Primary Information for Parents – 2015 – Parents for Information Primary Information for Parents – 2015 ApplyApply on-line on-line at www.sta at www.sta ordshire.gov.uk/education/admissions ordshire.gov.uk/admissions •Available Available 24 hours24 hours a day a day 7 days 7 days a week a week up toup the to theclosing closing date date of 15 of January 15 January 2011 2015 • Receive an email on 16 April 2015 notifying you of the outcome of your application Receive an email on 18 April 2011 notifying you of the outcome of your application The closing date for you to have made your application by is 15 January 2015 Print and design by Staff ordshire County Council, Print Commissioning Services. Telephone: 01785 276051 75536/14 1 Message from the Commissioner for Education and Wellbeing Welcome to Staffordshire’s Information for Parents Booklet A good education is one of the best investments we can ever make in life. In terms of laying down the foundations for a happy, healthy and prosperous future, there is little that beats it. Parents and cares tell us how important it is to have access to the best schools and a good education for their children. Employers tell us how important the development of the right skills and attitudes are. For our children and young people, their experience of school is critically important to them and they tell us that they want to be involved and listened to in shaping the decisions that affect them. The choices you make are important, so having good information to base your decisions on is vital. In this booklet, we explain the admissions process and present information that will help you to sort your preferences into an order. We work hard to ensure that as many of you as possible get the school of your choice, and the great majority do. However, in some cases, this preference cannot be met, particularly if a school is selected outside of the local catchment area, so please be aware of this possibility at the outset. In 2013, 93% of first choices were satisfied. There are lots of sources of information available to you, including impartial inspection reports provided by Ofsted inspectors, and the county council’s website “Do your homework” that is designed to provide factual information. Alongside this should sit a first-hand view of the school, so I strongly recommend that you visit the school to see their work for yourself and to talk to the teaching staff and students about their experiences. Details of open evenings are included in Appendix 4. There are very many aspects to school life, including the sporting, cultural, social and community activities that make each school distinctive. The “feel” that you get when visiting the school and meeting others will help you in your choices as the partnership between schools and parents/carers is essential to supporting each individual child or young person to thrive. If you need further advice or support with any of the information shared in this booklet, please contact the School Admissions and Transport Service - details can be found on page 4. Making important choices can be both challenging and exciting as such decisions are often signposts of big moments of opportunity. Enjoy your visits to schools, and review the range of information available to you. Your contribution to ensuring that Staffordshire schools deliver the best education opportunities to meet your child’s needs is both essential and valued. I look forward to celebrating with you the successes that will flow from the good decisions that you make. Best wishes, Anna Halliday Commissioner for Education and Wellbeing 2 Important dates in the admissions process Autumn Term 2014 Letters are sent out via your child’s current school or in some cases posted direct to your home address. During September and October, open evenings are held at high schools in Staffordshire. Dates and times are shown in Appendix 4. 3 November 2014 The online application service will open. 15 January 2015 Closing date for receipt of completed applications. Applications received after this date may not be considered until those who have applied on time have been dealt with, this may result in your child not being admitted to your preferred school. Spring Term 2015 Applications are processed and information is shared between neighbouring local authorities. 16 April 2015 Offer of a school place. Online applicants will receive an email. Others will receive the offer in writing, posted 2nd class on this date. Summer Term 2015 Admission appeals heard by Independent Appeal Panel. Contacts for School Admissions and Transport Service Address for correspondence Staffordshire County Council School Admissions and Transport Service Tipping Street Stafford ST16 2DH Website: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/admissions Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01785 278593 Fax: 01785 278656 3 Contents page Important Dates in the Admissions Process 2 Contact Details 2 Applying Online 5 Section 1 – Making an Application 6 Section 2 – The Admissions Process 9 Section 3 – Allocation of School Places 12 Section 4 – Additional Information 16 Section 5 – Transport to School 18 Section 6 – Other Useful Information and Contacts 21 Appendices 1 Admission to Voluntary Aided, Foundation, Trust Schools and Academies 27 - 56 2 Definition of a Baptised Catholic 57 3 Directory of Staffordshire Schools 59-81 4 Summary of Primary School Admissions 2013 82-84 4.1 Summary of Primary Schools Admissions 2012 85-88 5 Co-ordinated Scheme for Admissions 89-92 6 In-Year Fair Access Protocol 93 7 School Terms Dates 94 8 Details of Neighbouring Authorities 95-96 Application Form Primary Admissions Questionnaire We would prefer to receive your application online. Guidance on how to make an application and access to the online service can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/admissions 4 5 Applying online It's quick, easy and safe. As a Staffordshire resident you can make your application online between 3 November 2014 and 15 January 2015 using Staffordshire’s online application service. www.staffordshire.gov.uk/admissions The benefits of applying online are: We email your offer on the 16 April 2015 - so there's no need to wait for a letter in the post. The service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week up to the closing date of 15 January 2015 No need to complete a paper application form It is quick and easy to do The system is secure so that your information is protected You will get email confirmation that your application has been submitted By making a note of your password, you can change the details on your application up to the closing date. If you have any queries about the online If you are not a resident of Staffordshire, use the school application process or any other aspect online service for the local authority within which of the admissions process please email the you live, contact details are available in Appendix School Admissions and Transport Service on: 8 of this booklet. [email protected] Please use the space below to note your login and password details. Login 79% of applications Password for 2014 admissions were made online 6 Section 1 Making an Application When can my child start school? When should I apply? Your child can start school full-time in a reception You must apply for a school place for your child class in the September of the academic year in between 3 November 2014 and 15 January 2015 which they become five. For September 2015 (the closing date). Applications received after the admission, dates of birth must fall between 1 closing date may only be considered after those September 2010 and 31 August 2011. Parent/carers applications that were received on time have been can request that their child attends part-time until dealt with and may result in your child not being the child reaches compulsory school age. Many admitted to your preferred school/s. schools provide for children to attend part-time at first. Any period of part-time attendance could When is the Closing Date? vary according to the circumstances at each school The closing date for all applications is 15 January and perhaps also according to the age of the child. 2015. Other key dates are given on page 4. You will need to check with the school you would like your child to attend, to see what their induction If I apply online do I need to submit the paper arrangements are. application form? Parents/carers may request that their child’s entry to No, once you have applied online and submitted a reception class be deferred until later in the same your application online you do not need to academic year. Parents/carers wishing to consider complete the paper application form. You may this must discuss the situation with the head however need to provide supplementary evidence teacher at the school and apply for a school place to support your application separately i.e. baptism in the normal way at the usual time. By law children certificate or medical evidence where relevant. must start full-time education at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. I have already put my child’s name down at the Parents wishing not to send their child to school school I want, do I still have to apply? until they have reached compulsory school age, Yes. The school will have made a note of your have a right to apply for admission into reception interest for your child to start at the school, and this class the following year.