Parental Choice of School
The entry of children into schools is controlled and administered by an ‘Admissions Authority’. In the case of county borough and voluntary controlled schools, this is recognised as Torfaen County Borough Council (the 'LEA').
In the case of voluntary aided schools and foundation schools, the admissions authority is the governing body of the individual school.
Changes in the law mean the LEA must allow parents/carers the opportunity to express a preference for the school they would wish their child(ren) to attend.
The closing date for the admission arrangements for September 2009 is 30 January 2009. Forms will be available with effect from December 2008 and these will be available either via the website or contact Kath Worwood, on 01633 647344.
Failure to complete and return an application form could lead, if demand exceeds the number of places available, to some parents/carers being denied a place for their child at their local school. Following the closing date any change of circumstances notified to the Authority by the end of February will be considered. Please note the Authority does not operate a policy to accelerate pupils into advanced year groups. When applying, parents/carers may name more than one school in order of preference and the Authority will try to comply with at least one of the preferences indicated.
Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available the Authority will have to refuse admission.
Where the Authority is of the opinion that the granting of an application for admission or transfer would prejudice the provision of efficient education and/or the efficient use of educational resources, it would refuse admission.
Parents do however have a right of appeal against any such decision.
For admission into infant schools or infant Departments the Authority would also have to take into account the Governments class size initiative which restricts the number of pupils to be accommodated within any infant class to 30 or below.
Finally all admissions into any school are dealt with in accordance with the admissions policy of either the LEA or a schools admissions policy and at no stage are pupils 'selected' or are interviews held to determine admission.
Full details concerning Parental Choice, the Authority's Admission Arrangements, Appeals and the Authority's Transport Policy can be found in the Schools Information Booklet|
For further information contact Kath Worwood from the Forward Planning and Performance on 01633 647344.