ADMISSIONS POLICY 2015
We believe this policy relates to the following legislation:
The following documentation is also related to this policy:
We wish to comply with the School Admissions Code of Practice. Annually we will publish the admission number for this school but there are times when this number will change in line with local authority and government statutory guidance.
We will consider all applications for admission as we are an inclusive school and will admit pupils without reference to general ability or aptitude. We believe we operate a fair and equal admissions policy.
We will admit any child with a statement of special educational needs that names this school.
We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.
We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.
Aims
Responsibility for the Policy and Procedure
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body, as the admissions authority, has:
Role of the Headteacher
The Headteacher in conjunction with the Admissions Committee will:
Admissions Criteria
Admission to this school shall be determined by the criteria set out below, which are listed in order of priority:-
Role of Parents/Carers
Parents/carers will:
Raising Awareness of this Policy
We will raise awareness of this policy via:
Training
Training will be provided by an accredited trainer for the Headteacher and all members of the senior leadership team, the school bursar and the nominated governor that deals with:
Equality Impact Assessment
Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a duty not to discriminate against people on the basis of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
This policy has been equality impact assessed and we believe that it is in line with the Equality Act 2010 as it is fair, it does not prioritise or disadvantage any pupil and it helps to promote equality at this school.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Policy
The practical application of this policy will be reviewed annually or when the need arises by the coordinator, the Headteacher and the nominated governor.
A statement of the policy's effectiveness and the necessary recommendations for improvement will be presented to the Governing Body for further discussion and endorsement. (See Policy Evaluation)
We believe this policy relates to the following legislation:
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Education and Skills Act 2008
- Equality Act 2010
The following documentation is also related to this policy:
- School Admissions Code (DfE)
- School Admissions Appeals Code (DfE)
We wish to comply with the School Admissions Code of Practice. Annually we will publish the admission number for this school but there are times when this number will change in line with local authority and government statutory guidance.
We will consider all applications for admission as we are an inclusive school and will admit pupils without reference to general ability or aptitude. We believe we operate a fair and equal admissions policy.
We will admit any child with a statement of special educational needs that names this school.
We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.
We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.
Aims
- To comply with the School Admissions Code of Practice.
- To establish and maintain a fair and open admissions policy.
- To work with other schools and the local authority in order to share good practice in order to improve this policy.
Responsibility for the Policy and Procedure
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body, as the admissions authority, has:
- a duty to consider all applications to this school fairly and openly;
- delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and visitors to the school are aware of and comply with this policy;
- in place an Admissions Committee;
- responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;
- nominated a designated Equalities governor to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy;
- responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;
- make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;
- responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;
- responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;
- the responsibility of involving the School Council in the development, approval, implementation and review of this policy;
- nominated a link governor to visit the school regularly, to liaise with the Headteacher and to report back to the Governing Body;
- responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy
Role of the Headteacher
The Headteacher in conjunction with the Admissions Committee will:
- ensure that all applications are looked at fairly and openly;
- ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;
- work closely with the link governor and coordinator;
- provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;
- provide guidance, support and training to all staff;
- monitor the effectiveness of this policy;
- annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy
Admissions Criteria
Admission to this school shall be determined by the criteria set out below, which are listed in order of priority:-
- Children who are looked after by the Local Authority;
- Priority will be given to the admission of pupils’ resident within the school’s designated catchment area whose parents have expressed this preference if the admissions number of the school has not been exceeded.
- In the event of over-subscription from within the school’s designated catchment area, the following sub-criteria will be applied to prioritise admissions:
- children recommended for admission on medical grounds, supported by a Medical Officer or psychological or special educational needs reasons. These must be confirmed by the Local Authority’s professional advisers.
- children who have older siblings at the school at the date of admission will be admitted in preference to those who do not;
- where there is more than one case as in (a), priority to be assessed on the basis of those children closest in age to the elder siblings already at the school at the date of admission;
- after taking account of categories (a) to (d), priority will be based on closeness to the school.
- When considering whether a child lives in a school’s catchment area, the address considered is that of the parent or legal guardian, irrespective of a family’s domestic arrangements, i.e. the address of another relative or childminder etc. must not be given. In certain cases it may necessary to provide evidence relating to the child(ren) in question, to show the home address of the child(ren).
- Subject to class size and other requirements, pupils’ resident outside the school’s catchment area will be admitted if the admissions number of the school has not been exceeded. The event of over-subscription from outside the catchment area of the school, the sub-criteria described at (a) – (d) above will be applied to prioritise admissions.
Role of Parents/Carers
Parents/carers will:
- be aware of and comply with this policy;
- apply by using the appropriate application form;
- be aware of the deadline for admission applications;
- be aware of their right of appeal if their application is unsuccessful.
Raising Awareness of this Policy
We will raise awareness of this policy via:
- the School Handbook/Prospectus
- the school website
- the Staff Handbook
- meetings with parents such as introductory, transition, parent-teacher consultations and periodic curriculum workshops
- school events
- meetings with school personnel
- communications with home such as weekly newsletters and of end of half term newsletters
- reports such annual report to parents and Headteacher reports to the Governing Body
- information displays in the main school entrance
Training
Training will be provided by an accredited trainer for the Headteacher and all members of the senior leadership team, the school bursar and the nominated governor that deals with:
- Admissions
- Admission & Attendance Registers
- Equality
- Inclusion
Equality Impact Assessment
Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a duty not to discriminate against people on the basis of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
This policy has been equality impact assessed and we believe that it is in line with the Equality Act 2010 as it is fair, it does not prioritise or disadvantage any pupil and it helps to promote equality at this school.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Policy
The practical application of this policy will be reviewed annually or when the need arises by the coordinator, the Headteacher and the nominated governor.
A statement of the policy's effectiveness and the necessary recommendations for improvement will be presented to the Governing Body for further discussion and endorsement. (See Policy Evaluation)