Part 1 General Information Types of School Status of Schools List of Schools Standard Number Defined Area Compulsory School Age Visiting Schools School Prospectus Admission to Schools outside Moving Home Timeline for Admissions Procedures

Part 2 Admission to Primary School

Part 3 Admission to Secondary School

Part 4 Children with Special Needs

Part 5 Allocations, Reviews and Appeals

Part 6 Home to School Transport

Part 7 Governing Bodies, The Education Welfare Service and Other Useful Information

Part 8 Map of Milton Keynes and Lists of Schools

This booklet is available on the Milton Keynes Council website on www.mkweb.co.uk

1 ….. PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

PREFERENCE AND CHOICE

In Milton Keynes the admissions policy for all schools operates on a first preference basis. This means that parents must complete a preference (or application) form. Parents do not have a right to choose a school for their child. They can however state a preference. If you live within the school’s defined area your application will be given priority.

The Council and Schools will do everything possible to allocate a place at your preferred school. There is, however, no guarantee of a place at the school serving the area where you live.

TYPES OF SCHOOLS

In Milton Keynes, if you pay your Council Tax to Milton Keynes Council, there are five types of mainstream school that children can attend dependent on their age:

- Nursery school or class 3 or 4 years - First school One point of entry to 8 years - Middle school 8 to 12 years - Combined schools One point of entry to 12 years - Secondary school 12 to 18 years

These schools are co-educational and admit girls and boys of all abilities within the age range shown above.

There are also special schools providing support for children with moderate and/or severe learning difficulties, communication difficulties and emotional and behavioural difficulties. The age range varies. Further information on those schools is available from the Special Educational Needs Section, Milton Keynes Council, telephone 01908 253414.

STATUS OF SCHOOLS

The schools maintained by Milton Keynes Council are identified within the four categories shown below:

Community schools where the Council, Local Education Authority, is the admissions authority. The majority of schools come within this category.

Voluntary schools (Aided) where the governing body is responsible for all admission arrangements. All the Catholic combined schools, the one Catholic secondary school and one C of E middle school in Milton Keynes are voluntary aided. These schools are:

St Mary & St Giles CE Middle School, Stony Stratford St Mary Magdalene RC Combined School, Greenleys St Monica’s RC Combined School, Neath Hill 2 ….. Bishop Parker RC Combined School, St Paul’s Catholic Secondary School, Leadenhall St Thomas Aquinas RC Combined School, Bletchley

Voluntary controlled schools where the Council, Local Education Authority, is the admissions authority. These schools are:

Cold Harbour Combined School, Bletchley Newton Blossomville First School, Newton Blossomville Sherington First School, Sherington Stoke Goldington First School, Stoke Goldington St Andrew’s First School, Great Linford Wavendon First School, Wavendon

Foundation schools where the governing body is responsible for all admission arrangements. These schools are:

Two Mile Ash Middle School, Two Mile Ash , Shenley Church End Lord Grey School, Bletchley , Wolverton Stantonbury Campus, Stantonbury

The following schools have applied for Foundation Status. If approved by the Department for Education and Skills, is likely to come into effect for January 2002:

Stanton Middle School, Bradville (secondary), (secondary), Shenley Brook End

The Council works closely with all these schools so that parents have access to relevant information about admissions policies and criteria.

SCHOOL DETAILS

Part of this information booklet contains a list of primary and secondary schools. The following information about each school is provided:

Headteacher’s name, school address, telephone number, standard number, age range and description of the school’s defined area

Also provided is a list of nursery schools and classes attached to mainstream schools and details of special needs provision in primary and secondary schools.

STANDARD NUMBER

All mainstream schools have a standard number related to its accommodation. Schools must admit up to this limit each year, assuming there are enough applications. The standard number for each school is shown along with other details about Milton Keynes schools later in this booklet.

3 ….. Overall the Council provides sufficient places in the primary and secondary schools for all children in the transfer year groups. If you are unable to obtain a place at your preferred school then you will be advised which schools have vacancies and how to ask for a review or an appeal.

DEFINED AREA

Each school has a defined area, which is detailed in the lists of schools provided later in this booklet.

There is no guarantee of a place at the school serving the area where you live.

The admissions policy operates on a first preference basis. This applies to admissions at One Point of Entry, 8+ and 12+ and at any other time.

All parents must complete a form stating their first preference. Priority will then be given to children living in the defined area.

If there are more “in-area” applications for the available places then it may not be possible to offer all children a place.

Admissions procedures are detailed more fully later in this booklet.

Every effort will be made to provide places at parents’ preferred school and for the majority of children that will be possible. Over 98% of parental preferences for primary school places were met in 2000 and 92% of secondary school places (figures for 2001 to be confirmed).

COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE

Children are considered to be of statutory school age when they have reached the age of 5 years and be in school on a full time basis.

VISITING SCHOOLS

Each autumn term all the secondary schools arrange open days or evenings for the parents of children due to transfer the following September.

Primary schools do not usually have an open evening although that is a matter for individual schools. If you contact the school direct the school secretary or administrator will be able to confirm what arrangements are made for parents to visit schools.

It is important that you visit the school which serves the area where you live, the “defined area”, as well as any other schools in which you might be interested, even if you already have an older child attending that school. Each school’s individual circumstances can change year on year and you should not assume that the information, which you received in a previous year, will be the same this year.

Visits at other times are at the discretion of the schools and should be arranged directly with the individual schools.

4 ….. SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

In addition to the information contained in this booklet parents should obtain a copy of the prospectus for the school which serves the area where they live. The prospectus may be supplied with this information. If not, please contact the school direct. If you are interested in considering other schools then the prospectuses are available by telephoning the school direct or by collection at the open evenings for secondary schools.

You may also want to see annual school performance tables, which should be available at the school. The published reports of recent school inspections may also be helpful in giving additional information. Where schools have been identified as giving some cause for concern, the Headteacher, Governors and Council will be working hard to resolve any difficulties and ensure that children attending the school are not disadvantaged.

