Wolverhampton City Council OPEN EXECUTIVE DECISION ITEM (AMBER)

Agenda Item No: 7n

Cabinet / Cabinet Panel CABINET Date 20.04.05

Portfolio(s) LIFELONG LEARNING

Originating Service Group(s) EDUCATION

Contact Officer(s) MRS E PENTECOST Telephone Number(s) 4143

Title CO-ORDINATED ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS 2006/07

KEY DECISION YES IN FORWARD PLAN YES

Recommendations

That Cabinet :

• notes the content of the report and approves the changes in admission arrangements for 2006/07 admissions round, the printing, publication and distribution of the booklets

“Secondary Education in Wolverhampton 2006/2007” and “Starting School in Wolverhampton 2006/07”

• authorises the production of appropriate translations of the documents into three community languages.

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS 2006/2007

1.0 Background

1.1 Under the Code of Practice each LEA is required to draw up a scheme (or schemes) for co-ordinating admission arrangements for all mainstream, maintained schools (community, voluntary controlled, voluntary aided, foundation and academies) within their area (in-LEA co-ordination).

1.2 The Authority has consulted with governing bodies, other admission authorities and neighbouring LEAs regarding its proposed admission arrangements for 2006/07 academic year.

1.3 The purpose of this report, therefore, is to advise members of the outcomes of the consultation process, to seek a final decision regarding the admission arrangements for 2006/07 academic year and to seek approval to publish this information in the composite prospectuses as required by statute.

2.0 Proposed Admission Arrangements for Primary Schools 2006/2007

2.1 For 2006/07 the LEA is required to introduce a scheme of co-ordinated admission arrangements and Cabinet approval is sought for the continuation of an in-LEA co-ordinated scheme for primary schools as set out in Appendix 1A.

2.2 Whilst we have met the allocation date of 1 April (for 2005/06 primary admissions) it is too early to say how the scheme has operated as the full admissions process includes the waiting list and appeal stages. For this reason, at the time of consultation, it was difficult to assess how the scheme may need to be revised for 2006/07and therefore only minor changes have been made to the scheme.

2.3 One of these changes was the amendment to the Casual Admission Policy. Originally it was proposed that all mid-term transfers into/between primary schools would be co-ordinated by the LEA. Headteachers expressed concern that some parents would find this difficult and therefore the scheme has been amended to enable the Headteacher, in instances where parents present their child without the relevant transfer form, to either assist them by completing the relevant sections of the form, having notified the present school to check that it is aware of the move, or ask the parents to contact the School Admissions and Transfers Section.

2.4 Similarly only slight amendments have been made to the admission arrangements and the over-subscription criteria for 2006/07 in respect of community and voluntary controlled schools to clarify the priority given to “looked after” children and to siblings (See appendices 1B and 1C).

2.5 The majority of primary school PANs will remain as published for 2005/06). However, a number of primary school PANs are under review and these are listed below. Where appropriate these changes will be the subject of public notices or referral to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.

Junior 2005/06 PAN Proposed PAN Comments 2006/07 Bushbury Hill 60 See Primary School Primary 2004/05 PAN Proposed PAN Comments 2006/07 Bushbury Hill Primary 60 Reduction of places in the School area due to the merger of the two schools to a two- form entry school Danesmore Park 30 (4 RB) 30 + [4 RB] (KS1)1 2 Variations between Infant 35 + [4RB] (KS2) and Junior phases within the Moat House 30 30 (KS1) schools 35 (KS2) Northwood Park 60 60 (+2 RB) KS1 The change is to reflect the 60 (+5 RB) KS2 resource base provision. St. Martin’s C of E 45 30 A PAN of 30 at St Martin’s would be appropriate given that it is losing accommodation to a Children Centre. Infant 2005/06 PAN Proposed PAN Comments 2006/07 Bushbury Hill 60 See Primary School East Park 90 90 (+ 3RB) The HI unit has been transferred from Stow Heath Infant School to East Park Infant Springdale 75 (3RB) 75 (+4RB) Stow Heath 90 (6RB) 90 (+3 RB) The number of resource places is being reduced to reflect the transferral of the HI unit to East Park Infant. The school still has a MLD Resource base.

3.0 Proposed Admission Arrangements for Secondary Schools 2006/2007

3.1 For 2006/07 secondary admissions it was agreed that we should operate an inter-LEA scheme rather than just the required in-LEA scheme. This means that we are working more closely with other neighbouring admission authorities to ensure as far as practicable that only one maintained school place is allocated whereas an in-LEA scheme would most likely result in multiple offers of places where parents apply to maintained schools in more than one LEA... Cabinet approval is sought for the continuation of an inter- LEA co-ordinated scheme for admission arrangements for secondary schools as set out in Appendix 2A.

3.2 As for primary schools, whilst we met the national secondary school allocation date of 1 March it is too early to say how the secondary scheme has operated as the full admissions process includes the waiting list and appeal stages. At the time of consultation it was difficult to assess how the scheme may need to be revised for 2006/07. Only minor changes have therefore been made to the scheme.

