Missed Tiffins Test? Have another go.

[tiffinboys]

Pretty catchy slogan. Tiffins could use it in TV adverts.

[coombeward]

Really very upset at late testing at Tiffins. What a contrast with Kent. My DD was registered for the Kent test. Unfortunately, the date and timings for Wallington and Kent tests clashed. Both on 15 September and morning session.

We requested Kent to take our test alongwith Kent children (12/13 Sep) or on the reserve day for the sick children. They refused. The clash of date is not genuine enough reason.

Option given to us is to re-apply after 17 April i.e after the first allocation on 1st March and allocation of wait listed candidates. Is that a worthwhile option to even contemplate?

Here we have second tests - even if some one didn't bother to register for the test, they can sit for Tiffins test. Is their no duty of care in Kent Schools. What a mess.

[London_Mum]

It is Tiffins who are out of step with the processes adopted by every other Grammar School not Kent.
Kent are following the same rules that all other selective schools adopt i.e. if you miss the test for any reason other than illness or moving to a new area, you will not be allowed to sit it late.

The Admission Code allows for this. It does not, as Tiffins insists, require late testing to be made available. It merely says Kent and other grammars cannot refuse an application and cannot refuse to consider that application 'solely' because the candidate missed the test. They do not however have to let you sit their test late.

[coombeward]

Really very annoyed. Seems there are two different admissions code.

[London_Mum]

Two different interpretations certainly.
It is baffling though why Tiffins would take this stance. Early testing is new to them but not to other schools and no other school has ever felt the need to offer additional tests on demand before. The part of the new code which stipulates schools cannot refuse to consider an application 'solely' because the pupil missed the test existed in the old version too. It is not a new requirement at all.

[tiffinboys]

Got a reply from Kingston LA. Repeating the justification being given by Tiffin. Omitting to answer other points.