APPLYING FOR A SCHOOL PLACE

Please refer to the sections on admission of children at One Point of Entry, transfer at 8+ or transfer at 12+ detailed later in this booklet.

ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF MILTON KEYNES

You may request a place at a school run by a neighbouring authority. Requests should be directed to that school or authority who will decide if a place can be made available. The cost of any home to school transport is the responsibility of the parent.

CHILDREN FROM OTHER AUTHORITIES

If you live outside Milton Keynes and wish your child to be admitted to a Milton Keynes school you should contact the Admissions Section, whose address and telephone numbers are given at the front of this booklet. Any application made will be considered in line with the admissions criteria detailed in the booklet.

You should note that your child’s attendance at a Milton Keynes nursery school or class or attendance at a first, middle or combined school does not guarantee admission to another Milton Keynes primary or secondary school.

MOVING HOME

Moving home within Milton Keynes

If you move home during your child’s last year at first school i.e. Year 3 or the last year at middle or combined school i.e. Year 7 but your child remains at the same school, you must let that school know as soon as possible.

Alternatively, if you move home within Milton Keynes and there is a change of primary school involved, you should let the Admissions Section know as soon as possible.

In both these cases it is important that any application for transfer at the end of Year 3 or at the end of year 7 is re-considered. 5 ….. When the admissions staff have checked whether your change of address and/or your child’s change of primary school have affected your application you will be contacted as soon as possible. If these changes occur before the closing date for applications i.e. 7 December 2001 for transfer to secondary school or for transfer to middle or combined school, your application will be considered in line with all those submitted on time. If the changes occurred after the closing date this may affect the situation.

If you have any concerns about a possible move and how this would affect you please contact the Admissions Section on 01908 253489 or 253450.

Coming to Milton Keynes

If you move into the Milton Keynes area when your child is in the transfer year i.e. Year 3 or Year 7 the same situation explained above will apply. Therefore, if your move means that you can make an application by the closing date, your application will be considered along with those submitted on time.

If your application is received after the closing date then this may affect the situation.

Please contact the admissions staff on 01908 253489 or 253450 if you have any concerns or wish to discuss the matter.

PART 2 ADMISSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS

From September 2002, the Council is introducing one point of entry admission for children entering school for the first time. This means that all children who are 5 between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2003 will start school in September 2002 (children born between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998). The admissions policy is explained on Page (to be confirmed)

Early Years’ Provision

Early years’ provision is also available for children before they start school at one point of entry. Children who are five during the autumn or spring terms can attend early years provision for one (for spring born children) or two (for autumn born children) term/s. Summer born children will start school in the previous September following their fourth birthday

Early years’ provision is available in the Education Authority’s nursery schools or classes, early years’ classes in mainstream schools or through the Local Authority’s Day Nurseries. Provision is also available through the voluntary and independent sector.

In addition to the two nursery schools there are a further 12 nursery classes attached to mainstream first and combined schools. These nursery classes may admit children from a wider area than the school’s defined area. Please note: attendance at an attached nursery class does not guarantee a place at the school.

The admissions criteria to nursery schools and classes do not apply to those schools offering early years’ provision in which case, the criteria for admission at rising five or earlier apply.

6 ….. Three Year Olds

In addition to this the Government has introduced Early Education places for a limited number of three year olds across a variety of Early Education providers. By 2004 there will be sufficient early education places for all three-year olds.

Currently parents of three-year olds seeking early education places must meet specified eligibility criteria, which is based on identified social and special needs. For further information please contact the Child Care Information Line Tel: 01908 253918.

ADMISSION TO NURSERY CLASSES AND SCHOOLS

Nursery Schools and Classes will consider applications for three and four year olds. Therefore an application for a place at a nursery school or nursery class may be made at any time on or after the child’s second birthday. An application for a place in a designated nursery class which admits three-year olds may be made on or after the child’s second birthday.

There are two designated nurseries which can support children with special educational needs.

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places the priority for admission will be given to those with the earlier birthdays. However, priority may be given to children in the following categories:

A. children who have learning and/or behavioural difficulties (on the basis of evidence provided by an appropriately qualified professional); B. children with medical problems or with medical problems in the family; C. children who have experienced the death of a parent, brother or sister; D. children who do not speak English as first language; E. children of one parent families; F. children who for some unusual reason are isolated from naturally occurring peer group contact; G. children of very young parents; H. children who have previously attended a nursery or primary school.

The criteria shown applies only to the two nursery schools and 12 nursery classes attached to mainstream first and combined schools.

Children attending nursery schools or classes will have their places funded through the Government’s early years’ grant. Allocations earlier than 4+ are at the discretion of the Council or to support children who have a statement of special educational needs.

Parents who are unsuccessful in obtaining a place at a nursery school or one of the 12 nursery classes attached to first or combined schools do not have the right of review or appeal.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

7 ….. In Milton Keynes the admissions policy for all primary schools operates on a first preference basis. This means that parents must complete a preference or application form. If they live in the school’s defined area the application will be given priority. There is however no guarantee of a place at the school serving the area where you live.

ONE POINT OF ENTRY

From September 2002, Milton Keynes Council is introducing a One Point of Entry policy for children entering school for the first time. This means that all children who are five during the school year i.e. born between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998, will be admitted to school in September 2002. Only those children will be admitted to school. Schools will not admit children who are four during the school year with the exception of those with nursery classes. · Children who are born between 1 September and 31 December are admitted to school in the term when they are five. The two terms’ prior, when children are eligible for early years’ education, will be taken with another provider unless the school has an attached nursery class. · Children who are born between 1 January and 30 April will be admitted to school in the previous September. The one term prior, when children are eligible for early years education, will be taken with another provider, unless the school has a nursery class. · Children who are born between 1 May and 31 August will be admitted to school in the previous September.

Full or Part Time

Some first or combined schools admit children at one point of entry on a full-time basis from the start of the autumn term. The remainder, provide a pattern of part-time and full-time provision. Individual schools will confirm their pattern of admission.

