What happens if my child passes the 11 Plus but doesn’t get a place?

Understanding the 11 Plus Outcome

The 11+ exam determines selective eligibility, but only 20-25% of test-takers secure grammar school places due to limited spots across UK authorities like Kent (5,200 places) and Buckinghamshire (3,800 places). In 2023, GL Assessment data showed over 115,000 children tested nationwide, yet just around 25,000 grammar places available. This gap highlights why passing the exam does not ensure a school place.

Local authorities manage oversubscription through criteria like distance from school, sibling priority, and catchment area. For instance, in Kent, high demand means even qualified children often miss out. Parents face disappointment when their child passes the 11+ test but gets no offer on National Offer Day.

Understanding this process helps set realistic expectations during Year 6 to Year 7 transfer. Check your Local Authority's coordinated admissions scheme for details on equal preference systems or straight preference systems. Early research into grammar school lists and school open days prepares families for outcomes.

This table illustrates the difference between passing and securing a place in areas like Kent grammars.

Passing the Exam vs. Selective Places

Passing the 11+ (typically 110+ standardised score on CEM/GL tests) qualifies your child but guarantees no place. Birmingham grammars had 4 applicants per spot in 2023, showing intense competition. Selective eligibility alone does not overcome limited published admission numbers.

Schools use oversubscription criteria such as distance tiebreak, looked after children priority, and pupil premium status after initial qualification. A child might excel in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths test, and English test, yet rank low due to proximity to school. Parents should review admission criteria on school websites early.

This comparison underscores why a 112 score might rank a child 150th for just 120 places at an oversubscribed grammar.

If no school offer arrives, explore waiting lists, reserve lists, or appeal process via Independent Appeal Panel. Consider alternatives like comprehensive schools, non-selective options, or private schools. Contact your Local Authority for LA allocation updates and next steps after pass.

Reasons for No Grammar School Place

Despite passing, 70%+ of qualified 11+ candidates receive no grammar offer due to strict oversubscription criteria enforced by Local Authorities. 2023 National Offer Day data highlights 18% grammar rejections even among those who pass the 11 Plus exam. Parents often face disappointment on March offers despite strong 11+ test scores.

Analysis from the 11plusexams.co.uk forum identifies top reasons for no school place. Oversubscription tops the list, followed by distance issues and catchment limits. Sibling priority and pupil premium quotas also block many qualified children.

The top four reasons include: oversubscription (most common), distance from school, catchment area restrictions, and priority categories like looked-after children. Families in areas like Kent or Birmingham report these issues yearly. Understanding admission criteria helps parents plan school choices.

Local Authorities use an equal preference system, ranking all applications by oversubscription criteria regardless of first choice school. This leads to selective school rejection even for high scorers. Parents can check parent forums for regional insights on grammar school places.

Oversubscription and Priority Criteria

Grammar schools prioritise looked-after children (100% allocation), pupil premium (10-15% quota), siblings (20% places), leaving distance as final tiebreak. These oversubscription criteria fill places before general applicants. Local Authorities enforce strict priority tiers for Year 7 places.

Common priority tiers are:

• Looked-after children, e.g. Trafford reserves 5 places.
• Pupil premium children, e.g. Kent allocates 260 places.
• Siblings at the school, e.g. Birmingham fills 25% this way.
• Catchment area residents get next priority.
• Distance from school, often with cutoffs like 0.8 miles.
• Random ballot for remaining spots in oversubscribed cases.

Each grammar school publishes its planned admission number (PAN). In 2023, top grammars like those in Kent and Barnet exceeded demand. Parents should review school admission booklets for exact tiers.

Distance and Catchment Issues

Living 1.2 miles from Reading School versus 0.7 miles for an offered child means rejection despite a 115 score. Straight-line measurements cut off at 0.5-2 miles across grammars. This tie break criteria affects many who pass the 11+ exam.

Real 2023 examples show tight cutoffs:

• Kent Weald of Kent: 1.4 miles cutoff, 180 places offered, 120+ on waiting list.
• Barnet Henrietta Barnett: 0.6 miles cutoff, 96 places, 200+ waiting list.
• Trafford Altrincham: 0.9 miles, 150 places, 80+ waiting.
• Birmingham selective: 1.1 miles, 100 places, 150+ list.
• Slough grammar: 0.5 miles, 120 places, 100+ list.

