Secondary Transfer process for September 2017 for children born between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2006

What to do before making an application Read the Royal Greenwich Secondary School Admissions booklet. Electronic version available at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/admissions (Aug 2016) Reference copy available in school Read leaflets sent home with pupils Attend secondary school open events – details available In Admissions booklet/leaflet On individual school websites Help and advice available from School Family Information Service (FIS) - 020 8921 6921 Email: fis@royalgreenwich.gov.uk Website: http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/fis

Why apply online? Benefits of applying online rather than submitting a paper application Quick and easy to use System is open from 1st September and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week You can log in at any time to edit/amend your application (remember to resubmit if you have made changes) You receive the result quicker – no waiting for a letter to arrive You can accept/decline the place online as well as requesting to be added to waiting list(s) Deadline for applications 31st October 2016

Apply online - www.eadmissions.org.uk If you have applied online previously use your existing account (check login details in good time – don’t leave it till the closing date!) You may already be registered if you have an LGfL account through working in a school

How to create an account

If you have confirmed your email address successfully you will be taken to the ‘Validation’ page.

The application process

Select a school from the Local Authority drop down list or by using the map

After each preference is selected, you will have the opportunity to read the school’s admissions criteria and visit their website

You should state if there are siblings attending a preference school or indicate if there is a medical or social reason why your child should attend a particular school Failure to do so may mean the application is considered under less favourable criteria

You can use the ‘Reasons for Preference’ free text box to give any other reasons for selecting a particular preference school

Read the checklist before submitting the form

The final step is to read the Declaration, tick the box and submit the application

After submitting the application you will receive your application reference number You will also be given the option to attach any relevant documentation

Late online applications can be made up to the end of the academic year If you have stated a preference for a school that requires a Supplementary Information Form (SIF), you will receive a reminder to complete this after submitting their application SIFs should be sent directly to the school(s)

Important things to remember Apply before the closing date - applications received after that date but before the ‘late with good cause date’ are only processed as on time in exceptional circumstances Selective Schools - you will need to contact the Local Admission Authority for the school in order to register for the test (contact the school directly for information) You can list schools in any borough but the form cannot be used to apply to independent (private) schools Some Voluntary Aided schools require you to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) even if you are not applying as a faith applicant http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/14/secondary_school_places/453/supplementary_information_forms_-_school_admissions

SEN and Medical/Social If your child has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) application for Secondary Transfer is handled through a separate process. If your child is currently undergoing a statutory assessment for an EHCP you should still submit an application. You can apply under the medical or social criteria if you feel there is an acute medical or social need why your child should attend a particular school, providing supporting documentation from the relevant professional(s). There is one secondary medical and social panel which meets before offers are made. The panel is made up of educational and healthcare professionals. Moderate learning difficulties, such as delayed speech and language or dyslexia are not deemed as being an acute medical or social need.

Secondary transfer banding Most Royal Greenwich secondary schools use a banding system to ensure that the school has, as far as possible, an even balance of pupils of different abilities. There will be three bands with a distribution of 40% Band 1, 40% Band 2 and 20% Band 3. We (the school) will inform you of your child’s band. Banded waiting lists for these schools will be held until 31st August 2017.

Proof of address The Admissions Service will check council tax records to confirm the address given on the application form is your principal home address If you are not registered to pay council tax at that address, they will write requesting further proof of address If sufficient proof of address is not received the application will be withdrawn Where there is a case of suspected fraud, it will be referred to the Internal Audit and Anti Fraud team for investigation If it is discovered that an offer of a school place was made on false or misleading information, the offer will be withdrawn

Processing applications Each preference will be considered individually under each school’s admission criteria. If more than one offer can be made from the list of preferences, you will receive the offer from the school placed highest on your list of preferences. If it is not possible to offer any preference school, your child will be allocated a place at the nearest school to their home address by the Local Authority you live in.

National Offer Day 1st March 2017 If you applied online, you will be sent an email (usually just after 5pm) advising you to login for the outcome of the application If you made a paper application, a letter from your home Local Authority will be posted to you 1st class on National Offer Day

ParentComms:Mobile app ParentComms:Mobile app is an alternative way to receive notifications from the eAdmissions website: www.atomwide.com/mobile/welcome.html The app can be downloaded from the Apple AppStore, Google Play or Windows Phone Store to a mobile device Register using your USO username and password Once registered the you will receive the following notifications: Reminders to submit any un-submitted applications 1 week and 24 hours before the closing date Your application reference number The outcome of the application (no need to log in to the eAdmissions website)

What happens next? It is advisable to accept the place your child has been offered – priority on waiting lists is not given to a child that has declined their original offer Your child will be added to the waiting list of any Royal Greenwich school listed higher than the school offered You are able to check your child’s waiting list position for any Royal Greenwich community school online – available approximately 4 weeks after National Offer Day until 31st August 2017 You can contact your Local Authority for information on schools with available spaces

Appeals You have the right to appeal against the decision not to offer a place to your child at any school listed as a preference All appeals are heard by an independent appeals panel For Royal Greenwich community schools, an online appeal form is available at https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/site/xfp/scripts/xforms_form.php?formID=272&language=en Please read the ‘Frequent Questions’ section available at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/14/secondary_school_places/452/appeal_an_unsuccessful_school_application Royal Greenwich Academies, Voluntary Aided, Foundation and Free Schools The governors of these 'own admission authority’ schools are responsible for arranging admission appeals please contact the school directly to appeal