Secondary School Admissions

1. I have just moved into the area, how do I register my child for school?

Your first contact should be with your preferred school. If the school indicate that they are unable to admit your child then you have the right to make an offical application and appeal should your application be refused. Please see the mid term admissions pages on our web pages for further information.

2. Can you forward me a list of schools in Staffordshire?

3. Can you advise me of the catchment school for a certain address?

Visit Where's my Nearest? to check the catchment areas for various addresses within Staffordshire.

Please note there is no guaranteed admission to your catchment area school, allocations will be dependent on the availability of spaces in the relevant year group.

Catchment areas are also subject to review and may alter from year to year.

4. How can I find out more about a particular secondary school?

You can obtain a copy of the school's prospectus, attend school open evenings, obtain OFSTED reports and look at examination results in order to gather information about schools you are interested in. We would always encourage parents to arrange to visit the school that they are interested in applying for before making an application for admission.

5. My child is due to transfer to Secondary School - how do I apply?

If your child is due to transfer to their secondary stage of education at the normal age of entry you will be provided with an application form which invites you to express preferences for up to 3 schools.  There are a number of ways that you can apply for school places:

• On-line by logging onto the web page and then following the instructions given,  
• On the common application form,

          or

• By telephone, the team will be happy to complete a telephone application for you.  Please contact them on 01785 278593 from 15 September to 7 November 2008.

When making an application, you must name all the schools where you wish your child to be considered for a place in order of preference, this includes any Foundation Schools, Voluntary Aided Schools and/or any maintained school in one of Staffordshire's neighbouring authorities.  Whilst the Children & Lifelong Learning Directorate administers the admissions process for Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools, their Governing Bodies have responsibility for their admission arrangements and decisions. 

6.  My child currently attends a private school how do I apply for a place in a Staffordshire maintained school?

Please contact the School Admissions and Transport Service - 01785 278593 for advice on how to proceed with your application.

7. What is the closing date for making my application?

The closing date for all applications is 7 November, 2008.  Applications received after this date may only be considered after those applications that were received on time have been dealt with and may result in your child not being admitted to your preferred school.

8. Do I have to complete an application form?

Yes, children are not automatically transferred from primary to secondary school and every parent must complete an application form to ensure that their child is considered for a place at their preferred school.  Where a parent does not make an application for any school, a place at the nearest Staffordshire school with spaces available will be offered, once all those that applied on time have been offered a place. This may not be your local school and transport assistance will not necessarily be provided.  If you require assistance completing your form, please contact the School Admissions and Transport Service on 01785 278593, the School Choice Adviser on 01785 278992 or your child's present school who will be pleased to assist you.  

9. How will places be filled if there are more applicants than spaces available?

If the total number of applications for admission to a secondary school, including second and third preferences, exceeds the school's Published Admission Number (PAN), places are allocated in accordance with the published admissions criteria. If an applicant meets the admissions criteria of more than one preference then they will be offered a place at the school ranked highest on the application form.

10. I am interested in applying for a school place in another Local Authority - what do I need to do? 

You can apply for places at schools both within and outside Staffordshire in the same application.  Staffordshire participate in a Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme with other neighbouring authorities.  The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that each pupil living within Staffordshire receives only one offer of a school place on the same date, whether that be at a school within the county or one maintained by a neighbouring authority.

11. My preferred school is very popular. How can I assess whether or not my application is likely to be successful?

You should be aware that there is no guarantee of a place at any school.  You should refer to the individual school's prospectus and the relevant summary pages in the Information for Parents booklet to assess the likelihood of your child being admitted to your preferred school.

12. When will I know the outcome of my application?

If you reside in Staffordshire and you applied online, you should receive an automatic email on the 2 March 2009 notifying you of the outcome of your application.  

If you did not apply online, your offer letter will be posted 2nd class on 2 March 2009, the national offer day, making one offer of a school place. You will not be advised of the outcome over the telephone.

13. If my application is unsuccessful, what are my options? 

Independent Admission Appeal Process

Parents have the right to appeal against the decision to refuse their application for school to an Independent Appeals Panel.  Details of the appeal process and the deadline for the return of the completed appeal form will be sent out to you with the letter notifying you of the outcome of your application.

Waiting List

If your child has not been offered a place at your preferred community or voluntary controlled school then your childs name will automatically be placed on a waiting list. 

If any places become available at the school after the closing date for appeals (below the PAN) they will be offered to pupils on the waiting list which is held in accordance with the admission criteria.   The lists are kept until the end of the first week of the new academic year.

A child's position on the waiting list is not fixed and is subject to change during the year i.e. they can go up or down the list.

14. How can I find out about whether school transport is available?

When you know which school your child is going to, you'll want to know if they are entitled to free school transport, and how to apply for a place.  Follow this link to our information on School Transport to find out.

15. How can I contact the School Admissions and Transport Service?

Last Modified: 19/11/2008 11:42:33
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