1 KS1 refers to the following year groups: Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 2 KS2 refers to the following year groups: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year5 and Year 6

3.3 One issue that has arisen is the extent to which the Thomas Telford School (CTC) is able to participate in the scheme. Under the School Admissions Code of Practice Academies are required to participate in local co-ordinated schemes. CTCs, however, are not required to do so and “should be strongly encouraged to participate in the scheme to help simplify the admissions process for parents”. As a member of the Admissions Forum the CTC was encouraged to participate and it was understood that they would be participating fully. However, this was a misunderstanding and they have indicated that their funding agreement restricts the extent to which they may participate. They are able to agree the closing date for applications, a closing date for allocations and to advise the LEA of those to whom they are allocating places so that these may be taken into account in the LEA’s allocation. They cannot, however, take into account the parental preference ranking on the LEA’s form (albeit an equal preference system where this is only taken into account where there is the potential to offer more than one schools place). This has added to parental confusion this year. The Admissions Forum has agreed therefore that the reference to the CTC in the scheme, the common application form and the booklets should be withdrawn.

3.4 Similarly slight amendments have been made to the admission arrangements for community schools to clarify the priority given to “looked after” children and to siblings (See Appendix 2B).

3.5 The majority of secondary schools’ published admission numbers (PANs) will remain as published for 2005/06. However, a number of schools have requested variations to their PANs as set out below and it is proposed that these be approved for the 2006/07 admissions round.

Secondary School 2005/06 Proposed Comments PAN PAN 2006/07 Colton Hills Community 217 161 Governors’ recommended that the School’s (10 Yr 12) 15 (Yr 12) planned admission number for 2006/2007 be 161 as per Net Capacity Assessment; and the admission number in respect of those pupils being admitted to the school for the first time in year 12 be 15. Deansfield High 162 161 Reductions in PAN to reflect the indicated (10 Yr 12) 10 (Yr 12) admission limit derived from the Net Moreton Community 140 135 Capacity Assessment (10 Yr 12) 10 (Yr 12) Pendeford High 151 151 Variation in Year 12 (10 Yr 12) 12 (Yr 12) The Northicote 157 10 (Yr 12) Possibility of a slight variation to PAN as a result of the increase in the number of places for statemented pupils in the Resource Base.

4.0 On-Line Admissions

4.1 For 2005/07 it is intended that parents will have the option to apply on line for primary and secondary transfers at normal year of entry. Details of this facility will be distributed with the booklets and application forms at the appropriate time.

5.0 Publication of information

5.1 Section 92 of the 1998 Standards and Framework Act requires Local Education Authorities to publish information for parents giving details of admission arrangements for all maintained, mainstream schools in their area.

5.2 The Regulations require LEAs to publish, for each school year, a composite prospectus giving brief details of admission information for schools in the LEA’s area This must include the name and address of each school and contact details; the schools’ classification; a summary of the admission policy; a statement of religious affiliation; (for secondary schools) numbers of places and applications for those places in the previous year; and the number of successful appeals for the previous year. For those schools in the LEA’s area, but for which the LEA is not the admitting authority, admission arrangements need only be in summary form.

5.3 It is proposed that for 2006/07 the booklets are translated into the three main community languages, i.e. Gujerati, Punjabi and Urdu.

6.0 Financial Implications

6.1 As in previous years, the cost of producing the booklets and their translations will be met form the Administration and Publicity budget.

7.0 Equal Opportunities Implications

7.1 This report has implications for the use of the Authority’s Equal Opportunities Policy in that it relates to the provision of information for the parents of all pupils commencing secondary and primary education and the determination of school place resources.

8.0 Environmental Implications

8.1 This report has no environmental implications.

9.0 Forward Plan

9.1 This is a key decision, as changes to the admission arrangements will impact upon all schools within the City. It is included in the Forward Plan. Appendix 1A Proposed Scheme for In-LEA Co-ordination of Primary Admissions at year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

A primary co-ordinated admissions scheme is set out below (based on the DfES model). The co-ordinated scheme needs to be agreed between all maintained admission authorities in Wolverhampton, with the Wolverhampton Schools Admissions Forum being the vehicle for this agreement. If Admissions Authorities do not agree to a scheme, the Secretary of State could impose one.

Every scheme needs to have a means for deciding between potential offers from more than one primary school in the LEA area.

Proposed co-ordinated scheme for Wolverhampton – Primary

This scheme, which has been approved by the Wolverhampton Schools Admissions Forum, applies to all primary schools maintained by Wolverhampton LEA as detailed in the “Introducing Primary Education: Starting School in Wolverhampton 2006/07” information booklet.

In brief terms, five preferences are invited. Initially, all preferences are treated as equal, and sent out as equal to other admission authorities (i.e. Wolverhampton voluntary aided schools). However, after over-subscription criteria have been applied (where appropriate), if more than one school place can potentially be offered, the single offer is for the available school the parent ranked highest on the preference form.

In this process the School Admissions and Transfers Section will be operating the procedures on behalf of Wolverhampton LEA.

Step-by-Step Process for 2006/07 Academic Year

1. In order to apply for admission to Reception Year of primary education in a Wolverhampton maintained school, parents/carers will need to complete the standard form known as the Common Application Form (CAF2). This form will be included with the “Introducing Primary Education: Starting School in Wolverhampton – 2006/07” information booklet and distributed at the end of October/early November 2005. It will be distributed to all known parents of children born between 1/9/2001 and 31/8/2002 based upon information gathered from forecasts of admissions from Wolverhampton primary schools. In addition booklets will also be sent to all Wolverhampton nursery schools, Wolverhampton libraries and, on request, to individual parents and other agencies/bodies.

In respect of Year 2 to Year 3 transfers the standard form will be known as CAF3 and will be used for the purpose of transferring pupils from infant (Year 2) to junior (year 3) education at the age of 7 plus. The form will be issued with an explanatory leaflet advising parents of the procedures to be followed. In addition, the explanatory leaflet will also be sent on request to individual parents.

