Parent guides

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.

Kent Test01

Kent Test 2026: dates, registration and calm preparation

A parent-friendly guide to the Kent Test, including the key dates to watch, what the assessment covers and how to prepare without turning Year 5 into a pressure cooker.

Updated July 202612 min read
Admissions02

Applying for a primary school place in Kent: a plain-English timeline

What to do, when to do it and what to check before naming primary schools on your application form.

Updated July 202610 min read
SEND03

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
School visits04

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Admissions05

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.

Updated July 202612 min read
Catchment06

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.

Updated July 202612 min read
Relocating07

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Appeals08

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Admissions09

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.

Updated July 202612 min read
Admissions010

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.

Updated July 202612 min read
Moving to Kent011

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.

Updated July 202612 min read
Kent Test012

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Choosing a school013

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Choosing a school014

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Money015

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Starting school016

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.

Updated July 20268 min read
Choosing a school017

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.

Updated July 202610 min read
Post-16018

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.

Updated July 202610 min read