Secondary School Admissions to Year 7 for September 2016 2
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Dear parent/carer, If you need any help or advice as you read through this booklet, please do not Your child is about to start one of the hesitate to contact the Pupil Support and most important and exciting stages of Admissions Team at Children Services & their education and the information in Education Department, 10 Duke Street, this booklet will help you choose the Blackburn, BB2 1DH. The telephone school you would prefer your child to number is (01254) 666605. attend. I would like to encourage you to use Blackburn with Darwen is fast earning the Council’s website to apply for your a reputation as a great place to learn child’s school place this year. Applying and deservedly so, with over 80% of our online is quick, easy and convenient and schools now rated by Ofsted as “good” or all information is held securely. You will “outstanding”. get an email confirmation so you can be Every high school in Blackburn with reassured that your application has been Darwen is committed to providing received and you can also print out or the best opportunities for learning copy your application for your records. and preparing all children for further Please ensure that you either apply education, training and work. Their online or return the completed application performance grows stronger every year, form by October 31, 2015. If you have with around 1000 children getting 5 applied online you will be able to log on or more GCSEs (grades C and above), and see your school offer on March 1, including English and Maths last year. 2016. If you use the paper form, we will It’s not only Blackburn with Darwen’s write to you on March 1, 2016 to offer a examination results that are improving, school place. but also the range and quality of what I am delighted that you are considering our schools can offer your child. Most of a Blackburn with Darwen secondary the borough’s secondary schools are in school and wish your child a happy and brand new or newly refurbished buildings, successful journey through the next stage offering state of the art facilities and of their education. technology and many also providing adult learning and health and leisure facilities Yours faithfully for the community. All schools welcome you to visit them during their open evenings and open days. I strongly advise you to go and visit the schools and see for yourself the fantastic work they are doing and the Linda Clegg remarkable achievements of the young Director of Children’s Services people that attend these schools. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council 3
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
HOW TO APPLY FOR A BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE FOR SEPTEMBER 2016. (Applies to all children who were born between between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005 inclusive) You may apply online from September 7, 2015 at: www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions Listed below are the advantages of applying online: • A quick and easy way of completing an admission application on a secure system • Information that is easily accessible and up-to-date to assist parent(s)/carer(s) in identifying school preferences • The opportunity to amend your application right up to the deadline date • E-mail acknowledgement of all submitted online applications • The opportunity for parents/carers to print a hard copy of online admission applications
PLEASE KEEP THIS SAFE
This space has been provided for you to keep a note of your email address and login/password details in case you need to make a change to your online application:
EMAIL ADDRESS LOGIN
PASSWORD
IF YOU APPLY ONLINE, DO NOT COMPLETE THE PAPER APPLICATION FORM
If you are applying for a place at St. Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, you MUST also complete the governors’ application form, which is enclosed in this booklet. If you are applying for a place at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School you MUST also complete a Governors’ application form which is available from the school.
Please note: The closing date for applications is SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2015.
The information in this booklet is important. If you need any more information please contact your primary school head teacher or the head teacher of the secondary school. 4
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
The Pupil Support & Admissions team can provide help and advice. You can contact us at: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Pupil Support & Admissions Team Children’s Services & Education Department 10 Duke Street Blackburn BB2 1DH Telephone (01254) 666605 Email: [email protected] 5
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Page Contents Timetable for admissions 6 Information about the schools 6 Who can help? Open days and open evenings 7 Co-ordinated admission scheme 7 Admission number 7 Admission authority 7 Admissions policy 7 Applying for admission 8 Online application form 8 Closing date for completion of application form 8 Change of preference 8 Late applications 8 Applications received after the allocation date 8 How the equal preference mechanism works 8 Notification of offer of place 9 Not offered any preference 9 Waiting list 9 Right of appeal 9 Re-appeals 10 Changing schools during the academic year 10 Oversubscribed year groups 10 Places at schools in other council areas 10 Pupils who live in North Turton or Belmont 10 Pupils who live outside Blackburn with Darwen 10 Independent schools 10 Information about schools in Blackburn with Darwen 11 Community High School: 11 Pleckgate High School Admission for: Darwen Vale High School Darwen Aldridge Community Academy St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy Witton Park Academy 11-12 Blackburn Central High School Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School Admission for Voluntary aided faith high schools: Our Lady and St John Catholic College 12 St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio 13 Sixth Form Provision Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School 13 St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College Medical, social, welfare need criterion 13 Children who were previously in care 13 Children with Special Educational Needs 14 Discretionary leave of Absence 14 Education benefits 14 Arrangement for free home to school transport 14 Transport Review and Service Rationalisation 15 Discretionary School Transport 15 Denominational School Transport 15 Discretionary Socially Necessary School Transport 15 Sustainable travel 16 School travel plans 16 School term dates and holidays for community schools 16 Guidance notes for completing the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council online application/ 17 admission form Fraudulent applications 18 Failure to complete application form 18 Council admission form 19 St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy application form 21 Questionnaire 25 Terminology 27 Useful addresses 29 Location of High Schools 31 6
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Timetable for admission to high schools in Information about the Blackburn with Darwen for the school year schools 2016/17 Each school has its own prospectus, which provides detailed information about the The arrangements for the admission of pupils to secondary schools in curriculum, facilities, examination results and September 2016 will follow this timetable, as far as possible. admission criteria used to allocate school places and how this applied to the previous year’s intake. Copies are available from the Admission booklet containing the schools. common application form will be Information about the previous year’s intake available to you online at and the admissions criteria to be used for September 2015 www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions or via the 2016/17 academic year are included in primary schools. The online application the Schools Admissions Policies supplement service will go live from September 7, available online at www.blackburn.gov.uk/ 2015. admissions. Reference copies will also be available in schools. The completed common application Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) form should be submitted on-line or Not later than inspection reports are a good way of finding out returned to the Pupil Support and information about the schools. For the latest October 31, 2015 Admissions team, 10 Duke Street, copy of a report please contact the school direct Blackburn BB2 1DH. or ask at your local library. Inspection reports can also be obtained from the Ofsted website - www.ofsted.gov.uk After October 31, 2015, all applications for admission are processed and all preferences are considered by each Copies of performance tables for all schools admission authority against the published admissions policy. in the borough are available from the Government’s website www.gov.uk The allocation and offer of a secondary school place is then finalised. Information about the schools in the borough, a link to Ofsted reports, relevant admission literature and services provided by the Council can also be found on the Council’s website - The Council will write to you telling you of www.blackburn.gov.uk the allocated secondary school. If your March 1, 2016 child(ren) is refused admission to the preferred school(s) you have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.
Closing date for receipt of appeal forms March 31, 2016 for appeals to be held in May.
