Mid Year Admissions

This guidance is intended for parents or carers of children already of school age who have either: 

  • Moved into Staffordshire and wish to find their child a school place
  • Current Staffordshire residents who wish to change their child's school
  • Staffordshire residents applying for schools administered by other local authorities. 

How do I change my child's school?

How do I find out about schools in my area?

  • Your catchment area school or a list of schools in your area can be found on the local view website.
  • Whilst the School Admissions and Transport Service can indicate the likelihood of available places at a school it is important to note this can only be confirmed once we have approached the school directly on your behalf.
  • The School Choice Advice Service can provide useful information about secondary and high schools in the Staffordshire area.
  • The Department for Education also provides a school search facility which enables parents to compare schools   

Are there any issues with your child's current school?

  • If you are experiencing difficulties with your child's current school we recommend you try and resolve them with the head teacher/governing body before making an application.
  • Whilst we appreciate the decision to move schools is not taken lightly if there are issues with the current school then making an application should be the last resort.
  • If any caseworkers are involved with your child's education (Education Welfare, Parent Support Workers, Special Educational Needs or Social Workers) it is important that you consult with them before making an application to change schools.
  • If you withdraw your child from their current school without first securing an offer at another school it is possible they will be out of school for a prolonged period of time.
  • We try to resolve all in-year applications within 15 working days of receiving the application form. However, it is possible that in some cases it may take significantly longer.

Who should I apply to?

All Staffordshire residents should apply through Staffordshire County Council even if the school you wish to apply for is not administered by Staffordshire County Council.

  • If you are moving out of Staffordshire and wish to apply before you are resident in your new address you will still need to apply through Staffordshire County Council.
  • If you are not a Staffordshire resident but wish to apply for a Staffordshire school you will need to apply through your home authority.
  • If you pay your council tax to Stoke-on-Trent City Council you will need to apply through Stoke-on-Trent School Admissions. Stoke-on-Trent residents should apply through Stoke-on-Trent Admissions even if you are applying for a school administered by Staffordshire County Council.

Does your child have a Statement of Special Educational Needs?

  • If your child has a full statement of special educational needs you will need to discuss your request with the assessment officer for your child's statement. Applications should not be made using the In Year Application Form. 
  • Newcastle and Moorlands - 01782 297524
  • Stafford and South Staffordshire - 01785 356949
  • Lichfield and Cannock - 01543 512050
  • East Staffordshire and Tamworth - 01283 239755

How long will it take to process my application?  

  • Once we have received a form we will endeavour to process the application within 15 working days.
  • However, there is no guarantee you will receive an offer of a school place within 15 working days.
  • When applying for a school administered by another local authority you will receive your offer when the relevant authority has informed us of the outcome.

What happens if my child is refused a place at my preferred school?

  • If your child is refused a place at your preferred school you have the right of appeal.
  • If your child is refused a place in reception, year 1 or year 2 at your preferred school and infant class size legislation applies then your child's name will automatically be placed on a waiting list. 
  • Waiting lists are maintained in accordance with Staffordshire County Council's school admissions criteria.
  • We will be in touch if a place becomes available at your preferred school and we are able to offer your child a place.
  • Please read the following guidance on PDF Document  Infant class size legislation (37KB).

Vulnerable Children

Some vulnerable children may find it difficult to secure a place in a school and can in some cases remain out of school for unreasonably long periods. To ensure that the most vulnerable children are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible the local authority has an PDF Document  In-Year Fair Access Protocol| (43KB) to assist in such cases.

Children from Overseas

Please view information regarding the admission of pupils from overseas in the document below:- 

Children from Overseas  Children from Overseas| (14KB)

 

Not found what you're looking for.... Please contact us on 01785 278593.

 

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