Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Do you want your child to go to a selective school?

Is your preferred school a selective school?

As with non-selective schools, when the LA (Local Authority) names a selective school in your child's Statement, the school must admit him or her. However, the LA needs to determine whether the school is suitable in terms of your child's ability and aptitude, as well as their age and special needs. In Kent this is normally determined through the child sitting the Kent Test.

If you want your child to attend a selective school, you can do this in the normal way by letting the LA know when you complete the preference form at the end of your child's Year 5. Your child's primary school will be able to provide information about the test and will make arrangements for your child to sit the test. When the test results are known, these are advised to your Area AEN Team.

What happens if your child's special needs mean that he or she might need some special arrangements so that they can sit the test?

If your child has special needs that mean some special arrangements might need to be made (for example, if your child has a visual impairment), your school and the Area AEN Team will identify these difficulties. Your Area AEN Team will liaise with the school, the Area Admissions Team and other relevant professionals as necessary to determine what arrangements, if any, need to be put in place to make it possible for your child's suitability for a selective place to be assessed.

If you child is not successful in securing a place in a selective school and you wish to appeal this decision when the Final Amended Statement has been sent to you naming a non-selective school, you will have a right of appeal to the SEN and Disability Tribunal. An appeal needs to be made within 2 months of the LEA's issue of the Final Statement.

Copyright Kent County Council 2009