With around 6,000 pupils competing for 600-800 grammar school places in Bexley alone, and other boroughs attracting similar numbers, the reality is that sadly most students will not get a place in a grammar school of their choice.
We understand this can be an upsetting time for both pupils and parents, but it’s important to take a step back, put things into perspective and assess the options.
- I’m targeting a Bexley grammar school but my child didn’t pass the 11+ test for Bexley, but did pass their Kent test
This is a common scenario. Usually, pupils must pass the Bexley 11+ test to get into a Bexley school. However, there is one exception: Beths Grammar School.
If your son (Beths is a boys’ school) did not pass the Bexley 11+ test, but passed the Kent 11+ test, there is a possibility your child could get into Beths Grammar School.
As per the Beths Grammar School website:
“…Where none of the above apply (not deemed selective in the Bexley 11+ test), but a child has been deemed selective in the Kent (Dartford 11+) test, and can supply the School with confirmation of this. The order for this criterion is 1. Applicants who are or have been a Child in Local Authority Care, 2. Applicants with a sibling attending Beths Grammar School at the time of enrolment, 3. Applicants with a parent employed by Beths Grammar School on a permanent contract at the time of application, 4. Pupil Premium/Free School Meals applicants (only available if this criterion under being deemed selective in the Bexley 11+ test has not already been exhausted. 5. Distance – On the basis of proximity to the school measured by reference to the shortest radial distance (direct line distance between the applicant’s home address to Beths Grammar School’s east entrance in Hartford Road). Where the distance is identical to 0.001 of a mile, the scores in the selection tests will be used as a tie-breaker with priority given to the higher score.
Dependent upon the agreed pass mark (which is an arbitrary figure), we would be content to offer to students who attained a minimum of 214 – the mark that, historically, has not been offered below on the Bexley Test. Once exhausted we would then use those who had passed the Kent Test (Criteria 8, and they would be offered in rank order and according to the criteria 1-7 listed above).”
2. My child passed the 11+ test, but not for the borough I was targeting
This is another common scenario. We understand that parents usually prefer to send their children to grammar schools that perhaps have an excellent reputation. However, grammar schools in general will be good irrespective of which borough they are in. There are some parents who send their children to schools several boroughs away. This is definitely a commitment on behalf of the student, but this has been done by thousands of students every year.
If the distance and logistics work out, you may wish to consider a grammar school which you previously did not realistically consider before.
My child did not pass any of the 11+ tests
Of the approximate 6,000 pupils that sit the test in Bexley, the majority do not pass, sadly. This is similar to other boroughs.
However, all hope is not lost.
The 11 plus curriculum is very high-level for Year 4/Year 5 students. As such, pupils studying for the 11+ will be operating at a very high level compared to their peers (even if they did not pass the test).
When these students eventually go to a local state school, they will typically end up in Set 1 for their classes – if the school operates a setting system. A ‘set’ just means a group or a class, and ‘1’ usually refers to the top class (most academic). This means that pupils in Set 1 in a state school are probably operating at a similar academic level to pupils in grammar school. There are many good state secondary schools in Bexley, and this will also be the case for Kent and other areas.
I have been working in state schools for over 15 years so I know first-hand how able, committed and enthusiastic pupils can be in state schools, especially those in Set 1.
4. I’m not satisfied with the above; what can I do?
It is possible to appeal. However, appeals are rarely successful, headteachers are usually reluctant to support an appeal and it takes a lot of effort to put together the evidence.
Another thing to bear in mind is that there will be hundreds of pupils who did pass the 11 plus test, but still did not gain a place in a grammar school. Therefore, appealing on behalf of a child that failed the 11 plus test with the expectation of getting them a place in a grammar school is quite unlikely.
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Grammar School Pathway 