Primary School Admissions 2018-19 liverpool.gov.uk Apply Online see inside front cover for details www.liverpool.gov.uk/admissions Information for Parents You can now apply online for Reception class 2018 liverpool.gov.uk/admissions From 12 September 2017 if you live in Liverpool and your child is eligible for reception class in September 2018 you can apply online for a school place at: liverpool.gov.uk/admissions Benefits • No need to wait for your allocation letter to arrive through the post and no delays with the postal system • On 16 April 2018 you will receive your child’s allocation offer by email and will also be able to view this online using login details Please ensure that you apply before the closing date 15 January 2018. Quick, Easy and Secure Primary Schools Admissions Academic Year 2018-19 Contents Page Section 1 Introduction 4 Section 2 Admission to Nursery Schools and Classes 5 Section 3 Parents applying for their child to attend a 6 Primary School Reception Class in September 2018 Section 4 In-Year Transfers 14 Section 5 Community and Controlled Church of England 17 Primary Schools’ Admission Policy for Reception Classes for September 2018 Section 6 Voluntary Aided, Trust, 40 Academies and Free Schools Section 7 Education Support 89 Section 8 Other Local Education Authorities 96 Section 9 Contact Points 97 Section 10 Location of Liverpool Primary Schools 98 1 Primary Schools Admissions Academic Year 2018-19 Dear Parent or Guardian, During the next few weeks you will be asked to apply for a place for your child in a primary school in Liverpool. This is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in relation to your child's education and this booklet provides you with some general information to help guide you through this process. Please note that you are being asked to state a preference about which school you would like your child to attend. This is because it is not possible to guarantee that a place will be available in the school which you nominate. All schools have criteria for admissions which they must follow and a limit on the number of children they can admit. This limit is there to protect the quality of education which is provided and whilst there is an appeal system, admission limits are only exceeded in exceptional circumstances. Please take time to read this booklet carefully before you begin your application, even if you have already decided which schools you prefer. It contains a lot of information that you can use to inform your preferences and may help to avoid possible future disappointment. Each school provides its own prospectus which contains information about the school. It may be useful to visit the schools which interest you and you can do this by attending an open day or making an appointment to see the Head Teacher. Please contact your preferred schools directly for further information. Whatever your preference, I am confident that you will find a place in a primary school in Liverpool which meets your child's needs and offers an excellent standard of education. The City of Liverpool is immensely proud of the successes of all our children and young people and of the schools that help make this possible. The vast majority of primary schools in Liverpool are judged by Ofsted to be good or outstanding and all our schools aspire to these standards. As a result of this high quality education provision, children of primary age within Liverpool often make faster than average rates of progress in key subjects such as English and Mathematics. Inclusive learning is important in Liverpool and schools work hard with pupils, parents, carers and other agencies to ensure that the needs and aspirations of every child are met. Exciting opportunities exist in Liverpool to use computer technology to assist in teaching and learning as well as build upon our local strengths in creative writing, music and sport. Whichever school your child attends, they will have opportunities in a safe environment not only to have fun and achieve but also to participate in a range of experiences to develop their talents. This secure educational foundation will enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities available in primary education and encourage them to be healthy, participating citizens within our city community. I wish your child a happy and successful future in their new school. Colette O’Brien Director, Liverpool Children and Young People's Service 2 Primary Schools Admissions Academic Year 2018-19 The City of Liverpool Children and Young People’s Service Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services Assistant Mayor & Cabinet Member for Schools and Education - Cllr. Nick Small Director Colette O’Brien The mail address for Liverpool Children and Young People’s Service is: Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L3 1AH The Telephone Number is 233 3006 The Website is www.liverpool.gov.uk NOTE This booklet is compiled as a guide for parents / carers whose children are entering or transferring schools in September 2018. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of printing there may be changes to the information or the procedures outlined. 3 Primary Schools Admissions Academic Year 2018-19 Section 1 Introduction This booklet sets out the admission arrangements for children starting primary school in September 2017. Children whose fifth birthday falls between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 (i.e. children born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 - both dates are inclusive) will be eligible to start primary school in September 2018. The booklet also contains information for parents / carers applying for a place in a nursery school or nursery class. There are several types of primary school in Liverpool. These include Community schools, Trust, Voluntary Aided Catholic schools, Voluntary Aided Church of England schools, Voluntary Controlled Church of England schools, a Voluntary Aided Joint Faith Church of England and Catholic schools, a Voluntary Aided Jewish school and Academies. The admission arrangements vary between schools and before applying it is important that you understand these arrangements. This booklet will help you to make an informed choice of primary school and it is important that you read this booklet before you express a preference. If you require more information or assistance you can access information on the City Council’s website www.liverpool.gov.uk/admissions, where parents/guardians can complete an application form online. The online form asks for the same information as the paper application form and, when it has reached us, parents get an e-mail to confirm receipt. If you would like to complete your application on line, the web address is: www.liverpool.gov.uk/admissions. Many parents/carers find this a quicker and easier way to apply for a school, another advantage is you will receive an email on offer day confirming the school that has offered your child a place. You can also contact Liverpool Local Authority on 233 3006 or drop in to a One Stop Shop for further information and assistance. A list of useful telephone numbers is in the Contact Points Section of this booklet. 4 Primary Schools Admissions Academic Year 2018-19 Section 2 Admission To Nursery Schools And Classes General Advice Free early education sessions are available in Liverpool through a number of childcare providers (nurseries, playgroups, childminders etc) and nursery schools and nursery classes attached to infant schools. Free Early Education for 3 (and 4) year olds is available from the term after their 3rd (or 4th) birthday and is equal to 570 hours for the full year. Sessions must be taken over 38 weeks or more, and be no more than 15 hours per week. All providers of free early education are expected to be responsive to local need in terms of being flexible (within reason) but may not be able to meet all parents’ individual needs as they have to remain sustainable and endeavour to meet the needs of their community the best they can. The free offer can be taken over a minimum of 2 days per week, and sessions must not be less than 2 hours or more than 10 hours in any day. If a parent chooses a provider who offers less than 38 weeks, or accesses sessions over less than 2 days, they will forfeit part of the free entitlement. Most free early education sessions in schools are provided on a part time basis for morning or afternoon sessions. Children must normally be over three years old before they are admitted to a nursery. You are advised to register your child’s name at the school of your choice as soon as possible from September onwards, in the school year when your child reaches the age of two. Admission to a nursery class attached to an infant school is not restricted to children living within the local area of the school. Admission to a nursery class does not guarantee a place, when the child is older, in the associated infant school; nor does it mean that the child must attend that particular infant school if you wish your child to go elsewhere. Parents / guardians should be aware that only one free early education place can be accepted. However, where a place needs to be ‘split’ between two providers, and this is agreed by both providers, it should be supported with a written agreement, so that a child’s development is effectively supported, and information is shared between the two providers. Some schools will now offer free early education places for some 2 year olds.