There are three types of mainstream school maintained by the council. These are known as community schools, voluntary controlled schools and voluntary aided schools.
It is important to know which type of school you would like your child to go to because different people are responsible for making decisions on which children to admit. It will be either the local education authority, or the school governors who will decide who gets a place.
The list below tells you who is making the decision for the particular type of school.
Academies
Academies are publicly funded independent schools. The Board of Trustees are responsible for allocating places. A summary of the admission policy can be found in Appendix B.
Community schools
Most schools in North Lincolnshire are community schools. North Lincolnshire Council is responsible for allocating the places.
Voluntary controlled schools
These schools are mainly Church of England schools, with the exception of Sir John Nelthorpe School. This is the only voluntary controlled school in North Lincolnshire that is not connected to any church. North Lincolnshire Council is responsible for allocating the places at voluntary controlled schools.
Voluntary aided schools
All Catholic schools and some Church of England schools are voluntary aided. The governors are responsible for deciding who gets a place at the school. A summary of the admission policies for voluntary aided schools can be found under Admission Policies for Voluntary Aided Schools (appendix B).
Special schools
North Lincolnshire Council has a range of special education provision. Separate information is available (see section 11).
Schools with nursery units
Some infant and primary schools have nursery provision. These are indicated
in appendix A by "n" (nursery provision). As nursery education is
not compulsory the council delegates the allocation of places to the schools
in consultation with the governing body for all community and voluntary controlled
schools. Admission for voluntary aided schools is the responsibility of the
governors of the school. Some schools have organised their nursery and reception
classes into a foundation unit as a way of delivering the early years curriculum.
If you would like to be considered for a nursery place you will need to contact
the school direct. Please note that gaining a place in a school's nursery
unit does not guarantee you a place in the reception class of the same school.
Schools with early admissions
Early admissions are where children are admitted to schools at the start of
the academic year in which they will have their fifth birthday. These are indicated
in appendix A by "e" (early admissions). Schools marked with a "+"
admit pupils at other times during the school year as well as in September.
Schools with pre-reception classes
The only exception to the above arrangements is where we have agreed that certain
schools may admit pre-reception children. These children will be admitted in
the spring or summer term before the academic year beginning the following September.
These are indicated in appendix A by "p" (pre reception).
These arrangements are in line with the Government' s scheme to fund places for all four year olds for the three terms after a child becomes four. Provision will be determined by the head teacher following the governing body's criteria. It depends on the availability of space and may change during the year.
Please note that gaining a place in a pre-reception class does not guarantee your child a place in the reception class.