Infant Class Sizes Requirement

There is a legal requirement that infant class sizes may not contain more than 30 pupils. This affects children seeking admission to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. This means that where the class size limit has been met it may not be possible to provide a place for your child.

· Every effort will be made to comply with parental preference with priority being given to pupils living in a school’s defined area. · Once all in-area applications have been dealt with, then consideration will be given to out- area applicants subject to the availability of places. · All those expressing a preference will be expected to complete an application or preference form and return this by the due date. · Once the class size limit has been reached in the relevant year group or, in the case of staggered admission over three terms, the best estimate of applications, then all applicants will be turned down. · Parents will be advised of their right to seek a review and appeal. · Parents will be advised of the nearest school where there are vacancies in the year group. · If the nearest available school is more than two miles from the home address then transport will be provided according to the Council’s transport policy.

8 ….. Deferred Entry

Parents of children who are five during the school year will, on an exceptional basis, be able to request deferred entry to school. However the following procedures will apply:

· Parents must apply for a place along with all other parents by the designated date. · The application will be considered along with all other applications and places will be allocated in line with the Council’s admissions policy. A request for deferment will have no bearing on the decision to allocate a place. · Parents requesting deferment must attach a letter to their application stating the reason for the request and the term that admission is required. A deferment only applies to the school year in question i.e the year in which your child would normally start school. The place must be taken up within the school year. This means that the child must be in attendance at the school at the beginning of the Summer Term at the latest. A request for deferment until the next academic year will not be permitted. · The Headteacher will advise the LEA whether he or she supports the request. The LEA will confirm the outcome to parents. · There is no right of appeal on a request for deferment.

Applying for School Places – For children who will be five between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2003.

Children entering school for the first time will be admitted to school in the September of the academic year in which they become five. Applications are considered during the spring term. For children who will be five between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998, a preference or application form should be completed and returned to the preferred school or to the Pupil Support Section at Saxon Court, as early as possible or at the latest by 25 January 2002.

TRANSFER AT 8+

Children attending first schools in Milton Keynes transfer to middle or, in some cases, combined schools at 8+, in the September following their eighth birthday. This means that children who were born between 1 September 1993 and 31 August 1994 are due to transfer to middle or combined schools in September 2002.

Applying for School Places

Children due to transfer to middle or combined schools at 8+ (at the end of Year 3) in the September following the child’s eighth birthday. Applications are considered during the spring term prior to admission.

YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE PREFERENCE FORM TO YOUR CHILD’S PRIMARY SCHOOL BY FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2001

A preference form should be supplied with this information.

If you are applying for a place at an out-area school and your application is late or you do not return a form, then it will not be possible to consider your application along with those returned on time. Your application will be regarded as “late”. 9 ….. Please note that a number of primary schools in Milton Keynes are over-subscribed annually. If you make a preference for a place at a school which is not the defined area school and subsequently are not allocated a place, there is no guarantee that your child will be offered a place at the local school. You can request a review and subsequently an appeal against that decision.

Admissions Criteria for Over-Subscribed Primary Schools.

In Milton Keynes the admissions policy for all first, middle and combined schools operates on a first preference basis. This means that children whose parents complete and return a preference form stating they would like a place at the defined area school will be given priority consideration. A number of schools are over subscribed and it may not possible to allocate places in certain year groups. Please contact the Admissions Section at Saxon Court for further information.

Admission at Rising 5 or earlier and those aged 5, 6 and 7 at Key Stage 1 is subject to class size legislation. There is no guaranteed place.

Once all the in-area applications have been dealt with and places remain then these will be allocated to out-area applicants following the criteria shown below. The admissions criteria are also applied where there are more in-area applications than the number of available places. However, in very exceptional circumstances this might not apply.

The voluntary [aided] and foundation schools, which are responsible for their own admissions, also have criteria which are used when there are more applications than there are places. These are shown in the individual school’s prospectus and are also provided later in this section.

Places are allocated at community and voluntary controlled schools in line with Milton Keynes Council’s admissions criteria shown below subject to parents completing and returning an application or preference form. The criteria applies to admission of children who are five during the academic year or transferring at 8+ or for those requesting admission at any time other than the normal point of entry.

1. Pupils for whom the school is the first preference; 2. Pupils who live in the defined area or the area normally served by the school (as agreed with the Admissions Authority and set out in the individual school prospectus). You may be asked to provide proof of permanent residence in the defined areas; 3. Pupils with a brother or sister still in attendance at the time of admission; 4. Denominational preference for a Church of School (for voluntary controlled schools) supported by proof of church commitment e.g. a letter from the local vicar; 5. Children with exceptional medical or social needs whose parents can demonstrate that admission to a particular school is necessary for the medical and social well-being of their child and whose application is supported by written evidence; 6. Children with exceptional educational needs whose parents can demonstrate that entry to a particular school is necessary and whose application is supported by written evidence; 7. In the event of over-subscription, once places have been allocated under the criteria above the remaining places will be awarded according to the proximity of the child’s home to school as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the child’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate. 10 ….. Where the number of applications under any of the criteria at 1 to 6 above exceed the number of available places then criterion 7 will operate as a tie-breaker to determine the allocation of places. So, for example, if there were 25 applications for 20 places then the 20 children who live the nearest to the school would be offered places.

It is important to bear in mind the criteria when completing the preference form.

Please note, there is no automatic right of a place at a particular primary school even if you live within the school’s defined area or there is already a sibling at the preferred “out-area” school or your child attends a first school linked to a preferred middle or combined school.

If you are moving home within or into Milton Keynes this may affect any application you are making to a school for your child. Please read the section in Part 1 on Moving Home and telephone the Admissions Section at Saxon Court on 01908 253489/253450 if you need advice.

The way the criteria work is shown here:

If there are 60 places available and there are only 54 applications then all children will be allocated a place. This will be regardless of where they live or any other factor which might be relevant from the criteria detailed above.

