School Admissions

Parents asked for their views on school admissions

The council is asking Oldham parents with a child aged between two and 16 who will be starting primary or secondary school in September 2010 for their views on the borough’s admissions policy.

The council would like to know whether parents think that the admissions arrangements currently in place should apply again next year.

Oldham Council is responsible for managing admissions to the community and voluntary controlled schools whilst the governing body of each of the 37 voluntary aided and foundation schools is responsible for their admissions. This means that overall there are 38 different admission policies in the Oldham area.

Each year, relevant parents are sent a booklet about starting primary or secondary school. This booklet features the admission policies for every school in Oldham. This is produced in line with the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) Admissions Code.

Online admissions

Offering parents the facility to apply online for their child’s school place is an essential part of providing parents with a choice in how that they access local services.

The link below will direct you to the secure online admissions website where you can apply for admission to any local authority maintained Oldham school for admission to reception 2009 or transfer year 7 at secondary school in September 2009. The website will be available from 9th September 2008 for secondary school applications and 3rd November 2008 for primary school applications. Please read the "Guide to Online Admissions", available on the admissions website, before completing your online form.

Primary admissions

If your child was born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005, then he/she will be eligible to start primary school in September 2009. All parents/carers will be provided with an application form that will be sent to your home address in November of this year. This must be completed and returned to the Local Authority by the 19 December 2008.

Please ensure that you refer to the Starting Primary School Information Booklet 2009/10 before completing either your paper or online form. These will be available from your local primary school from September 2008 onwards. Alternatively you can download an electronic copy of the Starting Primary School Information Booklet 2009/10.

The closing date for primary application forms (both paper and online) is the 19 December 2008.

Secondary admissions

In September 2009, those children who were born between 1 September 1997 and 31 August 1998 (inclusive) will move from primary to secondary school.

If you live within the Oldham Council boundary you must complete either an Oldham paper application form or apply online. If you do not live in Oldham you must apply to the Local Authority that you pay your council tax to even if you wish to apply for a school in Oldham. Your home Local Authority will pass on your request for a place to Oldham for consideration in line with the co-ordinated admissions scheme.

Application forms and Starting Secondary School Information Booklets 2009/10 will be distributed to your child’s primary school in September 2008. You can download an electronic copy of the Starting Secondary School Information Booklet 2009/10 here.

Please ensure that you refer to the Starting Secondary School Information Booklet 2009/10 before completing either your paper or online form.

The closing date for applications is Friday 24th October 2008.

Both the Primary and Secondary Information Booklets 2009/10 are also available by contacting the Admissions Team on 0161 770 4213/4. Booklets will be available from September 2008.

Appealing

If you have been refused admission to a particular school and wish to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel for a school place for your child, you should complete a School Admission Appeal Form, setting out clearly why your child should go to your preferred school and return it to Legal and Democratic Services. Any written evidence that you wish to use to support your case should be submitted to the Appeals Panel. It is important that you tell the Independent Appeals panel all the reasons why you want your child to attend the school(s) of your preference. If you have any documented evidence to support your appeal, please send a copy with your form.

The date of the hearing will be arranged by an officer from Legal and Democratic services, who will give you at least 14 days notice in writing of the date and time of the appeal.

You can appeal for more than one school. However, you may only appeal for any school once every school year unless there has been a significant change in your circumstances.

The decision of Appeals Panels will be sent in writing to parents by the Executive Director of Legal and Democratic Services and are binding on the Local Authority, school governors and parents.