IMPORTANT YOUR APPLICATION FOR A PLACE AT SECONDARY SCHOOL MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY BY 31 OCTOBER 2018 Starting Secondary School in September 2019 The process for Rutland residents apply online : www.ruTland.gov.uk/admissions see inside cover September 2016 DON'T WAIT FOR THE POST! Apply Online for a secondary school place for your child by midnight on 31 OCTOBER 2018 by visiting www.rutland.gov.uk/admissions You can apply online by logging on to www.rutland.gov.uk/admissions The benefits to applying online include: • You will receive an email to confirm that your application has been received. • You can view your application at any time and make changes to it up until the closing date. • The system has a series of security procedures which will prevent anyone seeing information they are not entitled to see. • The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the closing date, although there may be a requirement for temporary loss of service due to the essential maintenance of the system. • An email will be sent on 1 March 2019 confirming the outcome If you have any of your application whereas if the application has been made questions about the on the paper application form an offer letter will be posted out on 1 March 2019. online admissions process you can contact us on Please note that you can only make an application online up to the closing date. If you are submitting a late application, after 01572 722577 the closing date, you will need to complete the secondary school or email: application form. [email protected] Contents Introduction page 4 Section 1 Glossary of Terms page 5 Section 2 Secondary School Admissions - the process 2.1 Who is responsible for coordinating school admissions? page 6 2.2 Who is responsible for the allocation of places at a school? page 6 2.3 Can I choose the school I want my child to attend? page 6 2.4 How can I find out about the schools in the area? page 6 2.5 How can I find out about Rutland secondary school catchment areas and feeder schools? page 6 2.6 What if my child has a Statement or Education, Health and Care Plan? page 6 2.7 What if my child does not have a Statement or Education, Health and Care Plan but has additional needs? page 7 2.8 How do I apply for a place? page 7 2.9 When do I need to apply for a place? page 7 2.10 What if I don't live in Rutland? page 8 2.11 Will the information I provide be checked? page 8 2.12 How will I know if my application has been received successfully? page 8 2.13 What if my application is submitted late? page 8 2.14 Can places be reserved if I have not yet moved into the area? page 8 2.15 How many children can a school admit? page 8 2.16 What happens if there are more applications than there are places available at the school? page 9 2.17 When will I find out if my application has been successful? page 9 2.18 What do I need to do once I have received an offer of a place? page 9 2.19 Can an offer of a place be withdrawn once I have received it? page 9 2.20 What happens if my application is refused? page 10 2.21 How do I appeal? page 10 2.22 Is there a waiting list for places? page 10 2.23 What happens if I move house before my child starts school? page 11 2.24 What if I move into the area after the offer day? page 11 2.25 Will my child receive free school transport? page 11 2.26 What is a Fair Access Protocol? page 12 2.27 How do I find out about the term dates for Rutland secondary schools? page 12 2.28 Who do I contact for further information? page 13 Contact details for neighbouring Local Authorities page 13 Section 3 Secondary Schools in Rutland - Your guide to the three secondary schools in Rutland Casterton College, Rutland page 14 Catmose College page 18 Uppingham Community College page 22 September 2019 3 Starting Secondary School Welcome to your guide to Secondary School Admissions Dear Parent/Carer This booklet provides information about the secondary school education opportunities available for children in Rutland and in particular the procedures for parents/carers applying for school places and gaining admission to secondary schools for the academic year commencing in September 2019. I am delighted that you are considering a place for your child in a secondary school in Rutland. We are all very proud of the quality of education in Rutland: school aspirations are high; head teachers are leading schools that are attractive, well maintained, and safe; teaching is delivered to the highest standards and we are all constantly seeking to improve achievement. Above all, I trust that when you visit Rutland secondary schools you will find happy students that are secure and confident and working in stimulating and inclusive school communities. Please take the time to read this booklet carefully. The information will help you to make an informed choice about the right secondary school for your child. Thank you and we look forward to meeting you at some time during your child's education in Rutland. Dr Tim O'Neill Director for People and Deputy Chief Executive 4 Section 1 Glossary of Terms When reading through the information in this brochure, you may come across a word or phrase that is unclear. Please find below a list of words and phrases, used within this brochure, along with an explanation of their meaning. If you require clarification on any of the information contained within the brochure, please telephone 01572 722577 or email [email protected] A school that is directly funded by central government and is Academy independent of the local authority. Admission Arrangements The overall procedure, practices and oversubscription criteria used in (or Admissions Policy) deciding the allocation of school places. Admission Authority The body responsible for admissions to a school and for drawing up admission arrangements for the school. Catchment area A designated area around a school. Some admission authorities give priority to children who live within a ‘catchment area’. A council which has responsibility for providing efficient primary and Local Authority (LA) secondary school education to pupils of school age in its area and ensuring that there are enough primary and secondary school places, with adequate facilities, to meet the needs of the pupils. Child Looked After/ A child who is in the care of, or provided accommodation by, the Local Child in Care Authority (LA). Mainstream schools Schools maintained by the Local Authority (LA), but not including special schools. The National Curriculum provides a programme of study for a child National Curriculum and is divided into 4 key stages according to age; key stage 1 and 2 at primary school level and key stage 3 and 4 at secondary school. Please note that academies do not have to follow the National Curriculum. An official body which regularly inspects all schools in England which Ofsted are mainly or wholly state funded. Ofsted inspectors produce education reports which are meant to improve standards of achievement and quality of education. A list of rules applied by admission authorities when a school has more Oversubscription criteria applications than places. They must by law be fair and objective and in accordance with the School Admissions Code. Planned Admission Number The number of places available in the year group which is the normal (PAN) year of entry – for secondary schools this is Year 7. September 2019 5 Starting Secondary School Section 2 Secondary School Admissions 2019 2.1 Who is responsible for offer of a place. It is not possible to predict if a coordinating school admissions? school will be oversubscribed. However, information about the number of preferences Each Local Authority (LA) has a role to received for each school last year, for admission in co-ordinate the secondary school admissions September 2018, along with the number of places process for children resident within their LA offered, is available within the key facts table for area. This means that parents/carers of children each school within section 3 of this brochure. resident in Rutland, who wish to apply for a You are encouraged to consider and indicate secondary school place for their child to start in what your second and third preferences would be September 2019, will submit an application to in order that they may be considered. Rutland County Council, regardless of in which county the preferred school is located. There is a 2.4 How can I find out about the common application form, which is available schools in the area? online or as a paper copy, and a timetable, to ensure that offers of places are sent out on the Details of each Rutland school are available in same day to all parents within the LA area. Section 3 of this brochure. Parents who live outside of the Rutland area, Other schools are available in neighbouring who wish to apply for a place at a Rutland counties and the Councils within which these secondary school, will need to submit their schools are located will be able to provide details application to the LA where they live. about these schools. For contact details of neighbouring authorities please see page 13 of Parents who wish to apply for a place at a this brochure.