May 2016 Admission appeal hearings take place. 7
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Who can help? Admission surgeries The Council will hold admission surgeries at the venues and Open days/open evening times indicated below. The purpose of the surgeries is to provide The following dates have been set to allow you to visit the parent(s)/carer(s) an opportunity to find out about the admission schools. It is recommended you visit as many schools as process from the Council’s Pupil Support and Admissions team. possible to enable you to make an informed expression of preference. Attendance at these events in no way guarantees the offer of a place at the school. If you can’t Venue Time attend an open evening you can contact the school to Monday, September 7, 2015 - arrange an alternative visit. Darwen Children’s Centre 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Schools Date and time Bangor Street Community Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - Centre, Blackburn 6.00pm to 7.00pm Thursday 10 September Little Harwood Children’s Our Lady and St John 2015 – 9.00am to Thursday, September 10, 2015 Centre, Robinson Street, Catholic College 11.00am and 5.00pm to - 5.00pm to 6.00pm Blackburn 7.00pm Audley Neighbourhood Monday September 14, 2015 - Tuesday 15 September Learning Centre, Pringle Street, St Wilfrid's CE Academy 5.00pm to 6.00pm 2015 – 4.00pm to 8.00pm Blackburn Darwen Aldridge Thursday 17 September Please note that there may be limited space / seating at some Community Academy 2015 – 5.30pm to 8.30pm venues. Tuesday 22 September Darwen Vale High School 2015 – 5.00pm to 8.00pm Co-ordinated admission scheme Thursday 24 September St Bede's RC High School Each year the Council, in consultation with all the schools, has to 2015 - 5.00pm to 8.00pm establish a co-ordinated scheme for admission arrangements. The Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High Monday 28 September main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that every child living in School 2015 - 4.30pm to 7.00pm the borough who has applied for admission to a maintained high Blackburn Central High Tuesday 29 September school receives only one offer of a school place. School 2015 - 4.30pm to 8.00pm Wednesday 30 September Admission number Witton Park Academy 2015 – 5.00pm to 8.00pm The number of places available at each school is called the Thursday 1 October 2015 – Pleckgate High School published admission number. This is the maximum number of 5.00pm to 8.00pm children that can be admitted to that school by the admission Queen Elizabeth's Saturday 3 October 2015 - authority. Grammar School 9.30am to 1.30pm Tuesday 6 October 2015 Admission authority and Thursday 8 October The body responsible for deciding on the admission arrangements Tauheedul Islam Boys' 2015 - 10.30am and for a school is known as the admission authority. Blackburn with High School 1.30pm – Please contact Darwen Borough Council is the admission authority for community the school to arrange a schools. Governing bodies of voluntary aided faith, trust, academy visit (01254) 918670 and free schools are the admission authorities of those schools.
Admissions policy If the total number of applications for admission to a school, which includes first, second and third preferences, is more than the published admission number, the admission authority for the school must apply the school’s published admission policy to decide which children should be offered places. The policy describes the categories under which priority is given to children. The admission policies of schools are available in the Schools Admissions Policies supplement which is online at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions. Reference copies will also be available in schools. 8
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Applying for admission PLEASE NOTE that if a late application or change of preference is received after February 1, 2016, it will not be possible for Parents of children living in the Blackburn with Darwen Borough the admission authority to consider it alongside the on-time Council area must apply for admission to schools within applications even if there are exceptional reasons for the delay in this borough and/or schools in other council areas either by submitting the application or for the change of preference. completing the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council online application form (available at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions Change of preference/late applications or in this booklet). Please do not complete both. You must not complete the application form of any other council. received after the allocation date If you wish to change your preference after March 1, 2016 Online application form (notification of offer date), please put your request in writing to the Pupil Support & Admissions team. The online application form for secondary school admissions for September 2016 will be available from September 7, If you have not previously submitted an application but decide 2015 at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions you wish to apply for a place for your child after March 1, 2016 (notification of offer date), you must still complete the Council’s If you do not have internet access at home, you can use common application form. The Council will forward your form the computers at public libraries to complete an online and any relevant documents to the admissions authority of the application form. school(s) preferred for them to consider. The Council will inform you When the Council receives your online application, an email about the outcome of your application. Where a place cannot be will be sent confirming that the application has been received. offered, the child’s details will be placed on the waiting list and you will be informed of your right of appeal. Closing date for completion of application form Equal preference If you are applying online, please make sure your application Whether the application is made online or on the common is submitted by October 31, 2015. application form, you have a right to express a preference for three schools. If you decide to apply for admission using the common application form included in this booklet please make sure By law, all schools are required to apply an equal preference the completed form is returned to the Pupil Support and system for admissions. This means that all schools must consider Admissions team no later than October 31, 2015. all preferences expressed for their school, whether listed as first, second or third preference on the application form without taking Change of preferences into consideration the rank order of the preference. If you wish to change a preference after October 31, 2015 the Council will consider your request but will normally treat How the equal preference mechanism it as a “late application” for the new preferred school (see works below). If there are exceptional reasons for your change of The examples below are designed to give you an idea of how the preference, e.g. if you have changed address, then provided mechanism for determining the offer of a school place works. The the application/ change of preference is received before examples are not meant to be an indication of the pattern of preferences February 1, 2016, the new preference may be considered or the likely outcomes that may occur for admissions in September alongside the applications which were submitted on time. 2016. If you wish us to accept a change of address (as an Example 1 exceptional reason for changing your preference) you must provide the following proof of your new address - either a Preference 1: Pleckgate High School. A place could be offered copy of a letter from a solicitor confirming that contracts under the admission criteria for the school. have been exchanged or a copy of the signed tenancy Preference 2: St Wilfrid’s CE Academy. Completed a supplementary agreement and a copy of your council tax bill. form, a place could be offered under the school’s admission Late applications criteria. Preference 3: Witton Park Academy. A place could be offered under The closing date will as far as possible be strictly observed. the school’s admission criteria. If there are exceptional reasons for the delay, then provided the application is received before February 1, 2016, a late The allocation process identifies that a place could be offered at application may be considered alongside the applications Pleckgate High School, St Wilfrid’s CE Academy and Witton Park which were submitted on time. Academy. If the admission authority is not satisfied that there were The place offered would be at Pleckgate High School as this is the relevant exceptional circumstances for the delay then any highest ranked school at which a place could be offered. application form received after the closing date but before places are allocated will only be considered after all the on- time applications have been considered and allocated places. 9
