Applying the Oversubscription Criteria
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2021/22 Applying for School Places 1 Apply online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions Apply online for a school place It’s quick and easy You can apply from 1st September 2020 at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ schooladmissions Applications should be submitted by 31st October 2020 for secondary 15th January 2021 for primary If you are a parent resident in Cheshire East, with a child born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, your child will be due to start primary school in September 2021. If you do not have web access call 0300 123 5012 Late applications may be disadvantaged 2 Apply online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions Councillor Kathryn Flavell Jacky Forster Children and Families Portfolio Director of Education Holder and 14-19 Skills Dear Parents to optimise the chance of you being successful in Your child will soon be approaching the important being offered one of your preferences. We work milestone where you need to consider and apply for closely with housing developers to create additional a school place to either start in Reception at primary school places where these are needed and obtain school or start at secondary school in September financial contributions from them to support school 2021. We appreciate this is a really important decision expansions. for you and your child. We would urge you to read the information in this This booklet aims to provide you with information booklet and submit your application by the deadline. about schools and/or signpost you to information to Parents are asked to think about how their child support you in identifying your preferred schools and will travel to school when making their preferences. to advise you about applying for a school place. Cheshire East is committed to working with schools We appreciate it has been really challenging time for to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to minimise the families over the last 6 months and your child will impact on the environment and as part of healthy only just be settling back into a routine when you lifestyles for Cheshire East pupils. need to make these important decisions. Schools If your child has an Education, Health & Care Plan, the will need to review how they can safely accommodate Special Educational Needs and Disability Team (SEND) any parental visits and these may have to take place will work with you to find the nearest suitable school after school when children have left for the day. which can meet their needs. Some meetings may have to take place via video We would encourage you to contact schools to find conferencing so please contact the school to check on out more about what they can offer your child. their arrangements. We hope you appreciate this may If you need support in completing your application be necessary to keep schools safe. please contact the admissions team by email at Cheshire East is a high performing authority with 80% [email protected] or by telephone on of primary schools and 92% of secondary schools 0300 123 5012. Parents are encouraged to follow the judged as either good or outstanding by Ofsted, Family Information Service on social media for tips with most education outcomes above the national and advice. average. In 2020, we were able to offer 98% of 1st- 3rd We hope that your child is happy in their new school, preferences in primary (Reception) and over 96% for enjoys learning and develops by participating in the secondary (Year 7) for Cheshire East residents. We many new and exciting opportunities that schools in continually review and increase capacity at schools Cheshire East provide. Councillor Kathryn Flavell Jacky Forster Children and Families Portfolio Holder Director of Education and 14-19 Skills Follow us on Twitter: @CE_Admissions 3 Contents Application Timetable 6 Important information: - Residency; re-allocating places 8 - Chronological age groups 8 The Application Process 12 Processing Applications 16 Next Stage in the Process 19 School Transport 22 More Information 24 Other Authorities Contact Details 29 Frequently Asked Questions 30 Application Form 39 Use of Information – Data Protection and Security 41 Contact: School Admissions Email: [email protected] Cheshire East Council Twitter: @CE_Admissions Floor 5, c/o Municipal Buildings Telephone: 0300 123 5012 Earle Street Crewe CW1 2BJ The information contained in this booklet relates to the school year 2021-2022. Although correct at the time of publishing (August 2020), there may be changes before or during the 2021-2022 school year and in subsequent years. Further information can be obtained from the Council and from individual schools. 4 Apply online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions Apply online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ schooladmissions Follow us on Twitter: @CE_Admissions 5 Application timetable 6 Apply online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions The application timetable for admission to the Other UTC/Studio schools within a reasonable reception class in a primary school and year 7 class travelling distance of Cheshire East to which in a secondary school is set out in the table below. residents can apply are listed in the Secondary Please note: Applications for transfer to Cheshire Schools, UTC and Studio School booklet available Studio School and Crewe Engineering and Design on our website or in hard copy on request. UTC must be made direct to the school. Details Information on how to apply will be provided on are provided in the secondary schools booklet on the relevant school website. our website. Process Secondary Transfers Primary Admissions Application process starts – online application form 1 September 2020 1 September 2020 and composite prospectus available. Closing date for applications 31 October 2020 15 January 2021 Deadline for receipt of supporting documentation 7 December 2020 15 February 2021 Offers released 1 March 2021 16 April 2021 Deadline for accepting or declining places. The Local Authority reserves the right to withdraw 16 March 2021 30 April 2021 places not accepted Waiting lists prepared and vacancies re-allocated. Waiting lists will be held in criteria order. Parents offered places on this basis will be required to accept or decline the place 16 March 2021 After 30 April 2021 offered within 10 school days. Appeal application deadlines 30 March 2021 15 May 2021 Appeal hearings (on time applications) 18 June 2021 16 July 2021 (as far as possible) Within 40 days of deadline Within 40 days of deadline where possible, or where possible, or Appeal hearings – late applications 30 school days of appeal 30 school days of appeal being lodged being lodged In Year Applications We receive many ‘in year’ applications and these are generally where families are moving into ‘In year’ applications are those made during the Cheshire East or are moving from one part of the school year into any year group other than the Authority’s area to another. normal point of entry to school. If you are thinking about changing schools for The normal point of entry to Cheshire East schools reasons other than a house move we strongly is in September into: advise that you discuss the proposed transfer • The reception class for a primary school with your current school. • Year 7 to secondary school Information about the application process is • Year 10 to Cheshire Studio School and Crewe UTC published in our ‘In Year Admissions’ booklet. • Year 12 to a sixth form Follow us on Twitter: @CE_Admissions 7 Important Information Residency Re-allocating Places When you apply for a school place your application Offers will be made on the 1 March 2021 will be considered on the basis of the residency (secondary places) and 16 April 2021 (primary of your child. For applications made during the places). If you are unsuccessful with your normal admission round this will be where your application you can request that your child is child lives on the date published for the receipt of added to the school’s waiting list. Any vacancies supporting documentation. You must therefore will be re-allocated from the waiting list after notify us if you move house after you have 16 March for secondary school places and after submitted your application as this could affect 30 April for primary school places. your priority for admission within the oversubscription criteria and your position on Chronological age groups a waiting list, if applicable. Children reach compulsory age at the beginning The place of residence for late applications of the term following their fifth birthday. However, received after the date published for the receipt children are normally admitted to school in the of supporting documentation will be the address September following their fourth birthday. at the time of application. Proof of address and residency may be requested. Address information Important Information provided on the application form may also be verified through liaison with other departments September 2021 Admission: within the Local Authority as with those made during the normal admission round. This will Any child born between: include verifying against Council Tax records. 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 Places offered on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application may As a general principle, children in Cheshire East are be withdrawn. taught in the year group for their age range along with other children in the same age range. This is Important Information sometimes referred to as the child’s chronological age group. Please note: In exceptional circumstances you may apply to the admission authority for your child to be taught Citizens outside the UK can be accepted, with outside their chronological age group. the current address being used as the residential address for the application. Please see our website for more information.