Moving up to Secondary School: FAQ‟s and Useful Information
How do I apply for my child‟s secondary school place for September 2016?
If you are a Bournemouth resident you apply to Bournemouth Borough Council either online or using a paper form. All applicants will receive a letter posted out on the 1st March 2016 telling them which school their child has been offered.
Online applications may be made at enrol.bournemouth.gov.uk from the 1st September 2015. You will need an email address to create an online account.
Paper applications can be requested from the Children‟s Information Service (CIS) or collected from the Customer Service Centre, St Stephen‟s Road.
If you are applying to a school with religious criteria, you may need to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to prove your religious commitment. These can be found on each individual school‟s website and will need to be returned to the school directly.
Are there any benefits to applying online?
If you decide to apply online, you will be able to log in to your account on the morning of Tuesday 1st March 2016 and see which school your child has been offered. If you apply using a paper form you will need to wait until you receive your offer letter – posted out First Class on the 1st March 2016.
What if I forget my password?
Make sure that your password is memorable as if you forget it the admissions team are unable to reset it. The password must include at least one upper case and one lower case letter, and at least one number. In case you do forget, you will be asked to choose and answer a secret question. The answer to this will also be case sensitive, so it‟s important to remember this as well.
How do I decide which school I should apply for?
You should look at Ofsted reports for the schools and attend the open evenings taking place from July to October 2015. A list of open evenings can be found towards the end of this information pack.
You can also look at the allocation tables from last year for historical data, however this should only be used as a guide.
How do I apply for a place at a Grammar School?
If you are applying for a place at one of the grammar schools in Bournemouth, your child will need to sit a test. You will need to register them for testing. The deadline to register for testing is 12 noon on 11th September 2015. Registration forms can be downloaded from the schools‟ websites or requested from the schools directly.
The tests will take place on Saturday 26th September 2015, where pupils will be tested in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning. Results will be posted out first class on Friday 16th October 2015 so you will know if your child has passed the test before you need to submit your application.
All applications must be received by Bournemouth Borough Council by 31st October 2015. Where do I apply if I am not a Bournemouth Resident?
If you are not a Bournemouth resident, you must apply to the Authority where you live (this would be where you pay your council tax). You are able to apply for Bournemouth schools on another authority‟s form if you wish.
Where can I get help and advice about the process of applying for a secondary school place?
You are able to speak to member of the Children‟s Information Service (CIS) about this process. They can be contacted by phone on 01202 456223, via email at [email protected], or you can visit them at the Customer Services Centre (see back page for full address).
You may read our booklet „Moving up to Secondary School‟, which will be available online at enrol.bournemouth.gov.uk from 1st September 2015. There will also be a copy for reference at the Customer Service Centre via CIS, all Bournemouth Schools and Bournemouth Libraries from September. This booklet contains a lot of information about the process and also includes the admissions policies for each Bournemouth Secondary school.
When do I need to return my application?
All applications from Bournemouth residents (online and paper) must be submitted by 31st October 2015. Paper forms must be received by the Admissions team by this date.
What happens if my application is late?
If your application is not received by the closing date of 31st October 2015 it will be classed as late. All applications received before 31st October will be considered before yours and the chance of getting the place you want may be reduced.
How will I know if you have received my application?
Online applicants will receive an automatic email confirming the application has been received. Once the application has been uploaded you will receive another email to confirm this. Please check your spam and junk folders. If you apply using a paper form, we will send you an acknowledgement by post or email if requested on your form.
If you do not receive an email or a paper acknowledgement we have NOT received your application. Please contact us about this with enough time to submit another if necessary.
I‟m a Bournemouth resident, am I able to apply for schools outside of Bournemouth?
Yes. You can list any schools on your Bournemouth application, including those outside of Bournemouth as long as they transfer at the same time, ie: from Year 6 to Year 7.
What happens if my child lives part time with each parent?
