The Procedure for Entry into Secondary Education (PESE) can be a difficult time for parents and children alike, but we are here to support our families through the process which starts in the summer of Year 5 and hope that you find the information on these pages useful. However, if you have any questions then please do come and speak to us.
Key Dates for Secondary Transition (September 2025)
Monday 3rd June 2024 | Online registration for the Kent Test opens
Monday 1st July 2024 | Closing date for Kent Test applications
Monday 2nd September 2024 | School applications open
Thursday 12th September 2024 | Kent Test
Thursday 17th October 2024 | Assessment decision sent to parents
Thursday 31st October 2024 | Closing date for secondary school applications
Monday 3rd March 2025 | National Offer Day
Monday 17th March 2025 | Places must be accepted/refused
Monday 31st March 2025 | Deadline for appeals to be submitted
Key Dates for Secondary Transition (September 2026)
May 2025 (Dates TBC) | Information Session with Mr Tibbles
May 2025 (Dates TBC) | Individual consultations with Mr Tibbles
Monday 2nd June 2025 | Online registration for the Kent Test opens
Tuesday 1st July 2025 | Closing date for Kent Test applications
Monday 1st September 2025 | School applications open
Thursday 11th September 2025 | Kent Test
Thursday 16th October 2025 | Assessment decision sent to parents
Friday 31st October 2025 | Closing date for secondary school applications
Monday 2nd March 2026 | National Offer Day
Monday 16th March 2026 | Places must be accepted/refused
Monday 30th March 2026 | Deadline for appeals to be submitted
Applying for a Secondary School
Choosing the right school for your child
When applying for a secondary school for your child, you can choose up to four schools and it is important to consider which schools are best suited for your child. We are lucky enough in Canterbury that we have a great many good schools around and they all have different strengths.
The local secondary schools that the majority of Bridge children go on to are:
- Archbishops | Link
- Barton Court Grammar School | Link
- Barton Manor School | Link
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys | Link
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls | Link
- Spires Academy | Link
- St Anselm's Catholic School | Link
- Canterbury Academy | Link
Grammar Schools
If you are thinking about applying for a grammar school then your child will only be considered if they have been assessed as suitable. The Canterbury grammar schools listed above use the Kent Test as their assessment however there are other relatively local grammar schools that set their own assessments. These are:
- Dover Grammar School for Boys | Link
- Dover Grammar School for Girls | Link
- Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone | Link
- Folkestone Grammar School for Girls | Link
If you wish for your child to be considered for one of these schools you will need to contact them directly.
Faith Schools
As a faith school, St Anslem's Catholic School also asked for additional information as they have faith-based criteria as part of their admissions process. These supplementary information forms (SIF) can be found on the St Anselm's school website and Rev. Estella holds two drop-in sessions for parents needing support with this.
These sessions are scheduled for October 2024.
Transition into Secondary School
The Kent Test (also known as the 11+)
Your child does not need to take the Kent Test unless you (and your child) are interested in naming a grammar school as a preference. The school holds parental consultations with parents to discuss suitability prior to registration.
There are three tests: Maths, English and Reasoning. Examples of the types of questions can be found in the familiarisation booklet on the Kent website. Additional familiarisation materials can also be downloaded from the GL Assessment website here.
There will also be a writing task where children have an extended writing task.
The school will support children through the process but cannot coach any children for the test. More information about the the Kent Test can be found in the Parent Information Presentation (below).
Registration for the Kent Test is in the summer of Year 5 and you can register here.
On Kent Test Results day, you will receive an email or a letter saying that: your child has been assessed as suitable for a grammar school placement (G) or a high school placement (H). The school is only allowed to discuss results the following day.
If your child was not tested or was not assessed as suitable for a Kent grammar school, you can still apply for a Kent grammar school but your application will be turned down. You will then have the right to appeal to explain why you think grammar school is a suitable option for your child and this ‘Parental Appeal’ normally takes place in May.
What Can I Do to Help?
- Be realistic - different schools suit different children.
- Visit the secondary schools with your child. Secondary schools advertise their open days/mornings/afternoons on their websites.
- Involve your child in the decision making process.
- Try to avoid placing pressure on your child - too many feel that they have 'failed' if they do not meet the threshold.
- Remember that we are here to help.
