The School Admissions system
The School Admissions system can often be very confusing for some parents and carers. School-info4u.com is committed to supporting parents and carers by making it easier to understand.
If you want your child to be able to attend a good school the following information will be crucial to you.
Choosing a good school for your child will be one of the hardest but most important decisions that you will ever have to make on their behalf. A good school will be a place that your child be happy, nurtured and successful.
You need to take the process of choosing a school very seriously so that you will choose the right type of school for your child. Your child is highly unlikely to reach their full potential if they end up going to the wrong school.
We want to ensure that you use your 'first preference' as effectively as possible. We will do this by helping you to find the information that you will need to decide on the right type of school that best meets your child's needs.
There is a ‘code’ that every school must follow. This makes sure that every child is treated fairly. Here are some important things relating to that code that you will need to know.
This guide will help you to understand what your rights are when applying for a secondary school place for your child.
To obtain the full code visit: www.dfes.gov.uk/sacode
What type of school can my child attend?
Mainstream State School: This is where the majority of children go and they are free to attend. There are four types:-
Community schools (formerly county schools).
Foundation schools (formerly grant-maintained schools).
Voluntary Aided and Voluntary Controlled (mostly set up by churches and charities etc).
Secondary schools can also fall into the following categories:
Comprehensive schools (open to all children).
Fully selective schools (grammar schools) all children will have to sit tests as part of the process of applying.
Partly selective (bilateral schools) they admit some children on the basis of ability, (through a grammar stream) and other children will be admitted through a comprehensive stream. About 10 per cent of children will have to sit tests.
Other types of schools:
- Maintained boarding Schools:
The Department for Education and Skills produces the 'Parents' Guide to Maintained Boarding Schools' publication, which can be downloaded from the link below or you can get a free hard by contacting the DfES on 01325 391272.
 Parents' Guide to Maintained Boarding Schools - download (.pdf)
If you would like to send your child to an Independent school, The Directory of Grant Making Trusts lists the trusts that can help you financially. For more information about this visit http://www.cafonline.org/
Alternatively you can write to them at:
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4TA.
You can also get more information from:
Independent Schools Registration Team
Department for Education and Skills
Mowden Hall
Staindrop Road
Darlington
DL3 9BG.
How to choose the right type of school for your child
You should start choosing your preferred secondary school as soon as your child gets into Year 6.
Investigate potential schools for yourself and don’t just rely on what other people tell you. You must do your research and find out as much information as possible about the school.
You can search for schools in your area online.
All you have to do is type in your postcode to find schools close to you.
Some tips:
- Visit the school and go on a tour. This will enable you to observe the children and the teachers in action. This is an ideal way to pick up on the schools atmosphere.
You can take a good look at the pupils work and see the school's resources. Are the children well behaved and serious about learning?
- You should also make an appointment to speak with the head teacher. A good question to ask him or her is ‘how does the school involve parents and carers?’
- Get hold of and study the schools prospectus, this is very important and it contains information about how many places the school has etc.
Study this carefully; this will help you to avoid choosing schools that your child doesn’t really have a chance of getting into.
- Speak to other parents and carers whose children already attend the school.
- Read the OFSTED Inspection Report at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
- Visit the following website and look at schools’ exam results: www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables
- Study the achievement and attainment tables because they will tell you how well the school is doing.
Even though you may have certain schools in mind for your child, it is also important to seek their views too. Ask your child what their preferred school is and find out their reasons for that choice.
Other things to think about:
- Is the school nearby?
- Can your child safely get to the school alone?
- Did you feel welcomed when you visited the school?
- What kind of school would suit your child's needs and personality and will they like that type of school?
- What type of school is best suited to your child if they are academically advanced, or have special needs?
- How many important things can the school provide for your child?
- Do you want your child to attend a school where all their friends are or do you want them to make a fresh start somewhere else?
- If your child is specially gifted in a particular subject, will the school cater for this? I.e. does the school have specialist status in that subject?
- What are the schools weaknesses and do they outweigh the strengths?
Preparing your child
If you want your child to attend a Grammar or Faith school you will need to make sure that you prepare your child and make sure that you meet any criteria well in advance of making your application.
Grammar schools
Grammar schools
select children by using verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests, so you will need to prepare your child for these tests.
You will need to consider hiring a private tutor to coach your child. If you can't afford this you could send them to a supplementary/saturday school.
Faith schools
If you would like your child to go to a Faith school you have to ensure that you have been regularly attending church.
Some Faith schools
have started to insist that you must have attended church for a minimum of three times a month for the past five years to meet their criteria.
Don't let your child be at a disadvantage.
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