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Admissions PolicyAdmissions Policy for September 2012
INTRODUCTION
St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School is a Voluntary Aided School.
The Governing Body of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School is the Admissions Authority.
St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School was established in 1958 to provide education for children living in the Deanery of Havant. A map of this area forms part of this policy document.
This policy has been made in accordance with the Sex Discrimination Act, The Race Relations Act, The Human Rights Act, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and The Equality Act 2006. This policy will be administered fairly and impartially. The decision to admit, or otherwise, is the responsibility of the Governing Body.
The information given below is correct for St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School for the academic year shown above, but it could be altered for future years. Parents should check with the school that no changes have occurred. All applications are made by parents for their child/children.
THE ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE
Hampshire County Council operates a timetabled co-ordinated admissions procedure for all Hampshire schools in line with Government legislation. Hampshire County Council will manage the admissions process on behalf of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School according to the scheme which they will publish in their Admissions Brochure for that year, but it is still the Governing Body, as the Admission Authority for this school, who will allocate the available places in line with this policy.
An application must be made to Hampshire County Council either online or on a paper form.
The closing date for applications for September 2012 to be received by Hampshire County Council is midnight on Sunday 15 January 2012. The Hampshire County Admissions brochure will contain information on how to make an application, dates for notification to parents of admissions decisions and information on joining the waiting list or lodging appeals. In case of any doubt on these dates, please contact Hampshire County Council or St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School.
All parents applying for consideration on faith grounds will be asked to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF), which must be obtained from St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School, completed and returned to the school not later than the closing date set by Hampshire County Council for school applications to be received (midnight on Sunday 15 January 2012). The form can be downloaded from the school's website and Hampshire County Council's website. As it is a paper form that needs to be signed, the SIF is not available for completion on-line. If this form is not returned by the County deadline your application cannot be considered under any of the Christian Commitment criteria.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you require further information about applying for a place at St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School, please contact:
St Alban's Church Of England (Aided) Primary School, St Alban's Road, West Leigh, Havant, PO9 2JX
Telephone: 023 9248 2072
Fax: 023 9245 2378
Email: adminoffice@st-albans.hants.sch.uk
ADMISSIONS
The published admission number for St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School is 30. This is the maximum number that can be legally admitted to this year group.
Where there are too few places available to satisfy all parental preferences, places will be allocated according to the oversubscription criteria below. These criteria are based on the following three factors:
a) Whether at the time of proposed admission the child will have a sibling on roll at St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School (Definition 4).
b) Whether the child's family can show a "Christian Commitment"(Definition 5).
i. A Supplementary Information Form MUST be submitted in support of this factor. (See Page 5). Any application NOT supported by a valid Supplementary Information Form will NOT meet the Christian Commitment criteria.
ii. The child or a parent must have attended at church worship (or a church activity that contains an element of worship) at least monthly and for a period of at least 24 months at the time of application.
iii. The Church must be a member of "Churches Together in England" or the "Evangelical Alliance". It is the responsibility of the person signing this form to check whether their Church meets the criteria.
c) Whether the child lives inside the Deanery of Havant (Definition 6 and map).
OVERSUBSCRIPTION CRITERIA
1. Children who are in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. (A letter from the Children's Services Department confirming the childs status must be provided.)
2. Children or families who have a serious medical, physical or psychological condition which makes it essential that the child attends the preferred school rather than any other. (Appropriate medical or psychological evidence must be provided in support.)
3. Any children who at the time of proposed admission will have a sibling on the roll of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School and who can show a "Christian Commitment" to any Church included in "Churches Together in England" or the "Evangelical Alliance" (Definition 5). +* It is the responsibility of the person signing this form to check whether their Church meets this criteria.
4. Any children who at the time of proposed admission will have a sibling on the roll of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School and who do not meet the "Christian Commitment" criteria.
5. Local Priority Places - Children living inside the Deanery of Havant who do not meet the "Christian Commitment" criteria. This criteria will be a maximum of 4 places in total including any children who do not meet the "Christian Commitment" or sibling criteria included in categories 1, 2 and 4 above. These places will be allocated to the children living closest to the school.
6. Children of families living inside the Deanery of Havant who can show "Christian Commitment" at St Alban's Church or any other Church of England church inside the Deanery of Havant. *
7. Children of families living inside the Deanery of Havant who can show "Christian Commitment" at a church included in "Churches Together In England" or the "Evangelical Alliance". + * It is the responsibility of the person signing this form to check whether their Church meets this criteria.
8. Children of families living outside the Deanery of Havant who can show "Christian Commitment" at a Church of England church. *
9. Children of families living outside the Deanery of Havant who can show "Christian Commitment" at a church included in "Churches Together In England" or "Evangelical Alliance". + * It is the responsibility of the person signing this form to check whether their Church meets this criteria.
