Clear, useful school guides for Kent families.
No jargon, no scare tactics. Just practical help for Kent Test planning, admissions, SEND questions, open days and choosing schools with confidence.
The Kent school admissions calendar 2026/27: every deadline, month by month
One calendar for the whole Kent admissions year. Every Kent Test, secondary, primary, appeal and in-year deadline for the 2026/27 cycle, laid out month by month and checked against Kent County Council.
Kent Test 2027: dates, registration and preparing in Year 5
Everything Kent parents need for the September 2027 Kent Test, including expected dates, who can register, what the papers cover and how to use Year 5 well.
Free school transport in Kent: the 2-mile and 3-mile rules explained
A plain-English guide to Kent's free school transport rules: the age-based distance thresholds, low income extensions, and how to apply.
Free school meals in Kent: who qualifies and how to apply
Who qualifies for free school meals in Kent, what's changing from September 2026, and how to apply, explained in plain English.
Term-time holidays in Kent: the rules, the fines, and what actually happens
What actually happens if you take your child out of school in term time in Kent, including the current fine amounts and how the rules work.
Moving from primary to secondary: helping your child cope with the jump
The emotional and practical side of starting secondary school, once the admissions paperwork is done, and how to help your child feel ready.
Academy, community, voluntary aided, free school: what the labels actually mean for parents
A plain-English guide to what school types actually mean for Kent parents, from community schools to academies, and whether it should affect your choice.
Moving your child mid-year without moving house: in-year transfers in Kent
How to apply to move your child to a different Kent school mid-year, what to expect, and what to do if you're refused a place.
EHCPs in Kent: applying, timelines, and what happens if you disagree
How to request an EHC needs assessment in Kent, what the 20-week timeline actually involves, and what to do if you disagree with a decision.
Starting school a year late: the rules on summer-born deferred entry in Kent
Can you delay your summer-born child starting school in Kent? A plain-English guide to deferred and delayed entry, and how to request it.
Parents' evenings: how to get something useful out of them
Practical tips for making the most of a short parents' evening slot, including questions worth asking and how to prepare beforehand.
School attendance and persistent absence: what the school has to do, and what help is available
What "persistent absence" actually means, how it's different from a fine, and what support schools have to offer before things escalate.
Bursaries and scholarships at Kent's independent schools: what's actually available
How bursaries and scholarships actually work at Kent's independent schools, the difference between them, and how to apply.
Kent Test 2026: test dates and preparation
Kent Test 2026 was sat on 10 September (12-13 September out of county). Results Thursday 15 October; applications close 2 November.
Primary school places in Kent 2026/27: dates and timeline
The 2026/27 Kent primary admissions round in plain English: the 15 January 2027 deadline, 16 April 2027 offer day, appeal dates and what to check before naming schools.
Finding the right SEND support: what to ask, and who can help
A practical checklist for parents comparing school support for children with additional needs.
School open days in Kent: what to look for when you visit
A simple visit checklist covering classrooms, pastoral care, clubs, travel and the questions parents often forget to ask.
Secondary school admissions in Kent: dates, forms and how allocation actually works
The Kent secondary admissions timetable, how to fill in the Secondary Common Application Form and what happens on National Offer Day.
School catchment areas in Kent: how distance really affects your chance
Catchment isn't a fixed line; it moves each year with demand. Here's how to read last year's distances sensibly.
Moving to Kent with school-age children: an honest school-first guide
How to time your move around school admissions, find in-year places and avoid ending up on a long waiting list.
Kent school appeals: when to appeal, what to say and what to expect
A calm walkthrough of the school admissions appeals process for Kent families, including timings, panels and how to build your case.
Secondary school admissions in Kent: a step-by-step timeline
How the Year 6 to Year 7 secondary application actually works in Kent, from opening the online form to National Offer Day and what to do if you don't get your first choice.
Primary school admissions in Kent: reception applications explained
How to apply for a reception class place in Kent, the dates that matter, and how oversubscription criteria decide who gets in.
Moving to Kent with school-age children: what parents need to know
A calm guide to relocating to Kent mid-year, from in-year applications to catchment realities and how to shortlist schools before you exchange contracts.
Grammar vs independent in Kent: which route is right for your family?
A parent-friendly comparison of the grammar and independent routes at 11+, weighing cost, pressure, journey time and long-term fit.
How to get the most from school open days in Kent
What to look for, what to ignore and the questions that actually reveal what a school will be like for your child.
Ofsted ratings explained: what Good, Outstanding and Requires Improvement really mean
How to read an Ofsted report properly, and why the headline word is only a small part of the picture.
School uniform in Kent: what to expect and how to save
A practical guide to uniform costs, sew-in badges, second-hand sales and the new statutory limits on branded items.
Starting reception: a calm September checklist
What your child actually needs to be able to do before their first day, and what school will teach them regardless.
Faith schools in Kent: how admissions really work
Church of England, Catholic and other faith schools use different admissions criteria - here is how to know if your family qualifies.
Sixth form or college? Post-16 choices in Kent
A-levels, T-levels, BTECs and apprenticeships all sit alongside each other at 16. Here is how to choose the right route.