Primary and Secondary Schools in Slough A parents’ guide to admissions 2016 Apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions Dear Parent(s) Carer(s) This booklet has been prepared to help you apply for a place in a Slough nursery, infant, junior, primary or secondary school. It includes information about the application process for Reception and Year 7 (secondary transfer) in September 2016. For Reception and Year 7 applications for September 2016, you can apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions. For Year 7 applications the website will be open from 1 September 2015 and for Reception applications it will open on the 1 September 2015. Schools and local authorities will be sharing information on applications, to ensure the admissions process runs as smoothly as possible for you and your child. If you need further assistance or advice, staff will be pleased to help you. They can be contacted by: ç Emailing: [email protected] ç Telephoning: 01753 875728 Lines are open 10.00am - 5.30pm Wednesday and Friday ç Visiting: MyCouncil, Slough High Street Tuesday and Thursday 10.00am - 5.30pm ç Writing to: Admissions and Transport Team Slough Borough Council St Martins Place 51 Bath Road Slough SL1 3UF Finally I hope your child has a successful start to their primary or secondary education. Yours sincerely Cllr. Pavitar Mann Robin Crofts Commissioner for Director of Education Education and Children Apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions 1 Slough Schools’ Charter for Parents and Carers - a charter for success; realising ambition for Slough children Purpose We know that parental involvement with a child’s learning makes an important difference to the achievement for that child. The purpose of this charter is to describe shared expectations across all Slough schools for working together with parents, carers and families. Vision We want every child in Slough to share values that contribute to a successful community. A successful child in Slough will become: • confident • creative • curious • resilient • able to handle challenge In order to promote successful learning for all Slough children, schools will work in partnership with parents, carers and families in a proactive way that values parental contributions and is mindful of the individual needs of families due to differing life circumstances. Shared expectations of a successful learner Together we have identified a number of key expectations that we believe help children to succeed in learning. All schools in Slough share these expectations and they underpin our work with children and their families. A successful learner benefits from: • open, two-way communications between school and home • parents/carers and the school working in partnership to meet their individual needs • parents/carers who have high aspirations for them • full attendance and being punctual • parents/carers who are interested and involved in their child’s learning journey • parents/carers who support school expectations e.g. behaviour, homework, uniform • the chance to take part in a range of school and extra-curricular activities 2 Apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions Contents Page 15 Secondary transfer timetable 4 Childcare in Slough 15 What if I change my mind about my choice of school after 31 October 2015? 4 Cost of Childcare 15 Will my child go on a waiting list if they are not 4 Funded Early Learning for 2,3 and 4 year olds offered a place? 4 Where are funded Early Learning places 15 Grammar Schools available? 16 The Langley Academy 4 What hours are available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds? 16 Baylis Court School 5 Who will pay for my child’s place? 17-30 Slough Secondary Schools 5 How do I choose and apply for a place for my child? General Information 5 If my child attends a nursery class in a school, 31 What are the dates of the school terms and will my child automatically transfer to the main holidays for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 school? 32 Late applications 6 Explanation of terms 32 Changes of preference Primary Education 32 Can I appeal against a schools decision? 7 At what age must my child start school? 32 Can the offer of a place be withdrawn? 8 When should I apply for a place for my child? 33 School exclusions 9 How do I apply? 33 Applying for a school place after the normal time 10-12 Primary School List of admission? 12 Is there a limit to the number of children 33 Will my child be entitled to any assistance with admitted to infant classes? transport? 12 Will my child go on a waiting list, if they are not 33 Pupils from low income families offered a place? 34 Are pupils over 16 entitled to transport? 12 Can I defer my child’s entry to school? 34 Is my child entitled to free school meals? 12 Will my child transfer from infant to junior 34 Choice Advice school automatically? 12 Applications to other year groups and Junior School Admissions Arrangements schools Page 35-95 Secondary Education 13 At what age does my child start secondary Primary School Map school? Page 96-97 13 What types of school are there in Slough? 14 Can I choose the school my child attends? Secondary School Map 14 How do I apply? Page 98-99 14 Completing the form Apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions 3 Childcare and Funded Early Learning in Slough Childcare in Slough • Help may also be available from your employer, either directly or through a Childcare Voucher There is a range of childcare available across Slough. scheme. Childcare settings must be registered with Ofsted if For more information, contact the FIS or look at they work with children under 8 years old for more the Paying for Childcare website than 2 hours per day. Childcare settings for children www.payingforchildcare.org.uk/ aged eight and above or offered directly by a school do not have to be registered by Ofsted. However, the Funded Early Learning for 2, 3 and 4 year olds provider may chose to register on the voluntary part Children must attend school from the term after of the Ofsted Childcare Register. their 5th birthday but most Slough schools admit You can check to see if a childcare provider is children earlier than this. registered with Ofsted by asking to see the setting’s Funded Early Learning is available at a wide range registration certificate or by calling Slough Children of settings to all children, starting at the beginning and Young People’s Information Service on 01753 of the term after their 3rd birthday. Places are also 476589. Ofsted regularly inspects childcare settings available to some eligible 2 year olds starting in and you will find the reports of these inspections on September 2014. the Ofsted website (www.ofsted.gov.uk). For more information, contact the FIS. The types of childcare available in Slough include: Where are Funded Early Learning Places • Childminders available? • Day Nurseries and Pre-schools Parents may choose to access Funded Early • Children’s Centres Learning Places from a range of Early Years Providers across Slough, including: • Out of School Care which includes Breakfast, After-school and Holiday Clubs • Approved Childminders Most childcare is available during the day between 8 • Children’s Centres am and 6 pm but some providers offer care earlier or • Day Nurseries and Pre-schools later in the day. Some childminders offer a flexible service with earlier starts and later finishes, • Nursery Classes in Schools including evening and weekend care. • Nursery Schools For more information about childcare and to find • Private & Independent Nursery Schools details of providers in Slough, look at the Slough Services Guide, www.servicesguide.slough.gov.uk in These providers will all be approved by Slough Early the ‘For Family’ section under ‘Childcare’. Years Service and registered with Ofsted. You can also contact the Family Information Service The list of approved providers can be found on the (FIS) on 01753 476589 or [email protected] Slough Services Guide, www.servicesguide.slough.gov.uk in the ‘For Family’ Cost of Childcare section under ‘Education, Learning & Employment’ Childcare costs will vary according to the age of the / ‘Funded Early learning for 2, 3 and 4 year olds’. child and the number of hours used. Childcare Hard copies of the list are available from the FIS. providers will have their own fee structures and you should contact them for details. What hours are available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds? Parents using registered childcare may be eligible to All children, from the beginning of the term after get help with the costs of childcare: their 3rd birthday, and those eligible 2 year olds, from the beginning of the term after their 2nd • Depending on your income you may be eligible birthday, are entitled to up to 570 hours funded for a tax credit covering up to 70% of your early learning per year. childcare costs through the Childcare Element of the Working Tax Credit. For more information contact HMRC on 0845 300 3900. 4 Apply online at www.slough.gov.uk/admissions Childcare and Funded Early Learning in Slough These hours can be taken as; • Applications can be made after the child’s 2nd birthday for possible admission in the term • 15 hours per week term time only (38 weeks a following the child’s 3rd birthday. year). This can be offered as 3 hours per day or flexibly over a minimum of 2 days a week • Most Early Years Settings admit children each term. between 8am and 6pm. • Parents may be asked for proof of identity and • Fewer hours a week over the whole year.