Apply on-line for school places stoke.gov.uk/admissions s t 5 n y s 1 e l r r - a P 4 o a r 1 o f o 0 d n o 2 i h t n a m c o r o f S n c I e r r s o y n e f S o a b i e t d o 3 n a i s t l 1 c r c i d l 0 u a O p 2 e h p 1 D T a 3 Introduction Contents 2 Moving to secondary school is one of the most Introduction important steps in a child’s life. This guide has been produced to provide you with the information to make 4 that decision and sets out the steps necessary to make Applying for a place your application. at Secondary School These are exciting times for our secondary schools. As we are now well into our Building Schools for the 10 Future rebuild and renovation programme, pupils are Schools information starting to access some of the best facilities available Apply on-line for school places anywhere in the country. Our fourteen secondary schools are working together to improve standards and stoke.gov.uk/admissions to provide the best opportunities for young people in 13 Stoke-on-Trent. Transport Please read this guide before making your decision. 15 Reminder I also encourage you to visit your preferred schools to Other information A ask any questions on their offer; all schools have open The deadline for applications for A p evenings, the details of which are included in this guide. a place at secondary school in p p p l Each school also has additional information available via l y Stoke-on-Trent for 2014 is y its website. o o n n - - l Applications should be made online at Thursday l i i n stoke.gov.uk/admissions or by completing an application n e 31 October e form by 31 October 2013. You will be informed of the f f o outcome on 1 March 2014. This is National Offer Day. o r 20 13 r s As 1 March is a Saturday, the allocation letters will be s c sent on Monday 3 March. If you apply on-line, an email c h Applications received after this deadline h o will be sent on 1 March. o o will be processed as soon as possible, o l l p Staff in the Admissions and Transport Team can be but parental preferences expressed by p l l a contacted on 01782 234598 to provide assistance if a c the deadline will take priority. c you have any queries on making this application. e e s s s s t t o o k k e e . g g o o v v . u u k k D eadline fo / / a r a a p plications d d Th m m ursday Dave Perrett 31 i i Octo s s Assistant Director, Learning Services ber s s People Directorate 2013 i i o o n n s s The information contained in this booklet was accurate at the time of publication. Parents should refer to the website 2 stoke.gov.uk/admissions for the latest information. 3 Applying for a place at secondary school What types of school are available in Stoke-on-Trent? How do I apply for a than they can take. Where we are unable to meet your first Your child will transfer from a primary to a secondary Schools in Other Local school place? preference, we will try to offer your next preferred school. school in the September after his/her eleventh birthday. Authorities Naming the same school more than once on an City of Stoke-on-Trent secondary schools are If your child is in Year 6 and you live in the city, you Admissions policies for other local authority schools can application form does not increase the chances of being comprehensive and cater for both boys and girls. This should register your preference on-line at be found on the relevant website. For example, schools successful. Instead, it will reduce your opportunity to means that they accept children of all abilities and no stoke.gov.uk/admissions in Staffordshire can be found on their website: secure a place at a second or third preference. child is offered or refused a place on the basis of general You should have received a letter detailing a Unique staffordshire.gov.uk level of ability. The only exception to this is St. Joseph’s Identifier (UID) to use with this application. Children with Statements of College, which is a selective school. Parental Responsibility The benefits of applying Special Educational Needs Currently, there are three types of secondary school The Children Act of 1989 requires schools to know who on-line are: Children and Young People have Special Educational within the city: has “parental responsibility” for each child. This helps to Needs (SEN), if they have a learning difficulty which • You will get an instant email confirmation that your ensure that everyone who has parental responsibility for requires a greater level of SEN provision than most application has been received. Foundation Trust Schools a child is consulted about important decisions, even if children and young people of their age. • You will be notified of the outcome of your application s/he does not live with the child. These are non-denominational schools where the by email on 1 March 2014. If your child has a Statement and is due to move from governing body has the same power as the governing • You may edit your preferences on-line anytime before Mothers always have parental responsibility, unless one sector of education to another, for example from body of an Aided school. These schools are supported the closing date of 31 October 2013. removed by the court. Fathers also have parental primary to secondary education, an annual review by a charitable trust. A A responsibility if married to the mother (and this carries on meeting will be held in the summer term of the year • Sandon High School p p If you are applying for a Church Aided School or Faith- after any divorce/separation or re-marriage even if the p p before they are to transfer, to ensure planning and • Trentham High School Based Academy, additional information such as baptism child lives apart from them). Fathers named on the birth l l y y preparation are in place for a smooth transition. certificate/faith reference will be required. This must be certificate, whether married or not, have parental o o Voluntary Aided Schools n n forwarded separately. Please refer to the individual responsibility. Unmarried fathers, step-fathers and other The SEN Policy and Inclusion Strategy set out the policy, - - admissions policies for faith schools to confirm which These “Church” schools are run with the relatives who look after a child can obtain parental l l i i n n principles and priorities on which arrangements for SEN additional information is necessary. support of the Anglican or Roman Catholic Church responsibility by applying to the court, but do not qualify e e are based. These documents can be found on our or their Trustees. They have a legal duty to preserve and automatically. f f o o website stoke.gov.uk Please note: The required additional information develop their denominational religious character and will r r s s relating to applications on faith grounds must be strongly emphasise religious education. These schools Please help the school to collect this information. If any If your child has a Statement of Special Educational c c supplied. Failure to do so will affect the admissions are run in close partnership with the local authority. changes occur in your family life, or if orders are made h h Needs, it will need to be amended to name the school o o criteria under which your application is • St. Thomas More Catholic College under the Children Act which affect your child, please tell your child will attend. The annual review in the summer o o considered. the school. l l term, prior to their transfer a year later, will give you the p p Academies opportunity to express a preference for the school you l l a a If you prefer to complete a paper copy of the application If you need help with this matter, the Education Welfare These are state-funded independent schools. c c want your child to attend. We must agree your form, this can be downloaded from the above website or Officer attached to the school will be pleased to assist. e e preference providing: • Birches Head Academy* s s can be obtained by phoning the Admissions and • The school is suitable for the child’s age, ability and • Haywood Engineering College s s Transport Team (Tel: 01782 234598) . If you require a • Ormiston Horizon Academy t t aptitude and the Special Educational Needs set out o o receipt for your completed form, it will need to be hand in Part 2 of the Statement. • Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy k k delivered to your child’s current school and ask for a receipt. • The child’s attendance is not compatible with the • St Joseph’s College e e . efficient education of other children in the school and • St. Margaret Ward Catholic College g g Should you wish to change any of • The placement is an efficient use of the local • St Peter’s Academy o o v v the details on your application, you authority’s resources.