Getting a school place
If you live in Nottinghamshire, you need to apply to
Nottinghamshire County Council for admission to any school in any year group regardless
of the school that you wish to apply for.
There are several different types of schools in Nottinghamshire:
- academy, voluntary aided or
foundation schools - make their own decisions on admissions through
their governing bodies
- community and voluntary controlled schools - the Local Authority (Nottinghamshire County Council) makes the
decisions on admissions.
In all cases, the home LA will write to you to
confirm the outcome of your preference(s).
How to apply
The co-ordination process is designed to allow parents to state preferences for a number of schools. You can apply for a school place online.
The LA will then ensure the application is considered appropriately
and that a response is sent to you.
In order to use the online application, you will need an e-mail account. If you wish to apply online but do
not have an e-mail account, the website: www.go-on.co.uk can help you obtain one.
Applying on line is safe and secure and you can
make changes to your application right up to the closing date. You will receive an email to say that your
application is being processed.
Internet access is available at most public libraries and
some schools may allow you to use their computers to apply.
If you are unable to apply online and need help with your
application, please call tel: 01623 433 499.
Changing school during the year
If you want to change your child's school during the year, you can do so, but will need to download and complete a form.
Making your application
We recommend you make 4 preferences. This includes any schools you may wish to
apply for that are outside Nottinghamshire.
Name the schools in the order you prefer them, with your
most preferred school listed first. Do
not name the same school more than once.
We strongly recommend that one of the schools on your
application should be one where you are sure that your child will meet one of
the higher criteria for admission.
If you are applying for a place at a voluntary aided,
foundation, trust or academy school you may also need to fill out a
supplementary form. You can get these
forms from the school.
Giving evidence
It is important that you give as much information as possible at the
time of application about your child and their circumstances. This may
include evidence from professionals such as doctors or social workers.
Remember to tell us about any brothers or sisters who will
be attending your preferred school in September 2013.
If your child has any special educational need or particular
social circumstances, please tell us at the time of your application. You must also send us any supporting
information from a professional.
In order to fully consider the application, some schools may also require the completion of a supplementary form
in order for the governing body of the school to find out more
information such as aptitudes for certain subjects, church attendance
and baptism. It is important that you read individual schools’
oversubscription criteria to check whether you need to complete a
supplementary form.
Oversubscription
Schools have a limited number of places available in each year group.
If all places have not been allocated then a request for a place at the
school will normally be agreed.
If there are more applications than there are places available, then
the published oversubscription criteria are used to decide who is
offered a place. These are published in the Admissions to School booklet [PDF]. You can also find this information in the school’s brochure, a
copy of which is available from the school.
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What to look for in a school
Book a school visit
The best way for you to decide whether a school is the right one for
your child is to take a look for yourself. Any Head Teacher will be
happy to show you round their school and talk about the benefits it can
offer your child.
You may also like to talk to the teachers and other parents to get a
better idea of what the school is like and how it will suit your child's
temperament and abilities.
Every school is different. Each has many individual qualities that
make it unique, from on-site facilities and extra-curricular activities
to class sizes and the strength of its links with other schools and the
community.
Read the prospectus
Each school has to issue a prospectus, which will give additional
information about school policies on behaviour, homework, special needs
provision. It will also contain a summary of the school's key stage and
exam results. The prospectus is available upon request from the school
(you can look up contact details for schools online).
View the school's results
There are also other things you can look at to help give you a fuller picture of a school and its achievements:
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Appeals
If you are not offered a place at your preferred school(s), you have a right of appeal to an independent appeals panel.
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