2. The forms invites all parents, irrespective of whether they are residents of Wolverhampton, to name and give reasons for applying for up to 5 preferred schools, ranked in order of preference, by 12 December 2005.

3. Parents should name all schools (to a Maximum of 5), for which they wish their child to be considered for a place, including any voluntary-aided schools and/or any school outside Wolverhampton LEA’s area.

13/04/2005 Appendix 1A Proposed Scheme for In-LEA Co-ordination of Primary Admissions at year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

4. Parents expressing preferences for Wolverhampton’s voluntary aided schools must also complete a “supporting evidence” form and return this to the relevant school or schools by the date stated on the supporting evidence form.

5. If a parent expresses a preference for a school within another LEA they will be advised to contact the appropriate LEA to determine the method of application for the school concerned.

6. Parents will be advised to send the CAF2/CAF3 (as appropriate), by the closing date, either to:

The Headteacher of their child’s Wolverhampton Nursery School/Class (for CAF2, ensuring that the form is returned in the envelope provided) Their child’s current school (CAF3), or direct to The School Admissions & Transfers Section (CAF 2/CAF3).

The closing date for applications in both cases is 12 December 2005.

7. On receipt of the CAF2/CAF3 form the Authority will treat all preferences as being ranked equally in the first instance. Any Wolverhampton school that receives an application form in error must ensure that it is sent to the LEA as a matter of urgency, irrespective of whether the parent is a Wolverhampton resident.

8. By 17 February 2006, the School Admissions and Transfers Section will send Wolverhampton voluntary aided schools details of applicants for their schools. These details will not reveal the order of preference, except insofar as other admission authorities need the information to apply their own over-subscription criteria (for example, if a school’s criteria give priority to parents who have made that school their first preference over other parents for whom it is a second or lower preference). This will be explained within the Primary booklet and infant to junior education leaflet.

9. All admission authorities will apply their over-subscription admission criteria where necessary. By early March they will then send back to the School Admissions and Transfers Section a list indicating the order in which all children for whom application to the school has been made, have priority, by reference to the over-subscription criteria. Where a school is over-subscribed, although all applications need to be assessed and grouped against the criteria, admission authorities of seriously over-subscribed schools need not give individual rankings to applicants in the lowest priority groups for admission, if there is no likelihood of being able to offer them a place after elimination of multiple offers.

10. By the time that the other admission authorities (i.e. Wolverhampton voluntary aided schools) have sent their ranked lists to the School Admissions and Transfers Section, the LEA should have a list of applicants for each of its maintained community and voluntary controlled schools.

11. The School Admissions and Transfers Section will then compare the potential offer lists and if more than one school place can potentially be offered, they will allocate a place at the Wolverhampton school the parent ranked highest on the common application form (CAF2/CAF3). If the parent has ranked a preference for a school in another LEA higher than a school in Wolverhampton and the LEA concerned has advised the School Admissions and Transfers Section that it intends to offer a place then a place for a Wolverhampton school will not be offered.

13/04/2005 Appendix 1A Proposed Scheme for In-LEA Co-ordination of Primary Admissions at year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

12. If the applicant is a Wolverhampton resident and the School Admissions and Transfers Section is unable to allocate a place at any of the preferred schools then a place will be allocated at the nearest community or voluntary controlled school that has places available.

13. On 1 April 2006 (or, where this is not a working day3, the next working day) - the “offer day” for Wolverhampton primary schools – The School Admissions and Transfers Section will write to every applicant telling them of their allocated school place in a Wolverhampton maintained school. Where the school in question is a voluntary aided school and, therefore, its own admission authority, the letter will state that the offer is being communicated on behalf of that school’s governing body.

14. Where preferences cannot be met, the School Admissions & Transfers Section will notify parents accordingly, setting out the reasons and advising of the right of Appeal, how to lodge an appeal and to whom.

Applications Received After 12 December 2005 (including changes of preference, changes to the order of preferences or additional preferences)

Applications for Wolverhampton maintained schools received after the closing date will be treated as late.

Normally, therefore, applications received after the closing date and before 31 January 2006 will only be incorporated into the initial allocation process if the late submission is for good and valid reason, parents can demonstrate a material change of circumstances (see below) or the request is for a school that has not reached its admission limit.

When submitting late applications parents must give reasons in writing for the late submission. The appropriate admission authority will give consideration to the reasons following which the application will be:

Either 1) incorporated into the initial allocation and assessed against the over-subscription criteria for the school(s) concerned Or 2) considered only after all other applications.

Applications without written reasons for the late application or received after 31 January 2006 will only be considered after all other applications and the notification may be sent shortly after the offer day (i.e. 1 April 2005).

Material Changes of Circumstances

In claiming material changes of circumstances the applicant, at the time of application, must supply documentary evidence to confirm the changes. An example of material changes of circumstances is a house move that necessitates a change of preferences. This would need to be validated by documentary evidence such as a solicitor’s letter confirming the completion of a house purchase or rent book confirming tenancy.

3 Providing this is a working day (i.e. any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day when the Local Education Authority offices are closed (e.g. bank holiday).

13/04/2005 Appendix 1A Proposed Scheme for In-LEA Co-ordination of Primary Admissions at year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

Waiting Lists

The notification letter will offer parents the opportunity to have their child’s name placed on a waiting list for their preferred Wolverhampton school or schools.