Only one application and address can be considered for each pupil. If parents are separated, you must come to an agreement about the schools you apply for. If you can‟t agree, the Local Authority will only consider the application from the child‟s main carer (the parent who receives the Child Benefit payments).
If no Child Benefit is paid to the family, or it has been suspended, Bournemouth Borough Council Legal Department will determine which parent is considered to be the main carer for the child for the purposes of the school admissions process. When will I hear?
All applicants will receive a letter which will be posted out first class on the evening of the 1st March 2016. Online applicants will be able to log into their accounts mid morning on the 1st March 2016.
What if I forget the password to my online account?
The Children‟s Information Service and Admissions team are unable to help with forgotten passwords so it‟s important that you remember it.
All passwords contain at least one upper case and at least one lower case letter, and at least one number. You will have to answer a secret question when setting up your account, so please make sure you remember which question you answered, and type in the case sensitive answer correctly.
If you are still unable to log in to your account then you will have to wait for your letter to arrive in the post. We are unable to give results over the telephone under any circumstances.
What if I do not get offered the school I want?
If we are unable to offer you any of the schools you have requested and you are a Bournemouth resident, we will redirect you to the closest school to you which is able to offer a place. This may not be close to your house.
If you are not a Bournemouth resident you will need to speak to your home Authority to find out what action they take in these circumstances.
You are able to appeal the decision that has been made. The letter we send you will explain how to go about this.
You are also able to request to be put on the waiting list for the schools which have refused you a place.
Will a place offered to my child ever be taken away?
An offered place may be withdrawn if you do not respond to the offer within a reasonable timescale.
We may also withdraw a place if it was offered based upon a fraudulent or misleading application, such as under a false address.
You can accept a place online or by returning the paper reply slip.
My child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) – who do I apply to?
If your child has a Statement or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you should speak to the SEN inclusion team on 01202 456166.
If your child has SEN but no statement then you should talk to the Special Educational Needs Co- ordinator or the Headteacher at your child‟s current primary school.
You may also contact Bournemouth Parent Partnership on 01202 451970. They are an independent, confidential and guidance on issues relating to SEN, exclusions and school admissions appeals. How will my child get to school?
All schools can provide information on the buses which serve them. Bus companies such as RATP Group and More provide information on their websites of the buses they run which serve Bournemouth secondary schools.
Can I apply for transport assistance from Bournemouth Borough Council?
Parents can apply for transport from Bournemouth Borough Council. The Home to School transport guidance notes are attached at the end of this document for your information.
What has happened in previous years?
The tables on the following pages provide detailed statistics for the main allocation for children transferring to secondary school in September 2015.
Figures from previous years are available on request, you will need to check the categories against the relevant policies on the Bournemouth website.
Please remember this information should only be used as a guide. The figures do differ from year to year, for example if there are more/fewer children living in a particular area. Changes in the popularity of a school (or a neighbouring school) can also affect the number of applications a school receives.
All the figures relate to the main allocation of places on 2nd March 2015 and do not include any applications received after the initial closing date.
The number of applicants „redirected‟ to a school - ie: offered a place there having been unsuccessful with all of their preferences – is noted, where applicable, at the bottom of the school‟s table. The last distance offered if the cut off is within a category is also provided.
The categories correspond with those in the admissions policy (criteria/category) for 2015/16 which may differ from those in effect in 2016/17. These can be found on the Bournemouth Borough Council website.
TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2015 SUMMARY OF ALLOCATION FOR EACH BOURNEMOUTH SCHOOL Below, for each school in Bournemouth at the main allocation on 2 March 2015, is a summary of the number of applications received, for each preference rank (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and for each of the admissions categories, along with the number offered, number gaining a higher preference and number refused in each of those categories. The number „redirected‟ to a school, where they could not be offered any of their preferences, is shown beneath that school‟s table, where applicable. Some figures for 3rd preference may include lower preferences from Authorities which allow more than three preferences to be made.
