In the event of oversubscription within any of the criteria listed below, preference will be given to applicants who live closest to the school, as measured in a straight line (by a computerised geographical information system) from home to school (i.e. as the crow flies).

Pupils who have a Statement of Special Educational Need, where that school is named in the child’s statement will be admitted.  In this event, the number of places that remain available for allocation will be reduced.

1. Places will first be allocated to pupils who, at the closing date for applications, live within the catchment area, whose parents have requested a place at the school and who, at the time of admission, will have a brother or sister attending the school or Individual Needs Centre.
2. Places will then be allocated to other pupils who, at the closing date for applications, live within the catchment area and whose parents have requested a place at the school.
3. Places will then be allocated to pupils who live outside the catchment area, whose parents have requested a place at the school and who, at the time admission, will have a brother or sister attending the school or Individual Needs Centre.
4. Places will then be allocated to other pupils who live outside the catchment area whose parents have requested a place at the school.

The above criteria (1-4) will be overridden and priority given to pupils looked after by the Local Authority (Children in Public Care) as required by the Education (Admissions of Looked After Children) (England) Regulations 2006 and in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act 1989 and who (a) are looked after at the time of an application for admission to a school is made and (b) in relation to whom the local authority has confirmed that the child will still be looked after at the time when the child will be admitted to the school.

The above criteria (1-4) may be overridden and priority given to an applicant who can establish any of the following:-

• Pupils with Special Educational Needs that can only be met at a specific school (e.g. where the school is host to specialist provision)*.
• Children of travellers, pupils with exceptional medical, mobility, or social grounds that can only be met at a specific school*.

*Applications in these categories must be supported by a statement in writing from a doctor, social worker or other relevant professional. This is necessary because you will be asking the Authority to assess your child as having a stronger case than other children.  Each case will be considered on its merits by the Corporate Director of Children’s Services (or her nominated representative) in consultation with the school concerned.

• Waiting lists will be maintained for all year groups for community schools which are oversubscribed for the academic year until the summer half-term.
• For admission purposes the Local Authority considers a sibling connection to relate to any of the following:-
• a brother or sister who share the same parents;
• a half brother or sister, where two children share on common parent;
• a step brother or sister, where two children are related by a parent’s marriage;
• adopted or fostered children living in the same household under the terms of a Residence Order.
• Where applications are received in respect of twins, triplets or children of other multiple births, the authority will endeavour to offer places in the same school, admitting above the planned admission number. In these cases, the parent/carer will be asked which child(ren) should take up the place(s).  The parent/carer will still have a right of appeal against the decision.
• Any parent/carer whose child is refused a school place for which they have applied has the right of appeal to an independent appeals panel*. (Full details will be provided at the time of refusal)

*(Except, the parent/carer of a child who has been permanently excluded from two schools and where at least one of those exclusions took place after 1 September 1997.  This applies to a twice excluded pupil for a period of two years beginning with the date the last exclusion took place).

Please note that the Local Authority no longer operates a “feeder” arrangement. Attendance at a particular primary or junior school is not taken into account when places at secondary schools are allocated.