10. Other children living inside the Deanery of Havant who do not meet the "Christian Commitment" criteria included in any of the above categories. This category includes those children who were unsuccessful under Criteria 5.
11. Other children living outside the Deanery of Havant.
* Supplementary Information Form required. See above and note on page 4.
+ See definition no. 5 on page 7.
TIEBREAKER WITHIN EACH CRITERION
Where there are not enough places for applicants within any of the criteria listed above, applications will be ranked by straight line distance measurement with those living closer to St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School receiving higher priority.
Hampshire County Council's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be used to determine distances. Distances to multiple dwellings will give priority to the ground floor over the first floor and so on. If distances are equal (for example within a block of flats), lots will be drawn by a person independent of the Governing Body to determine the allocation.
Unsuccessful applicants are automatically placed on St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary Schools waiting list. If any parent wishes their child's name to be removed from this list they should request this in writing to St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School.
CHILDREN WITH STATEMENTS - NAMING ST ALBAN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School will admit children with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) in which the school is named. Where places required by pupils with statements that name St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School are known before the Governors' Admissions Committee meets, these places will count towards the published admission number for the school.
APPLICATIONS TO RECEPTION CLASSES
The Governing Body can only legally admit a maximum number of 30 children to the reception class. This is the Published Admission Number (PAN) for St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School.
Deferred Admission
Initially Year R children may attend on a part-time basis. Where a child under statutory school age is offered a place in St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School from September, the parent has the option of deferring their childs entry until later in that school year. The child must join the school before the end of the school year and when the child joins he or she will be placed in the class which entered in September. Deferred admission should be discussed with the school but is not part of the admission process.
APPLICATIONS TO JUNIOR CLASSES
The Governing Body will admit a further 3 children to the junior class(es) bringing the junior class size to a maximum of 33 pupils. Applications to Year 3 each September will be allocated in accordance with the Oversubscription Criteria in line with Hampshire County Council's procedures and recommendations.
IN YEAR APPLICATIONS
The allocation of any places which may become available during the year will be made on the basis of the current Oversubscription Criteria.
Applications will be made in accordance with Hampshire County Council procedures.
There are no deadline dates for in year applications.
WARNING
Offers of places are withdrawn every year because parents give a false 'home address' on application forms. This includes cases where parents take out a short-term let or buy a property solely to use its address on the application form without any intention of taking up permanent residence there.
In fairness to all parents, all allegations of fraudulent practice brought to the school's attention will be investigated. The Governing Body reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place if fraudulent or intentionally misleading information has been used on an application.
APPLICATION FORMS
To apply for this school you must complete an application to Hampshire County Council and, if applicable, a Supplementary Information Form (see details below). The Hampshire County Council form may be done on the paper form or online. Please refer to Hampshire County Council's information.
DEADLINES
Make sure your Hampshire Application Form is on time and sent to the right place. Details of dates are in Hampshire County Council Admissions Brochure, on the form and on Hampshire County Council's website.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORM
Parents applying to St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School under any of the Christian Commitment criteria 3, 6, 7, 8 or 9 will be asked to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). This can be obtained from St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School or Hampshire County Council's Admission Team (0845 603 5623). The SIF can also be downloaded from the school website or Hampshire County Council's website. The form must be completed and returned to the school not later than the closing date set by Hampshire County Council for school applications to be received. (As it is a paper form that needs to be signed, the SIF is not available for completion on-line.)
ADMISSION APPEALS
If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place for your child at this school you will be informed by Hampshire County Council in writing, be given reasons and informed of your right to an independent appeal against the decision.
DEFINITIONS
1 'Parents'
A parent is any person who has parental responsibility for or is the legal guardian of the child, as set out in the Children Act 1989. Where responsibility for a child is 'shared', the person receiving Child Benefit is deemed to be the parent responsible for completing application forms, and whose address will be used for admissions purposes.
2 'Living Inside'
The home address, used for term 'Living Inside', means the address where the child usually lives. Children who have parents with shared responsibility will be deemed to live at the address of the parent receiving Child Benefit.
Places can only be offered on the basis of future moves on the basis of:
i. a letter from the solicitor (or equivalent) confirming exchange of contracts to buy a property relevant to the application;
ii. a tenancy agreement confirming the renting of a specific property relevant to the application;
iii. a letter from a housing association confirming that the parent(s) will be living at a specific address relevant to the application; or
iv. in the case of UK service personnel and Crown servants, an official MOD, FCO or GCHQ letter declaring a relocation date to the relevant parish or priority area of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School.
