Admissions to Dorset Schools A Parents’ Guide 2013-2014 This Document must be read in conjunction with: • Appendix 1 - Admission Policies for Foundation & Voluntary Aided Schools • Appendix 2 - Statistical Information for Parents • Appendix 3 - Dorset School Catchment Maps • Appendix 4 - Additional Information regarding the Purbeck Area Reorganisation Please contact School Admissions if you need this form in Braille, large type or another language. Website : www.dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions Telephone : 01305 221060 2 Contents 1. School Organisation and General Information 2. Which school – How do I decide? 3. Useful Information for Completing your Application 4. School Transport Information 5. Oversubscription Criteria for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools 6. How to Apply for a School Place 7. After outcome of your Application - Waiting Lists & Appeals Information 8. Dorset County Council and Other Useful Contacts 9. Pyramid Information – Schools Details by Area See School Admissions website or call 01305 221060 for : Appendix 1 Admissions Policies for Academy, Free, Foundation & Voluntary Aided Schools Appendix 2 Statistical Information for Parents Appendix 3 Dorset School Catchment Areas Appendix 4 Additional Information regarding the Purbeck Area Reorganisation Policy Statement for Equality Dorset local authority is committed to the fundamental principles of equality of access and opportunity, unbiased treatment and equal value of all individuals. The primary purpose of the authority is to ensure the provision of a high quality education for all learners, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, social and economic background and circumstances, sexual orientation, physical or intellectual capability, nationality, religion or belief, age or chosen lifestyle. Website : www.dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions Telephone : 01305 221060 3 1. School Organisation and General Information Dorset is committed to providing a comprehensive system of education and has a variety of different school structures in different parts of the county. All schools are organised into groups of schools called pyramids/areas and full details are included at the back of this booklet. If applying from or to other Local Authorities they may have different arrangements or structures which you need to consider. Dorset operates different systems in different pyramids as follows : TWO TIER - Primary / Secondary Schools Pyramids Infant schools (aged 4-7) Reception - Year 2 Beaminster / Blandford / Bridport / Christ- church & Highcliffe / Lyme Regis / Lytch- Junior schools (aged 7-11) Year 3 - Year 6 ett & Upton / Gillingham / Purbeck* / Primary schools (aged 4-11) Reception - Year 6 Shaftesbury /Sherborne / Sturminster Newton / Weymouth & Portland (Chesil) Secondary (aged 11-16 or 11-18) Year 7 + THREE TIER - First / Middle / Upper Schools Pyramids First schools (aged 4-9) Reception – Year 4 Corfe Hills / Dorchester / Ferndown & West Moors / Wimborne & Cranborne / Middle schools (aged 9-13) Year 5 – Year 8 Upper schools (aged 13- 18) Year 9 + *The Purbeck pyramid is in transition from three to two tier, which completes in September 2013. If your child is presently attending a Bovington, Sandford, Swanage or Wareham Middle School (Year 7, 8 or 9) you must complete an application form SY07, SY08 or SY09 to transfer to secondary. It is important you read the advice contained in appendix 4. Type of School Community Funded by the Local Authority Voluntary Controlled Set up by a voluntary body (ie church) funded by the Local Authority These schools operate the admission policy identified on pages 17/18. Foundation Funded by the Local Authority Voluntary Aided Set up by Voluntary Body (e.g. church) part funded by the Local Authority Trust Foundation School forming a charitable trust with an outside partner Academy Publicly Funded - independent of the Local Authority Free School Set up by a wide range of proposers (including charities, universities, busi- nesses, educational groups, teachers / parents) - independent of the Local Authority These schools have their own admissions policy and additional information or a Supplementary Form may be required to meet certain criteria (see appendix 9). Website : www.dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions Telephone : 01305 221060 4 National Curriculum Year Groups & Key Stages Foundation Stage 1 Nursery or pre-school Ages 3-4 Foundation Stage 2 Reception Ages 4-5 Key Stage 1 Year 1 - Year 2 Ages 5-7 Key Stage 2 Year 3 - Year 6 Ages 7-11 Key Stage 3 Year 7 - Year 9 Ages 11-14 Key Stage 4 Year 10 - Year 11 Ages 14-16 Early Years Education Under the government’s Early Years programme some children are eligible for free nursery school places. Contact the Family Information Service (01305 221066 or [email protected] ). The majority of Nursery and Pre-schools in Dorset are provided independently (even when on school sites). Attending a particular pre-school/nursery setting does not provide any link or guarantees for admission to attached or neighbouring maintained school. Please