Unless material changes of circumstances have been demonstrated a child’s name will only be included on those lists for schools that were ranked higher on the common application form than the school allocated to the child and, therefore, if a child is allocated a place at the first preference school the child’s name will not be added to the waiting list for any of the other preferred schools.

The waiting lists will be ranked in admission criteria order. Any places that are surrendered will be re-allocated to pupils on the waiting list for the school concerned.

Parents must return their written requests by 21 April 2006. Requests received after 21 April 2006 will be given a lower priority on the waiting list and will be considered as individual cases. Material changes of circumstances will be considered if sufficiently demonstrated.

The Authority will maintain the waiting lists until the working day before the start of the 2006/07 school year.

Appeal

The Authority will notify parents in writing of how to access their rights of appeal and to whom they should write.

If a child has a statement of special educational needs any appeal will be to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and not to the independent Appeal Panel.

Casual Admissions Policy

Parents considering making a request to move their child into or between schools in Wolverhampton, other than at the normal admission/transfer stage, must contact the School Admissions and Transfers Section or their child’s current Wolverhampton school for a Transfer Request Form and, where appropriate, a Supporting Evidence Form. Having completed the form(s) the parent should take it to the Headteacher of the child’s current school for his/her completion and then take it to the preferred school. The school concerned will then assess the application, determining whether the preferred school(s) has/have a place for the child. The parents will be advised of the outcome of the assessment as soon as possible.

Where parents present their child without the relevant transfer form, the Headteacher can either assist them by completing the relevant sections of the form, having notified the present school to check that it is aware of the move, or ask the parents to contact the School Admissions and Transfers Section.

13/04/2005 Appendix 1A Proposed Scheme for In-LEA Co-ordination of Primary Admissions at year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

In the event that the preferred school is either a community or voluntary controlled school and does not have a place available, parents will be advised that if they wish to pursue the request they should contact the School Admissions & Transfers Section, in writing, to review the situation and, where the Authority refuses a place, offer the right of appeal.

If the preferred school is a voluntary aided school and a place cannot be offered parents will be advised of their right of appeal. Transfer requests will only be considered if the Transfer Request Form and, where appropriate the Supporting Evidence Form, is complete (i.e. if appropriate, it has been signed by the parent/s and the Headteacher of the previous Wolverhampton school.

Repeat Applications

Please note that in respect of each child the Authority will only consider one application per school, per year group, per academic year. Repeat applications will only be considered where there are material changes in circumstances (see above).

N.B. Parents of a child with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) must contact either the Authority’s SEN Admin Section or the LEA that issued the statement if they wish to transfer to a school that is not named in Part 4 of the child’s statement.

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1B

Community Schools & Voluntary Controlled Schools – 2006/07

Admission Arrangements

How Are Community and Voluntary Controlled School Applications Ranked?

Provided that the number of requests for places at your preferred community or voluntary controlled school does not exceed the school’s published admission number, a place could potentially be allocated.

If the number of requests is greater than the school’s published admission number (PAN), applications will be prioritised in accordance with the Authority’s admission criteria for over-subscribed community and voluntary controlled schools. Priority will be given to children as follows:

Admission Criteria for Infant Reception (CAF2)

Criterion 1:

Special Educational Needs – A child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs which specifies the school concerned in Part 4 of the Statement.

Criterion 2:

Medical/Social Whether there are specific medical or social circumstances that can be met only by the child’s attendance at the preferred school (e.g. “looked after”4 child), (see paragraph on Medical/Social Claims on Page ??) Please note that only in very exceptional cases are places allocated in respect of child’s/parent’s medical/social grounds.

Criterion 3:

Siblings Whether siblings (as defined in paragraph ?? on page ??) attend the school (or associated Junior School) and will still be attending the school in September 2006

Criterion 5

Distance How close the child lives (see definition of child’s home address) to the school requested with those living closest to the main entrance to the school by the shortest suitable walking route (as measured by the GIS software used by the

4 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989 13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1B

Authority for this purpose) gaining the highest priority.

NB If there is an insufficient number of places to accommodate all the children of a particular criterion the next criterion will be used to assess the applications concerned in order to determine the allocation of places.

What is a Sibling?

For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who resides at the same address as the child for whom a place is being requested, and is one of the following: - • brother/sister • half brother/sister (i.e. share on common parent) • or stepbrother/sister (i.e. related by a parent’s marriage) • any other child (e.g. foster child) for whom it can be demonstrated that s/he is residing permanently at the same address (e.g. under the terms of a residence order). The sibling connection only applies where families have a sibling attending the school at the time of the application as well as at the time of admission. Attendance at the school’s nursery class does not qualify for “sibling connection”.

Supporting Evidence

Medical/Social Claims

If you believe there are specific reasons, medical or social (e.g. “looked after”5 child), for claiming priority for your child to attend a particular school these special factors must be indicated on the common application form and evidence (e.g. medical note, evidence of child in care) to support this claim must be submitted with the common application form. Medical notes should state clearly the effects of the condition/illness and why the preferred school is the only school that can meet your child’s needs. This is necessary because you would be asking the Authority to assess your child as having a stronger case than many other children, even some who live closer to the school in question than you do. The information provided will be used to prioritise your request for a particular school. Please note that only in very exceptional cases are places allocated in respect of child’s/parents medical/social grounds.

5 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989 13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1B

Child’s Home Address

The Common Application Form asks parents to provide their child’s home address, ie the usual place of residence on weekdays and nights. Please note that childminder’s addresses will not be accepted. This applies to both formal childminders and relatives and friends acting in a childminding capacity.