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Example 2 What happens if my child cannot be Preference 1: St Bede’s RC High School. The school is not offered any of my listed preferences? able to offer a place under the school’s admission criteria. If a child is not allocated a place at any of the schools listed on Preference 2: Darwen Vale High School. A place could be the application form, the Council will write to parents offering the offered under the school’s admission criteria. child a place at an alternative school. Preference 3: Darwen Aldridge Community Academy. A place could be offered under the admission criteria for the Waiting List academy. All admission authorities must maintain a waiting list until at The allocation process identifies that a place could be least 31 December in the academic year of admission for every offered at Darwen Vale High School and Darwen Aldridge oversubscribed school. The admission authority must use the Community Academy. The place offered would be at existing oversubscription criteria to rank the children. Darwen Vale High School as this is the highest ranked The Council will maintain a waiting list for admission to the school at which a place could be offered. community school. Details of children, who have not been The child’s name would be kept on the waiting list for their offered a place at the preferred community school, including late first preference school. applicants, will automatically be placed on the waiting list using Example 3 the Council’s published oversubscription criteria. Preference 1: Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School. The As no distinction will be made between applications received on school is not able to offer a place under the school’s time and late applications, these waiting lists may change at any admission criteria. time. Preference 2: St Wilfrid’s CE Academy. A place could not be If you want to know your child’s position on the waiting list you offered under the admission criteria for the academy. should contact the Council’s Pupil Support & Admissions team, Preference 3: Witton Park Academy. A place could be telephone (01254) 666605. The waiting list will operate until 31 offered under the admission criteria for the academy. December 2016 only. After this, if you want your child to change to another school, you should contact the head teacher of your The allocation process identifies that a place could be child’s existing school or the Council’s Pupil Support & Admissions offered at Witton Park Academy. The child would be offered team who will explain the procedures for changing schools. a place at Witton Park Academy as this is the highest ranked school at which a place could be offered. Different arrangements for waiting lists may apply at voluntary aided faith schools, trust schools and academies. Further The child’s name would be kept on the waiting list for the information is available from the relevant school. first and second preference school. Example 4 Right of appeal Preference 1: Darwen Aldridge Community Academy. A If your child(ren) has not been successful in gaining admission place could not be offered under the admission criteria for to their preferred school you have the right of appeal against the the academy. decision. The letter will also indicate the school at which a place has been offered. Information about appeal procedures for the Preference 2: Our Lady & St John Catholic College. The voluntary aided faith schools, free schools and academies is school is not able to offer a place under the school’s available from the relevant school. admission criteria. Preference 3: Blackburn Central High School. A place could Appeals are considered by an independent appeal panel. The not be offered under the admission criteria for the school. panel is made up of people who have played no part in the original allocation of places and are independent of the school and the The child would be offered a place at the next nearest Council. The independent appeal panel’s decision is binding on all school to their home address which had places available. parties. The child’s name would be kept on the waiting list for the You will normally be given two weeks’ notice of the date, time and first, second and third preference school. venue of the appeal hearing. All relevant papers will be sent to you Notification of offer of place approximately one week before the hearing. Decision letters from the Council informing you of the The yearly appeals for the reception and year 7 intakes often school at which a place has been offered should be involve a large number of appeals for individual schools which can received by you by March 1, 2016. last over several days or weeks but the panel cannot make any decisions until they have heard all the appeals for that school/year group. 10
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Once the panel has made the decisions on all the cases for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will co-operate fully that school/year group, an initial decision letter (confirming with neighbouring councils to make sure that no child is offered the outcome) will be sent to all appellants within 3 working admission at more than one school. days of the decisions being made. A further letter is sent in Before you express a preference for a school maintained by respect of all unsuccessful appeals, to provide full details of another council, you are strongly advised to read the neighbouring the reasons for the panel’s decision, within 15 working days school/council’s admission arrangements and to be aware of of the decisions being made. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s policy about home to If you need advice on completing the appeal form please school transport (see pages 14-16). contact the Pupil Support and Admissions team, telephone (01254) 666605 or your child’s primary school head teacher. Pupils who live in North Turton or Belmont Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council used to have an agreement Re-appeals with Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, which guaranteed You may appeal for more than one school, but are normally the admission of pupils who live in North Turton or Belmont to only allowed to appeal once for each school in respect Turton Media Arts College (T-MAC), provided that it was their first of a school year. The Council policy is to allow parents to preference. re-appeal for community schools within the same school The government’s school admissions code prohibits the guaranteeing year if there are significant and material changes in the of admissions and requires schools to treat all preferences equally. circumstances of the parent, child or the community school This will mean that parents of children resident in North Turton or where a place is requested. Please note that distress Belmont applying for admission to T-MAC will no longer be guaranteed caused to a pupil because of not gaining a place at the admission at T-MAC. Bolton Council will now treat all applications preferred community school will not normally be considered equally and decide on the children who should have a priority for sufficient grounds for granting a re-appeal. admission to T-MAC against their published admission policy. For more information about re-appeals for community Information concerning Bolton Council’s admission arrangements schools, please contact the Council’s Pupil Support & is available by contacting Bolton Council on (01204) 332137. Admissions team telephone (01254) 666605. If you wish to express a Bolton school as a preference you should Requests for re-appeals for the voluntary aided faith still use a Blackburn with Darwen Borough council application form schools, trust schools, free school and academies are at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions or the form in this booklet. considered by the relevant school and not the Council. Changing schools during the Pupils who live outside the Blackburn academic year with Darwen Borough Council area If you wish to apply for admission at a school maintained by Generally a child admitted in a secondary school as a Year Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council you must name the school 7 pupil will remain in that school until age 16. Occasionally, as a preference either on the application form provided by your parents may consider a change of school. Before requesting home council or your home council’s online admission system. a change of school, please contact the head teacher of your child’s current school. More information about changing When applying for admission at St Wilfrid’s Church of England schools is listed in the Council’s “In Year Admission Form”. Academy, you must complete an additional form which is included The form is available from the Pupil Support & Admissions in this booklet. The additional form needs to be completed by your team, Children’s Services and Education Department, 10 Duke vicar/faith leader and returned to St Wilfrid’s Church of England Street, Blackburn, BB2 1DH. Telephone (01254) 666605. Academy no later than October 31, 2015. Oversubscribed year groups When applying for admission to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, you must complete an additional form which is available Parents may occasionally go to appeal and notice that from the school. The additional form needs to be returned to the some year groups in the school which they prefer are over school no later than October 31, 2015. the published admission number. In most cases this is due to previous successful appeals. In addition, fair access Independent schools protocols allow certain vulnerable children to access school The Council cannot consider preferences/applications for independent places outside of the admissions and appeals procedures. schools (i.e. schools that are not included in this booklet) so please Places at schools in other council do not list any independent schools on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s common application form/online form. areas If you have completed the Council’s application form expressing If you decide to seek a place for your child at a school preferences for schools listed in this booklet, but no longer need maintained by another council, please make sure the school a place because your child has a place at an independent school, is expressed as a preference either on the Blackburn with please inform the Pupil Support & Admissions team, telephone Darwen Borough Council application form or the online (01254) 666605. This will help other parents who are seeking application form. places at schools maintained by the Council. 11