If there are 60 places available and 70 applications have been received, the 60 places will be allocated in order of the criteria detailed on the previous page. The applications will be broken down into smaller groups and places allocated up to the admission limit. The allocations might be made as follows:

54 places to all the pupils living in the defined area 4 places to children living outside the defined area but whom have brothers or sisters who will still be in attendance at the school at the time of admission 2 places to the two of the remaining 12 applications in respect of other children living outside the school’s defined area. These two children could be those living nearest to the school under criterion 7 from the list on the previous page, or might have special cases under criterion 5 and 6.

The parents of the ten children refused places would be advised of what they can do next. They can request a place at their defined area school or request a review or subsequently go to appeal which are both explained later in this booklet.

PRIMARY – ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR ONE POINT OF ENTRY AND TRANSFER AT 8+ – FOR ADMISSION FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 ONWARD

11 ….. Community and Voluntary Controlled – First, Voluntary Aided, Roman Catholic & C of E Middle & Combined

B. Bishop Parker RC Combined (VA) 1. Pupils for whom the school is first preference: 1. Siblings of pupils already at the school. 2. Pupils living within the area normally served by the school (as agreed with the Admissions 2. Children of Catholic families known to the Authority and set out in the individual school clergy as practising their religion and living in prospectus). You may be asked to provide the Bletchley Parish. proof of permanent residence in the reserved area; 3. Children of Catholic families known to the clergy as practising their religion and living 3. Pupils with an older brother or sister still in outside the Bletchley Parish. attendance at the time of admission; 4. Other Catholic children who have attended 4. Denominational preference for a Church of Bishop Parker nursery. England school (for voluntary controlled schools) supported by proof of church 5. Other Catholic children. commitment, eg a letter from the local vicar; In the event of too many children seeking limited places under any one of the above criteria then 5. Children with exceptional medical or social nearness to the school, as the crow flies, will be needs whose parents can demonstrate that used as the deciding factor. admission to a particular school is necessary for the medical and social well-being of their child and whose application is supported by written evidence;

6. Children with exceptional educational needs whose parents can demonstrate that entry to a particular school is necessary and whose application is supported by written evidence;

7. In the event of over-subscription, once places have been allocated under the criteria above the remaining places will be awarded according to the proximity of the child’s home to school as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the child’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate.

Roman Catholic

St Mary Magdalene St Monicas St Thomas Aquinas

12 ….. A. Baptised Roman Catholic 1. Baptised Roman Catholic (RC) 1. Siblings of practising Catholic children: children living within the parishes of St families who have a child already Augustine or St Bede or Our Lady of on the school roll; 1) Whose families regularly attend Lourdes who worship regularly at one 2. Children from families who are mass at St Mary Magdalene, St of these churches with the written known to the Clergy as practising Frances de Sale or St Edward the recommendation of the relevant parish their religion; Confessor. priest; 3. Children of practising Catholic 2) Who have a brother or sister at the 2. Baptised RC children who are siblings families living in Bletchley Catholic school at the time of likely of a pupil on roll at St Monica’s at the Parish; admission. time of admission; 4. Children of practising Catholic 3) Those living nearest to the school, 3. Baptised RC children living within the families from neighbouring measured by the shortest walking parishes of St Augustine or St Bede or parishes. distance using public highways. Our lady of Lourdes with the written recommendation of the parish priest of B. Baptised Roman Catholic the Roman Catholic church where they Children: regularly attend Mass and participate in parish life; 1) whose families are resident in the 4. Baptised RC children living in Catholic parishes of St Mary Magdalene, St parishes other than St Augustine or St Frances de Sale or St Edward the Bede or Our Lady of Lourdes with the Confessor. written recommendation of their 2) Who have a brother or sister at the appropriate parish priest; school at the time of likely 5. Other baptised RC children living admission. within the parish of St Augustine or St 3) Those living nearest to the school, Bede or Our Lady of Lourdes; measured by the shortest walking 6. Baptised RC children living in Catholic distance using public highways. parishes other than St Augustine or St Bede or Our Lady of Lourdes; C. In the event of these being under- 7. Children whose parents desire for subscription for places in the them to have a Christian Catholic school, then the Admissions education and whose application is Committee will admit Baptised supported by a recommendation from Roman Catholic children whose the minister of the Christian Church parents are resident in other they attend regularly, may be parishes at the time of application considered before others at the in the following order of priority: governors’ discretion; 8. Children with strong medical or social 1) the presence of a brother or sister grounds for admission whose parents in the school. desire for them to have a Christian 2) those living nearest to the school Catholic education may be considered as described in B. before others at the governors’ discretion; D. If, after considering applications 9. Children living locally (within a three made which meet any of the above mile radius of St Monica’s) whose criteria or a combination of one or more parents desire them to have a Christian of the same and that there remains a Catholic education may be considered shortfall in the planned admissions before others at the governors’ number, then the Admissions discretion. Committee may consider applications made by parents of other Christian denominations, desirous of obtaining a Christian education for their child, provided that such an application is supported in writing, by the appropriate Minister of Religion, confirming that the family regularly attends services.

C of E Foundation 13 ….. F. St Mary & St Giles G. Two Mile Ash

1. Children who live within the reserved area – 1. Sisters or brothers of children who are the western half of Stony Stratford, bounded by attending, or have attended, the school and including Calverton Road, Park Road, providing their place is registered by 4 London Road (as far as the allotments) and November 2001. Calverton. (Transport is provided for those And children who live in Calverton). 1. Children living in the school’s reserved area of 2. Children who live outside the area described Two Mile Ash, Great Holm and part of Crown in 1. above – if a brother or sister is already in Hill (as designated by the LEA) and whose the school and will be at the expected date of place has been registered with the school by admission; 4 November 2001. 3. Children who live outside the area described 2. Children living outside the school’s reserved in 1. above – if the parents are practising area whose place has been registered members of the Church of England; earliest. (Parents may register their child’s 4. Children who live outside the area described place up to five years prior to the year of in 1. above – if a brother or sister has been a admission). pupil of the school; 5. Other applications will also be considered, The Governors reserve the right to withdraw an dependent on the availability of places. offer of a place at TMA for September 2002 if a child is still registered on another school’s In the event of over-subscription, places will be admission register after 1 January 2002. awarded according to the proximity of the child’s home to the school as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the child’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate.

