Children with a statement for special educational needs or an individual pupil resource agreement (IPRA) for whom the preferred school is named in the statement will be admitted first. The remaining applicants who have named this school as a 1st, 2nd or 3rd preference will then be considered equally against the Council’s admission policy, in the priority order given below:-
a) Children in care (looked after children)
b) Children with older brothers or sisters (which include step children and foster children living with the same family as the same address) who will still be attending the preferred school when the younger child is admitted;
c) Children with proven exceptional medical, social or welfare needs which are directly relevant to the school concerned. Consideration may also be given under this ground where the child or one or both of the parents/carers has a disability that may make travel to a school further away more difficult. If you wish to be considered under this category you must provide appropriate supporting evidence from a doctor, social worker, etc with your application, to explain why the preferred school would meet those needs and why other schools would not be suitable;
d) Geographical proximity. Under this category, the remaining places will be offered to children who live nearest to the preferred school.
The distance will be measured in a straight line between the home front door and the main gate of the school using a computer. If category (b), (c) or (d) is oversubscribed, geographical proximity (as set out in category (d)) will be used as the “tie breaker”. If after measuring distances it is still not possible to decide on the children to be offered admission (eg 2 children living in the same block of flats or in the same house) the admissions authority will then use random allocation to decide which of the children can be offered a place.
Priority for Twins/Multiple births
In order to ensure that, as far as possible, children from multiple births (twins, triplets, etc) are not separated, such children will be given priority over all other children who are in the same category. If, despite having this priority, the situation arises of twins/triplets, etc seeking admission but the school being unable to accept them all without breaching the admission number, then the admission authority will use random allocation to decide which of the children can be offered a place.
Smooth Transition
Moving from primary to secondary school can be stressful and we do all we can to ease this transition. Wherever possible, we liaise closely with primary schools to ensure a smooth transfer.
We begin the process of getting to know children by working with primary schools. Our staff who will be directly concerned with your children when they come here, visit the primary schools to talk to the children and their class teachers about their special needs and to try to ensure that there is continuity in the children’s work. We also arrange for children to visit our school while they are still at primary schools during an Induction Day which is held in July each year. We run an annual Summer School for new Year 7 students to help them familiarise themselves with staff and facilities prior to their commencement in the Autumn Term. Parents are equally welcome at our annual Open Evening in September.
Reviewed by: Dean Logan
Date: 11th August 2011
To be reviewed Spring/Summer 2012