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Information about Schools in Darwen Vale High School Blackburn with Darwen Blackburn Road, Darwen Tel: (01254) 223000 Please find below contact details and school roll information Fax: (01254) 223001 about the schools in Blackburn with Darwen. For further Email: [email protected] information about each school, including their admissions Website: www.darwenvale.com policy, please refer to the Schools Admissions Policies Number on roll: 766 supplement (Secondary) available on the council’s website at Head teacher: Mrs F Jack www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions. More Information about Admission number for 2016: 240 each school can be found on the school’s own website, these Preferences for 2015: 312 are listed with the school details below. School bus service 969 - serving Darwen Vale High School. It is advisable that you read the information on page 15-16 Community School regarding the bus service to the school before you list the Pleckgate High School school as one of your preferences. Pleckgate Road Blackburn Darwen Aldridge Community Tel: (01254) 249134 Fax: (01254) 245329 Academy Email: [email protected] Website: www.pleckgatewebsite.co.uk Sudell Road, Darwen Number on roll: 1196 Tel: (01254) 819500 Acting Head teacher: Mr M Bradshaw Fax: (01254) 819501 Admission number for 2016: 270 Email: [email protected] Preferences for 2015: 304 Website: www.daca.uk.com Number on roll: 1177 (11-19) Please note that it is anticipated that Pleckgate High School Principal and Chief Executive: Mr B Loughran will become an academy during the academic year 2015/16. Admission number for 2016: 240 Academies Preferences for 2015: 319 St Wilfrid’s Church of England Darwen Vale High School, Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, Tauheedul Islam Girls’ Academy High School and Witton Park Academy are state-funded schools. Duckworth Street, Blackburn This means that the Academy governing body and not the Tel: (01254) 604000 Council is responsible for admissions to the Academy. Fax: (01254) 604004 How will the application for Email: [email protected] Website: www.saintwilfrids.co.uk admission to the Academy Number on roll: 1461 (11-18) be decided? Principal: Miss C Huddleston Admission number for 2016: 246 Each Academy will consider the applications received for them Preferences for 2015: 667 in accordance with the procedures agreed by all schools under the co-ordinated admissions scheme. This means that each Witton Park Academy Academy will consider all preferences (first, second and third preferences) expressed without taking into consideration the Buncer Lane, Blackburn rank order of the preference. Tel: (01254) 264551 Fax: (01254) 693699 If any child could be offered a place at the Academy and at Email: [email protected] another school, then, in accordance with the co-ordinated Website: www.wittonpark.org.uk admission scheme, the place offered will be at the school Number on roll: 917 which is the highest ranked. For example, if a child can be Head teacher: Mr D Logan offered a place at the first and second preference school, a Admission number for 2016: 240 place will only be offered at the first preference school. Preferences for 2015: 428 12
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School Free Schools Preston New Road, Blackburn BB2 7AD Telephone number: (01254) 54021 Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Fax number: (01254) 676553 West Park Road, Blackburn BB2 6DF Executive Principal: (Mufti) Hamid Patel Tel: (01254) 686300 Email: [email protected] Fax: (01254) 692314 Website: www.tighs.com Email: [email protected] Age range: 11-18 Website: www.qegsblackburn.com Published admission number for September 2016: 120 Head teacher: Mr S A Corns Preferences for 2015: 326 Admission number for 2016: 125 Preferences for 2015: 681 Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School is part of the Tauheedul Education Trust. The Trust has devolved responsibility for Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School admissions to the Local Governing Body of Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School. Shadsworth Road, Blackburn BB1 2HT Telephone number: (01254) 918670 Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School is an 11-18 progressive, Fax number: (01254) 918681 inclusive and outstanding Muslim faith academy school. The Principal: Mubaaruck Ibrahim school welcomes applications from families of other faiths and Email: [email protected] non-faiths. Website: www.tibhs.com Age range: 11-18 Trust School Published admission number for September 2016: 120 Blackburn Central High School is a Trust School. Trust Schools Preferences for 2015: 260 continue to remain part of the Council, but are supported Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School is part of the Tauheedul by trust partners. The trust partners of the East Blackburn Education Trust. The Trust has devolved responsibility for Learning Community Trust are Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High admissions to the Local Governing Body of Tauheedul Islam School, Blackburn College, Royal Blackburn Hospital Trust, Boys’ High School. Blackburn with Darwen Local Authority and the Community Forum. These partners offer a wide variety of experiences, Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School is an 11-18 progressive, opportunities and expertise to staff, students and the local inclusive and outstanding Muslim faith school. The school community. welcomes applications from families of other faiths and non-faiths. Trust status allows Blackburn Central High School to draw on the experience, expertise of the partners and the community to: Voluntary Aided Schools • continue to raise educational standards for the students and their aspirations Our Lady and St John Catholic College • further extend 14-19 learning experiences encouraging North Road, Blackburn students to become lifelong learners Tel: (01254) 588388 Fax: (01254) 588389 Blackburn Central High School Email: [email protected] Website: www.olsj.blackburn.sch.uk Haslingden Road, Blackburn BB2 3HJ Number on roll: 796 (11-16) Tel: (01254) 505700 Head teacher: Mr P Murden Fax: (01254) 505701 Admission number for 2016: 190 Email: [email protected] Total preferences for 2015: 196 Website: www.bchs.co.uk Number on roll: 780 St Bede’s Roman Catholic Head teacher: Mrs D Atkinson Admission number for 2016: 180 High School Preferences for 2015: 261 Green Lane, Blackburn Tel: (01254) 202519 Fax: (01254) 207882 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stbedesblackburn.com Number on roll: 981 Head teacher: Mr D J Callaghan Admission number for 2016: 210 Preferences for 2015: 390 13
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio This evidence should accompany the application form. If necessary, parents/carers can submit the application form and send the Police Street, Darwen supporting evidence at a later date but the supporting evidence Tel: (01254) 819567 MUST be received by the Local Authority on or before the closing Email: [email protected] date for applications. It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure Web: www.daestudio.biz that the Local Authority receives the supporting evidence. Principal: Mrs R Bradbury If you do not provide the supporting evidence on or before Please contact the Enterprise Studio to discuss possible the closing date, then it will not be possible to consider your admission into Year 9 or above. application under the medical/social/welfare criterion. Sixth Form Provision Please bear in mind the following points in relation to this criterion – A number of schools in Blackburn with Darwen, listed below, 1. only exceptional reasons associated with the child and have government funded sixth form facilities. For further directly relevant to the suitability of that specific school details of the learning offer and the admissions criteria, please (i.e. showing why the child needs to be admitted to that contact them directly. particular school) are normally accepted under this criterion. Darwen Aldridge Community Academy 2. all schools can make provision for special educational needs Tel: (01254) 819500 and can also manage common conditions – e.g. asthma, www.daca.uk.com diabetes, epilepsy. Darwen Aldridge Studio School Tel: (01254) 819567 After the closing date, during the early stages of the allocations www.daestudio.biz process, all applications which have requested consideration on the grounds of medical/social/welfare need are considered Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School separately by a panel from the Admission Authority. This involves Tel: (01254) 686300 considering all statements and evidence provided by parents to www.qegsblackburn.com support the application. The panel may, at their own discretion, St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy contact parents/carers and third parties (with parental consent) Tel: (01254) 604000 to request further information where this is needed to reach a www.saintwilfrids.co.uk decision. Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College The Panel’s focus in assessing each claim for consideration under Tel: (01254) 54021 this criterion will be to assess whether the evidence provided: www.tighs.com (a) actually confirms that this child has an exceptional Further information medical/social/welfare need AND (b) demonstrates a clear and exceptional need for the child Medical, social, welfare need criterion to attend a specific school for reasons arising from the If you have listed the schools below as one of your preferences exceptional medical, social, welfare need. and you would like the Admission Authority of the school to When the reasons claimed are not considered exceptional or consider your preference under a medical, social, welfare need do not disclose an exceptional need for the child to attend that please read the information below. specific school, then the application will be dealt with under the • Blackburn Central High School other admission criteria for the school(s) requested. • Darwen Aldridge Community Academy • Darwen Vale High School Children who were previously in Local • Our Lady and St John Catholic College Authority care and who are now • Pleckgate High School adopted, or are subject to a residence/ • Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School • Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School child arrangement or special • Witton Park Academy guardianship order If you feel that there are exceptional medical/social/welfare If your application is for a child who was previously in care and needs relating to your child which support the need for your has now been adopted, please forward to the Pupil Support & child to attend a particular school, and wish your application to Admissions Team, a copy of the adoption certificate. be considered under this criterion you must state this on your If your application is for a child who was previously in Local application form AND provide appropriate written supporting Authority care and is now either subject to a residence / child evidence for your application from a doctor, consultant, social arrangement or special guardianship order, please forward worker or other professional. This evidence must explain why to the Pupil Support & Admissions Team, a copy of the court the preferred school is the most suitable and what difficulties order. (Please note, children who have not been in care to a would be caused if the child had to attend another school. Local Authority will not be considered under this criterion). 14
