Children from the non-selective areas of Kent (served by Angley School, Homewood School, Longfield Academy, Mascall's School, Marsh Academy) and out county candidates have to achieve the same scores. The following table shows the outcomes of the test.
Kent Grammar School Assessments for Year 6 children, for Admission in September 2011
This includes totals after Headteacher Assessments (Appeals) have taken place.
Boys | Girls | Total | |
Living in Kent Selective Areas | 7008 | 6827 | 13835 |
Children living in Kent selective areas who sat test | 3717 | 3939 | 7656 |
% who sat test | 53.0% | 57.7% | 55.3% |
Above children assessed grammar | 1774 | 1786 | 3560 |
% given grammar assessment | 25.3% | 26.1% | 25.7% |
Kent children tested outside selective areas | 513 | 545 | 1058 |
Kent children outside selective areas found grammar | 226 | 226 | 452 |
Children outside Kent tested | 1258 | 1087 | 2345 |
Children outside Kent found grammar | 722 | 584 | 1306 |
The number of out county children successful in the Kent Test is up from the 1156 of 2010, but only a small proportion of these children actually take up places in Kent grammar schools (137 boys and 117 girls offered places in Kent Grammar schools in March 2011 for admission in September).
The pass score may appear to be less forgiving than 2010's aggregate 360 with each mark needing to be 117 or more that allowed the child to dip a little in one subject, but the same proportion of children has been selected, and the headteacher assessment process is designed to pick up those of the required standard who may have fallen short. I had expected the shift in marks to favour boys, but the overall pass rate belies this theory, possibly because of results form the Headteacher assessment.
The number of children who sat the test is almost identical to last year, at 11,003 (10,947 in 2010). 4020 Kent children passed the test, a small decline in numbers from 2010 (4139), reflecting the smaller number of children in the age group.
Sadly, Kent's Choice Adviser scheme, offering free advice independent advice on secondary transfer issues has fallen victim of government economies, but you should certainly speak to your child's primary headteacher about any admission issues, KCC Secondary Admission Team on 01622 696565 may be able to help, or of course you can use my popular Telephone Consultation Service which offers independent advice taking into account individual circumstances and local situations. A half hour session is usually sufficient to cover all relevant issues, but if you send as full details in as possible, I can advise you if a longer session would be necessary. You should find the page Kent Grammar Schools provides considerable information and advice on application.