If you have a question, please email it to caroline.down@devon.gov.uk we will answer your enquiry and post the response on the website.
Is there a difference between the designated school and the school that is just up the road from our house?
In many cases they will be the same school, however occasionally your designated school will not be the one ‘up the road’. This all depends on where the designated area borders begin and end. If you are unsure it is recommended that you check the designated area maps. (see below)
How do I find out which is my designated Secondary School?
You can use the Devon County Council website to look at the School Designated Area Maps
I want my son to go to a Grammar School; if he doesn’t pass his 11+ will he lose a place at his designated school?
Devon now operates an ‘Equal Ranked Preference’ scheme which means that you will be asked to apply for up to 3 schools in order of preference. These schools are then considered equally. So as long as you include the designated school as one of the preferences on the application form it will be considered in exactly the same way as the Grammar School. In other words the application will not ‘go to the bottom of the list’ for entry into the designated school. Therefore if your son does not pass his 11+ exam, it will not have a negative effect on his application to the designated school.
If I don’t apply for my designated school I will automatically get a place won’t I?
If you fail to apply for the designated school and it subsequently becomes full you will not automatically get a place. You must also still return your form, even if you are only considering one school.
My daughter attends a contributory primary school but we live outside the designated area for the secondary school; she’ll be guaranteed to get a place won’t she?
Each school has a Planned Allocation Number (PAN)- the number of pupils it can take in September, which varies depending on the size of the school. If more applications are received than the schools PAN, the decisions as to who is offered a place are considered against an ordered list of ‘over subscription criteria’. This may mean that living in the schools’ designated area, having a sibling already attending the school or attending a contributory primary may give you a better chance of getting place.
Most schools in Devon follow the standard Devon County Council over subscription criteria (see link below), however there are a few exceptions, either check with you school directly or follow the link below to the admissions website. What Happens Next?
Why are you called Choice Advisers? There is only one Secondary School in my area, where’s the ‘choice’?
It is true that there are many areas of Devon that offer no realistic ‘choice’ of secondary school. The Choice Advice service has been introduced by the government as part of the 2007 School Admissions code, with the primary aim to ‘empower those parents who may struggle with the admissions system to make informed and realistic choices of which secondary school to apply for in the best interest of their child’. Some parts of Devon do offer a choice of school, however in more rural areas where it has been identified that there is no choice of school, many families may still benefit from some extra support and guidance during the admissions process. The Choice Advisers can provide this through help with form filling or completing on-line applications or interpreting and providing information about the school in the area even if it is the only one.
My eldest child attends a school outside of our designated area. There is currently a significant amount of new development with a lot of new families moving into the designated area- will this affect the chance of my youngest child getting a place at the same school?
When there are significant changes like this in an area, it is advisable to ring your Admissions Officer for a more detailed discussion. It may be that future changes will require the number of places at a school to be adjusted and your younger child may not automatically get a place. Your local Choice Adviser will be happy to be contacted for further discussion.
The school we really want to go to is out of our designated area, who will pay the transport fees?
For most families if the school chosen is not the designated school or one that is nearest to the home, the family must make and fund their own travel arrangements.
However, for admissions in September 2008 the law has changed and those families on low incomes (if your child is entitled to free school meals, or your family receives the maximum level of Working Tax Credit) will be able to get free transport to a choice of three schools that are between 2 and 6 miles away from your home. You will need to provide proof that you receive the maximum level of Working Tax credit. Distances up to two miles are measured using the shortest available walking route and distances over two miles and up to six miles are measured by road.
This entitlement has to be reapplied for every year so you should not assume you would continue to have support if your circumstances change e.g. if your child is no longer in receipt of free school meals or if your family is no longer in receipt of the maximum level of working Tax Credit. If you feel you may be eligible you are advised to consider carefully whether you would be able to continue to get your child to school if this assistance was withdrawn.
Further information on this new entitlement is available from the School Transport Team.
We don’t qualify for transport but the bus does pass by my house, can we pay to use it?
If there are spare seats on a school transport vehicle and no public service exists, you may be able to travel on a concessionary basis subject to a pre-paid fee. However this seat is subject to being withdrawn at short notice if other children move into the area that are entitled to free school transport. The start of the school year is the busiest time for the School Transport Team and no seats will be released until after the October half term. It takes a few weeks to be sure about the number of pupils who need transport and to put in place the transport network that is needed.
For more information please see A Brief Guide to School Transport in Devon
When do I have to fill out my form?
The admissions website contains all the up to date information regarding closing dates for applications.
Timeline
I don’t want to apply on-line what are my options?
You can still apply on paper- your Primary School may have some copies of the Next Step booklet for reference, alternatively you may call the Education Helpline on 0845 155 1019 or contact your local Choice Adviser.
Choice Advisers are able to support parents who do not have their own IT equipment by supervising applications and supplying their own email addresses for use during the online application process. Confirmation emails will be sent to the Choice Adviser when school places are allocated, who can then forward this information to the parent/carer. The parent/carer will also receive a confirmation letter through the normal post.
Can we start visiting schools and thinking about our choice in Y5?
Yes of course, schools welcome visits from Y5 pupils at open days and events. A lot of schools also offer activity days for pupils from local Primary Schools. This is a good way to begin to introduce children to their new school. If you are considering visiting a school, it is often a good idea to ask to visit during the day to see the school in action.
I’m concerned that my child will struggle with the transition from a small village Primary to a very large Secondary School. What can I do to ease this?
Most schools offer a very comprehensive transition programme, including taster days and open evenings. The first day at school if often only for the new Y7 pupils, which allows them to familiarise themselves with the school layout before the other year groups join them.
Schools should aim to make the transition from primary as smooth as possible and there are many simple measures that can be introduced to enhance this, such as campus maps or buddy systems with older pupils. You may also feel that more than one visit would be useful for you child. Ask your school directly about their own transition programme
I’m worried about bullying, what can I do?
It is worth discussing any concerns you have directly with the school. Ask to speak to the member of staff that deals with Y7 transition. Request a copy of their bullying policy and ask for examples where they have successfully dealt with bullying issues in the past.
I have a foster child who will be in Y6 soon; can I fill out the Next Step application form on his behalf?
Waiting for confirmation of an answer
My niece is currently placed in care as her mother is ill and unable to look after her at this time. We are keen to ensure that, as a family we are still involved in her choice of secondary school, how can we do this?
Waiting for confirmation of an answer
I may need to move house at very short notice- how can I ensure my children remain at their current school?
It is recommended you speak to your Admissions Officer or contact the Choice Adviser in your area to discuss your situation in more detail.
I’m considering a school in Cornwall; can you provide me with any information?
If you’re considering a school in another Local Authority contact your local Choice Adviser, who will be able to help you or will refer you to the Choice Adviser in that Local Authority.
The school we are considering is currently looking at becoming a Trust School- will that affect the admissions process?
Currently it should make no difference to the process whether the school secures trust status or not. However it is possible that in future years Trust schools may set their own oversubscription criteria, if you require any further information please contact your local Choice Adviser.
Choice Advisers don’t help with appeals- who does?
There is substantial information regarding the appeals process on the admissions website
You could also contact The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE), which offers independent advice about admissions appeals.
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