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Children with Special Educational Needs Arrangement for free home to school Many children experience difficulties during their school life. transport The majority of these difficulties will be met by their school The home to school transport policy reproduced in the booklet from the funding made available to them. However, children is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. who have significant learning difficulties will have their needs supported by an education, health and care plan. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will meet the travelling expenses of some pupils whose parents /carers live within You should note that the Council has a duty to determine and the borough and who attend the nearest suitable school (as review the provision for a child with an education, health and determined by the Council). care plan, statement or IPRA. The annual review in year 5/6 will enable you and the Council to discuss your child’s transfer Please note that where specific school bus services are from primary school and decide his/her future placement. The offered for children who receive bus passes (i.e. are entitled to preferences you express will be considered by the Council’s free transport), first consideration for boarding is given to the Statutory Assessment Team Manager in line with the law and bus pass holders and only if spare capacity/ seats are then the guidance issued in the Special Educational Needs Code of available, will fare paying pupils be allowed on to the bus. Practice. The grounds upon which help may be given are listed below. You will be informed of the school to be named in your child’s 1. Travelling expenses may be paid where the shortest nearest education, health and care plan, statement or IPRA. If you available walking route, accompanied as necessary, as disagree you will be informed of your right of appeal to an determined by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council independent tribunal. Further help on Special Educational between the pupil’s home and the school is: Needs matters is available by contacting the Council’s statutory assessment team, telephone (01254) 666739. (a) two miles or more for pupils aged four but under eight years of age Discretionary Leave of Absence (b) three miles or more for pupils aged eight years and over The amended attendance regulations make it explicit that head teachers may no longer grant any pupil leave of absence during Low income families term-time unless there are truly exceptional circumstances and (c) two miles or more for children aged eight but under the parent(s)/carer(s) make a formal application for the leave in 11 years of age from low income families (where advance. The new regulations also do not allow schools to give children are entitled to free school meals or whose retrospective approval and if the parents did not formally apply parents are in receipt of their maximum level of in advance or a child is subsequently kept away from school for working tax credit) longer than was originally agreed with the head teacher, then the (d) two miles, but less than six miles from one of their pupil’s absence must be recorded as unauthorised and each three nearest appropriate schools for children aged parent could receive penalty notice sanctions for £60 or £120 11 to 16 from low income families (where children are if paid after 21 days but within 28 days (these figures were entitled to free school meals or whose parents are in correct at the time of the booklet going to print). Penalty notices receipt of their maximum level of working tax credit) are issued separately to each parent for each child for failing to (e) where a parent has expressed a preference for a ensure their child’s regular school attendance. school and that preference is based on the parent’s Further advice on attendance is available either from your child’s religion or belief and the child is aged 11 to 16 and school or from the Council’s Learning Access Team, telephone the preferred school is more than two miles, but less (01254) 666515. than 15 miles (where children are entitled to free school meals or whose parents are in receipt of their Education benefits maximum level of working tax credit) Free School Meals is an entitlement for eligible children to 2. Travel passes will only be issued to pupils for attendance receive a free two course meal each day. If your child is eligible at the nearest appropriate school as determined by the for a free school meal, and you make an application, your child’s Council. school will also benefit from increased funding to support education. 3. Applications for a travel pass are sent out automatically to the parents of children who qualify for assistance under Details of benefits relating to free school meals are available the transport policy criteria. If you have not received an from the Council’s Customer Services Department, telephone application form one month before the travel pass is 0845 0701066 (local rate). required and you feel you qualify please contact the School Transport Team - contact details are on page 15. 15
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4. Where a travel pass has been issued it must be returned Discretionary School Transport to the address indicated below immediately in the event of Other forms of transport can be offered by the Council at its any change of circumstances, including the following: discretion even though there is no legal requirement to do so. (a) where the pupil changes their address This is known as ‘Discretionary School Transport’. (b) where the pupil leaves the school before the date on which the travel pass expires Denominational School Transport (c) where absence for any reason of one month or more Previously, under Discretionary School Transport, the Council can be anticipated or has occurred provided free denominational transport – i.e transport to the nearest faith school for pupils admitted there (who met the statutory 5. For secondary school pupils the application form must be qualifying distance requirements) even when the faith school accompanied by one passport type photograph. was not the ‘nearest suitable school’. Legally, the ‘nearest Transport Review and Service suitable school’ is only defined as a school with places available that provides education appropriate to the age, ability and aptitude Rationalisation of the child (and any special needs the child may have), not one that During the last academic year, the Council consulted with can provide an education in accordance with parental faith or beliefs. parents, schools, governors, dioceses and other interested Following a review and public consultation in 2011, the Council parties regarding a number of proposed changes to the Council’s took the decision that all new applications from the start of the Home to School transport policy for pupils attending mainstream academic year 2012/13 onwards would only be eligible for a schools and academies. free bus pass if the pupil met the statutory qualifying distance The consultation covered a number of proposals relating to requirements and was attending their nearest suitable school discretionary aspects of the policy, including school bus/taxi (as defined as above). Children who are not eligible for a free provision, administration charges (for replacement passes), bus pass from that date are charged a subsidised fare per day withdrawal of certain discretionary assistance that was for the return journey to use the bus service. previously available (e.g. for children moving schools), increases This policy will not affect children who were already receiving a in bus fares and so on. discretionary bus pass for travel to a faith school prior to that Following the consultation, a number of proposals were put date; they will continue to be eligible as long as they attend the forward and the Council made the decision to withdraw certain same school and still meet the relevant distance criteria. discretionary transport arrangements that were previously The above is based on current interpretation of legislation. provided and to periodically review and increase transport fees/ If there are any changes to the relevant legislation then the costs. Council will review and amend its policies as necessary to Full details of the exact changes are contained in the Council’s comply with legal requirements. amended home to school transport policy, which is available Further information is available from: on-line at www.blackburn.gov.uk/pages/home-to-school- School Transport Team, Blackburn with Darwen Borough transport.aspx and from the transport team. Council, Regeneration Department, Old Town Hall, King William Discussions have also taken place between the Council and Street, Blackburn, BB1 7DY. Telephone (01254) 585003. those schools for whom the Council currently still arranges discretionary fee-paying transport services because although Discretionary Socially Necessary pupils are paying to use these bus services, the Council is School Transport currently still providing a subsidy to cover the funding shortfall 969 – Serving Darwen Vale High School. between the cost of the service and the bus fares paid by pupils Historically the Council provided a school bus from certain areas using these services. That Council subsidy is being phased out of the town to this school. The Council has undertaken a review and will eventually cease entirely. Therefore, the level of fares of this service, and following a public consultation, a decision to individual schools will vary in future years, depending on the was taken in 2013 to stop providing the above listed service. level of subsidy each school provides for its transport services. The Council acknowledges that some parents who enrolled St Bede’s RC High, St Wilfrid’s CE Academy, Our Lady & St John’s their children at this school prior to that time may have been Catholic College and Darwen Aldridge Community Academy have influenced in that decision by the transport policy in force at agreed to contribute towards the subsidy costs for bus services the time they applied under which this service was available to their schools. (September 2013). Therefore the council agreed to continue As pupil intakes change, the Council has taken the opportunity providing this service for a limited time for the benefit of those to rationalise bus routes so that the most effective use is made pupils. The last cohort of pupils who are entitled to receive this of the services provided and we anticipate that there will be service will complete their secondary education in July 2019 some changes to existing routes from January 2016. Buses and the bus service will completely cease from that date. It is will still continue to cover all relevant areas, but pick-up/drop-off possible that this service will cease running earlier (depending points will change in order to fit with the amended routes. Full on pupil movements), but in any event, this bus service will be details of any changes will be available from the Council’s School completely withdrawn in July 2019. Transport team and from schools. 16
