Processing applications – in-year admissions
The process for in year transfers for Staffordshire schools is not co-ordinated. In line with the School Admissions Code, parents are able to contact the School Admissions and Transport Service for information about places available and then make applications directly to schools.
Application forms for in year places are available from the county council along with guidance on completing them. Academies and other schools which are their own admission authority may also have their own forms which can be obtained from the school.
Completed application forms should be returned directly to the preferred school. The school must notify the local authority of both the application and the outcome of the application within 15 school days, including sending through a copy of the decision letter and application where the application has been refused.
All decisions on applications will be made in line with the determined admission arrangements and will be subject to scrutiny to determine whether they meet the criteria for consideration under the fair access protocol. A copy of this protocol is published on the local authority’s website.
When determining school place applications outside the normal admissions round, admission authorities must not refuse to admit a child thought to be potentially disruptive, or likely to exhibit challenging behaviour, on the grounds that the child is first to be assessed for special educational needs.
Where a child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools there is no need for an admission authority to comply with parental preference for a period of two years from the last exclusion. The twice excluded rule does not apply to children who were below compulsory school age at the time of the exclusion, children who have been re-instated following a permanent exclusion (or would have been had it been practicable to do so), and children with an education health care plans. There is an expectation that the PAN at the normal age of entry will apply as the year group works through the school wherever possible.
When it is not possible to offer a place, parents must be advised of their right of appeal under the School Admissions Appeals Code. Schools should confirm that this has been done in their notification to the local authority by sending a copy of the formal decision to parents with the application.
For unsuccessful applications for year groups at community and voluntary controlled schools where a waiting list is in operation, the School Admissions and Transport Team will add unsuccessful applicants to the waiting list. Academies and other schools which are their own admission authority may have their own waiting list policy. Schools must not offer places to applicants in excess of the published admission number where a waiting list is in operation without consulting with the School Admissions and Transport Team.
Where a refusal means that a child does not have a school place, the School Admissions Team will contact parents to discuss options for securing a place. This may involve approaching other schools in the area that have places on parents behalf to offer them an alternative school.
The School Admissions and Transport Service is available to both schools and parents as a source of advice on the admissions process.
