For transfers from other schools, we would advise a visit to the school and then application through the Local Authority, who will advise on available places.
Applying online is by far the easiest way to make an application and has many benefits. It is safe and secure and you get an email confirming your submittal. You can submit your online application here. .
It is important to complete the application form (either online or in paper form) with as much information as you can. Places are allocated using “Priority Criteria”. If there are too many requests, and schools Admission Numbers (AN) are exceeded priority will be given to children in the appropriate age-range, whose parents applied on time, in the following order:
| Order | Criteria |
|---|
| 1st | Children who are in public care and those children who were previously looked after children. (See note ii). |
| 2nd | Pupils who live in the catchment area. (See note iii). |
| 3rd | Pupils who will have an older brother or sister attending the same school at the same time. (See notes iv and v). |
| 4th | Pupils who have a serious medical condition or exceptional social or domestic needs that make it essential they attend the school requested. (Professional documentation confirming the situation must be submitted with the application). (See note vi). |
| 5th | Pupils who will have attended a feeder school for at least two years before the time of transfer. (See note vii). |
| 6th | Pupils starting at an infant school with a sibling attending at the same time in the linked junior school. (See note iv). or Pupils transferring to high school who will have an older brother or sister attending the linked Upper school at the same time. (See note iv). |
| 7th | Pupils basing their application on religious belief. (See note viii). |
| 8th | Pupils living nearest to the school measured in a straight line distance (home to school front gate). (See note ix). |
Notes: please also see the links page for any updates
i. Combinations of the above criteria are used where appropriate, in priority order.
ii. Children in care of a Local Authority and those children who were previously looked after children, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order) are considered under this criterion. In such circumstances a letter from the last Local Authority in which the child was in the care of will be required.
iii. The child’s place of residence is taken to be the parental home. Living in the catchment area does not guarantee you a place at your catchment school.
iv. The term “brother or sister” includes half brother or sister or legally adopted child being regarded as the brother or sister.
v. Regarding brothers or sisters who will be of sixth form age, these are counted as brother/ sister connections for criteria 3 or 6 above.
vi. If criterion 4 is used, professional supporting documentation from the Lead Professional must be supplied and must be submitted with the application. The following list are the areas that are considered exceptional:
- Crown Servants
- Children in the care of an LA
- Children subject to Child Protection Plans
- Hard to Place children – who fall under the Fair Access Protocol
- Parents suffering domestic violence. (This is dependent on documentary evidence by a Lead Professional)
- A child for whom transfer to the catchment area school would involve attending a different school until he/she is the right age for transfer. (This is dependent on the child having attended the present school for at least a year)
Each case will be assessed on its individual merits.
vii. For criterion 5 above, the child must have been enrolled at the feeder school on or before the start date of the autumn term two years before transfer.
viii. For criterion 7 above, a letter of support from your Minister or Religious Leader will be required explaining how the school caters for your faith.We always like to hear from parents who wish for their FTA child to attend our school. Although we cannot guarantee you a place at our school (this is done by the Local Authority) we can support you every step of the way and involve you as much as possible in the transition period.