The home address of a pupil is considered to be the permanent residence of a child in a residential property when the place is offered *. The address must be the child’s only or main residence and is either: owned by the child’s parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) leased to or rented by the child’s parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) under lease or written rental agreement.

Documentary evidence of ownership or rental agreement may be required together with proof of actual permanent residence at the property concerned.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a child and the child lives with both parents for part of the week then the main residence will be determined as the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week. Parents may be requested to supply documentary evidence to support the address used for the application.

In the event that the family moves between the application and date of allocation it is the parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s)’ responsibility to inform the Authority’s Admissions Officer as soon as possible of these circumstances

* Documentary evidence related to house moves taking place between the offer date (1st April) and the start of the academic year in September 2006 will be considered.

Religious Claims (for voluntary controlled schools) A Supporting Evidence form will be provided for you and your vicar or minister to complete, to enable you to demonstrate your child’s strong church connections. This will only be taken into consideration if the preferred school is the nearest Church of England school (voluntary aided or voluntary controlled) to the child’s home address.

Changes of Address (occurring during the allocation process) In these circumstances - or if a query arises in respect of your child’s place of residence - you will be required to supply evidence of your new address. For instance, a letter from a solicitor showing that the purchase of a particular property is firmly in progress and which would normally include a completion date; or a photocopy of a rent book clearly showing your name in connection with a particular property.

What can I do if my preference is not successful?

Request Placement on a Waiting List

If you have not been allocated a place at your preferred school the notification letter will offer you the opportunity to have your child’s name placed on a waiting list for your preferred school or schools. The operation of waiting lists is described in the scheme for Co-ordinated Primary Admission Arrangements (please refer to Appendix 2A).

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1B

The Authority will maintain its waiting lists until the day before the children are due to start school*6. After this time the waiting lists will cease to exist as all children should by then have commenced their statutory education. Future enquiries about the availability of places should be directed to the school(s) concerned in the first instance.

*This will be September for children born between 01/09/2001 and 28/02/2002, and January for children born between 01/03/2002 and 31/08/2002.

Appeal

You will be advised, in writing, of how to access your right of appeal and to whom you should write. Please note that you are only entitled to one appeal, per school, per year-group, per year.

6 This will depend upon the Authority’s decision regarding the proposal to move from a two stage admission to a single entry for Reception Year. 13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1C

Community Schools & Voluntary Controlled Schools – 2006/07

Admission Arrangements Year 2 to Year 3 Transfers

Some Year 2 pupils attend an infant school which caters only for pupils up to 6 years of age. Therefore it is necessary for such pupils to transfer to a different school for their junior education.

Other Year 2 pupils attend a primary school which caters for pupils up to 11 years of age and, therefore, it is not necessary for such pupils to change schools. In most cases parents will wish their child to continue at the same primary school, in which case you do not need to complete this form.

However, you have the right to express a preference as to which school your child will attend. To state that preference you should complete the attached form and return it to the Headteacher of your child’s present Wolverhampton school. A list of available schools is enclosed.

How Are Community and Voluntary Controlled School Applications Ranked?

Admission Criteria for Year 2 to Year 3 Transfers (CAF3)

Criterion 1:

Special Educational Needs – A child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs which specifies the school concerned in Part 4 of the Statement.

Criterion 2:

School Links Children who are attending the corresponding Infant School

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1C

Criterion 3:

Medical/Social Whether there are specific medical or social circumstances (e.g. “looked after”7 child) that can be met only by the child’s attendance at the preferred school (see paragraph on Medical/Social Claims on Page ??) Please note that only in very exceptional cases are places allocated in respect of child’s/parent’s medical/social grounds.

Criterion 4:

Siblings Whether siblings (as defined in paragraph ?? on page ??) attend the school (or associated Junior School) and will still be attending the school in September 2006

Criterion 5:

Religious Reasons To a child who has religious reasons for attending the preferred voluntary controlled school and for whom it can be demonstrated that s/he has strong church connections (see paragraph ??? page ??). These reasons will only be taken into consideration if the preferred school is the nearest Church of England (voluntary aided or voluntary controlled) school to the child’s home address.

Criterion 6

7 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1C

What is a Sibling?

Supporting Evidence

Medical/Social Claims

If you believe there are specific reasons, medical or social (e.g. “looked after”8 child), for claiming priority for your child to attend a particular school these special factors must be indicated on the common application form and evidence (e.g. medical note, evidence of child in care) to support this claim must be submitted with the common application form. Medical notes should state clearly the effects of the condition/illness and why the preferred school is the only school that can meet your child’s needs. This is necessary because you would be asking the Authority to assess your child as having a stronger case than many other children, even some who live closer to the school in question than you do. The information provided will be used to prioritise your request for a particular school. Please note that only in very exceptional cases are places allocated in respect of child’s/parents medical/social grounds.

Child’s Home Address

Documentary evidence of ownership or rental agreement may be required together with proof of actual permanent residence at the property concerned.

8 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 1C

* Documentary evidence related to house moves taking place between the offer date (1st April) and the start of the academic year in September 2006 will be considered.

What can I do if my preference is not successful?

Request Placement on a Waiting List

The Authority will maintain its waiting lists until the day before the children are due to start school in September 2006. After this time the waiting lists will cease to exist as all children should by then have commenced their statutory education. Future enquiries about the availability of places should be directed to the school(s) concerned in the first instance.

Appeal

You will be advised, in writing, of how to access your right of appeal and to whom you should write. Please note that you are only entitled to one appeal, per school, per year- group, per year.