3 'Serious medical condition'
Where a place is requested for a child or family who has a serious medical, physical or psychological condition, you must supply supporting independent evidence at the time of application confirming the reason(s) why attendance at St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School is essential and describing the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school. The evidence should be provided by a suitably qualified medical professional. The evidence will be considered carefully in confidence by the admissions committee of the Governing Body, who will endeavour to reach a fair and equitable decision.
4 'Siblings'
'Sibling' refers to a brother or sister, a half brother or sister, an adopted brother or sister, a step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer's partner and in every case the child must be living in the same family unit at the same address.
If the last pupil offered a place in an infant class within the Published Admission Number is from a multiple birth or has a sibling in the same year group, a place will be offered to all such siblings.
5 'Christian Commitment'
Parents applying under any of the criteria requiring Christian Commitment will be asked to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF), which can be obtained from St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School or from Hampshire County Council's Admissions Team (0845 603 5623). The SIF can be downloaded from the school website or Hampshire County Council's website. It should be completed and returned to the school not later than the closing date set by Hampshire County Council for school applications to be received. (As it is a paper form that needs to be signed, the SIF is not available for completion on-line.)
In the SIF, you will be asked to identify the applicant's child or a parent whose attendance at church worship or a church activity that contains an element of worship has been for at least 24 months and at least monthly at the time of application.
Your declaration will need to be verified by the priest of your church or, if there is no priest, an authorised church official. If you have recently moved you must ask the priest, or authorised church official, from your previous church to verify your Christian Commitment to show a total of 24 months.
Only the following Churches are recognised for the purpose of this criteria:
Those that are members of Churches Together in England
Includes: Antiochian Orthodox Church, Baptist Union of Great Britain, Cherubim and Seraphim Council of Churches, Church of England, Church of God of Prophecy, Church of Scotland (in England), Congregational Federation, Coptic Orthodox Church, Council of African and Caribbean Churches UK, Council of Oriental Orthodox Christian Churches, Icthus Christian Fellowship, Independent Methodist Church, International Ministerial Council of Great Britain, Joint Council for Anglo-Caribbean Churches, Lutheran Council of Great Britain, Mar Thoma Church, Methodist Church, Moravian Church, New Testament Assembly, New Testament Church of God, Oecumenical Patriarchate, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist Church (Observer), Transatlantic Pacific Alliance of Churches, United Reformed Church, Wesleyan Holiness Church.
Please check for an up to date list at http://www.churches-together.net
Those that are members of the Evangelical Alliance
In our local area this includes: Cowplain Evangelical Church, Emsworth Baptist Church, Horndean Baptist Church, Leigh Park Baptist Church, New Life Christian Centre, Portsdown Community Church, Southbourne Free Church, The Bridge Church - Hayling Island, Waterlooville Baptist Church.
Please check for an up to date list at http://www.eauk.org
6 'The Deanery of Havant'
The attached map shows the boundaries of the parishes that make up the Havant Deanery. Any family whose home address is within these boundaries lives 'inside' the Havant Deanery. Any parents who are unsure should consult http://www.achurchnearyou.com to see whether their home is within one of the parishes, or contact the Diocese of Portsmouth (see http://portsmouth.anglican.org or ask the School for contact details).
7 'Waiting List'
When all available places have been allocated, the school will operate a waiting list. Parents will automatically be added to the waiting list of St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School. If any parent wishes their child's name to be removed from this list they should request this in writing to St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School. Any places that become available will be allocated by the Governing Body according to the criteria of the admission policy with no account being taken of the length of time on the waiting list or any priority order expressed as part of the main admission round. In-year Fair Access placements (see note 9 below) will take priority over the waiting list.
The waiting list will be reviewed and revised
* each time a child is added to, or removed from, the waiting list;
* when a child's changed circumstances will affect their priority;
* at the end of each school year, when parents with a child on the waiting list will be contacted and asked if they wish to remain on the list for the following school year.
Parents may keep their child's name on the waiting list of as many schools as they wish and for as long as they wish.
8 "Right of Appeal"
Parents whose children are unsuccessful in their application to St Alban's Church of England (Aided) Primary School have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Parents will be notified in the refusal letter from Hampshire County Council of how an appeal can be lodged.
9 "In-Year Fair Access placements by Hampshire County Council"
Hampshire County Council must ensure that all pupils are placed in schools as quickly as possible. It may therefore sometimes be necessary for a pupil to be placed by Hampshire County Council, or a local placement panel acting on behalf of the authority, in a particular school even if there is a waiting list for admission. Such placements will be made in accordance with the provisions of any protocol approved by the Admission Forum, based on legislation and government guidance. If an admission through In-Year Fair Access raises the number on roll above the PAN, no further pupil will be admitted from the waiting list until a place becomes available within the PAN.
Date of Policy: March 2011 Review Date: March 2012
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