Admissions Policy
Waiting Lists
Following the allocation of places during the normal admission round any pupil that is refused admission to an oversubscribed school will remain on a waiting list for placement until the 30th September of that school year. Placements will then be allocated according to the Authority’s oversubscription criteria.
After the 30th September parents will need to make a new application for admission to their preferred school.
Primary Education
Every child is required by law to receive full time education from the beginning of the school term after his/her fifth birthday. In CCBC, however, all children are able to start school full time at the beginning of the school year (September) in which they become five i.e. between the 1st September and the 31st August. Parents are able to defer the start of a child until the term following their fifth birthday.
Admission to Nursery Year
The number of places available in a nursery year is set by the LA and the decision whether to admit your child will be taken in accordance with the LA’s guidelines, which follow.
Pupils who are admitted to a nursery year, will not have an “automatic” right to continued education within that school. A formal application must be made for entry into the reception year at the appropriate time. Applications foradmissions should be made before 18th December. For any assistance, please contact the School Admissions Team on 01443 864870, or alternatively by email to schooladmissions@caerphilly.gov.uk
Admission to Secondary Schools
Children normally transfer from primary school to secondary school at the beginning of the school year following their eleventh birthday. If your child was born between 1st September and 31st August she/he will transfer to secondary school in September. Headteachers of primary schools will be able to inform parents of the secondary school which their children should normally attend. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate pupils, an application must be made for transfer to secondary schools at the appropriate time. Applications for admissions should be made before 23rd October.
Changing Secondary School
Changing secondary schools is a significant step for your child to take. In the case of moving the family home, such a decision may well be a necessity and you will need to contact your local school or the Directorate of Education and Lifelong Learning for assistance. If however, you would like your child to transfer from one secondary school to another, please contact your present Headteacher first. Should you still wish to proceed with these transfer arrangements; you must contact the Directorate of Education and Corporate Services for advice in making your application, which will then be required in writing. In considering your request for transfer, the LA will review the number of pupils in the year group relevant to your child. If the child is in years 10 or 11, the range of subject options chosen may also be a factor. If that particular year has not reached the school’s admissions number, then your child will be admitted to the school. Parents should note, however, that curriculum option choices may vary from school to school.
Applying for a Place
When you apply for a place at a particular school, you must complete the relevant application form, which is available at the school. You must apply by the closing dates shown below for admission in September. The LA will inform you whether or not it is possible for your child to attend your preferred school. Each school produces a prospectus, which contains relevant information including school aims and educational beliefs, the organisation of the school and curriculum opportunities, including out of school activities. This school prospectus is available from the Headteacher.
Late Applications
Any applications that are received after the closing date for admission will be refused if the school is oversubscribed unless the family has just moved into the catchment area and the application is received before the offer of places are made. If the application is received after the places have been offered and documented evidence is provided to demonstrate that the family have moved into the catchment area of the school the pupil will be given higher priority on the waiting list. Places will then be allocated using the Authority’s oversubscription criteria.
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