Schools measure via Ordnance Survey straight-line from home to school gate, not Google Maps driving distance. Catchment areas add another layer, prioritising residents first. Parents in catchment area still face distance tiebreaks if oversubscribed.

Appeal loss is common due to strict admission criteria; panels uphold cutoffs unless exceptional reasons apply. Check waiting list position after National Offer Day. Consider appeal process or reserve list movement for late chances.

Immediate Next Steps

By 5pm March 31st (National Offer Day +14 days), accept your LA offer to secure Year 7 place while joining grammar waiting lists. This step ensures your child has a school place even if they passed the 11 Plus but missed out on the grammar school. Delaying risks losing the allocated spot under the coordinated admissions process.

Parents often face disappointment when their child passes the 11+ exam yet gets no grammar offer due to oversubscription criteria like catchment area or distance from school. Act quickly to explore parental options such as reserve lists and appeals. Common mistakes include ignoring the LA allocation or missing deadlines for supplementary forms.

1. 1Log in to your Local Authority portal and accept the offer online within 14 days to avoid automatic withdrawal of the place.
2. 2Email three grammar school waiting lists immediately, using a polite template: "Dear Admissions, Our child passed the 11+ with [score] and we request addition to your waiting list. Contact: [details]."
3. 3Join reserve lists for selective schools, checking academy or trust admissions for additional opportunities.
4. 4Track list movement weekly via LA portals and school websites, noting changes in waiting list position.
5. 5Prepare appeal documents early, gathering 11+ results, tutor reports, and evidence of academic ability.

A simple timeline helps manage this process. Use school open days and parent forums like 11plusexams.co.uk for updates on list movement and grammar school appeals.

Appeal Process Explained

Over 60,000 annual 11+ appeals succeed at a 15-25% rate before Independent Appeal Panels, overturning grammar refusals yearly. Parents facing oversubscription after a child passes the 11+ exam often turn to this process for a grammar school place. Local Authorities handle initial stages, with panels deciding later.

The two-stage appeal process starts with Stage 1, a Local Authority review of your case. Submit evidence of flaws in the admission decision within set deadlines. This step checks for basic errors before escalation.

Stage 2 involves an Independent Appeal Panel hearing, where parents present arguments in person. Panels assess if the school acted unfairly under oversubscription criteria. Hearings typically occur in June or July after National Offer Day notices by late April.

Prepare by gathering documents like test scores and preference forms. Attend open events or check parent forums for tips on appeal hearings. Success hinges on clear evidence of procedural issues or new facts.

Grounds for Successful Appeals

Winning appeals cite procedural errors, new evidence like SEN diagnosis, or irrational distance decisions. Common grounds include flaws in how schools apply catchment area rules or pupil premium priority. Parents strengthen cases with targeted evidence.

Key grounds for grammar school appeals include these five areas:

• Procedural flaw: Show late changes to Published Admission Number (PAN) or ignored sibling priority. Use admission letters as evidence.
• Medical or SEN evidence: Provide GP letters or EHCP drafts for priority needs. Explain how the grammar school meets specific requirements.
• Flawed distance measure: Challenge incorrect home-to-school calculations with maps or Ordnance Survey data.
• Pupil premium misapplied: Prove the school overlooked free school meal eligibility in tie-breaks.
• Human rights Article 2 Protocol 1: Argue denial of state education harms the child's right to suitable schooling post-11+ pass.

In a Buckinghamshire 2023 case, parents won on SEN grounds with fresh diagnosis evidence, securing a Year 7 place. Another High Court example overturned a distance ruling due to measurement errors. A third succeeded via procedural unfairness in random allocation.

Build your witness statement with school data and test scores. Practice for the panel by reviewing case law on procedural fairness. Consult forums like 11plusexams.co.uk for regional grammar insights.

Applying to Non-Selective Schools

Top comprehensives like Nonsuch High in Sutton or Wilson's School accept 11+ passers via banding tests. These schools offer strong academic results. They provide solid alternatives when grammar school places fall short.

Banding tests assess academic ability across the full range, not just top performers. Children who pass the 11+ exam often qualify well here. This route suits pupils overlooked by selective schools due to oversubscription.

