What happens if my child doesn't pass the 11+?

How do you talk to your child about it?

• Lead with warmth, not the score. Tell them you are proud of the effort they made.
• Keep the story simple and true: "This test decides which school you can go to; it doesn't decide how clever you are or who you'll become."
• Let them be disappointed. You don't need to fix the feeling straight away.
• Avoid comparing with friends or siblings, and keep conversations about appeals or reviews between the adults until there is something definite to say.

Our guide talking to your child about 11+ results has more ideas.

Is there still a way into a grammar school?

Sometimes. It depends on your area and on the school. Check each of these:

1. A review before places are allocated. Some areas let you ask a panel to look again at whether a grammar school would suit your child, using school reports and evidence of anything that affected the test day. In Buckinghamshire this is called a Selection Review; historically most successful reviews there have been for scores between 110 and 120Source for Buckinghamshire: Scores of most successful Selection ReviewsBuckinghamshire: Scores of most successful Selection ReviewsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: historically most successful Selection Reviews have been for children whose score was between 110-120.View the official source. Deadlines are short and usually come before the application deadline. See reviews and appeals.

2. Pupil premium places. schools may (but do not have to) prioritise children eligible for the pupil premium or service premiumSource for Priority for children eligible for the pupil premiumPriority for children eligible for the pupil premiumCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities may give priority in their oversubscription criteria to ... children eligible for the early years pupil premium , the pupil premium and also ... children eligible for the service premium .View the official source. Some grammar schools keep a few places for eligible children who score a little below the pass mark, often with their own evidence deadline. See pupil premium priority and the 11+.

3. Naming the school anyway. In most areas you can still put a grammar school on your application. Without a pass, your child is unlikely to be offered a place in the first round, but naming the school keeps the door open for an appeal later.

4. An appeal after National Offer Day. If you are refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel. For grammar schools, where there was no local review, the panel must be satisfied that there is evidence that your child is of the required academic standard (and, where relevant, that your case outweighs the school’s case that admitting more children would cause prejudice)Source for What a grammar school appeal panel must be satisfied ofWhat a grammar school appeal panel must be satisfied ofCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: where a local review process has not been applied, the panel must only uphold the appeal if it is satisfied:View the official source. Where a local review took place, the panel first checks only whether the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective waySource for Grammar school appeals after a local reviewGrammar school appeals after a local reviewCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: where a local review process has been followed, the panel must only consider whether each child’s review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective wayView the official source. This is general information, not legal advice.

5. Waiting lists and later entry. Schools must keep a waiting list until at least 31 December of the year of admissionSource for Waiting lists are kept until at leastWaiting lists are kept until at leastCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Each admission authority must maintain a clear, fair, and objective waiting list until at least 31 December of each school year of admission,View the official source. Some grammar schools also have places at later entry points, such as Year 9 or sixth form.

How should you choose the other schools on your application?

This is the decision that matters most right now. Look at your local schools with fresh eyes:

• visit, and ask how they stretch children who are working at a high level;
• talk to families whose children go there;
• think about the journey, friendships and the subjects and clubs your child loves.

Put schools in your real order of preference. Listing a school higher does not count against you at the others; see how to rank your school preferences.

Is it worth trying again later?

Some children move to a grammar school at 12+, 13+ or 16+, where the school has places and its own test. Many children thrive without ever doing so. If your child is happy and learning well, that is a good outcome.

Related pages

• How to read your child's 11+ results letter
• What is a good standardised score?
• 11+ results day: what to do next
• Grammar school appeals: the complete guide
• Keeping perspective
• Grammar, comprehensive or independent? Weighing the options

Sources

Facts on this page come from the School Admissions Code 2021, the School Admission Appeals Code 2022 and GOV.UK school admissions guidance, archived on 9 October 2026, and our verified Buckinghamshire records.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any school or council. This page is general information, not legal advice. How we make our content.