Transition to High School

Applying on time (closing date end of October each year)

Every year parents and carers are strongly encouraged to apply on time for secondary school places for their children. Applying on time gives a far greater chance of securing a place at a preferred school. Unfortunately late applications can only be considered once all on time applications are processed and so parents and carers applying late will not receive an outcome until several weeks after national offer day.

It is anticipated that by the end of March, any places that have become available after offers were made will be re-allocated to children on the waiting list together with late applications received. Waiting lists are collated in over-subscription priority order and places are allocated accordingly in line with the over-subscription criteria. Any written requests to be placed on a school’s waiting list and further late applications received after the offer date will be actioned in date order at a later stage.

Late applications and late changes

Applications received after the closing date will be considered after all on time applications, unless the Local Authority considers that there are good reasons for the application being late, which must be stated at the time of application, i.e. exceptional medical reasons preventing an earlier application.

Supporting documentation must be provided. This includes any changes made after the closing date to an on time application. Where supporting documentation has been received by mid December each year and the Authority has accepted reasons stated for a late application or late change, the application will be considered as if it had been received by the closing date. There are no exceptions to this timeframe.

Application forms, supporting documentation and changes received after the date for submission of documentation will be considered after all on-time applications even where the Authority accepts that there are good reasons for the late application as the allocation of school places will have begun.

Where late applications are received for places at aided schools, free schools or academies in the borough, the Local Authority will notify the admission authority that the application has been received late.

Parents and carers are responsible for notifying the Authority of the reasons for a late application. Any applications received after the closing date that do not provide reasons for consideration by the Authority will be treated as late applications and considered after all on-time applications.