The 11+ Results Are Out. What If Your Child Didn’t Pass?

Ms George’s Musings | Maidstone Learning Centre | October 2026

Well, the results are here!

After months of preparation, practice papers, vocabulary lists, mathematical reasoning, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mock examinations and perhaps a few nervous parents along the way, the Kent and Medway 11+ results have finally arrived.

First, to every child who achieved the required standard: Congratulations!

You worked hard, persevered and achieved something wonderful. You should be proud of yourselves.

But today, I particularly want to speak to the parents and children whose results were not quite what they hoped for.

Perhaps your child missed the required mark by two points. Perhaps they achieved an excellent overall score but fell short in one particular paper. Perhaps they performed brilliantly in our practice assessments but struggled on the actual day.

And perhaps, as a parent, you are sitting there thinking, “What now?”

Well, here’s what I want you to know.

• One Examination Does Not Define Your Child

I have worked with enough children over the years to know that academic ability cannot always be captured by one examination on one particular morning.

Some children are naturally confident under examination conditions. Others know the material beautifully but become overwhelmed when the clock starts ticking.

Some have an excellent grasp of mathematics but find reasoning more challenging.

And some simply have an off day.

That does not automatically mean they are unsuitable for grammar school. Equally, grammar school is not necessarily the best environment for every academically capable child.

The important thing is to understand your child’s strengths, their needs and the options available.

• Can You Appeal?

Yes, in both Kent and Medway, although the process is different.

Medway no longer has its separate academic review process immediately after the 11+ results. However, parents can still apply to grammar schools and appeal if a place is refused in March 2027.

Kent also allows parents whose children were not assessed as grammar-school suitable to apply for grammar schools and subsequently appeal against a refusal.

So, if your child narrowly missed the mark, please don’t assume that every door has closed.

But I must also say this: an appeal is not a second chance to sit the examination, nor is it automatically successful because a child missed the mark by only one or two points.

An appeal requires thoughtful preparation, relevant evidence and a genuine explanation of why the school is right for your child.

• My Advice to Parents

First, do not rush into making decisions while emotions are running high.

Look carefully at the results.

Speak to your child’s primary school.

Research your preferred secondary schools.

And, importantly, submit your secondary school application on time.

For Medway residents, the application deadline is 31 October 2026. For Kent residents, it is 2 November 2026.

If you are considering an appeal, make sure the relevant grammar school is included among your preferences, alongside realistic alternative schools.

• What Happens If an Appeal Is Unsuccessful?

Your child’s education continues.

Their potential remains.

Their future is still theirs to shape.

Some children thrive in grammar schools. Others excel in comprehensive schools, develop confidence, discover new strengths and achieve exceptional GCSE results.

The school matters, certainly. But so do the child’s attitude, the support around them, the quality of teaching and their willingness to keep learning.

At Maidstone Learning Centre, we will continue to support our students regardless of which secondary school they attend.

• How MLC Can Help

We are offering educational guidance for families who want to understand their Kent or Medway 11+ results and consider their next steps.

We can help review scores, discuss academic evidence, identify areas for further development and explain the general appeal process.

We can also support children through the remainder of Year 6 and prepare them for a confident transition into Year 7.

And to my lovely students who missed the mark: I want you to hold your heads high.

You have learnt so much over the past year. You have developed skills, tackled difficult questions and achieved things that once seemed impossible.

A near miss is not the same as a failure.

And to the parents — please celebrate the effort as well as the outcome.

Because the children are watching how we respond.

With warm wishes,

Ms George
Centre Director
Maidstone Learning Centre

Small Steps, Big Successes.