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Pupils admitted after September 2013 (including all pupils admitted to this We actively inform and encourage people to school from September 2016) have no entitlement to use this service. If there walk, cycle or use public transport to school. are any seats available that are not required for the pupils who are entitled to use In Blackburn with Darwen we also promote the transport, then other Darwen Vale pupils will be permitted to use this service. car sharing and the Park and Stride initiative. We are closely linked with Eco Schools and Parents are reminded that no extra capacity will be made available on this Sustainable Schools. service and the provision of this service is not guaranteed to new transport users for any particular length of time. If at any time, a seat is not available School travel plans for a child (who does not have a right to access this transport) then the Travel plans are completed by each individual parent(s)/carer(s) of that child are responsible for making any necessary school and set out local transport links, travel home to school transport arrangements. and road safety issues, proposed initiatives, NB: At the very latest this bus service will entirely cease in July 2019. objectives and targets. Many issues are Please also note that there is a charge for pupils using these buses. caused by cars parking illegally and causing problems for pedestrians and putting When selecting their preferences for their child’s secondary school children’s safety at risk. place, parents are strongly advised to take account of the fact that this transport service is being phased out and will NOT be available at all from School term dates and July 2019 onwards. holidays for community Further information is available from: schools School Transport Team, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Regeneration (Please note the dates are subject to review Department, Old Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn, BB1 7DY. and will vary from school to school) Telephone (01254) 585003 Autumn Term 2016 Dates Sustainable Travel Re-open September 1, 2016 The journey to and from school is now an important part of the wider national October 31 2016 - debate on car dependence and the need to change travel habits. Midterm closure November 4, 2016 In 1986 children aged 16 and under made nearly 60% of their journeys to (inclusive) school on foot and only 16% by car. Since then the number of trips on foot December 23, Closure after school on has dropped below half and those by car doubled. There has also been a 2016 decline in the use of public transport and cycling. Some of the reasons for the recent trends of more car use and less walking Spring Term 2017 Dates and cycling are: Re-open January 9, 2017 • Parents’ fears about their children’s involvement in road traffic accidents February 13 - 17 if they walk or cycle Midterm closure 2017 (inclusive) • Parents’ fears about personal safety if they travel to school unaccompanied • Increase in car ownership and use, particularly more households also Closure after school on March 31, 2017 having a second car • Greater parental choice and school closures resulting in longer journeys Summer Term 2017 Dates • School run is part of an onward journey Re-open April 18, 2017 The consequence of this change includes: May Day Holiday May 1, 2017 • Huge increase in peak period traffic congestion • Increase in atmospheric pollution Midterm closure May 29 - June 2 • Children are given less opportunity to develop road safety and personal safety skills Closure after school on July 21, 2017 Over the past twenty years, many projects have been developed to encourage children who are driven to school to use other modes of transport, but it is only recently that such ideas have started to become more widely accepted. Blackburn with Darwen is committed to a strategy which provides information and supports a healthier choice of transport modes, particularly reducing the amount of car use on the school run. Throughout the borough, school staff, pupils and parents are encouraged to choose an active way to travel to school; information and activities are readily available at www.bwdconnect.org.uk 17
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10. If your application is for a child who has Guidance notes for completing the been adopted, please forward to the Pupil Blackburn with Darwen Borough Support and Admissions team, a copy of the adoption certificate. Please note that Council application form /online this information will remain confidential. application form 11. If you feel your child has very strong medical, social or welfare reasons for The Council’s online application form or the form at the back of this booklet admission, please indicate on the form must be completed by the parent(s)/carer(s) of borough children requiring and provide appropriate supporting admission to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council schools and/or evidence from a doctor, social worker or neighbouring council schools. Please do not complete both. Please do not other professional with your application indicate independent schools, as the Council cannot consider applications for form. This evidence must explain why the independent fee-paying schools. preferred school is the most suitable one Please read the notes below before applying for admission. for your child to attend and what difficulties would be caused if the child had to attend 1. Give the correct home address. This must be where the child normally another school. (See page 13). lives - not a child minder’s or grandparent’s address. If a false address is 12. If you are applying online please ensure given you may lose the place allocated to you your application is submitted by October 2. It is in your interest to make sure that you inform the Council’s 31, 2015. Pupil Support & Admissions team in writing of any change in your circumstances, such as a new address. The Council is prepared to If you decide to apply for admission using consider your application for admission to the community school on the common application form included in the basis of an alternative address as long as you can provide written this booklet please ensure the completed evidence to confirm the new address, for example, a letter from your form is returned to the Pupil Support and solicitor confirming exchange of contracts or a long term tenancy Admissions team, Blackburn with Darwen agreement Borough Council, Children’s Services & Education Department, 10 Duke Street, 3. Please be aware of the equal preference system and the policy for Blackburn BB2 1DH by October 31, 2015. deciding the school place to be offered in the event that admission could be offered at more than one school 13. Forms received after the closing date will be classed as late applications and may 4. Please be aware of the admission criteria to be used by admission not be considered at the same time as authorities when a school receives more applications than there are those applications which were received on places available time 5. You are strongly advised to read the Council’s policy about home to 14. If your child attends an independent school transport on pages 14-16 before applying for a school place school, and you wish to express a 6. You are strongly advised not to repeat the name of one school or just preference for admission at a Blackburn give a single preferred school. This does not improve your chances of with Darwen Borough Council school, getting a place at the preferred school. What it does mean is that, if please complete the online application you don’t obtain a place at the preferred school, the Council and the form at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions schools will not know which other schools are of interest to you. You may or return the completed Council application lose priority for another school where you might otherwise have a good form from this booklet no later than chance of getting a place October 31, 2015 to the Pupil Support and 7. A copy of the child’s baptismal certificate must be included with the Admissions team, Blackburn with Darwen application form when applying for a place at Our Lady and St John Borough Council, Children’s Services & Catholic College or St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School Education Department, 10 Duke Street, 8. If you are applying for admission at St Wilfrid’s Church of England Blackburn BB2 1DH. Academy, an additional form which is available with this booklet must also be completed. The completed form must be returned to the school by October 31, 2015. Please do not attach to the Council’s application form reasons/supporting evidence that you wish the governors of St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy to consider. The governors of St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, do not receive a copy of the Council’s application form 9. If you are applying for admission at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School an additional form which can be obtained from the school must also be completed and returned to the school by October 31, 2015. 18