read admissions policies for schools. Children Starting School for the First Time Sometimes called rising 5 or 4+ admissions Children reach compulsory school in the term following their fifth birthday. All children born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 are due to start school in the year beginning September 2013. An Application must be submitted by the parent for a school place through the home Local Authority . Registering details with a school or attending a pre-school or nursery setting does not constitute an application. Details on how to apply if you are a Dorset residents are on page 15. Part time or Deferred Entry for Children Starting School for the First Time The vast majority of children start school full time in the September, as it is beneficial for all pupils to undergo the planned induction process and establish friendships within the group. Some schools may offer a phased integration. Parents should contact schools directly if they wish to discuss the following options: Part time arrangements: Parents can request part-time arrangements for any period until the child reaches compulsory school age. Deferred Entry: Entry can be deferred (delayed) until later in this first academic year, but only until the child reaches compulsory school age. Parents must still pursue the normal application process to secure a school place. The school and parent will agree and record a date for expected entry into their allocated year group and the place will be held for that child until this date. The child will still progress with the other pupils in their year group and advance to Year 1 and attend full time the following September and so the child may miss all, or part, of the Reception Year and the Foundation curriculum. The place can be withdrawn and offered to another child only if the parent confirms they no longer want the place or the child does not start on the agreed date. Children born in the summer term (who do not take up their place by the end of the Reception year) will enter immediately into Year 1 and a fresh application would have to be made and there is no guarantee a place would be available. Deferred entry does not allow the child to enter into the Reception Class the following year. Website : www.dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions Telephone : 01305 221060 5 School Leaving Age The law allows children who reach the age of 16 during the 2013/2014 school year to leave school on 27 June 2014 . The date is set by law and there is no discretion to alter it. Students are encouraged to continue their studies either through sixth form, college or work with training. Post 16 Education There will be a sixth form or college serving your local area, which can offer a wide range of A Level, vocational and other courses. Each will have its own admission policy and admission number for external applications and entry requirements. An appeal can be lodged if refused admission to a school sixth form. Please contact schools and colleges direct to make enquiries or to make an application. Information is available by following the link on www.dorsetforyou.com . Children with Disabilities or Special Educational Needs The local authority has a policy that all schools will support those pupils with special educational needs or inclusion issues. Every school accommodates pupils with a variety of need, making excellent provision, supporting children and young people within their schools and achieving excellent outcomes. If your child does have special educational needs, disabilities or a medical condition that requires special management (but does not have a full Statement of Special Educational Needs) you should contact prospective schools to discuss the facilities and support available. Dorset Parent Partnership may be able to help and can be contacted on 01305 221000 . Please note that the School Admissions Team will process the application for school places only in accordance with the admissions policies. If your child has a full Statement of Special Educational Needs the school application and placement process will be dealt with through the Special Educational Needs Team. Parents must contact the Special Educational team on 01305 224888. Terms & Holiday Dates All dates are inclusive. Schools will also set their own inset/training days and you should visit their websites or contact them directly for this information. Autumn Spring Summer Start Date 2 September 2013 6 January 2014 22 April 2014 Half Term 28 October 2013 to 17 February 2014 to 26 May 2014 to 1 November 2013 21 February 2014 30 May 2014 End Date 20 December 2013 4 April 2014 24 July 2014 Website : www.dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions Telephone : 01305 221060 6 2. Which School – How Do I Decide? Applying for a school place is important. You will need to make appropriate and realistic decisions. Schools can regularly be oversubscribed or already full, particularly if applying ‘in year’ or in a late round for the normal year of entry. Schools should not confirm or predict the allocations in advance of the offer date for normal year of entry applications.