1. SCHOOL ADMISSIONS Presented by : Sam Surtees, Education Officer (Admissions) Officers from the Statutory Assessment and Resources Team 2012

2. Purpose Guide you through the transition process Primary to Secondary Into Reception Where to obtain further information/How you will receive information How to make an application

3. Background School Admissions Code – latest version 1 st February 2012 SEN Code of Practice 2001

4. Parental Preference 3 preferences Not a choice Transport implications Allocation process – meeting preferences

5. Step 1 If we can meet your 1 st preference, we will offer you a place at that school

6. Step 2 If we cannot meet your 1 st preference, but can meet your 2 nd preference we will offer you a place at that school Your child’s name will be placed on the Reserve List of the your 1 st preference school until the end of autumn term.

7. Step 3 If we cannot meet your 2 nd preference, but can meet your 3 rd preference, we will offer you a place at that school. Your child’s name will be placed on the Reserve List of both your 1 st and 2 nd preference schools until end of Autumn Term.

8. Step 4 If we cannot meet any of your preferences we will offer you a place at your catchment school (if not one of your preferences) if there are places, or at the next nearest school with a place available. Your child’s name will be placed on the Reserve Lists for all 3 of your preferred schools until end of Autumn Term.

9. How do I Chose a School Sources of Information Admissions Booklet County Council Website School Prospectuses School Website Visit to the school OfSted Reports DCSF School Performance Tables School Open Evenings

10. How to Apply Apply on-line Paper Application

11. How Important is the Closing Date Closing date for Secondary applications is 31 st October. Closing date for Primary applications is 15 th January. “Late Applications” National Offer Date

12. How are places allocated Published Admission Number Over-subscription criteria Tie-breaker

13. Supplementary Information Forms St Bede’s - secondary Church-based criteria within over-subscription criteria

14. Right of Appeal Independent Appeals Panel Legal Services Two stage appeal Binding on the Local Authority and the school Local Government Ombudsman

15. Statement of Special Educational Needs (SSEN) During the autumn term of Year 5, you should consider attending open evenings at Secondary Schools. During the Year 5 Annual Review meeting you will discuss potential Secondary Schools. It would be helpful to arrange individual visits to meet with the Special Educational Needs Co- ordinator (SENCo).

16. Phase Transfer The Year 6 Annual Review should be held during the autumn term. In September of Year 6 the STAR Team will send you a preference form for you to complete and return by the middle of October.

17. Consultation Process Following receipt of your preferences, the STAR Team will send a copy of your child’s papers to your first preference of school, together with your local mainstream secondary school for consideration. This is part of the formal consultation process. In line with the COP schools should respond within 15 days.

18. Transport Should your preference of mainstream school not be your local catchment school, you will be responsible for transporting your child to and from school (In line with the Local Authority Home to School Transport Policy).

19. Specialist Provision If specialist provision is discussed through the Annual Review process, or you have expressed a preference for a Special School placement, your child’s case will be considered by the Local Authority during the autumn term.

20. Specialist Provision At the same time the STAR Team will also consult with your local mainstream secondary school. Should the Local Authority agree to explore specialist provision, the STAR Team will consult with your local special school.

21. Issuing Proposed Phase Transfer SSEN During December of Year 6, the STAR Team will amend your child’s Statement to name the proposed secondary school placement. A proposed draft Statement will then be issued for your consideration. You will have 15 days to respond to the proposed draft Statement.

22. Issuing the Final Statement In line with the SEN Code of Practice, you should receive a final Statement by the 15th February of Year 6. If the Local Authority has agreed to explore specialist provision and placement has not been confirmed, you will receive a final Statement naming a local mainstream secondary school.

23. Issuing the Final Statement Following confirmation of placement a new proposed draft Statement will be issued for your consideration. You will have 15 days to respond to the proposed draft Statement.

24. Right of Appeal Should you not be in agreement with the school named in Part 4 of your child’s Statement, you will have the right of appeal to the HM Courts and Tribunal Service (formerly Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal). The Tribunal Service is independent of the Local Authority.

25. Contact Details Statutory Assessment and Resources Team (STAR Team) Box SCO 2209, Scott House 5 George Street, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 3AD Telephone :01480 372600 Start@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

26. Contact Details School Admissions Team Box CC 1203 Castle Court Cambridge CB3 0AP Telephone : 01223 699200/699662 Admissions@cambridgeshire.gov.uk@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

27. To Close Any questions?