Secondary school admissions

Contents

We process applications to secondary schools for all parents living in Derby City Council's catchment area.

If you want to apply for a secondary school place, you need to make the application to your local council. If you are unsure which is your local council you can search for it on DirectGov.

As a parent you have a legal right to express a preference for a school that you want your child to attend. If your preferred school has a place, then a place should be offered to your child.

You need to apply to your local council even if your preferred school is in another council's area.

If you live in Derby City Council's area, and want to apply for a school you need to complete a Secondary School in-year admission form. As the Council's Admissions service we are responsible for coordinating all applications made for secondary school places.

Do you want to change schools?

Moving to a new school is a very serious step to take. It can affect your child in many ways. If you are not moving address and are considering changing your child's school, it is important to consider whether a transfer is the best option. Before deciding to move your child to another school, please read this information carefully and consider the following:

  • Moving to a new school may not mean that a problem is solved – it can happen again and could be worse because your child will not know who their new teachers and other pupils are
  • Your child's needs may not be known to staff at the new school
  • How will your child cope with learning new rules and having to do things differently?
  • There is the possibility of missing important work
  • Children who transfer schools after their exam subjects have been chosen in Year 9 may find that they cannot do the same subjects, or that the examination boards and courses are different at a new school
  • If your child has brothers or sisters at the same school, transferring one child may affect the others
  • Will it be difficult for you to have children attending different schools?

Many things that worry you or your child can be sorted out without the need to move schools. We advise that you sit down with your child and ask them why they want to move to a different school. If they mention that they are being bullied or not getting on with other pupils, you should speak to your child's Form Tutor or Head of Year in order to try and resolve the situation. Schools in Derby have an 'Anti-Bullying Policy' which must be followed.

If after speaking with the Form Tutor or Head of Year, you still are unhappy about the way the school is dealing with your concerns, you should make an appointment to speak to the Headteacher as soon as possible. You may also write to the Chair of the school's Governing Body.

How we process your application

When you complete your application form you will have the opportunity to express your preferences in rank order for up to three schools both in and outside of Derby City. You will also be able state your reasons for your preferences.

We will then process your application form according to how you have ranked your preferred schools and you should receive a written decision from us within 15 working days.

Letting you know our decision

A decision will be sent to you and will be one of the three outcomes listed below:

  • A school place is offered where your child meets the criteria for a place at your first preferred school
  • A school place is offered at the highest rank school where your child meets the criteria for a place at the second or subsequent preferred school
  • Where it is not possible to offer your highest ranked school, your child is added to that school's waiting list and you are informed of how to appeal to the Independent Appeal Panel if you wish to.

You can also track your application process online.

How to appeal against a decision we make

The Independent Appeal Panel is completely independent of the schools and the Council. They are able to take your family's personal circumstances into account and balance these against the school's admission criteria. The Panel's decision to allow or refuse an appeal is final.

Reasons admission to a school can be refused

All maintained schools and academies that have enough available places must offer a place to every child that has applied for one. However, this rule does not apply if one of the statutory reasons for refusal can be applied. The statutory reasons for refusal of admission are:

  • Children who have been permanently excluded twice from school. The obligation to comply with a parent's preference is removed for a period of two years from the date on which the latest exclusion took place
  • Children with challenging behaviour where a school has protection on admissions, schools can refuse to admit a child, if it is a child with challenging behaviour or if previously excluded from school, or if their attendance is below a certain percentage.

Determined Admission Arrangements

Determined Admission Arrangements are the 'set' and 'agreed' arrangements for admissions into schools following the outcome of a consultation.

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires Admission Authorities (for example, Schools and the Council) to consult other local Admission Authorities and determine their school admission arrangements for 2013-2014 by 15 April 2012.  The Local Authority is required to publish its determined admission arrangements together with those of other Admission Authorities within Derby City.

Community Schools

If you have applied to any community schools, we will decide whether your child can be offered a place at that school taking into account the school's admission criteria.

Academy, foundation, or voluntary aided schools

If you have applied for any academy, foundation, or voluntary aided school places, the governing body of the school will decide whether your child can be offered a place. We send your application from to the school for them to consider. Some schools require a St Benedict's RC School Supplementary Application form to be completed.

Schools outside Derby

If you have applied for any school places outside of Derby, we provide details of your application to the relevant council who will decide whether a place can be offered to your child. Their decision must be communicated back to us within 15 school days.

Please read the Secondary School admissions handbook 2012 - 2013 for further information.

Making an application

You can apply online.

If you want to make a telephone application you can do so by calling 01332 642617. Your application will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You will need to have some information to hand before you make your telephone application such as your child's details and the schools you wish to apply for.

Useful forms

Downloads

Useful links

Contact details

E-mail:
Post address: Secondary School Admissions
Middleton House
27 St Mary's Gate
Derby
DE1 3NN
Phone: 01332 642725
Minicom: 01332 256666

Secondary School Admissions
Middleton House
27 St Mary's Gate
Derby
DE1 3NN