FOR most parents the outcome of their application for a place at one of the county’s secondary schools will not present any problems.

But there will always be some who have not got what they expected for their child and that will undoubtedly cause uncertainty.

This year, a number of unknown factors are likely to come into play as KCC has adopted new arrangements which see it act as the clearing house for all applications.

The admissions scheme, which the education authority was obliged to implement by the education secretary Charles Clarke, also sets out different arrangements for those who passed the 11-plus.

We asked KCC to set out answers to some of questions they expect parents may ask after they receive their letters telling them of the outcome of their applications.

The county council will also have a telephone helpline to deal with queries from Tuesday March 2. Call should be made to 01622 696565.

I have not received a letter telling me which school my child has been offered.

The letters were sent by first class post on 1 March. If you have not received a letter by Thursday 4 March either contact your child’s primary school headteacher or the admissions team at Invicta House.

Why was my first choice/preference school not given?

Because your preferred school had more preferences than the number of places available. Other pupils had a higher priority over your child when ranked against the school’s oversubscription criteria.

I’ve got my first preference school, which is a high school, but my child passed the grammar tests and I want them to go to a grammar school. What are my options?

The scheme says where a pupil is eligible for two or more of your named schools a place is allocated at whichever of these was your highest ranked. You can appeal for a place at any school you named on your Common Application Form. Included with your letter will be a single sheet giving details of how you can appeal for each secondary school in Kent.

My child passed the grammar tests. Why haven’t I got a grammar place?

Either because your preferred school had more preferences than the number of places available and other pupils had a higher priority over your child when ranked against the schools oversubscription criteria.

OR

The scheme says where a pupil is eligible for two or more of your named schools a place is allocated at whichever of these you ranked highest

My child did not get their first preference. Can I put their name on a waiting list?

Your child’s name can go on a reallocation list by writing to the LEA by 22 March. You can only ask that their name be put on the reallocation list for a school you ranked higher on your Common Application Form, not lower.

How does reallocation work?

If places become available they are allocated in the following priority order:

1 to children who have not been offered a school place

2 to children who have been offered a school place, but not any place named on the form

3 to children who have been offered a place but ranked a school at which a place has become available higher on their form.

When will I hear about reallocation?

Letters will be sent from the LEA on March 30.

When will the school I have been offered write to me?

The school will write to you within the next few working days.

Where can I get the grammar test scores from?

You can ask your primary school head teacher.

How do I appeal against a secondary school decision?

Included with your letter is a single sheet giving details of how you can appeal for each secondary school in Kent.

If I accept the place offered does it prejudice any appeal I might make?

No.

What should I put in my appeal?

You should explain clearly the reasons you wish your child to attend your preferred school.