14 ….. PART 3 ADMISSION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

TRANSFER AT 12+

Children attending middle or combined schools in Milton Keynes transfer to secondary schools at 12+ in the September following their twelfth birthday. This means that children who were born between 1 September 1989 and 31 August 1990 will transfer to secondary school in September 2002.

In very exceptional circumstances an application for early admission to secondary school will be considered from pupils who are working within the year group, one year ahead of their chronological age group. Any application requires written support from the pupil’s current Headteacher and from the Educational Psychological Service and is subject to approval from the appropriate admissions authority.

Preference Form

YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN ONLY ONE PREFERENCE FORM TO YOUR CHILD’S PRIMARY SCHOOL BY FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2001

Each school has a preference form or enrolment form that is usually supplied with the school’s prospectus.

A form should be completed and returned to your child’s primary school by the closing date for applications which is Friday 7 December 2001. You should complete and return only ONE form.

If your application is late or you do not return a form then it will not be possible to consider your application along with those returned on time. Your application will be regarded as “late”. This also means that even if you are making a first preference application for your child to attend the local school (the “defined area” school) you may be less likely to be allocated a place.

Please note that approximately half the schools in Milton Keynes are over-subscribed annually. Last year the over-subscribed secondary schools were Denbigh, Ousedale, Shenley Brook End, Stantonbury Campus and Walton High. These schools are likely to be oversubscribed for the entry in September 2002.

It is extremely important that you are aware of the possible implications when coming to your decision about your preferred school. A situation may arise where parents make a first preference application for a place at a school which is NOT the “defined area” school and subsequently are not allocated a place. An application might then be made to the “defined” area school which is already oversubscribed which means that this application is also turned down. Parents may be in a situation where their child has not been allocated a place at the preferred or defined area school. Parents have the right of review and appeal in each case. The Council will also be able to advise you which secondary schools in Milton Keynes have vacancies.

15 ….. First Preference

In Milton Keynes the admissions policy for community and foundation secondary schools operates on a first preference basis. This means that those application forms which confirm that a particular school is the first preference will be considered as a priority. If there are more first preference applications than places the criteria shown below will be followed. Places at St Paul’s Catholic School are considered from pupils meeting the school’s criteria subject to the availability of places.

Admissions Criteria for Over-subscribed Secondary Schools

Where community schools are over-subscribed places are allocated in line with the following criteria. Over-subscribed means that there are more applications than there are places.

The voluntary aided and foundation schools, which are responsible for their own admissions, also have criteria which are used when there are more applications than there are places. These are shown later in this booklet and in the individual school’s prospectus.

Community Schools

The following criteria applies to Leon, Ousedale, Shenley Brook End, Sir Frank Markham Schools and Walton High and is also detailed in each individual school’s prospectus.

Places are allocated at community schools, in line with Milton Keynes Council’s admissions criteria shown below:

1. Pupils for whom the school is first preference. 2. Pupils who live in the “defined area” or area served by the school. You may be asked to provide proof of permanent residence in the defined area. 3. Pupils with a brother or sister still in attendance at the time of admission. 4. Pupils attending a middle or combined school which is in the secondary school’s ‘defined’ area. 5. Children with exceptional medical or social needs whose parents can demonstrate that admission to a particular school is necessary for the medical and social well-being of their child and whose application is supported by written evidence. 6. Children with exceptional educational needs whose parents can demonstrate that entry to a particular school is necessary and whose application is supported by written evidence. 7. Children of staff currently employed at the school. 8. In the event of over-subscription, once places have been allocated under the criteria above the remaining places will be allocated according to the proximity of the child’s home to school as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the child’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate.

If places still remain, they will be allocated to pupils whose parents have applied to the school as a second preference and so on.

It is important to bear in mind the criteria list when completing the preference form.

Please note that there is no automatic right of a place at a particular secondary school even if there is already an older sibling at the preferred school or your child attends a primary school linked to the preferred secondary school. 16 ….. If you are moving home within or into Milton Keynes this may affect any application you are making to a school for your child. Please read the section in Part 1 on Moving Home and telephone the Admissions Section at Saxon Court on 01908 253489/253450 if you need advice.

The way the criteria works is explained here:

If there are 200 places available and there are only 190 applications then all pupils will be allocated a place. This will be regardless of where they live or any other factor which might be relevant from the criteria detailed earlier.

If there are 200 places available and 220 first preference applications have been received, the 200 places will be broken down into smaller groups and places allocated up to the admission limit. Therefore 220 pupils come within the first criterion but there are insufficient places, so the allocations might be made as follows:

180 places to all the pupils living in the “defined area” 10 places to pupils living outside the “defined area” but who have older brothers or sisters who will be in attendance at the school at the time of admission. 8 places to pupils living outside the “defined area” but who attend primary schools situated in the schools “defined area”. 2 places to two of the remaining 22 applications in respect of other pupils living outside the school’s “defined area”. These two children would be those living nearest to the school under criterion 8 from the list above or might have special cases under criterion 5 to 7.

The parents of the 20 pupils refused places would be advised of what they can do next. They can request a review or subsequently go to appeal which are both explained later in this booklet. Alternatively, they can consider other schools which have vacancies.

