More than 14,300 children who took the 11-plus this year will find out today whether they have a place at one of the county’s 33 grammars.

Figures released by the county council indicate that the number of pupils who sat the test increased by 625 to 14,349 this year.

At the same time, the number who passed the test rose by 278 to 6,537. Of these, 4,369 are from Kent compared with 2,145 outside the county.

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As in previous years, the number of children passing is greater than the number of places available.

However, KCC says it expects a number of children will not take up places at its grammars, easing the pressure.

There are 4,959 places available compared with 4,767 last year.

The figures are likely to be under greater scrutiny this year in the wake of the government’s announcement that it wants to allow new grammars.

KCC says that most of those who apply for a place from Kent are likely to secure a place.

Cllr Roger Gough, KCC cabinet member for education, said:

“As in previous years many children from outside Kent will be unsuccessful in their grammar school applications, this is due to the nature of the oversubscription criteria for Kent schools.”

“Consequently the 4369 children from Kent that have been assessed suitable for grammar school will, in most circumstances, enjoy priority for the majority of 4959 places available at Kent grammar schools.”

“We anticipate a high proportion of the 2145 pupils from outside Kent will be naming Kent schools, but experience also tells us the vast majority of these children ultimately secure school places in a variety of provision in their home local authorities.”

Results will be available online from today at 5pm on the council’s website. For the first time, the scores for the tests will also be available online for those registered.

Letters will be sent to all 14,349 families on Thursday afternoon, to arrive on doormats from Friday.

Parents need to submit an application for their child’s secondary school by Monday 31 October and can name up to four schools in order of preference.

Key questions:

If a child passed the Kent test, will they automatically be offered a grammar school?

No. A Kent grammar school assessment does not guarantee a child will be offered a Kent grammar school place.

If more children apply for places than a school can accommodate the school will use its oversubscription criteria to decide which children it can take.

Some children assessed suitable for grammar school may be offered places at all-ability schools if no local grammar school can offer them a place or if their parents name it as a higher preference.

When will families find out which school they have been allocated?

The national offer day is March 1, 2017. Families who registered online and provided a valid email address will be sent an email after 4pm on March 1.

Families will also be sent a letter posted 1st Class on March 1, 2017, advising which school their child has been offered.