POLICY ON ADMISSIONS

The Governors of the school are responsible for the arrangements for admitting children.

The school will admit 150 students in September 2012, but is considering moving to six form entry in 2013.  All places are offered to children across the full range of ability, with priority given to Looked After Children, siblings and those who live nearest the school. 

Admission Criteria
Where applications exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in this order:

1. Children Looked After (see note 1).

2. Applicants with a professionally supported exceptional medical or social need for a place at  the school, as decided by the Governing Body, advised by a School Placement Panel (see  note 2).

3. Applicants who have a brother or sister attending the school on the date of admission (see  note 3).

4. Applicants who live nearest to the school by the shortest walking route with street lighting  as measured by the Council’s Geographical Information System.

Appeal Arrangements
Applicants refused a place at the school will have the right to appeal against the decision to an independent admission appeal panel established under the School Standards and Framework Act.

Notes
1. A Child Looked After is a child in the care of the local authority or provided with  accommodation by that authority, in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989.

2. Applications made on exceptional medical grounds must be supported by a current letter  from a specialist health professional.  Applications made on exceptional social grounds  must be supported by a current letter from a social worker or other care professional  working with the family.  The letters must give reasons why the child’s condition or  circumstances make it necessary for the child to attend the school applied for, and the  difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend an alternative school.  If this  information is not provided by the applications closing date, the application will not be  considered under this criterion.  The information will be considered by a School Placement  Panel who will advise the Governing Body on the decision.  The Panel reserves the right to  request further professional advice necessary.

3. A sibling is a full brother of sister, a step/half brother or sister living at the same address, a  child who is living as part of the family by reason of a court order, or a child who has been  placed with foster carers as a result of being looked after by a local authority.