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

Background

A secondary co-ordinated admissions scheme is set out below (based on the DfES model). The co-ordinated scheme needs to be agreed between all maintained admission authorities in Wolverhampton with the Wolverhampton Schools Admissions Forum being the vehicle for this agreement. If Admissions Authorities do not agree to a scheme, the Secretary of State could impose one. The LEA is expected to consult Academies, as well as other admission authorities, in order to agree the scheme. In addition, the DfES recommends LEA’s to invite and encourage CTCs to join co-ordinated schemes.

Every scheme needs to have a means for deciding between potential offers from more than one secondary school in the LEA area in which a parent resides (the home LEA). The provisions of the scheme should be applied equally to applications for the LEA’s schools from parents living in other LEA’s - these applications will need to come via the LEA in which area those parents reside.

Proposed co-ordinated scheme for Wolverhampton – Secondary

This scheme applies to all secondary schools maintained by Wolverhampton LEA as detailed in the “Secondary Education in Wolverhampton 2006/07” booklet. The scheme is an “inter-LEA” scheme whereby Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Shropshire, Staffordshire Telford & Wrekin and Wolverhampton LEAs and Education Walsall have agreed to co-ordinate applications for their schools. In so doing these partners aim to ensure that each child receives the best possible single offer of a place at a secondary school, based upon parents’ preferences.

In brief terms: • Parents will only have to fill in one application form on which they will state their secondary school preferences and reasons for those preferences; • Five preferences are invited; • Initially, all preferences are treated as equal, and sent out as equal to other admission authorities as appropriate (i.e. foundation and voluntary aided schools in Wolverhampton, other participating LEAs as detailed above and Education Walsall). • After over-subscription criteria have been applied (where appropriate), if more than one school place can potentially be offered, the single offer is for the available school the parent ranked highest on the preference form.

In this process the School Admissions and Transfers Section will be operating the procedures on behalf of Wolverhampton LEA as follows:

Step-by-Step Process for 2006/07 Academic Year

1. There will be a standard form known as the Common Application Form (CAF1) and it will be used for the purpose of admitting pupils into the first year of secondary education in the 2006/07 academic year. This form will

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

be included with the “Secondary Education in Wolverhampton 2006/07” information booklet and distributed in September 2005 to parents of all Year 6 pupils in Wolverhampton primary schools (via the school). Early in September neighbouring authorities will be asked to provide details of Year 6 pupils in their primary schools who are resident in Wolverhampton so that booklets may also be sent to the parents of these pupils. In addition, booklets will also be sent to all Wolverhampton secondary schools and the Thomas Telford School (CTC), Wolverhampton libraries and, on request, to individual parents and other agencies/bodies.

2. The form invites all parents of Year 6 pupils resident in Wolverhampton to name and give reasons for applying for up to 5 preferred schools, ranked in order of preference, by 4 November 2005.

3. Parents should name all schools (to a Maximum of 5), for which they wish their child to be considered for a place, including any foundation or voluntary-aided schools, academies and/or any school outside Wolverhampton LEA’s area.

4. Parents expressing preferences for Wolverhampton’s foundation and voluntary aided schools must also complete a “supporting evidence” form and, in respect of applicants for Wolverhampton Girls’ High School, a registration form for the High School tests and return these to the relevant school or schools by the date stated on the supporting evidence or registration form as appropriate.

5. If a parent expresses a preference for a school within another LEA they will be advised to contact the appropriate LEA to determine whether any supporting evidence will be required and to whom it must be supplied.

6. Where a parent completes a “supporting evidence” or “registration” form it should not be regarded as a valid application unless the parent has also completed and submitted the CAF1 and expressed a preference for the school concerned.

7. Parents will be advised to send the CAF1, by the closing date, to their child’s Wolverhampton primary school or directly to the School Admissions & Transfers Section either parents prefer or if the child is attending a school not maintained by the Authority. The closing date for applications is 4 November 2005.

8. On receipt of the CAF1 the Authority will treat all preferences as being ranked equally in the first instance. Any school that receives an application form (CAF1) in error should ensure that it is sent to the applicant’s home LEA as a matter of urgency.

9. By 21 November 2005, the School Admissions and Transfers Section will send other admission authorities and LEAs details of applicants for their schools. These details will not reveal the order of preference, except

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

insofar as other LEAs or admission authorities need the information to apply their own over-subscription criteria (for example, if the order of preference is a key criterion in another LEA area, or a school’s criteria give priority to parents who have made that school their first preference over other parents for whom it is a second or lower preference). This will be explained within the Secondary Education in Wolverhampton 2006/07” booklet.

10. All admission authorities will apply their over-subscription admission criteria, including any selection tests. By mid-January they will then send back to the School Admissions and Transfers Section a list indicating the order in which all children for whom application to the school has been made, have priority, by reference to the over-subscription criteria where necessary. Although all applications need to be assessed and grouped against the criteria, admission authorities of seriously over-subscribed schools need not give individual rankings to applicants in the lowest priority groups for admission, if there is no likelihood of being able to offer them a place after elimination of multiple offers.

11. By the time that the other admission authorities have sent their ranked lists to the School Admissions and Transfers Section, each LEA should have a list of applicants for each of its maintained schools (and any Academy).

12. By the end of January, it is the intention that LEAs will exchange information to work towards the offer of one place to each child.

