In-year admissions

In-year admissions are applications for children wishing to move school during the school year.

• How do I apply for a place?
• How are places allocated?
• How will I know I have been offered a place for my child?
• What can I do if my child is refused a place? Can I appeal?
• How do waiting lists work?
• Fair Access Protocol

How do I apply for a place?

Parents can apply for a place for their child at any school in any local authority, but if they live in Salford they must apply through Salford local authority.

If you live in another local authority but wish to apply for a school place in Salford, please contact the local authority where you live.

Applications forms are available from the foot of this page, from the school admissions team on 0161 909 6508, or by emailing school.admissions@salford.gov.uk.

Please note that at the current time it is not possible to apply online for an in-year admission.

Application forms can also be collected from Unity House in Swinton or Eccles, Pendleton and Walkden Gateway centres, as well as any primary or high school.

Before you fill in your application you should read the Primary Admissions booklet or Secondary Admissions booklet which explains the admissions procedure in full.

Applications should be returned to the School Admissions team who will aim to process the application within a maximum of 20 school days.

How are places allocated?

Places in community and coluntary controlled schools are allocated using the published primary admissions criteria for primary schools and secondary admissions criteria for places in secondary schools.

For admission to Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies,the Admissions team will send details of your application to the relevant school's governing body for their decision.

Some Voluntary Aided Schools may require supplementary information. The school will write to you if this is the case. Supplementary forms can be downloaded online.

How will I know I have been offered a place for my child?

The local authority will write to you within 20 school days with the result of your application.

Where your child can be offered a place at one of your preferred schools, you will be asked to contact the school to arrange a suitable admission date.

Where your child has been refused a place at one of your preferred schools, you will be informed of your right of appeal. You will also be sent a list of schools that do have places available for your child. If you would like to send your child to one of these schools, you should then contact the School Admissions team.

What can I do if my child is refused a place? Can I appeal?

If you are not offered a place at your preferred school you will have the right to appeal against the decision (please note: there is no right of appeal for nursery places).

However the law on infant class sizes states that from 1 September 2000 no five, six or seven year olds should be in a class of more than 30 pupils. Therefore the circumstances where an appeal committee can uphold an appeal for these year groups are limited.

The Department of Education (formerly the Department for Children, Schools and Families) publish a guide for parents on school admissions and appeals. The guide explains the school admissions and appeals processes: what parents can expect from the admissions system; how to object to unlawful arrangements and how to find further information and support.

How do waiting lists work?

If your application for a school place at your choice of school(s) is refused, you are entitled to place you child's name on a waiting list. The local authority will hold waiting lists for community and voluntary controlled schools throughout the school year.

You should check individually with voluntary aided schools to check if your child's name is on their waiting list. 

Fair Access Protocol

The Fair Access Protocol provides a flexible approach to admissions for children who may face challenges in obtaining school places. The protocol lists the categories of children who may be given assistance in finding school places. If your child falls into one of these categories you should contact the Admissions team on 0161 909 6508.

Who to contact

Name

School Admissions team

Address

Children's Services
2nd Floor
Unity House
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AW
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 909 6508

Email

school.admissions@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 9 August 2011