Avonbourne College (number of places available: 210)
Gained Preference rank Total Total Total Category higher applications offers refusals 1st 2nd 3rd preference SEN / A. LAC / B. Medical 001 001 0v2 002 C. Sibling 029 007 036 032 004 D. In-area 058 061 050 169 085 084 E. Feeder 017 065 057 139 024 115 F. Out-of-area 002 008 005 015 004 011 Total 106 142 113 361 145 216 0 A further 2 children were „redirected‟; therefore the total number of places offered was 147.
The Bishop of Winchester Academy (number of places available: 210)
Gained Preference rank Total Total Total Category higher applications offers refusals 1st 2nd 3rd preference SEN / 1. LAC *009* 002 001 0*12* 00*9* 003 2. Sibling 041 007 002 050 044 006 3a. Religious commitment 037 031 020 088 039 049 3b. World religions 003 001 002 006 003 003 4. Distance 137 180 154 471 115 318 39 Total *227* 221 179 *627* *210* 379 39 Last distance offered in Category 4: 1.341 miles by straight-line measurement
* Excludes one child with a Statement of SEN, admitted to the Complex Communications Unit who does not count towards the Admissions Number of 210.
The Bourne Academy (number of places available: 180)
Gained Preference rank Total Total Total Category higher applications offers refusals 1st 2nd 3rd preference SEN / 1. LAC 004 002 006 004 002 2. Sibling 025 004 029 027 002 3. Distance 091 129 83 303 101 202 Total 120 135 83 338 132 206 0 A further 2 children were „redirected‟; therefore the total number of places offered was 134.
Bournemouth School (number of places available: 150)
Gained Preference rank Total Total Total Category higher applications offers refusals 1st 2nd 3rd preference Met selection criteria 146 58 07 211 147 064 Did not meet criteria 021 10 01 032 010 22 Did not sit test 046 30 07 083 030 53 Total 213 98 15 326 147 104 75
Bournemouth School for Girls (number of places available: 166)
Gained Preference rank Total Total Total Category higher applications offers refusals 1st 2nd 3rd preference Met selection criteria 164 34 07 205 165 40 Did not meet criteria 042 19 13 074 31 43 Did not sit test 07 07 014 14 Total 206 60 27 293 165 85 43
Glenmoor School (number of places available: 180)
Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total Category 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / 1. LAC 03 003 001 002 2. In-area with sibling 007 05 012 008 004 3. In-area 046 36 26 108 053 055 4. Out-of-area with sibling 011 03 014 011 003 5. Out-of-area 046 49 71 166 053 113 Total 110 96 97 303 126 175 0 A further 1 child was „redirected‟; therefore the total number of places offered was 128.
Harewood College (number of places available: 180)
Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total Category 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / A. LAC / B. Medical 01 02 01 004 01 003 C. Sibling 15 03 02 020 16 004 D. In-area 43 28 35 106 56 050 E. Attending feeder 000 F. Out-of-area 05 26 24 055 06 049 Total 64 59 62 185 79 106 0 A further 1 child was „redirected‟; therefore the total number of places offered was 79.
