Parents and carers who would like their children to be considered for a grammar school place in Kent from September 2022 have just under two weeks to register them for the Kent Test.

Shellina Prendergast – encouraging more children receiving free school meals to apply for the Kent Test

Registration needs to be completed by midnight on 1 July and, to be eligible, children must be resident in the UK and expecting to start their final year in primary school in September 2021.

This year’s test will go ahead in September, as is normally the case – unlike last year when it was delayed by a month in line with Department for Education COVID-19 guidance.

The test is expected to be held on 9 September for children who currently go to school in Kent or the weekend of 11 September for those attending school outside Kent.

Shellina Prendergast, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “The Kent Test helps parents and children to identify the most suitable type of school for the next stage of their education.

“If you are interested in a grammar school place for your child, you need to register them for the Kent Test by the deadline of 1 July.

“While it has been a difficult year for all families, the Kent Test combines a formal assessment with an independent review process led by Kent Head Teachers, allowing each child’s individual circumstances to be considered before a result is decided.

“In light of all that children have had to cope with over the last year, we are continuing to work with schools in an effort to ensure that the process does not disadvantage them further.

“Nearly all Kent grammar schools now give some priority for pupils eligible for free school meals in their admissions arrangements and we are particularly keen to encourage these families to register and sit the test if their child is interested in attending a Kent grammar school.”

Parents are encouraged to register online at www.kent.gov.uk/ola and can find further information at www.kent.gov.uk/kenttest. Applicants who provide a valid email address will be e-mailed after 4pm on 21 October with their child’s result. All other applicants will be sent their outcome letter by first class post sent on the same day.

While KCC does not expect that changes will be necessary to the published dates of the Kent Test, registered families will be contacted directly if COVID makes current plans untenable.

Children must not attend the assessment if they are in a period of self-isolation or exhibit COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the test. Details of alternative arrangements will be confirmed shortly after their originally scheduled test date.

Parents are also reminded to submit a Secondary Transfer Admissions application for their child when the process opens in early September. While all families that want their child to take the Kent Test should register with KCC, they should apply to their home council for Secondary Transfer.

School offers will be made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2022, and each child will be offered their highest available preference. Children are not guaranteed a place at a Kent Grammar school just because their child receives a selective assessment through the Kent Test.