There are different types of schools:

Community Schools
The Local Authority maintains most of the schools in the City.  The Local Authority is the admission authority for these schools, with responsibility for offering or refusing places.  Individual schools and Head Teachers are not allowed to offer or refuse places.  All applications must be made on the relevant form to the Local Authority.  The admission arrangements outlined in the ‘Going to School in Nottingham’ booklet apply mainly to community schools.

Single Sex Education for Girls
The Manning School is a community school, which provides single sex education for girls between the ages of 11 and 16.  Applications must be made on the relevant form to the Local Authority and are considered from parents throughout the City who would like their daughters to receive a secondary education in a single sex school.

Voluntary Controlled Schools
These were originally provided by voluntary organisations, but are now maintained by the Local Authority. Admission arrangements are usually the same as for community schools. There is only one Voluntary Controlled school in the City: Bulwell St Mary’s Church of England Primary and Nursery School. All applications must be made on the relevant form to the Local Authority.

Voluntary Aided Schools
These are partly maintained by the Church of England or Catholic Church and partly by the Local Authority.  There are a number of voluntary aided schools in the City.  They are included in the list of schools at the back of the ‘Going to School in Nottingham’ booklets.

The admissions authority for each Voluntary Aided school is the school’s Governing body.  They will have their own arrangements about how they consider applications for places. These must be in accordance with the:

• Schools Standard and Framework Act 1998,
• Education & Inspections Act 2006, and
• Statutory School Admissions Code of Practice

A summary of the admission policies is at the back of the ‘Going to School in Nottingham’ booklets.  If you would like your child to be considered for a place at a Voluntary Aided School, you can seek advice from the Head Teacher of the school.

Applications for Reception year or for year 7 in the 2009/10 school year made prior to 31 August 2009, should be made on a common application form via the Local Authority. As its Admission Authority, the School’s governing body makes decisions on applications, but the Local Authority co-ordinates all applications from Nottingham City residents and communicates decisions to them on behalf of other Admission Authorities.

Applications for Reception year or for year 7 in the 2009/10 school year made after 31 August 2009 or for any other year group should be made directly to the school where this is a voluntary aided school.

Foundation Schools*
These are schools which were previously grant maintained.  There is one Foundation School in the City - Greenwood Dale Specialist School.

Academies*
Academies are all-ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community. There is currently one Academy in the City, the Djanogly City Academy, Nottingham. Two more Academies will open on 1st September 2009, the Bulwell Academy and Nottingham University Samworth Academy

*The admissions authority of the Foundation School and the Academy is their respective governing body. They have their own admission arrangements about how applications for places are considered. These must be in accordance with the:

• Schools Standard and Framework Act 1998,
• Education & Inspections Act 2006, and
• Statutory School Admissions Code of Practice

A summary of the admission policy is at the back of the ‘Going to School in Nottingham’ booklets. If you would like your child to be considered for a place at the Foundation School, you can seek advice from the Head Teacher. If you would like your child to be considered for a place at the Academy, you can seek advice from the Principal of the Academy.

*Applications for year 7 made prior to 31 August for admission in the September of that year should be made on a common application form via the Local Authority. As its Admission Authority, the Foundation School and Academy’s respective governing body makes decisions on applications, but the Local Authority co-ordinates all applications from Nottingham City residents and communicates decisions to them on behalf of other Admission Authorities.

Applications for year 7 made after 31 August or for any other year group should be made directly to the Foundation School or the Academy.

Special Schools
Special schools cater for children with very severe and complicated needs.  Children who attend special schools have statements of special education needs.  You can get more information about education for children with Special Educational Needs or disabilities from the Special Educational Needs Team at the Sandfield Centre on telephone number 0115 915 0750 or the Parent Partnership Service on telephone number 0115 948 2888.

Nursery Schools
Many of the City’s primary schools have Nursery Units. The school’s Governing Body decides their admission arrangements.  If you would like to apply for Nursery education for your child, you should apply to the Head Teacher of the school.  You should ask the school’s Head Teacher about the admission policy.  Children can receive Nursery education from the ages of three or four, normally for a half-day session every day, unless the setting has the capacity to offer more. You can contact the Children and Families Information Service on 0800 458 4114 for lists of all types of nursery, early learning and childcare provision.

Please note that a place in a nursery unit does not guarantee your child a place at the school.