Oak Academy (number of places available: 240)
Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total Category 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / 1. LAC 01 001 01 2. In-area with sibling 20 02 01 023 21 02 3. In-area 46 21 10 077 47 30 4. Out-of-area with sibling 11 04 015 12 03 5. Out-of-area 14 33 31 078 15 63 Total 92 60 42 194 96 98 0
Parkfield School (number of places available: 56)
Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total Category 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / 1. LAC 01 01 002 01 001 2. Sibling 15 01 02 018 15 003 3. Distance 22 39 67 128 30 098 Total 38 40 70 148 46 102 0
St Peter’s School (number of places available: 240)
Category Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / 1. (please 001 004 001 006 002 004 2.1 see the 112 033 006 151 114 037 2.2 school‟s 024 008 004 036 024 012 3. prospectus 002 002 004 004 4. or our 002 002 002 5. information 004 001 003 008 005 003 6. booklet 023 019 009 051 026 025 7. for a 009 008 001 018 010 008 8.1 description 005 001 001 007 006 001 8.2 of the 001 001 002 001 001 9. categories 001 001 002 001 001 10. for St Peter‟s) 029 110 091 230 045 176 9 Total 212 187 118 517 240 268 9 Last distance offered in Category 10: 4.258 miles by straight-line measurement
Winton Arts & Media College (number of places available: 180)
Preference rank Total Total Gained higher Total Category 1st 2nd 3rd applications offers preference refusals SEN / 1. LAC 003 004 03 010 004 006 2. In-area with sibling 011 003 01 015 013 002 3. In-area 049 042 23 114 056 058 4. Out-of-area with sibling 010 001 011 010 001 5. Out-of-area 042 067 72 181 052 129 Total 115 117 99 331 135 196 0 FOR BOURNEMOUTH RESIDENTS: GENERAL TRANSPORT TO SCHOOL GUIDANCE NOTES
Many parents worry about how they can help their children to get to and from school each day. Bournemouth Borough Council can help in some cases. This information will give you guidance about who can claim for assistance with transport to school. Assistance is normally in the form of a bus pass. Transport provision is subject to regular review. If you move home or your child moves school you must inform us immediately and this could mean that entitlement to transport assistance is ceased because your child no longer qualifies. This guidance also provides information on how to appeal the decision to refuse transport.
How far must I live from my catchment school to qualify for free travel? The distance measurement for children attending their catchment school is a statutory measurement and is measured by the nearest available safe walking route. The distance is 2 miles and over for children aged under 8 years old and 3 miles and over for children aged 8 years and over. The route can include footpaths, bridleways, other pathways as well as recognised roads. This is referred to as the distance criteria. Parents should accompany their children if they feel they need to do so.
What if my child is not attending the catchment school? If you have expressed a parental preference for a school other than the catchment school, you must accept responsibility for your child‟s daily travelling arrangements to and from the school, including any costs incurred.
Are there any exceptions to this? YES:
• For primary school children (Reception to Year 6) where families are on Free School Meals or the maximum level of Working Tax Credit and the **distance from home to school is at least two miles,and normally not more than five miles transport assistance will be provided to their nearest qualifying school and; • • *For secondary school children (Year 7 to Year 11) where families are on Free School Meals andthe distance from home to school is at least three miles, and not more than ten miles. Please note the entitlement for children in Years 7-11 will be also include children attending secondary school who are on Free School Meals or the maximum level of Working Tax Credit to one of their 3 nearest qualifying schools if it falls between **2 and no more than 6 miles from home or up to a maximum of 15 miles if the nearest faith school. **Please note distance measurements over 2 miles a road route will be used.
If your child is attending a school for one of the following reasons, assistance may be provided as follows:
Year group full - when the catchment school is full, then a child may be eligible for assistance with transport to the next nearest school with an available place, provided the distance criteria are met. They do however need to ensure they apply for their catchment school and remain on the waiting list for the school as this transport is reviewed regularly to ensure entitlement is still applicable.
Re-housing - if a family is moved from an area on a short term basis (i.e. re-housed by the council or another housing association) transport to the existing school may be offered for the period of the temporary re-housing, until the family‟s return to permanent accommodation. Once again the distance criteria will need to be met. If the transport is agreed during the summer term, it is for one term only.
Medical – assistance may be considered, if a child has a medical condition that would affect their ability to get to school, if the child is attending the catchment/qualifying school. Also where for a route to be considered safe it relies on the parent accompanying the child and because of the parent‟s disability they are unable to do so. Proof of the child‟s medical condition will need to be provided by a School Medical Officer. Proof of a parent‟s disability can be a letter detailing the higher award of disability benefit for mobility or a letter from a hospital consultant indicating that the parent cannot walk.