VOLUNTARY AIDED AND FOUNDATION SCHOOLS

As indicated earlier voluntary aided and foundation schools have criteria for admission. Each individual school’s criteria as detailed below is published in their school prospectus:

Foundation Schools

Denbigh

A. Priority by Aptitude 25 places will be available on the basis of the aptitude of the applicant for technology. This is to be tested by an appropriate aptitude test. The test to be open to any pupil who attends a partner school (Caroline Haslett, Two Mile Ash, Loughton) no matter where they live. B. Oversubscription Allocation Criteria 225 places to be available to pupils in partner schools (Caroline Haslett, Loughton and Two Mile Ash) who make Denbigh their first preference. Should more parents make applications for pupil admission than there are places the following oversubscription allocation criteria will operate from 1 September 2001 for the September 2002 intake: 1) Pupils who attend partner middle or combined schools and have an older brother or 17 ….. sister currently in attendance at Denbigh School on the date of admission. 2) Pupils who have a parent currently employed at the school. 3) Pupils who live within the reserved area (Two Mile Ash, Great Holm, Loughton, Crownhill, Shenley Church End and Shenley Lodge) and who attend partner middle or combined schools (Loughton, Caroline Haslett and Two Mile Ash). 4) Pupils living within the reserved area. 5) Pupils who attend partner middle or combined schools (Loughton, Caroline Haslett, Two Mile Ash)

In circumstances where the school’s admission number has been exceeded and students’ applications meet the above criteria equally, preference will be given to those young people living closest to the school, measured in a straight line.

Late applications will only be processed following full consideration of all prior applications.

Lord Grey

Where applications for admission exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in the order set out below:

1. Students for whom the school is their first preference. 2. Students with a brother or sister currently attending the school. 3. Young people living in the reserved area. 4. Young people whose parent is either: a) employed by the school or b) a governor of the school 5. Students who currently attend a middle or combined school located in the reserved area, these are: Abbeys Combined, Chestnuts Combined, Cold Harbour C of E Combined, Holne Chase Combined, Rickley Middle and Wellsmead Middle.

In circumstances where the school’s admission number has been exceeded and students’ applications meet the above criteria equally, preference will be given to those young people living closest to the school, as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the student’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate along the shortest, safest walking route.

Any application for a place at Lord Grey School received after the published date for return will only be considered after all prior applications have been looked at in line with the above criteria.

The Radcliffe

See the criteria for Community Schools listed earlier

Stantonbury Campus

Up to 10% of places will be allocated for ‘arts’ applications who are able to demonstrate 18 ….. aptitude in and commitment to the arts and for whom the campus is their first preference school.

Where applications for remaining admissions exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in the order set out below:

1. Students for whom the school is their first preference. 2. Young people living in the listed areas. 3. Student/s with a brother or sister who is currently attending or has attended the school. 4. Young people whose parent is employed by the school. 5. Students who currently attend one of the following middle or combined schools: Bradwell Middle, Brooksward Combined, Giffard Park Combined, Great Linford Combined, Hanslope Combined, New Bradwell Combined, Southwood Middle, Stanton Middle, Summerfield Combined and Willen Combined.

In circumstances where the campus’ admission number has been exceeded and students’ applications meet the above criteria equally, preference will be given to those young people living closest to the school, measured in a straight line.

The above criteria will be applied to all applications received by the published date for return. Late applications will only be processed following full consideration of all prior applications.

Voluntary Aided

St Paul’s Catholic

1. Catholic children who belong to families vouched for by their Parish Priest as practising their religion. (Parish Priests may vouch for catechumens under this criterion). 2. Children whose brothers or sisters are already in St Paul’s. 3. Other Catholic children not known to their Parish Priest, whose application is supported by a copy of their baptismal certificate. 4. Children with visual impairment or communication difficulties who would benefit from being at St Paul’s (an application will show that parents are happy for their child to join St Paul’s and that they are in sympathy with the ethos of the school). 5. Members of other Christian churches whose parents seek a specifically Christian element in their child’s secondary education, whose application is supported by a letter from the vicar or minister of the church they attend, indicating that the family are known to practice their religion and that the vicar or minister is happy for the child to be educated in a Catholic school. (The Governors hope to admit 10% of the intake total from applicants who are members of other Christian churches).

In the event of more applications being received than there are places available the Governors will allocate places in accordance with these criteria and use distance in a straight line from the school as the ultimate arbiter.

The process for applying for places is the same whichever type of school you are interested in. For transfer to secondary school, you should complete and return only ONE preference form by Friday 7 December 2001 and for transfer to middle/combined school, you should complete and return only ONE preference form by Friday 7 December 2001. Preference forms for either middle/combined or secondary school transfer should be returned to your child’s primary school by the closing date for preferences or to the Admissions Section at the Council if your 19 ….. child attends a primary school outside of Milton Keynes or an independent school.

PART 4 CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs or under assessment

The admissions procedures for pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs are set out in the 1996 Education Act and are different from those for other children. Applications to special schools are agreed by the Special Needs section following the issue or review of the pupil’s Statement of Special Educational Needs in partnership with parents.

For pupils with statements who attend mainstream schools and wish to transfer to a mainstream school, preference forms should be completed in the normal way but it is essential that the existence of a statement is noted on the form. The preference can then be considered in relation to the pupil’s needs as outlined in the statement. If mainstream school is able to meet the pupil’s needs but is oversubscribed the Council must decide whether to direct admission. The Council will normally make this decision with reference to the pupil’s home address, in line with the admissions procedures for non-statemented pupils. This will be carried out in partnership with and after discussion and consultation with headteachers and governors.

The above arrangements also apply to pupils who are undergoing assessment which results in the issue of a statement of special educational needs.

PART 5 ALLOCATIONS, REVIEWS AND APPEALS

Allocations

For children being admitted to school for the first time, allocations are made in February.

For pupils transferring schools at 8+ allocations are made in March.

In either case you will receive a letter telling you whether your son or daughter has been allocated a place at your preferred school. If your application has been successful you will later on receive admissions information from the school.

For pupils transferring schools at 12+ allocations are made early in February. You will receive a letter telling you whether your son or daughter has been allocated a place at your preferred school. If your application has been successful you will later on receive an admissions pack from the school.