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Fraudulent applications You must put the correct details on your application form and give the address where your child normally lives - not a child minder’s or a relative’s address. The Council will consider an alternative address (for places at the community school only) if you can provide a letter from your solicitor confirming exchange of contracts for buying a house or a long term tenancy agreement. When the community school receives more applications than there are places available, the Council will check the information provided on the application form. You may be required to provide copies of your child benefit entitlement/letter and council tax bill or utility bill (gas, electricity, water or telephone) to make sure the information given on the application form is correct. The Council reserves the right to share the information you give with others and, if necessary, to visit properties to check who actually lives there. If the Council finds that false information has been given, your child will not be given a place at that school. If a place has been offered and the information given turns out to be false, that place may be withdrawn. If your child is allowed to continue at that school, even though the information was false, their siblings will not be given priority for places at that school under the ‘sibling’ category in the admission criteria if they then apply for places at the school in question. Failure to complete an application form If you fail to apply for your child’s admission to secondary school either by the closing date or not at all, this may result in your child receiving an offer of a school place at a school that has vacancies after all the initial allocations have been processed. Please be aware that failing to ensure that your child is receiving suitable education may result in prosecution. 19 For Office Use Only Date received: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council common application form for Year 7 secondary admission for September 2016 You may apply on online at www.blackburn.gov.uk/admissions, or complete this paper version of the form. Please read the guidance notes on page 17 before completing the form. Please ensure you use the ‘submit’ button online to register your application or return the completed paper form to Pupil Support & Admissions team, 10 Duke Street, Blackburn, BB2 1DH on or before October 31, 2015. PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS 1. Name of child Surname Forename(s) 2. Boy or girl Date of birth / / Twin/Triplet 3. Primary school attending at present 4. (a) Name of parent/carer (b) Address (c) Postcode Tel 5. If a child is not living permanently with parent(s)/carers please give: Relationship to child (a) Name of person child usually lives with (b) Address (c) Post code Tel (d) Date when the child began living with person at address in (5b) 6. Does the child have an Education, Health and Care Plan/Statement of Special educational Needs/IPRA? Yes No
7. Is the child in care to any local authority? Yes No 8. Was the child formerly in care and now adopted? please see page 13 Yes No 9. Was the child formerly in care but is now subject to a residence/child arrangement or special guardianship order? please see page 13 Yes No 10. Name of relevant Local Authority 11. Name of Social Worker Tel No 12. Is the child cared for by someone other than a parent? If so please provide Yes No the name of the person and where relevant the relationship to the child. Contact Agency Tel No 13. Does a parent/carer work at any of your school preferences? Yes No Name School 14. Details of older siblings who will be attending secondary school on September 1, 2016. If one of your preferences is for either Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High or Tauheedal Islam Boys’ High Schools, please list any siblings who have ever studied at the schools. Name(s) Date of birth School
Statement of preferences 15. You are strongly advised to indicate a second or third preference school in case a place at your first preference school is not available. Your list of preferences must include preferences for schools in this and in other council areas. Only indicate independent schools not listed in this booklet if you have accepted the place there and do not wish to be considered for admission at a Council school. For office use only First preference For office use only Second preference Third preference For office use only 20
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If applying for St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, please also complete a separate form. The completed form must be returned to the school on or before October 31, 2015. Please do not attach to the Council’s application form reasons/supporting evidence that you wish the governors of St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy to consider. The governors of St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy do not receive a copy of the Council’s application form. If applying for Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School please also complete a separate form available from the school which should be returned to the school by October 31, 2015. Please do not attach to the Council’s application form reasons/supporting evidence that you wish the governors of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School to consider. The governors of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School do not receive a copy of the Council’s application form. Parents/carers of Roman Catholic children applying for admission at Our Lady and St John Catholic College and/or St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School are required to provide a copy of their child’s baptismal certificate with this form.
16. Any additional information you may wish to provide for example, of a social/medical/welfare nature for your preferences, can either be given below or may be attached to this form or on a separate sheet, along with any relevant letter from a professional.
17. (a) If you wish for your child’s application to be considered under the Catholic faith for St Bede’s or Our Lady & St John please provide details of the Roman Catholic parish in which your child was baptised
(b) Please provide details of the Roman Catholic parish in which your child now lives
18. If you wish for your child’s application to be considered under the Muslim faith and or mosque membership criteria for TIGHS / TIBHS please complete below. I, the Parent / Carer confirm that the child is a Muslim.
Signed Parent / Carer: Date:
I, the Parent / Carer, confirm that I am a member of, or receive the membership benefits of, the mosque named below (please circle relevant mosque).
Masjid – e - Tauheedul Islam Masjid al Hidayah Masjid – e - Irfan Masjid – e - Anisul Islam
Further information about the mosque membership is available in the admission policy for the school(s).
19. I / we have read the booklet ‘Secondary school admissions 2016’ and certify that the information given on this form is correct. Parent(s)/carer(s) signature: Date Admission authorities reserve the right to verify the information given on this form. Any offer of a place will be on the basis that the information is accurate. They reserve the right to withdraw the offer of a place if such an offer has been made as the result of inaccurate information given on this form. 21
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For school office use
Form No.
Date received
Distance
SAINT WILFRID’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY Duckworth Street, Blackburn BB2 2JR Tel: (01254) 604000
ADMISSION TO YEAR 7 - SEPTEMBER 2016 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORM
GUIDANCE NOTES • All the relevant sections should be completed clearly. • If you are asking your minister or religious leader to act as a referee you should ensure that their section is completed. • This supplementary form must be returned to St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy. • The local authority common application form must have St Wilfrid’s named as one of your preferences and be returned to the local authority. • You are responsible for making sure both forms are returned by 31st October 2015.
The full details of the admission policy and guidance notes are on the Academy’s website. Please read before completing the supplementary form. Applications to be considered on Christian Faith grounds require worship in a church that has membership of Churches Together in England, the Free Churches Group or the Evangelical Alliance. PART 1 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PARENT(S) OR LEGAL GUARDIAN(S) – PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS.
Child’s Forename
Surname
Child’s Date of birth
Full name(s) of parent(s) or legal guardian(s): 22
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YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP
Name of Vicar/Minister or Faith Leader
Name of Place of Worship
Address
Worship Attendance – Better attending Parent (Mother, Father or Guardian) Please tick the appropriate category
2) weekly over two years
3) fortnightly over two years
4) monthly over two years
5) weekly over one year
6) fortnightly over one year
7) monthly over one year
8) occasionally
If claiming worship attendance or faith commitment to a major world faith in membership of the UK Interfaith Network, please provide details here (or submit a statement of support from a faith leader which confirms the same level of commitment):- 11) other faiths
(a) I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information I have given is correct.
(b) I understand that any offer of a place may be withdrawn if it is found that inaccurate information has been given.
Signed Date (Parent/Legal Guardian) 23
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SAINT WILFRID’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY
PART 2 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE FAITH LEADER AT YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP The information provided below will be regarded as confidential to the Governors of the Academy Trust, but will have to be made available to parents if their application reaches the appeal stage.
Do you confirm the information supplied above by the parent/guardian is correct? YES / NO
Number of years for which this attendance has been the pattern up to the 1st September in the year of application
Is your Church a member of Churches Together in England, the Free Churches or the YES / NO Evangelical Alliance or is your faith in membership of the UK Interfaith Network?
Signed: Date:
Name in block capitals:
Position:
Name and address of place of worship:
Telephone number:
3. RETURN OF COMPLETED FORM When you have completed Part 2, please return the whole form to the Clerk to the Governors, Saint Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, Duckworth Street, Blackburn, BB2 2JR not later than 31 October 2015. 24
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Dear Parent/Carer
The Council’s Pupil Support and Admissions team provides information for parents on how and when to apply for a school place. It is very important that the information provided to parents is clear and easy to follow. We have produced a questionnaire that enables you to give us your views about the process. We would be grateful if you could spare some time in completing the questionnaire to help us improve our service. We value your comments If you would like to speak to someone about this questionnaire please ring the Pupil Support & Admissions Team on (01254) 666605 or call in at 10 Duke Street, Blackburn, BB2 1DH.
