We recognise children change schools for a variety of
reasons from moving home to changes in family circumstances or for
other personal reasons.
If you wish to change your child's school, we would advise you
to discuss your reasons for moving with the head teacher prior to
making a decision. This is particularly important for children in
secondary schools where a move may disrupt the courses they have
begun to study. Talking to one of our education welfare officers
may also be helpful.
If you live in North Somerset and wish to change your child's
school before applying please read our
Changing School Guide 2011-12 leaflet
which includes an application form. You can apply for any school
within or outside North Somerset. Return your form by email,
post, fax or in person.
If you live outside North Somerset you should complete the
application form of your home council. A list of all schools in
North Somerset is available by visiting our
Schools section.
Vacancies arising during the 2011-12 school year:
Parents may keep in contact with the School Admissions and
Transport (SAAT) to ascertain when and if any vacancies arise
during the school year. We will keep a note of the child’s name
until the end of the current term. Should a vacancy occur those
names given to the SAAT, along with any outstanding applications or
appeals received, will be considered.
Any available places will be allocated in accordance with the
appropriate In-Year criteria, so priority will not
be given on the basis a child’s name was added to the list. Parents
will have to contact the SAAT again if they still wish to be
considered for a place during each subsequent term. There are six
terms per year.
This applies to all year groups except for the Reception Intake
Year Group, Year 3 at Junior schools (Reception Year and Year 4 at
St. Martin's in Weston-super-Mare) and Year 7 at Secondary schools
for terms 1 and 2 only. For these year groups any
vacancies during these terms will be filled in accordance with the
relevant New Intake criteria. During these terms
the list will be maintained by SAAT except for Voluntary Aided
schools, Foundation Schools and Academies who will keep their own
lists. After the last day of term 2, parents should contact the
SAAT as described above
Your child must normally be on roll at the school by the date
specified within any letter offering a school place.
If you are moving we may be able to allocate a school place in
advance of your move, providing you can supply suitable
confirmation of your new address.
Examples of the type of confirmation we accept include the
following:
- If you are buying a property - A letter from a solicitor
confirming exchange of contracts and a completion date
- If you are renting a property - A copy of the tenancy agreement
signed by both parties
- If you are moving into an existing household - A letter
confirming this from the home owner/tenant together with a utility
bill to confirm their link with the address
- For armed forces personnel - A letter confirming relocation
from your commanding officer.
If you are moving to the area under other circumstances, please
contact us to discuss what form of confirmation would be
acceptable.
Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee that schools will be
able to accept all the children who would like to attend.
If a school is full or there are more applicants than there are
places available, your application will be dealt with by our
School Admissions and Transport Team. Although Academies,
foundation, trust and voluntary aided schools may consider their
own applications.
If you are unsuccessful in getting a place at your preferred
school we will write to explain what happens next.
You will be given the following options:
- If you live in North Somerset or have confirmed a new address
in the area, we will offer you an alternative school – this might
be one of your other preferences or the nearest school to your home
with a place available. You may decide to accept the place we offer
or to keep your child at his/her current school
- Places sometimes become available because people decide to move
away or change schools themselves. You will be able to go on a list
of applicants still seeking a place to see if a vacancy arises
- You will be able to lodge an
appeal. You
will be asked to provide reasons why you feel your child should
attend your preferred school and you can present your case to an
independent appeal panel
All our schools also publish a prospectus with information about
their schools which is usually available on the schools website or
from the school office.
For further information on all the above issues please contact
our
School Admissions and Transport Team
