Under the 1986 Education Act parents have a legal right to express a preference for which school their children should attend. The Education Authority and school Governors have a general duty to meet this preference as long as it does not 'prejudice the provision of efficient education or efficient use of resources', or requires the Authority or Governors to take extra measures under Key Stage 1 infant class size legislation. There in no automatic right to a place in any particular school.
If it is necessary, then parents can appeal to an independent committee if a child is refused a place at the school. Such appeals however, only apply to children above the age of four years and six months.
The Education Authority is responsible for making general arrangements to place children at all Derbyshire's county schools of which this is one.
The authority decides such issues as:
- which area a school should normally serve.
- arrangements for parents to state a preference for a school other than a designated school for the area in which they live.
- the criteria to be used for admitting children to schools.
- how parents can appeal against a decision not to offer a place at the preferred school.
On a day to day basis the Head and Governing Body deal with individual admissions.
The Governors have adopted the following policy:
Entry is limited to 11 places per year group with priority given in the following order:
- Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of admission.
- Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters at the school.
- Other children whose parents have requested a place.
Each year two places will be reserved until Spring Bank half term (May 31) for children who may move into the area.
Children may be admitted into school either in September or January of the academic year in which they reach their fifth birthday. A child whose fifth birthday falls on or between 1 September and 30 April will start school in September. A Child whose fifth birthday falls on or between 1 May and 31 August may start school in January if preferred. Provision for part time education is not made as a general rule.
Parents of children living outside the local catchment area must apply for a place in writing to the governing body. They will then be informed if a place is available.
The governing body allows equal opportunities for admission to the school and access to the curriculum for pupils with disabilities.
Further information can be found in the DCC publication, Parents' Information Booklet "an essential guide to Primary Education 2002/2003". Copies of this are available from the school or Area Education Office, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield. |