Continuity - a child in year 10 or 11 who has already started GCSE study may be eligible for assistance if the family move, providing the distance between the home and school is 3 miles or more and is still within reasonable daily travelling distance.
What about 4 year olds who are not attending school for a full day? Transport will be provided only at the start and end of a school day. Parents are normally responsible for any midday travel where your child attends school for part of the day. There may be exceptions to this so you should check with the Admissions Services Team on (01202) 456200 for confirmation.
Are there any concessions available? The Bournemouth Borough Transport Group either hires vehicles to take children to and from school or pays for bus passes. Very occasionally there may be one or more seats on small hired vehicles which are available to children not eligible for free transport. A fixed price will be charged for these concessionary places unless the family is in receipt of Free School Meals or maximum level of Working Tax Credit. However, a concessionary place may not be available and, at very short notice you could be faced with making your own transport arrangements to and from the school of your choice. This happens if:
• The seat is required for an pupil who is entitled under the policy • The service is withdrawn, or • The passenger-carrying capacity of the vehicle is reduced.
What about when my child reaches 16 years of age? Once your child reaches the age of 16 and is above statutory school age, the Authority has no legal obligation to help with transport. The present policy is that assistance can be given if your child is attending the nearest appropriate school or college (as designated by the LA) if the parents are in receipt of Income Support, income based Job Seekers‟ Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit up to the level of income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) which will qualify the family for help with health costs and if the distance when measured by the nearest available safe walking route is five miles or more.
How is unacceptable behaviour on transport dealt with? Children travelling on LA transport are expected to conform to the accepted code of behaviour, which applies in the school. Any breach will be dealt with by the school. Public transport operators are entitled to refuse to provide a service where there would be a risk to safety. In addition, the Passenger Transport Unit at Bournemouth LA will be informed and they will consider withdrawing the bus pass for up to 12 weeks for a serious incident: parents will be informed accordingly. If the behaviour is repeated the child will be banned from transport provision and parents will be expected to make alternative transport arrangements. The LA works with bus operators, schools, parents and the police in dealing with behaviour issues.
What information will I receive about the transport arranged for my child? The Passenger Transport Unit will send you a booklet “Passenger Transport” which gives important information. You will also be sent details about the transport that has been arranged. You may be offered an appointment for a photograph to be taken prior to issue of the photo bus pass.
Can I appeal or request a review of the original decision made about help with transport? Yes. You may request that the initial decision to refuse is reviewed if you are unhappy with the decision to refuse transport or with the transport provision put in place. You will need to put your reasons for wishing to have the review in writing to The Manager, Access Services, Community Learning & Commissioning, TH E3, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth BH2 6DY.
The original decision will then be reviewed by a Senior Officer within the Council who is independent of the original decision and they will write to you with the outcome of their investigation into your specific circumstances.
Please ensure you provide all relevant professional or medical reports with your request to review the decision. If you do not provide all the information or evidence to support your request it may be that important information is not able to be taken into account for the review process. If you are unsure if a document or information is important please include it as all information and evidence you provide to the Senior Officer will be considered.
What can I do if I am still unhappy with the outcome of the Review by the Senior Officer? If you remain unhappy with the response you receive from the Senior Officer then you can lodge an appeal with the Appeals Panel. The Appeals Panel are also independent of the original decision process and will then consider the original decision and the review. If you require an appeal form you may contact the Admissions Services Team on (01202) 456200, or download a form from the Bournemouth Borough Council website. If you wish to make a complaint you can follow the Bournemouth Borough Council Corporate Complaints procedure via the website, information is also available from Customer Services. Attached with this Guidance is a flowchart of the review and appeals process detailing the timescales.