13. The School Admissions and Transfers Section will then compare the potential offer lists and if more than one school place can potentially be offered, they will allocate a place at the school the parent ranked highest on the common application form (CAF1). If the parent has ranked a preference for a school in another LEA higher than a school in Wolverhampton and the LEA concerned has advised the School Admissions and Transfers Section that a place can be offered then a place will be offered at the out-of city school and a place for a Wolverhampton school will not be offered.

14. If the applicant is a Wolverhampton resident and the School Admissions and Transfers Section is unable to allocate a place at any of the preferred schools then a place will be allocated at the nearest community school that has places available.

15. On 1 March (or, where this is not a working day9, the next working day) – the ”national offer day” for secondary schools – Admissions and Transfers Section will write to every applicant resident in Wolverhampton telling them of their allocated school place. Where the school in question is its

9 Providing this is a working day (i.e. any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday within the meaning of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(a)

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

own admission authority, an academy or in one of the other participating LEAs, the letter will state that the offer is being communicated on behalf of that LEA or school’s governing body. Where a successful applicant for a Wolverhampton school is resident in another LEA, that LEA (i.e. the home LEA) will make the allocation on behalf of the relevant Wolverhampton admission authority.

16. For Wolverhampton residents, where preferences cannot be met, the School Admissions & Transfers Section will notify parents accordingly, setting out the reasons and advising of the right of Appeal, how to lodge an appeal and to whom.

17. For other applicants for Wolverhampton schools the home LEA will notify parents of the reasons why parental preference cannot be met and to whom any appeal should be lodged. For inclusion on any waiting list for a Wolverhampton school parents must contact the School Admissions and Transfers Section.

Applications Received After 4 November 2005 (including changes of preference, changes to the order of preferences or additional preferences)

Applications for Wolverhampton schools received after the closing date will be treated as late unless the application is from a resident of another authority and the closing date for the home authority is later than 8 November 2005.

Normally therefore applications received after the closing date and before 31 December 2005 will only be incorporated into the initial allocation process if the late submission is for good and valid reason, parents can demonstrate a material change of circumstances (see below) or the request is for a school that has not reached its admission limit.

Either 1) incorporated into the initial allocation and assessed against the over-subscription criteria for the school(s) concerned Or 2) considered only after all other applications.

Applications without written reasons for the late application or received after 31 December 2005 will only be considered after all other applications and the notification may be sent shortly after the national offer day (i.e. 1 March 2006). Applications for non-Wolverhampton schools received after 4 November 2005 (including changes of preference, changes to the order of preference or additional preferences) will be referred to the relevant local education authority for assessment in accordance with their scheme and its provision for late applications.

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

Material Changes of Circumstances

In claiming material changes of circumstances the applicant, at the time of application, must supply documentary evidence to confirm the changes. An Example of material changes of circumstances is a house move that necessitates a change of preferences. This would need to be validated by documentary evidence such as a solicitor’s letter confirming the completion of a house purchase or rent book confirming tenancy.

Waiting Lists

The notification letter will offer parents the opportunity to have their child’s name placed on a waiting list for their preferred Wolverhampton school or schools.

The waiting lists will be ranked in admission criteria order. Any places that are surrendered will be re-allocated to pupils on the waiting list for the school concerned. Parents must return their requests by 23 March 2006. Requests received after 23 March 2006 will be given a lower priority on the waiting list and will be considered as individual cases. Material changes of circumstances will be considered if sufficiently demonstrated.

The Authority will maintain the waiting lists until the working day before the start of the 2006/07 school year.

Requests for inclusion on waiting lists for non-Wolverhampton schools must be made in writing to the relevant local education authority for the school concerned for assessment in accordance with their scheme and its provision in respect of waiting lists.

Appeal

The Authority will notify parents in writing of how to access their rights of appeal and to whom they should write.

If a child has a statement of special educational needs any appeal will be to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and not to the independent Appeal Panel.

Please note that you are only entitled to one appeal per school, per year group, per year.

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

Casual Admissions Policy

Parents considering making a request to move their child into or between schools in Wolverhampton, other than at the normal transfer stage, should contact the School Admissions and Transfers Section of the LEA for a Transfer Request Form and, where appropriate, a Supporting Evidence Form.

The Authority recognises that transfers outside of the normal transfer stage are not always in the best interests of either the child or the receiving school and actively monitors the number of transfers in respect of its schools. For this reason the Secondary Social Inclusion and Advisory Placements Panel will consider all transfer requests for Wolverhampton Secondary Schools and make their recommendations to the appropriate admissions authority for consideration.

Transfers will only be considered if the Transfer Request Form and, where appropriate, the Supporting Evidence Form, is complete, i.e. it has been signed by the parent/s and (wherever possible) the headteacher of the previous school.

The Authority will advise parents of the outcome of the transfer request.

Repeat Applications

13/04/2005 APPENDIX 2A Proposed Scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions at Year of Normal Entry and Model Timetable 2006/07

Activities

May - June 05 Gather information re Yr 6 cohort; issue inter-LEA leaflet to parents of all year-5 pupils July-05 Receipt of booklets from printers July & August 05 Collation of booklets & forms for distribution Beginning of Sept 05 LEA sends booklets & preference forms to primary schools Beginning of Sept 05 Primary schools distribute booklets & preference forms to Yr 6 pupils Beginning of Sept 05 Press advert Sept/Oct 05 Secondary schools hold open evenings Oct/Nov 05 Primary schools monitor preference forms received and chase up late applicants 04-Nov-05 Closing Date : All preference forms to be received by primary school or LEA LEA enters data and rankings (via DRS). For community schools checks siblings and addresses, identifies medical & social factors, Oct/Nov 05 measures mileage, etc. By 21 November 05 LEA sends unranked preferences for schools to other LEAs/admission authorities By 13 January 06 VA & F schools submit final lists of applicants in ranked order Jan-06 LEA inputs the results of applicants to other admission authorities. By 13 January 06 1st Cycle: LEA prepares potential offers and swaps this with other LEAs By 27 January 06 LEA inputs potential offers made by other LEAs, compares them to parental rankings and provisionally allocates places. 2ndCycle: LEA inputs provisional allocations from other LEAs, compares them to rankings, adjusts other allocations accordingly and By 13 February 06 finalises allocation of places. This information is swapped with other admission authorities as appropriate.

