Parents are still waiting to find out the date of next year's 11-plus exam.

KCC wants the exam - also known as the Kent Test - to be brought forward from January 2009 to September 2008, just after the end of the summer holidays.

The council says parents support the change but it has been challenged by many schools.

As a result, KCC must have the scheme approved by the Secretary of State for Education. A decision is not expected until the end of this month.

The uncertainty has left schools and parents in limbo, with many youngsters facing the prospect of spending their summer holidays sweating over past papers instead of lounging by the pool.

The head teacher of East Farleigh Primary School, Valerie Ellis, said no special arrangements were being made to prepare the children in case the test is brought forward.

She said: “We are not doing any 11-plus papers – we’re not allowed to.

I’m sure some pupils are doing them at home and if parents want to use private tutors, that’s up to them.”

One private tutor, who is coaching three children outside school hours, condemned the proposed September date.

She said: “Of course, it’s a good idea to have the results of the test before parents have to apply for school places, but many children will be taking the exam while they are still barely 10 – and after a holiday when they forget so much.”

A KCC spokesman said: “We will let schools and parents know the date as soon as we hear back from the Government.”