If your child is not allocated a place at your preferred school you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. In the case of admission to Local Education Authority community and voluntary controlled schools, along with the letter notifying you of the decision you will receive a review form which should be completed and returned to the admissions section at Saxon Court. You can either confirm that you would like a review or request information about vacancies at other schools.

Reviews

20 ….. In the case of admission to community and voluntary controlled schools, reviews are considered by the school governors and headteacher in consultation with an LEA Officer. The reviews are normally completed in early April for pupils transferring schools at 12+. For pupils being admitted at one point of entry or transferring schools at 8+, the review will take place before May half term.

All cases are considered taking into account the number of places allocated at the school, the Council’s criteria for admission and any individual or exceptional circumstances. For children in Key Stage 1 this will include consideration of the class sizes legislation.

If a place is allocated at the review stage parents will be advised and receive admission information from the school.

If your child is not allocated a place at your preferred school at the review stage you can ask for the decision to be considered by an independent appeal panel. Along with the letter notifying you of the decision you will receive an information booklet and form explaining the independent appeal process.

You can either confirm that you would like to appeal against the review decision, in which case the form should be completed and returned to the Council’s Democratic Services Division at the Civic Offices. Alternatively you may request information about vacancies at other schools.

Appeals

The Council’s Democratic Services Division makes the arrangements for the admission appeal hearings which includes contact with parents, setting up the hearings, distributing papers, clerking the meetings and notifying the decision to parents and education staff including schools.

The appeal panels are independent of the Council. Members are drawn from a list of people, many of whom have an interest or experience in education locally. Training is provided to members so that they have an understanding of the legislation and local policies relating to admissions in Milton Keynes.

Panels usually comprise 3 or 5 members and will not include anyone who has previously been involved in an individual case or have links with the particular schools.

Wherever possible the hearings are arranged before the summer half term break for pupils transferring at the end of Year 3 or Year 7.

There is a legal requirement that classes for children at Key Stage 1, aged 5, 6 or 7, may not contain more than 30 children. Where appeal panels are considering admission as a result of class size the panel can only uphold a case if it thinks that the Council’s decision was incorrect or that admission procedures have not been applied properly.

The procedure for appeals as a result of class size limits and other reasons is explained in more detail in a separate information booklet that will be provided automatically if a review application is unsuccessful. Alternatively a copy can be obtained from the Clerk to the Appeal Panel:

Democratic Services Division, Chief Executives Office, Civic Offices, Central Milton 21 ….. Keynes MK9 3HG Telephone: 01908 252008

The review and appeals process for community and voluntary controlled schools has been briefly outlined. Similar procedures are in place if your application for your child to attend a voluntary aided or foundation school is turned down. The individual school will write and advise you of what action you may take if that is the case.

Therefore if your child is not allocated a place at a community or voluntary controlled school the Council will contact you. In the case of a voluntary aided or foundation school the individual school will contact you.

Please contact the Admissions staff on 01908 253489 or 253450 if you have any concerns or wish to discuss the matter.

PART 6 HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT POLICY

Children of Statutory School Age

Free home to school transport will be provided for your child on request if he or she attends either:

a) the “defined area” school; or b) the nearest appropriate school

AND you live either

c) more than 2 or 3 miles walking distance by the shortest available route from that school; or d) the Council has agreed that there is no route of less than 2 or 3 miles walking distance that would be safe for your child to use, accompanied as necessary by an adult.

The relevant walking distance depends on the age of the child; for a child under the age of 8 years at the start of the school year then the walking distance is 2 miles, whilst for children aged 8 or over it is 3 miles.

If your child attends one of the Catholic primary schools or St Paul’s Catholic School and has been allocated a place on the grounds that you are a practising Catholic, then free transport will be provided, subject to the same distance or safety criteria shown previously and that you live within the schools “defined” area.

If you are not entitled to free transport the Council may still be able to offer you transport under the Discretionary Fare Scheme for which a charge is made for the journey involved. Arrangements made in this way normally depend on there being spare places on an existing service. These places can be withdrawn if they are needed for a pupil entitled to free transport. Normally a notice period is given.

It is important to stress that if your child attends a school to which you are not entitled to free transport, you will be expected to make arrangements to get him or her to and from school and to meet the costs involved. 22 ….. Transport is provided using dedicated school buses and public service buses as appropriate. In all cases students are required to carry and show a ticket and for secondary school pupils a photocard, which entitles them to travel on these services. Travel will be refused to secondary school pupils who do not show a valid ticket to the driver.

Further information about school transport is available from the Transport Section based at the Civic Offices, P O Box 111, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes, telephone 01908 252526.

Post 16 students

There is a Subsidised Travel Scheme for Post 16 students which limits the costs to a fixed daily rate for eligible students. Forms for the scheme are provided to pupils completing their GCSE courses at school.

If students do not qualify for the scheme they may apply for the Discretionary Fare Scheme also run by the Council.

Transport for Pupils with Special Educational Needs

The guidelines for statutory age children (and those for Post 16 students), also apply to pupils with special educational needs. However, special transport arrangements may be made for individual or specific groups of children based on their special needs, for example children with physical difficulties may require transport which can accommodate wheelchairs or in which there are special seating arrangements. Each child‘s needs are considered on an individual basis and it must not be assumed that all children attending special schools or special needs departments in mainstream schools will be eligible for free home to school transport.

Transport Appeals Panel

If officers decide that a particular request for free home to school transport or for subsidised travel arrangements cannot be granted under the Council’s policies, then parents may ask for the case to be put to the Transport Appeals Panel. The Panel consists of a group of Councillors who meet to consider these appeals. Parents and a Local Education Authority officer will present information to the Panel in person. Parents are then notified of the decision.

PART 7 GOVERNING BODIES, THE EDUCATION WELFARE SERVICE AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Governing Bodies

23 ….. Every school has a Governing Body. Governors work with the staff and Local Authority to help secure the best possible education for the children in their school. They have responsibility for managing the budget and for overseeing the curriculum. They also have powers with respect to the appointment of staff and the exclusion and re-instatement of pupils.

