your child's 11+ mark, i believe if your child is going to a non-grammar school, they only get to see your mark if you tell them, but most don't bother asking.

I was advised to use the 4 places as 2 grammar and 2 not selective, but then last year with all the covid nonsense, we were given 6 places so applied for 3 grammars and 3 non-grammars.

On reflection, I think if dc1 hadn't got into our 1st choice grammar, the next 2 wouldn't have been right for him anyway and our 4th place that was a free school would have been a better fit, so we are lucky in that way. Dont just think grammar or grammar stream is best. Many of the non grammars have kids who passed the 11+ but for various reasons not going to grammar. (Distance, faith, political view of grammars, wanting to be at same school as sibling etc)

@Nomoreusernames1244 Whereabouts in the country are you, and do you mean that the test results are always not available before selecting preferences or just this year/last year? It is in the admissions code that selective schools must make reasonable steps to make results of tests available before 31st October, when parents select preferences, so they have an idea of whether they have a reasonable chance of being admitted (but obviously can't say for definite until they receive all applications). I know that things were different last year due to COVID meaning that the tests were later however, and I'm not sure if it has had an impact on anywhere this year.

Hi there
My girl has passed the 11+ Live in TW.
Any advice /experience on Weald of Kent grammar vs TWIGGS? In terms of culture / environment ?