School Admissions
Why apply for a School Place?
All schools have a limited number of places available. So that you know where your child is to attend and the schools themselves know who will be attending, every parent must apply for a place. It is not possible for parents to choose their child’s school but you can of course express a preference and say where you would like your child to attend. In most cases preferences will be met – in Devon in 2010-11 over 98% of parents were successful in getting a place at a school they preferred for the normal round of admissions. We cannot, however, guarantee a place for any applicant at a particular school. For in-year admissions, many schools will already have been filled and a lower percentage will be offered a place at the preferred school.
Devon operates co-ordinated admissions schemes which mean that you as a parent, or carer, can apply for up to three schools in the order you most prefer them and you will receive a single offer of a school place. If we could have offered you a place at more than one of your preferences, we will make the offer for the school which was your highest preference. If we can’t offer a place at any of your preferences, we will make an offer at another school. This may be the school designated for your address or the closest school with a vacancy. If your child already has a school place and we can’t offer you a place at one of your preferred schools, we will assume that your child will stay at the current school.
If the schools you apply for have vacancies then you will not be refused a place, although we will only offer a place at your highest preference. If your application is for a school which has more applications than places, applications will be prioritised according to published criteria or rules. They can differ from one school to another but generally mean that children living in the designated area or closer to a school and children with brothers and sisters on roll have a better chance of being offered a place.
If your application is refused, you will have the right to an independent appeal and your child’s name will be added to a waiting list for vacancies.