14/15 February 06 LEA produces offer letters for Wolverhampton residents checking against database for address errors, etc. 1st March 06 Allocation day : LEA sends letters to all YR6 Wolverhampton pupils offering a place in one school. Early March LEA sends offer letters in respect of applications designated as late within the terms of the scheme. Apr to Sept 06 Appeals Season

13/04/2005 Appendix 2B

Community Schools Secondary – Proposed Admission Arrangements - 2006/07

If your child was born between 1/9/1994 and 31/8/1995, s/he will commence secondary education in September 2006 and you should apply for a secondary school place before 04/11/2005. Late applications may be incorporated into the process only as detailed in the scheme for inter-LEA Co-ordination as detailed on the preceding pages (Appendix 1).

Completing the Preference Form (CAF1) Please refer to page 17 “Key Steps for Parents” before completing the preference form as well as the notes of guidance accompanying the form.

Admission Criteria for Secondary Schools

Criterion 1: • Special Educational Needs - A child with a statement of special educational need, which specifies the school concerned in Part 4 of the Statement, will be allocated a place.

Criterion 2: • Medical/Social Whether there are specific medical or social circumstances (e.g. “looked after”10 child) that can be met only by the child’s attendance at the preferred school (see paragraph on Medical/Social Claims on Page 44). Please note that only in very exceptional cases are places allocated in respect of the child’s/parent’s medical/social grounds.

Criterion 3: • Siblings Whether siblings attend the school and will still be attending the school in September 2006 (see page ?? for definition of a sibling for admission purposes).

Criterion 4: • Distance How close the child lives (see definition of child’s home address on page 45) to the school requested, with those living closest to the main entrance to the school by the shortest suitable walking route (as measured by the GIS Software used by this Authority for this purpose) getting the highest priority.

NB If there is an insufficient number of places to accommodate all the children of a particular criterion, the next criterion will be used to assess the applications concerned in order to prioritise applications.

How Are Community School Applications Prioritised?

Provided that the number of requests for places at your preferred community school does not exceed the school’s admission limit, a place could potentially be allocated. However, if the number of requests is greater than the school’s admission limit, applications will be prioritised in accordance with the Authority’s admission criteria for over-subscribed community schools on the preceding page.

10 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989

13/04/2005 Appendix 2B

NB This Authority does not allocate places to its community schools on either a “catchment area” or a “feeder school” basis.

Supporting Evidence

Medical/Social Claims If you believe there are specific reasons, medical or social (e.g. “looked after”11 child), for claiming priority for your child to attend a particular school these special factors must be indicated on the form and evidence (e.g. medical note, evidence of child in care) to support this claim must be submitted with the common application form. Medical notes should state clearly the effects of the condition/illness and why the preferred school is the only school that can meet your child’s needs. This is necessary because you would be asking the Authority to assess your child as having a stronger case than many other children, even some who live closer to the school in question than you do. The information provided will be used to prioritise your request for a particular school. Please note that only in exceptional cases are places prioritised in respect of a child’s/parent’s medical/social grounds.

Definition of a Sibling for Admission Purposes For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who resides at the same address as the child for whom a place is being requested, and is one of the following:- • brother/sister • half brother/sister (i.e. share on common parent) • or stepbrother/sister (i.e. related by a parent’s marriage) • any other child for whom it can be demonstrated that s/he is residing permanently at the same address (e.g. under the terms of a residence order).

The sibling connection only applies where families have a sibling attending the school at the time of the application as well as at the time of admission.

Child’s Home Address Form CAF1 asks parents to provide their child’s home address, i.e. the usual place of residence on weekdays and nights. Please note that childminder’s addresses will not be accepted. This applies to both formal childminders and relatives and friends acting in a childminding capacity.

The home address of a pupil is considered to be the permanent residence of a child in a residential property when the place is offered. Documentary evidence relating to house moves taking place between National Offer Day on 1st March and the start of the academic year in September 2006, will be considered. The address must be the child’s only or main residence and is either: • owned by the child’s parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) • Ieased to or rented by the child’s parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) under lease or written rental agreement.

Documentary evidence of ownership or rental agreement may be required together with proof of actual permanent residence at the property concerned.

In the event that the family moves between the application and date of allocation it is the

11 “Looked after” children as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989

13/04/2005 Appendix 2B parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s)’ responsibility to inform the Authority’s Admissions Officer as soon as possible of these circumstances.

What can I do if my preference is not successful?

Request Placement on a Waiting List

If you have not been allocated a place at your preferred school, the notification letter will offer you the opportunity to have your child’s name placed on a waiting list for your preferred community school or schools. The operation of the waiting lists is described in the scheme on page ??.

Appeal You will be advised, in writing, of how to access your right of appeal and to whom you should write.

13/04/2005