The wait for the Medway Test results can feel like an eternity. On Wednesday, 14 October 2026, thousands of families across Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, and Strood will finally receive that all-important email. For many, it will be a day of celebration; for others, it may bring a period of uncertainty.
However, receiving the results is actually just the beginning of the next phase. The window between results day and the secondary school application deadline is incredibly narrow. At Tuition Academy Medway, we have seen many bright students miss out on their preferred schools not because of their academic ability, but because of procedural errors or misunderstandings of the Medway admissions system.
To help you navigate this high-stakes period, we have outlined the seven most common mistakes parents make after the 11+ results are released and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.
1. Missing the SCAF Deadline (31 October)
It sounds obvious, but every year a handful of parents in Medway miss the deadline for the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF). In 2026, the national closing date is Saturday, 31 October.
Because the results are released on 14 October, you have just over two weeks to finalise your choices. Some parents wait for the results to start researching schools, which can lead to a rushed decision.
How to avoid it: Mark 31 October 2026 clearly in your calendar. Whether your child passed or not, you must submit the SCAF by this date to be considered in the first round of allocations. Late applications are processed after all on-time applications, often leaving parents with very limited options.
2. Only Applying to One Grammar School
We often see parents list only one school: their “dream” choice: on the SCAF, thinking this somehow increases their chances of getting in. This is a significant risk.
If your child passes the Medway Test but does not meet the specific oversubscription criteria for that one school (such as distance or sibling links), and you haven’t listed any other schools, the local authority will assign your child to the nearest school with an available space. This might not be a grammar school at all, and it might not be a school you like.
How to avoid it: Use all your preferences. If your child is deemed “selective,” list multiple grammar schools in your genuine order of preference. In Medway you typically have six spaces on your form. Rank them 1 to 6. If you don’t get your first choice, you are still in the running for your second, and so on.
3. Not Considering an Appeal or Review
If your child’s score is very close to the threshold (usually 495 in recent years, though this varies), many parents simply accept the “non-selective” result and move on. However, if there were extenuating circumstances or if your child’s primary school work consistently demonstrates a higher level of ability than the test showed, you have options.
Medway has a specific Academic Review process that takes place shortly after the results. This is where a panel looks at your child’s school work. If that is unsuccessful, you still have the right to an Independent Appeal after National Offer Day in March.
How to avoid it: If you believe the test result doesn’t reflect your child’s true potential, speak to their primary school headteacher immediately. For those who decide to move forward with a non-grammar pathway, remember that academic success is still entirely possible. At Tuition Academy Medway, we support students across all paths, including SATs preparation and Primary Years support to ensure they are secondary-ready regardless of the school they attend.
4. Assuming a “Pass” Guarantees a Place
This is perhaps the most heartbreaking mistake. A “selective” result in the Medway Test means your child is eligible for a grammar school place, but it does not guarantee one.
Grammar schools like Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School or Rochester Grammar School are often oversubscribed. If 200 children pass the test but the school only has 180 places, they apply their oversubscription criteria: usually distance from the school or being a sibling of a current pupil.
How to avoid it: Check the admissions policy for each school on your list. If you live in High Halstow and are applying for a school in central Rochester, check the “farthest distance offered” from previous years to gauge your realistic chances.
5. Relaxing Too Much Before Year 7
Once the results are in and the SCAF is submitted, there is a natural temptation to “switch off” for the rest of Year 6. While your child certainly deserves a break, the jump from primary school to a high-achieving grammar or secondary school in Medway is significant.
The “summer slide” is a documented phenomenon where students lose academic momentum between July and September. Entering Year 7 behind the curve can damage a child’s confidence in those crucial first weeks.
How to avoid it: Keep the “learning muscles” active. This doesn’t mean intensive 11+ style drills, but rather a focus on core English and Maths skills. Our Primary Years tuition is designed to bridge this gap, ensuring that the foundations are rock-solid before they step through those new school gates.
6. Not Considering Waiting List Options
If National Offer Day (1 March 2027) doesn’t bring the school you hoped for, many parents give up. However, the “school lottery” continues well into the summer. Families move out of the Medway area, or children take up places at private schools, opening up spots on the grammar school waiting lists.
How to avoid it: Ensure you ask to be put on the waiting list for your preferred schools. You can stay on these lists while holding a place at another school. We have seen students gain places as late as August, just weeks before term starts.
7. Neglecting the Academic Transition to Secondary
The final mistake is assuming that the 11+ was the “final hurdle.” In reality, it was just the qualifying heat. The curriculum in Year 7 moves at a much faster pace, especially in the “Sciences” and “Advanced Mathematics” sections of the curriculum.
Many students who breezed through primary school suddenly find themselves challenged by the depth required at Key Stage 3. This is the stage where we often see students start their journey toward GCSE preparation.
How to avoid it: Focus on building a love of learning and strong study habits. At Tuition Academy Medway we don’t just teach to the test. Our structured scheme of work follows the National Curriculum across all levels:
- Primary Years: Building the core foundations.
- 11+ Preparation: Specialist coaching for the Medway and Kent tests.
- SATs: Ensuring Year 6 excellence.
- GCSE: Targeted support for those all-important grades.
- A-Level: Expert tuition for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
How Tuition Academy Medway Supports Your Family
Whether your child is celebrating a pass or navigating a different path, the journey of education is a marathon, not a sprint. We are proud to be Medway’s local experts, providing small, ability-based classes led by qualified teachers, not just coaches.
Our classrooms in Medway provide a structured, professional environment where children can thrive. From those early primary years right through to the challenges of A-Levels, we are here to ensure your child reaches their full potential.
Are you worried about the next steps after the 11+ results? Or perhaps you want to ensure your child is perfectly prepared for the transition to Year 7 and beyond?
Contact Tuition Academy Medway today to discuss how our expert-led classes can support your child’s academic journey. Whether it’s catching up, keeping up, or getting ahead, we have the expertise to help.
