Applying for a school place
Applying for a primary school place is a big step for you and your child, and you will no doubt have many questions about how this process works. This section of the website is designed to help you with any queries you might have.
- What kind of primary schools are there?
- When do children start at primary school?
- When should I put my child's name down for a primary school?
- How to apply for a place in a reception class
- What year group will my child be in?
- If my child has special educational needs, how will this affect my application?
- How will I know if I have been offered a place?
- How are reception places allocated ?
- What to do if you can't get the school you want
- What happens if I miss the date for admission?
- How do waiting lists work?
- Can I appeal if I don't get my choice of school?
- Changing schools at other times
- Who to contact for more information
What kind of primary schools are there?
Salford LA has 5 different types of nursery and primary school provision.
There are community primary schools; voluntary aided schools; voluntary controlled schools (many of which have nursery classes), special schools (for pupils with special educational needs) and early years centres.
When do children start at primary school?
The law says that children should start school, full time, by the beginning of the term after their 5th birthday but Salford do offer nursery placements from the September after their 3rd birthday and all Salford children are able to start in a reception class in a primary school in the September following their 4th birthday.
Children continue to attend primary school until the end of Year 6 when they then transfer to secondary school, Year 7 aged 11 years.
When should I put my child's name down for a primary school?
Salford encourages parents to make an informed decision about their preference of a place in a school for their child. Most parents are able to get a place in their first choice of primary school for their child.
When your child is about 2 years old find out as much as you can about schools near to you. Talk to neighbours and friends who have children at school. Get in touch with the head teachers and ask for a copy of the school's prospectus. This is a free booklet that will tell you most of the things you need to know about the school.
Head teachers will be happy to let you have a look around their schools and to ask questions. It helps everyone if you arrange an appointment to do this.
Places in reception are offered from the September after the child’s 4th birthday.
How to apply for a place in a reception class
The Admission & Exclusions Team deals with admissions to reception classes in Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools. Parents can either apply online or alternatively contact the Admission and Exclusions Team to request an application form. Upon completion the application form should be returned to the Children's Services Directorate, Admissions and Exclusions Team, Minerva House, Pendlebury Road, Swinton, M27 4EQ.
For admission to Voluntary Aided Schools parents again can either apply online or contact the Admissions and Exclusion Team to request an application form. Upon completion the application form should be returned to the Children's Services Directorate (address as above) who will forward it to the relevant governing body for their decision
Should your child already attend a Salford school nursery class, there is no need to request an application form as the Admissions and Exclusions Team will automatically send you one via the school during the Autumn Term 2008.Should you have not received an application form by the end of November 2008, and your child attends a Salford school nursery class, please contact the Admissions and Exclusions Team immediately on telephone number 778 0415/0467.
If you apply for a reception place using our on-line service there is no need to fill in a paper form.
Some Voluntary Aided schools may require supplementary information, we will write to you if this is the case.
Before you complete your application you should read the Primary Admissions Booklet 2009/2010 which explains the admissions procedure in full.
The deadline for making your application for a September 2009, reception place is 9 January 2009.
PLEASE NOTE if you are yet to return your form after the closing date it will be dealt with after all those applications which were received on time. You should be aware that a late a application could reduce your chance of gaining a place at your preferred school.
Please remember that your child is not guaranteed a reception place at the school of your choice at this stage, but consideration will be given to your request.
Parents/carers should note that transfer from nursery to reception is not automatic and you must apply for a reception place through the LA. Again Places can not be guaranteed at your preferred choice of school.
What year group will my child be in?
You can use use this table to see what year group your child will be in according to their date of birth.
If my child has special educational needs, how will this affect my application?
If your child has special educational needs this does not affect your chance of obtaining a place at your preferred school you just follow the same procedure when applying for a school place, places can not be refused because of a child having Special Educational Needs. In certain circumstances when a child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs this can state that the child should attend a particular school as a result of their SEN, this should be adhered to. Find out more about special educational needs.
How will I know if I have been offered a place?
You will have been informed of the decision by letter which was sent from this office on the 10 April 2009. You will normally be given at least seven days to confirm with the LA whether you intend to accept this offer. If you do not respond within this timescale the place may be offered to another child.
How are reception places allocated?
If a school has more places available than applications for places then all the applicants will be successful.
However, some schools have more applications than places and admission criteria will be applied.
Your application will be considered according to the published admissions criteria for the school. All community schools have the same admissions criteria which is set by the Local Authority.
Voluntary aided schools e.g. Roman Catholic set their own admissions criteria. To view each individual schools criteria Please see Salfords primary admission booklet
What to do if you are not successful in obtaining the school of your
choice ?
If you are not successful in obtaining a place for your child in your preferred schools you will have the right to appeal against the decision not to offer your child a place at the school.
However the new 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 have been limited.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) published a new guide for parents on school admissions and appeals.
The guide outlines 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.
What happens if I miss the date for admission?
If you require a place in reception after the allocation date of 10 April 2009, you will need to complete an application form as soon as possible.
If you require a place for any other year group you should contact your preferred school direct to check if a place is available.
If your preferred school does not have places available in the correct year group, you can either leave your child's name on the waiting list at your preferred school in case a place becomes available and choose another school with places available. Should you do this your child's name can still remain on the waiting list at your preferred choice of school. You also have the right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. Please click on right to appeal for further information.
Should your application for a reception place at your preferred school(s) be refused ,you are entitled to place you child's name on a waiting lists. During the period 10 April 2009 to 31 August 2009 the LA will hold the waiting lists for Community and Voluntary Controlled School's. Should places become available during this time the admission criteria will be applied and places offered on this basis. From the 1 September 2009 parent/carers should contact the schools directly to place their child on a waiting list, the schools will then allocate places should any become available.
Voluntary Aided Schools will hold their own waiting lists and allocate in accordance with their admission criteria should places become available. Please contact the schools concerned for more information.
Can I appeal if I don't get my choice of school?
You have a right to appeal if you do not get a place for your child in your preferred school.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) published a new guide for parents on school admissions and appeals.
The guide outlines 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
Changing schools at other times
Whether you are moving into Salford or moving to another part of the city you should first discuss the matter with the head teachers of the schools concerned. If you have any problems or require more information you should contact the Admissions and Exclusions Team, telephone 0161 778 0415/0467/0414.
Downloadable documents
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
Who to contact
- Name
- Christine Stapleton
- Address
- Minerva House
Pendlebury Rd
Swinton
SALFORD
M27 4EQ - Telephone
- 0161-778 0414
- christine.stapleton@salford.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 30 October 2008
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