Who should I contact if I wish to complain about how my Review and Appeal was processed? If you remain unhappy following the review and appeal process you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman on telephone number 0300 061 0614 or in writing P O Box 4771 Coventry CV4 0EH. The Local Government Ombudsman will consider complaints where there was a failure of the Local Authority to comply with the procedural rules or if there were any other irregularities in the way the appeal has been handled. If the complainant considers the decision of the Appeal Panel is flawed on public law grounds, the complainant may also apply for a judicial review. We hope that this information will be helpful to you. If you require assistance with completing the form please do not hesitate to contact us:
Admissions Service, Community Learning & Commissioning, Extension 3, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY Tel: (01202) 456200
This information is a brief guide and is correct at the time of going to print. The full policy is subject to review and could be changed at any time.
Secondary School Open Evenings
School Headteacher / Day Date Time Details Principal
PARENTS ONLY Avonbourne Executive Monday 21/09/2015 8.30 – 10.00 am See the school during a College Headteacher: normal school day Mrs D Godfrey-Phaure PUPILS & PARENTS Head of College: Monday 21/09/2015 6.00 – 8.30pm Headteacher address at Mr J Holbrook 6.10 pm & 7.10 pm The Bishop of Winchester Mr P McKeown Thursday 01/10/2015 5.00 – 7.30 pm Principal address at Academy 5.30 pm & 6.30 pm The Bourne Academy Mr M Avoth Wednesday 16/09/2015 6.00 – 8.00 pm Principal address at 6.15 pm & 7.15 pm Bournemouth School Dr D Lewis Thursday 09/07/2015 6.30 – 8.30 pm Headteacher address at 6.30 pm, 7.15 pm & 8.00 pm Bournemouth School for Mr A Brien Thursday 10/09/2015 6.30 – 8.30 pm Headteacher address at Girls 6.45 pm, 7.20 pm & 7.50 pm
Glenmoor Academy Mr B Antell Monday 14/09/2015 6.30 – 9.00 pm Principal address at 6.30 pm & 7.15 pm
Harewood Executive PARENTS ONLY College Headteacher: Thursday 24/09/2015 8.30 – 10.00 am See the school during a Mrs D Godfrey-Phaure normal school day Head of College: PUPILS & PARENTS Mr P Pearce Thursday 24/09/2015 6.00 – 8:30pm Headteacher address at 6.10 pm & 7.10 pm Oak Academy Mrs G Blanshard Wednesday 23/09/2015 6.00 – 8.00 pm Executive Principal address at 6.15 pm
St Peter’s Catholic Mr D Todd Thursday 17/09/2015 6.00 – 8.30 pm School Held at the Open Evenings for Upper school at Parents/Carers & Students the De La Salle Headteacher address Tuesday 22/09/2015 Theatre at 7.00 pm (St Catherine’s Road site)
Winton Academy Mr B Antell Tuesday 15/09/2015 6.30 – 9.00 pm Principal address at 6.30 pm & 7.15 pm
Useful Contact Details
Bournemouth Children’s Information Service School Admissions Team Customer Service Centre Bournemouth Borough Council St. Stephen‟s Road Town Hall E3, Bourne Avenue Bournemouth Bournemouth BH2 5EB BH2 6DY Tel:01202 456223 Tel: 01202 456198 [email protected] www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schools www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schools
Poole Admissions Appeals Officer, Democratic Services Children, Young People & Learning Bournemouth Borough Council Dolphin Centre Town Hall, Bourne Avenue Poole Bournemouth BH15 1SA BH2 6DY Tel:01202 261936 Tel: 01202 451163 [email protected] [email protected]
Dorset Admissions Telephone numbers for other teams within Dorset County Council Bournemouth Local Authority Country Hall, Special Educational Needs Inclusion Team Dorchester 01202 456166 DT1 1XJ Tel:01305 221060 [email protected]
Parent Partnership Bournemouth Learning Centre Ensbury Avenue Bournemouth BH10 4HG Tel: 01202 451970