Governors are required to give an Annual Report to Parents and to hold an Annual Parents Meeting to discuss the report. A copy of the report, together with details of the time and date of the meeting will be sent to parents at least two weeks before the meeting.

The size of the Governing Body depends on the size of the school and is composed of Parent Governors, Co-opted Governors, Teacher Governors, LEA Governors and for voluntary schools, Foundation Governors. All parents have a right to vote for Parent Governors at their school and to stand for election as a Parent Governor.

If you would like to know more about the work of the School Governor, contact your local school or telephone Sue Bruce, Advisory and School Support Tel 01908 253614.

School Uniform

Policy on individual school uniform is decided by the governors and headteacher of the school concerned. Information is given in the individual schools prospectus.

Education Welfare Service

The Education Welfare Service is based at Holne Chase Centre in Bletchley, telephone 01908 366042. An education welfare officer is attached to each school in Milton Keynes. It is the responsibility of the Education Welfare Service to enable every child to gain maximum benefit from their, education by regular attendance at school and to support schools in maintaining the highest possible rates of attendance. The attached officer, who can be contacted either via the school or by telephoning the above number, is available to discuss any educational problems with parents, pupils and school staff.

As a social work service in the education setting, the Education Welfare Service acts as a link between home and school, very often speaking on behalf of the family or the child in trying to resolve problems, including behaviour problems, which may occur both at school and at home. Advice as to benefits, which may be available from the Learning and Development Directorate or other sources, both statutory and voluntary is also available.

Officers are involved in child protection matters where issues regarding abuse or neglect arise. The service has responsibility for enforcing the legal aspects of school attendance and for child employment, both in commerce and in entertainment. Further information on these areas can be obtained by contacting the Education Welfare Service on the above telephone number.

School Meals

Some schools have made their own arrangements to provide meals for sale to pupils. A full school meals’ service is still provided for pupils attending special schools.

Generally children who are entitled to free meals will be provided with either a hot meal if that is available at the school. Alternatively a packed lunch will be provided. Parents should contact 24 ….. schools direct regarding free school meal provision.

Free meals are only available to children living in Milton Keynes whose parents receive Income Support from the Benefit Agency. Pupils attending independent schools do not qualify.

For more information please contact the Education Welfare Office, telephone 01908 366042.

Clothing Grants

Grants towards the cost of a child’s school clothing are considered in exceptional and emergency circumstances only.

Clothing grants are available only to pupils who live within Milton Keynes and attend a community, voluntary (aided) or foundation school. Requests for assistance will not be considered for Milton Keynes pupils attending independent schools.

For more information contact the Education Welfare Service, telephone 01908 366042.

Employment

A child is not allowed to seek part-time employment until he or she has reached the age of 13 years. A work permit is necessary and is issued by the Education Welfare Service. Applications for a permit must be submitted by the prospective employer. For more information please contact the Education Welfare Service Tel: 01908 366042

Exclusions from School

Pupils may be excluded from school either for a fixed period, when the headteacher will tell parents the number of days of the exclusion, or permanently, where the headteacher has made the decision that the child will not be allowed to return to school. Parents should work with school staff as soon as a serious discipline problem occurs to help their child overcome the difficulty and to prevent recurrence. If your child is excluded from school, the Education Welfare Officer or the Pupil Support Section will be able to offer advice.

Charging and Remission Policies

A school may impose a charge only within the context of the formally approved charging policy. As a general principle all activities, with the exception of instrumental music tuition, offered wholly or mainly during normal teaching time, should be available to all pupils without charge, regardless of their parent’s ability or willingness to pay.

Details of the charging policies of individual schools should be available from the schools themselves and are set out in the schools’ information for parent’s documentation.

Taking Examinations

Most pupils will take the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Pupils begin the two-year course work necessary, as part of the overall assessment, in National Curriculum Year 10. In the sixth form courses leading to ‘A’ level and the General Certificate of Education will continue to be offered. A range of other courses leading to vocational qualifications such as

25 ….. General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) are also available at a number of schools.

The actual examinations your child takes will be decided by the headteacher following advice from teaching staff. This will be discussed with you before a decision is taken.

The Council is not under an obligation to enter a pupil for the examinations for which they have been prepared if, in the view of the school, there are good educational reasons for not doing so. Neither will the council necessarily pay for entry in a particular subject for a second or subsequent time, or for an alternative examination in that subject. Failure to take an exam without good reason will normally mean that parents will be charged for the entry.

Statutory School Leaving Age

The Secretary of State for Education has set one statutory school leaving date. No pupil is allowed to leave school until the last Friday in June in the school year in which the pupil reaches 16 years of age.

The Secretary of State and the Local Education Authority have no powers to make individual exceptions. Pupils of compulsory school age may not enter regular full time employment or be granted leave of absence from school to take up casual employment, until after this date.

Opportunities at 16+

Buckingham Careers Service provide detailed information on the education and training available in local schools and . You should contact the careers service for the following · Careers Advice · Occupational information · College and university prospectuses · Information on local and national employers/training · Computer databases on opportunities and personal matches of interest

A booklet entitled “Choices 16+” is produced annually which includes a course guide for all schools and colleges showing the subject and level available.

Alternatively you may wish to contact any Milton Keynes secondary school for its sixth form prospectus.

The careers service can be contacted at:

Milton Keynes Careers Centre 662 North Row Central Milton Keynes MK9 3AP Tel 01908 232808 Fax 01908 605301

Open Access to Records 26 ….. All records maintained on pupils by schools shall be open to the parents of individual pupils. Reasonable notice should be given when access to records is requested. Information held concerns pupil’s work, progress and achievements and is designed to reflect the contribution to the record by the pupil and the input by teacher.

All personal data held on computer is covered by the Data Protection Act 1984, recently updated in 1998. The Headteacher and Chairman of Governors at schools have responsibility for ensuring compliance with the regulations. Parents should contact the Headteacher in the first instance if there are any individual concerns over data protection.

27 …..