The admissions system explained
In allocating places at our schools we will take into account a number of factors.
Admission numbers
An admission number is the number of places that the admission authority is able to offer for any particular school. It is published for every school each year. The number is calculated in consultation with schools to take into account the accommodation available and the organisation of the school.
We are committed to meeting parental preference wherever possible. However, places at schools are limited and we will not overcrowd a school if there are vacancies at other schools.
The authority will not generally create additional places at a school that is oversubscribed when there are places available at other schools except in ‘exceptional circumstances’ for example, a shortage of school places to meet local need.
By law, children with special educational needs statements, whose statement lists a particular school, have priority for places at that school. They are allocated a place from within the schools admission number.
The infant class size law
The law requires children aged 5, 6 and 7 to be taught in classes of no more than thirty pupils to one qualified teacher.
The allocation of school places
If the number of applications for a particular school are less than the admission number, then all children can be allocated places regardless of their circumstances.
If there are more applications for a school than there are places available, the admissions criteria is used to decide which children can be offered places.
For one or more of the criteria, there may be more qualifying children than places available. In this event, places will be allocated to those children living nearest to the school. This distance is calculated on the basis of the shortest surfaced and passable route.
The admissions criteria are applied individually to each preference. If your child qualifies for a place at more than one school, then the order you listed your preferences on the application form will be taken into account.
The admissions criteria
The criteria below are applied to all applications where the County Council is the admissions authority (ie community and voluntary controlled schools). Voluntary aided (church) schools each have their own admissions criteria, which are listed at the back of the Admissions Booklet.
In priority order, these are:
- Looked after children.
- Children with strong medical or exceptional evidence which lead the Director of Children’s Services to conclude that attendance at any other school would be inappropriate. The evidence submitted, such as a letter from a doctor or social worker, must clearly demonstrate that the needs of the child can only be met by attending a particular school.
- Children who will have a brother or sister at the school (or a linked infant or junior school) at the time of admission.
- Children wishing to transfer between a linked infant and junior school.
- Children living within a pre-defined community area.
- Children living outside the pre-defined community area.
For detailed definitions of these criteria please see page 14 of the Admissions Booklet.
