A guide for parents with children starting primary school in September 2020 Apply online: www.lbhf.gov.uk/ eadmissions The Pan-London eAdmissions site opens on 1 September 2019. If your child was born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, you will need to apply for a primary (reception) school place by 15 January 2020. Contents Introduction School information 4 Welcome 26 Common definitions 5 Introduction to Hammersmith & Fulham’s 27 Admission criteria for community schools primary schools 41 Admission criteria for academies, free schools 5 Types of state school and voluntary aided schools 5 Contacting the admissions team 6 Pan-London system Additional information 7 Key dates 75 In-year admissions 8 Gathering information 75 Support for school attendance 8 Applying for schools outside Hammersmith & Fulham 75 Special Educational Needs and 8 Private fee-paying schools Education, Health and Care plans 76 Educational Psychology Service The application process 76 Assistance with home-to-school travel 10 Closing date for applications 77 Disabled Children’s Team 10 Proof of address 77 Family Information Service 12 Change of address/preferences 77 Free school meals and school clothing grants 12 Looked After and previously Looked After Children (England and Wales) Nurseries and early years 12 Exceptional need 79 Community nursery schools and early years centres 13 Additional forms to complete 13 Applications for children living abroad 13 Members of the UK Armed Forces and Crown Servants Locations and contacts 13 Late applications 81 Contact details for diocesan authorities 13 Change of preferences 81 Contacting neighbouring boroughs 14 Requests to apply for reception in the following year 82 Contact details for neighbouring boroughs 14 Use of your personal information 83 Locations of H&F primary schools, nurseries and early years centres 15 Completing your application 84 Locations of H&F secondary schools 15 Guidance on completing your application (paper or online) 84 Map of H&F’s educational establishments 17 Apply online and save time 17 You can apply online in five easy steps 18 A step-by-step guide to applying online 20 What will happen next 20 How decisions are made 21 Notifying you of the outcome 22 Waiting lists 22 Appeal arrangements 23 Making final arrangements for starting school 24 Frequently asked questions Apply online: www.lbhf.gov.uk/schooladmissions 3 Introduction Welcome Dear Parents and Carers We have put together this Starting school information, along with our Hints and tips booklet to help make it as easy as possible for you to find the school that is the right fit for your family. Having been brought up in the borough – going to school here and later spending seven years working in a school – I know we have some of the most dedicated, caring and inspirational teachers and school staff in the country. In striving to attain impressive standards, while also supporting the well-being and development of pupils, they exemplify everything that is great about education. That is one of the key reasons that all primary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham have an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. Competition for places is high, but I’m confident that there is a local primary school in Hammersmith & Fulham that can inspire your child to achieve their best while enjoying a vibrant school community. My strong advice is that you visit as many schools as you can, as every primary school has something different to Cllr Culhane today, and at primary school offer your family. Open evenings and mornings give you a valuable opportunity to get a feel for the school and meet the headteacher, staff and current students. Dates and times of the open evenings and mornings for each school are in this brochure and online. I really hope you find the information about the borough’s schools, and the advice on how to apply, helpful and wish you all the best in making your decision. Cllr Larry Culhane Cabinet Member for Children and Education Hammersmith & Fulham Council Back to contents Apply online: www.lbhf.gov.uk/schooladmissions 4 Introduction Introduction to Hammersmith Types of state school & Fulham’s primary schools From September 2020, there will be 12 community This brochure is for parents of pupils aged between three schools, 13 voluntary aided schools, 9 academies, and 11, but deals mainly with issues for parents whose 3 free schools and 1 voluntary aided junior school. children are due to start primary school in 2019. It provides The Admission Authority for each school is responsible for information about how and when to apply for a place, setting its admission arrangements and deciding which explains how admission decisions are made and gives children are given priority for a place, in accordance with information about each school to help parents decide which the published admission criteria. For community schools the schools to apply for. Admission Authority is the local council, while for voluntary All other schools in the borough providing primary or aided schools, academies and free schools it is the school’s nursery education are either independent (private) schools governing body or academy trust. or run by other organisations that may charge fees. The Community schools are financed by public money and council’s Family Information Service provides details of all maintained by the council, which also sets their admission provision in the area and can be contacted by visiting requirements. www.lbhf.gov.uk/fisd, emailing [email protected] or calling 0845 313 3933. Voluntary aided schools are set up by a religious or voluntary body but funded through the council. Governors have Further information on independent schools is available responsibilities in addition to those for community schools, from the Independent Schools Council at www.isc.co.uk including setting the admissions arrangements. and the Independent Schools Directory and Resource at www.independentschools.co.uk Academies and free schools are independent of the local authority and funded directly by central government. The governing body for each academy and free school sets its admission arrangements in agreement with the secretary of state and the local council. Contacting the admissions team The admissions team is based at: 3rd Floor, 145-155 King Street, London W6 9XY E [email protected] W www.lbhf.gov.uk/schooladmissions T 020 8753 1085 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am-1.00pm) Back to contents Apply online: www.lbhf.gov.uk/schooladmissions 5 Introduction Pan-London system The local authorities taking part in the PLCAS then use a secure computerised system to pass on details of the applications Every year around 100,000 applications across London are for schools in other areas. They will also co-ordinate the offer made for primary school reception places. All 33 London of places to make sure no child is offered more than one boroughs, together with councils bordering the capital, school place. The decision on whether a place can be offered co-ordinate admissions to their primary schools. will continue to be made by the Admission Authority for each The co-ordinated admissions system is fairer and means school. When a school receives more applications than places more parents are offered one of their preferred schools at an available (also referred to as oversubscribed), its published earlier stage and fewer parents receive no initial offer at all. admissions criteria will be used to decide the order in which It is also easier for parents to manage, reducing anxiety for applicants will be offered places. you and your children. Schools will not be informed of where they are listed on the How the system works application form or other schools applied for. Under the Pan-London Co-ordinated Admissions System Where a child is eligible to be offered a place at more than (PLCAS), all parents must list the schools they want to apply one school, the local authority will hold the offer for the for on their home local authority’s common application form, highest preference on the parents’ form and release all other ranking them in order of preference. This is important, as lower preference offers. These places can then be offered potentially only one offer will be made and this will be for to other applicants. Potential offers are exchanged between the highest-ranked school able to make the offer. This form local authorities until they are in a position to make the single (either paper or online) is returned to the local authority for best offer to parents using all available places. All offers will the area in which the child lives. be made on the same day: 16 April 2020. Back to contents Apply online: www.lbhf.gov.uk/schooladmissions 6 Introduction Key dates From 1 September 2019 You will be able to apply online at www.lbhf.gov.uk/eadmissions Paper applications will be available from the admissions team on request. The Starting school brochure will be available online from early September. 15 January 2020 Closing date for applications If you are applying online, you will have up until 11.59pm on 15 January 2020 to submit your application. If you are applying via a paper form you will need to ensure it is received by the admissions team by 5.00pm on the closing date. 16 April 2020 National offer day All resident applicants that applied online will receive an email notification during the evening of 16 April. Resident applicants who made a paper application will be sent an outcome letter in the post on 16 April. 30 April 2020 Deadline for successful applicants to accept or decline their school offer. From 16 May 2020 Waiting list positions will be available for community schools and further offers will be made as result of withdrawals and late applications for schools with vacancies.