Admission to secondary school booklet 2014-15 - South ...

Glossary of termsAcademiesAcademies are independent state fundedschools. Academies are not accountable tothe local authority but are accountable to theSecretary of State. Schools with academystatus are their own admission authority andhave greater control in delivering the curriculum,have greater control over their budget and holdland and buildings under a long term lease.Academies work alongside other schools in SouthGloucestershire in order to raise standards andshare areas of expertise.Admission criteriaThe list of criteria an admission authority mustadopt for its school(s) setting out how priority isgiven in admission arrangements. These areused only when the school is over-subscribed todecide which children will be offered a place.Admission numberThe number of school places that the admissionauthority for the school must offer in each relevantage group of a school for which it is admissionauthority.AppealParents/carers have the right of appeal to anindependent appeal panel concerning thedecision not to offer a place at the preferredschool. Parents/carers are invited to attend thehearing.Area of prime responsibility (APR)This is a defined geographical area. Wherean APR exists, the area indicates to parents/carers the school(s) which normally serve thehome address. When allocating places SouthGloucestershire Council will give priority to thosechildren who live within the APR of the school.Children in public care (see also‘Children previously in public care’)Children who are in the care of local authorities asdefined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. Inrelation to school admission legislation children inpublic care are considered as such only if thelocal authority confirms he or she will be in publiccare when he or she is admitted to a school.Children previously in public careChildren previously in public care are childrenwho were in public care, but ceased to be sobecause they were adopted (or became subjectto a residence order or special guardianshiporder).Closing dateThe closing date for on time applications is 31October 2014.Community and voluntarycontrolled schoolsSouth Gloucestershire Council is the admissionauthority for community and voluntary controlledschools and is responsible for determining theadmission arrangements and allocating schoolplaces. The “Secondary schools, academies andfoundation trust schools in South Gloucestershire(and maps)” section gives a full list of all themaintained schools in South Gloucestershire,including academies and foundation trustschools.Consortium areaA Consortium Area is an Area of PrimeResponsibility that is served by more than twoschools.Co-ordinated admissions/coordinatedschemeCo-ordinated schemes must be consulted uponacross all relevant admission authorities anddetermined in the year prior to which they areto apply. All local authorities are required to coordinate primary and secondary admissionsfor all schools in their area. Although individualadmission authorities rank all applicants in orderof priority for admission, offers are sent out by therelevant local authority on the locally agreed date.Glossary of terms✆ 01454 868008 cis@southglos.gov.uk93