What is a common application form?
A common
application form allows parents to express up to three preferences in rank order,
on one form, for any school in North Lincolnshire. This includes St Bede's
Catholic School and The St Lawrence Academy (who are their own admissions authority),
or any school that falls within the area covered by the following education
authorities:
- Doncaster
- Hull
- East
Riding of Yorkshire
- Lincolnshire
- North
East Lincolnshire
- Nottinghamshire.
For example
parents in North Lincolnshire wishing to express a preference for Caistor Grammar
School, Caistor Yarborough School, Queen Elizabeth High School at Gainsborough
must do so on the common application form.
Why
should I complete a common application form?
It
can no longer be assumed that a guaranteed place can be given to every applicant
residing within a catchment area. The implications of a court case in Rotherham
(known as the Rotherham Judgement) means that parents completing a common application
form either online or by paper copy must be considered first when allocating
places. This may mean that a parent living within the catchment area but
not submitting a common application form would have a lesser priority for a
place.
How
do I apply for a school outside North Lincolnshire?
You
must include all schools on your common application form that you wish your
child to be considered for including schools of neighbouring council's if that
is your preference. They will inform us if they are able to offer a place to
your child (see how are places allocated). Details of our neighbouring
council's admissions policy can be obtained by contacting the relevant authority
(see appendix E for details)
Do
I need to include any application for a Independent School?
You
do not need to include any application to an independent school on your common
application form. If you wish to apply for a place at an Independent School
(fee paying) you will need to make your own arrangements (see section 2 paragraph
D).
Will
a place at my catchment school be guaranteed?
The
law allows parents to express a preference for a school they wish their child
to attend but this is not a guarantee of a place. If you include your catchment
school as one of your preferences the chances are usually high that you will
be allocated a place.
What
if I am not happy with the school place offered?
You
can appeal against any decision and details on how to appeal are included in
section 5 of this booklet.
How will my child get to school?
Before
deciding which schools you would like your child to be considered for, you will
need to think about how he or she will get there and whether you will get any
help with transport costs. Details of our home to school transport policy
can be found in section 6 of this booklet.
How can I assess the likelihood of my child being offered a place at a popular
school?
The
Schedule of Maintained Schools (appendix A) will tell you the number of children
the school can admit in September. Appendix F states the number of applications
received for the previous school year, the number allocated, the number refused
and the outcome of any appeals.
If
you are considering a school in a neighbouring education authority you can contact
them for a copy of their booklet. See appendix E for contact details.
What
if I want to change my preference?
You
can change your preference prior to the closing date. If you have
applied online you can log on to the web site and amend your application. If
you have completed a paper form you can request a new form by contacting the
admission Team on 01724 297133/4. The new form must be returned by the
closing date.
What
if I want to change my preference after the offer date on 2 March 2009?
If
you wish to change your mind after you have received notification of the school
offered you can request a second common application form. All forms will
be considered after 16 March 2009 and parents will be notified of the decision
by the 31 March 2009.
What
do I do if I move house after submitting my Common Application Form?
If
you move house you must
inform the admissions team (tel 01724 297133/4) so we can update your home address
on our records. You can submit, if you wish, a new application form, (see
paragraph B, Late Applications) otherwise your
first
application will be the one we will process taking into account your new address.