Admissions

First time admissions/Transfer Application

The Academy will participate in full with the Local Authority’s First Time Admissions/Transfer Co-Ordinating Scheme. This means parents must apply through the Local Authority’s online system or use the common application form, which must be completed submitted or returned by the national closing date. In the case of first time admissions to primary school, this is 15th January 2023, for a school place in September 2023.

Parents are very welcome to visit the school before their children are enrolled and find out more about us. Please do let the School Office know of your intention to visit so that someone can be available to show you round the school and answer any questions.

In the Summer Term, before your child attends this school there will be opportunities for parents to attend an ‘Induction Evening’ and for your child to attend an induction session with their new class teacher.

Transfer to High School

This occurs at the end of the academic year in which your child will be 11 years old (Your child must be 11 before 31st August).

The closing date for application to secondary school is 31st October 2022 for a school place in September 2023.

We try very hard to make the transition from Primary to High School as smooth as possible by working closely with colleagues at secondary schools in the local area. Throughout their time at Ratby, the pupils have a number of opportunities to take part in enrichment activities organised with our local school as well as pre-arranged transition visits and meetings. In the Summer Term, colleagues from Brookvale High School will meet with our Year 6 teachers to discuss transition arrangements and pupils are given the opportunity to spend two full days at Brookvale in the last few weeks of the academic year.

Late applications

Any applications received after the closing date will be accepted but only considered after those received by the closing date. You are therefore encouraged to ensure that your application is submitted on time.

All supplementary information, such as medical letters to prove change of address, remains the parents’ responsibility to supply.

Oversubscription criteria

If the Academy has more applications than places available, the Local Authority will draw up a ranked list based on the criteria determined by the LA oversubscription criteria, outlined in the policy, and inform the Academy accordingly. Children who have a Statement of Educational Needs/Education, Health and Care Plan or who are ‘looked after children’ as defined and who name the Academy will be admitted even if the Academy is full.

Mid-term (in-year) applications

Bradgate Education Partnership schools participate in full with the Local Authority’s co-ordinated policy, which can be found here:   https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-admissions/school-policies

To discuss a visit to our school please contact the school office, or to discuss the application process please contact the Local Authority on 0116 3056684.

Oversubscription waiting list

Parents whose children have been refused a place at the Academy will automatically be added to an over-subscription waiting list, which will remain open until the end of the Autumn term in admission year.

The list is ranked using the priority criteria listed above. It may change, meaning that a child’s position during the year may go ‘up’ or ‘down’. The over-subscription list makes no distinction between on time or late applications.

Appeals

If your child has been refused a place at the Academy, you have a statutory right of appeal. The Academy has retained the services of the Local Authority with regard to appeals and you can use the Local Authority’s ‘notice of appeal’ in the following link:

https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-admissions/appeal-a-school-place-and-check-waiting-lists-online

The Local Authority will arrange the appeal on behalf of the Academy’s governors to be heard by an independent panel and the decision will be binding on all parties.

Fraudulent information

If a place has been allocated on the basis of fraudulent or intentionally misleading information, the Academy’s governors reserve the right to withdraw the place.

Fair Access Protocol

The Academy will participate in full with the Local Authority’s Fair Access Protocol in order to ensure that the most vulnerable children are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible.

Objections

Objections to any aspect of the determined admissions arrangements may be made to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (www.education.gov.uk/schoolsadjudicator) but must be made not later than 15th May.