What the result tells you
A pass, or qualifying score, means your child has met the standard the test sets, but it is not always a guaranteed place. Where schools are oversubscribed, places are offered by admissions criteria such as catchment and ranking, so a qualifying score and an offer are not the same thing. Confirm how your target schools rank and allocate places.
If your child does not pass
First, keep your reaction warm and steady. A great many children thrive at excellent non selective schools, and one exam at age ten does not define their future. Remind your child that you are proud of the effort, then look calmly at the options.
Waiting lists and accepting a place
Always submit your main application and accept the school place you are offered, as this guarantees a place for Year 7 while you explore alternatives. If your child narrowly missed an offer, ask to join the waiting list, because places do move between the national offer date and the start of term as families accept other schools.
Considering an appeal
You can appeal, but it helps to be realistic. Success rates for grammar school appeals are low, and they vary by area and year, particularly where a child did not meet the academic standard. An appeal is usually strongest where there is clear evidence that something affected the result, such as illness on the day or an administrative error. Check the deadline and process with the school or local authority.
Keeping perspective
Whatever the result, the work your child put in was not wasted. The reading, reasoning and study habits built along the way carry straight into secondary school, wherever they go next.
See where your child stands
Book a live 11 Plus mock exam and get a standardised score, section breakdown and UK-wide ranking. Your first mock is free.