Autistic boy's exam request 'ignored' by council

"I worked so hard to pass the test…I felt very upset," said Joshua, 10, after finding out he had not passed his 11+ exam.

His mum Nicky, from Hartley near Dartford, believes Joshua would have passed if Kent County Council (KCC) had followed his school's request to give him 25% more time due to his autism and ADHD diagnosis.

She said her son could take longer to process information, and accused KCC of ignoring professional advice.

KCC said the Kent Test followed equalities law and although an independent panel considered all evidence for special arrangements for children with additional needs, it did not automatically agree to every recommendation.