Kent Test headteacher assessment: a parent's guide
Headteacher assessment is a referral made by your child's primary school, not by parents. A panel can find a child suitable for grammar school below the pass mark.
What the panel looks at
Primary and secondary headteachers review the test results, recent schoolwork across subjects, the writing task and the school's comments.
What to ask the primary school
- Did you refer my child for headteacher assessment?
- What work did you send?
- Is there anything about the test day you need from us?
- When will we hear the outcome?
Separate observation from assumption
Worked example Read a short record
A school note says: 'Leila checked the instructions, crossed out her first ending and wrote a new final paragraph.' Which statement is supported? A She finished first. B She changed the ending. C She received full marks. D She used a dictionary. E She wrote the longest piece.
- Find the recorded action: she wrote a new final paragraph.
- Reject statements about marks, speed or length.
Answer: B. The note records a change to the ending.
The trap: C assumes a mark the note never gives.
Assessment and appeals are separate
An appeal comes after a school refuses a place, and goes to an independent panel. Keep your school application going while you wait.