Guide to grammar schools and the Secondary Transfer Test

Last updated: 4 May 2023

Illness on Secondary Transfer Test day and Late Tests

It is very important that if your child is unwell they do not take the Secondary Transfer Test.

Children who go to a Buckinghamshire local authority primary or Partner school

If your child goes to a Buckinghamshire LA or Partner School and they are ill on the dates of the tests, they will be able to take the tests when they are well.

Children who attend out of county schools

If your child is unwell and is due to take the test at a grammar school, you must give us evidence to show why your child is not able to take the test. If the evidence shows there were exceptional reasons for your child not taking the test, we will offer one alternative test date.

If your child does not attend testing at the grammar school on the day of the Secondary Transfer Test you will need to tell us why. Unless there is a reasonable explanation, we will withdraw your child from the testing process.

If your child cannot come to the tests at the grammar school due to illness, we need you to send us medical confirmation for example a letter from your GP or evidence of a need to self-isolate. This letter must confirm that your child was not well enough to take the test. More information will be provided in your invitation.

All children

If your child becomes unwell during testing, and is unable to complete a test paper, they will not be able to re-sit that paper at a later date.

They will be able to sit the second paper on another date if it has not been started.