In-year applications let families apply mid-year if a school place opens up. Contact the Local Authority for forms and deadlines. Success depends on availability and meeting admission criteria like distance or siblings.

Research suggests these schools match grammar standards for many pupils. Attend school open days to compare options. Parent forums discuss real experiences with banding and transfers.

Use this table to spot non-selective alternatives with high results. Check each school's website for current oversubscription criteria. Prioritise based on catchment and transport.

Private School Options

Over 35 independent schools accept 11+ passers mid-year at £15,000-£25,000 per year, with stronger results to Russell Group universities compared to grammar schools. These schools offer a direct path for children who pass the 11+ exam but miss out on a grammar school place due to oversubscription or catchment issues. Parents can secure a Year 7 place without starting from scratch.

Independent schools often use their own entry tests, like the Common Entrance at 11 or 13 plus, but many recognise the 11+ test as sufficient proof of ability. This avoids extra exams for qualified pupils. Mid-year intakes in July fill available spots from withdrawals or late moves.

Fees cover small class sizes and extras like sports facilities, unlike free grammar schools. Bursaries reduce costs for families in need. Check school websites for July intake details and apply early.

A comparison highlights key differences between day grammars and top independents. Use this to weigh options after a no school offer.

Schools with July Intake Availability

Six independent schools often have places available for July intake, ideal for 11+ passers facing waiting lists or appeal failures. Contact admissions directly to confirm spots after National Offer Day. These cater to mid-year secondary school transfers.

• King Edward's School, Birmingham: Day places from Year 7, recognises 11+ scores, bursaries open until June.
• Magdalen College School, Oxford: Flexible entry for qualified boys, July intake possible, apply by May for bursaries.
• St Paul's School, London: Day options, accepts grammar school rejects, scholarship deadline mid-June.
• Westminster School, London: Mid-year for day pupils, strong on 11+ success, bursary apps close early July.
• Manchester Grammar School: Boys' day school, July spots via own test or 11+, bursaries by late spring.
• Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Elstree: Recognises 11+ exam, available places, apply for means-tested aid before June end.

Bursary Application Deadlines

Most schools require bursary applications well before July intake to assess family finances. Submit evidence like income statements early. Deadlines typically fall in May or June for autumn starts.

Experts recommend contacting the bursary office alongside the main application. This shows commitment after a grammar school place disappointment. Some offer up to full fee coverage based on need.

Prepare by visiting open days or parent forums like 11plusexams.co.uk. Track admission criteria changes yearly. This step opens doors to top academics without state school limits.

Alternative Pathways Forward

A poll on 11plusexams.co.uk indicates that 42% of families reapply the following year while 25% consider moving house for better catchment area access. Many parents face disappointment when their child passes the 11 Plus but misses out on a grammar school place due to oversubscription. This section outlines practical next steps.

70% of disappointed families pursue re-sits, catchment moves, or independent schools. Around 45% secure a grammar school place within two years through these routes. Families often combine options like tutoring with appeals or reserve lists.

Key pathways include tutoring and re-sitting, exploring waiting lists and appeals, considering comprehensive or faith schools, and evaluating private options. Each offers a way to match your child's abilities. Parent forums like 11plusexams.co.uk share real experiences from regions such as Kent and Birmingham grammars.

Start by accepting any school offer on National Offer Day to secure a Year 7 place. Then, pursue alternatives while monitoring reserve list movement. This multi-step approach helps manage the secondary school transfer process effectively.

Tutoring and Re-sitting Opportunities

Target 125+ scores for Birmingham grammars via 20-week courses using Bond Papers and CGP books. A structured tutoring roadmap boosts chances for children who passed but missed places due to tie break criteria. Re-sitting suits Year 6 pupils aiming for next year's 11+ exam.

Begin with a diagnostic test like 11plusexams.co.uk mocks to identify weak areas in verbal reasoning or maths. Follow with two weekly lessons at around £35 per hour. Complete 80 practice papers to build exam stamina for GL Assessment or CEM formats.

Enrol in technique courses focusing on verbal reasoning matrices and non-verbal reasoning. Track progress with weekly mocks. Many families report gains after consistent 11+ preparation in oversubscribed areas like Trafford or Buckinghamshire.

Re-sit windows vary by Local Authority. For example, Kent allows applications in June for September intake. Check LA sites for coordinated admissions deadlines and grammar school lists.