Did you view the Secondary Admission Booklet 2016 online or in print before the open days/open evenings? Yes No If no, how did you find out what you needed to do?
Where did you get your secondary admission booklet 2016 from?
Did you find the secondary admission booklet (Please circle as appropriate) 1 = Very Good 2 = Good 3 = Ok 4 = Poor
Very Good Good Ok Poor Easy to understand? 1 2 3 4 Contained helpful information? 1 2 3 4 Contained information about the closing date? 1 2 3 4 Gave you a date by which you would receive a decision? 1 2 3 4 Gave details of who to contact for help or advice? 1 2 3 4 Overall did you find the quality of information given helpful? 1 2 3 4
What other information would you like to be included in the booklet?
If you contacted the Pupil Support and Admissions team, did you find the staff helpful? Yes No If no, please say why not?
Thank you for your help.
Please return your completed questionnaire along with the completed application form to the Pupil Support & Admissions Team, Children’s Services & Education Department, 10 Duke Street, Blackburn, BB2 1DH by October 31, 2015. 26
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Secondary School Admissions 2016
Co-ordinated scheme for admission to school - this is a Terminology method for determining, from potential offers for school Academy - an Academy is a publicly funded, independently places, which is going to be the single offer of a school place managed school. Academies are established by sponsors communicated to parents. For co-ordinated schemes agreed from business, faith, voluntary groups or other educational for Blackburn with Darwen residents the highest ranked establishments working in partnership with the local council potential offer as determined from the preference form/online and central government. The Department for Education meets application, will be the single offer of a school place. the capital and running costs for the academy in full and they Eligible for admission - this is where a child can be offered a are funded at the same level as other schools place at school either because: Additional information form - some schools require parents to • the number of applications for the school is below the complete a form to support their application for a school place. admission number; or For example a church school may ask for confirmation of the child’s regular attendance at church. • it is oversubscribed but the child is ranked sufficiently highly under the admission criteria when compared to Admission appeal - where a parent/carer is not offered a place other children at a school for which they have expressed a preference, they have a legal right for their preference to be further considered Community school - state schools that are wholly owned and by an independent panel. maintained by the Local Authority. The Local Authority has the main responsibility for deciding the arrangements for admitting Admission arrangements - all the procedures, criteria and pupils. publications which must be put in place by an admissions authority in order to process applications for admission to Foundation school - type of state school which is run by the school. Admission arrangements will determine whether a child Local Authority but which has more freedom than community is eligible for admission to school. schools to manage the school and decide on its own admissions. At foundation schools the governing body is the Admission Authority - the body responsible for determining the employer and the admission authority. admission arrangements for a school. This can be the Local Authority or the governing body of the school. Free School - Free Schools are set up by groups of parents, teachers, charities, businesses, universities, trusts, religious or Admission criteria - the rules which govern who should and voluntary groups but are funded directly by central government. should not be offered a place at an oversubscribed school. The schools are established as academies, independent of Admission number - the number of pupils in any relevant local authorities. age group intended to be admitted in any school year as Governing Body - the group of elected and appointed members determined by an admission authority. The admission number at every school with responsibility for the management and is calculated by dividing the net capacity by the number of year school budget. Some governing bodies have responsibility for groups and consulting upon that with the school. setting admission policies. Admission round - the procedure, arrangements and timetable Home authority - the Local Authority in which the parent whereby parents/carers have to submit their common resides. application form for admission to school in order to receive the single offer of a school place from the authority. Independent school - school that is not maintained by a LA. Usually fee paying e.g. Bolton School. Admission year - the school year to which the admission arrangements apply. LA - Local Authority, your LA is the one you pay your council tax to. Allocation of a school place - this is where the single offer of a place at a school is accepted by the parent/carers and Letter of appeal - the letter to be submitted by parent/carer to therefore the child’s name is placed on the list of admissions request an independent appeal for a school in which they have to that school. not been offered a place. Allowed - in relation to school appeals this means that the Maintained schools - a term for all state schools. parent/carer won their appeal and the child was offered a National offer day - the day on which letters offering school place in the school. places are posted out to parents. For admission to secondary Authority offers - places offered in a school that was not school in September 2016 the day set out in the code of expressed as a preference but offered as the nearest school practice is 1 March 2016 (or the next working day). that had places. Oversubscribed - where the number of applications for C.E. - Church of England the relevant year group in an admission year exceeds the admission number. Preference - the legislation requires that parents must indicate to the admissions authority those schools they would wish their child to attend (also available online). 28
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Preference form - the form used by parents on which they are required to express preferences for school and give reasons for those preferences. Ranking - the order in which parents have to list their three preferences on the common application form to enable the authority to determine the single offer of a school place. R.C. - Roman Catholic Refused - in relation to school appeals this means that the parent/carer lost their appeal and were not offered a place in the school. Special Educational Needs (SEN) - a child may have special educational needs if they have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age or have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities normally provided for children of the same age in school. Single offer of a school place - the one offer for a place at a school which is made to a parent/carer from the three potential offers available based on the ranking of the preferences expressed. Supplementary form - some schools require parents to complete a form to support their application for a school place. For example a church school may ask for confirmation of a child’s regular attendance at church. Upheld - in relation to school appeals this means that the parent/carer won their appeal and the child was offered a place in the school. Voluntary aided - schools that are maintained by the Local Authority, with a foundation (generally religious) that appoints most of the governing body. The governing body is the admission authority. Voluntary controlled - schools that are maintained by the Local Authority, with a foundation (generally religious). The Local Authority is the admission authority. 29
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Useful addresses
School Admissions Education Welfare
Children’s Services & Education Department Children’s Services & Education Department 10 Duke Street 10 Duke Street Blackburn Blackburn BB2 1DH BB2 1DH Telephone: (01254) 666605 Telephone: (01254) 666862
Statutory Assessment for Special Education Transport Educational Needs
Children’s Services & Education Department Transport Services 10 Duke Street Regeneration Department Blackburn Town Hall BB2 1DH Blackburn Telephone: (01254) 666739 BB1 7DY Telephone: (01254) 585003 Other Councils
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council Pupil & Student Services Paderborn House Civic Centre Bolton Telephone: (01204) 332137
Lancashire County Council
The Accrington office has responsibility for admission of pupils in schools in the Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale areas and the Preston office for the Preston, South Ribble, Ormskirk and Chorley areas.
Pupil Access Team Pupil Access Team Area Education Office Area Education Office 44 Union Street East Cliff Accrington Preston Telephone: (01254) 220718 Telephone: (01772) 531813 30
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016 31
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Secondary School Admissions 2016
Location of secondary schools in the borough of Blackburn with Darwen
Pleckgate High
Tauheedul Islam Girls High
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
St. Wilfrid’s CE Academy Our Lady & St. John RC High Witton Park Academy
Blackburn Central High Tauheedul Islam Boys High
St. Bede’s RC High
Darwen Vale High
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio
Darwen Aldridge Academy The information published in this booklet applies to the school year 2016-17 and was correct at the time of publication. If you have any comments about the contents of the booklet please send them to: Pupil Support & Admissions Manager Children’s Services & Education Department 10 Duke Street Blackburn BB2 1DH Tel: (01254) 666605 Fax: (01254) 666884 Email: [email protected]
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