Moving up to Secondary School: FAQ’s and Useful Information
How do I apply for my child’s secondary school place for September 2017?
If you are a Bournemouth resident you apply to Bournemouth Borough Council either online or using a
paper form. All applicants will receive a letter posted out on the 1 March 2017 telling them which school
their child has been offered.
Online applications may be made at enrol.bournemouth.gov.uk from the 1 September 2016. You will need
an email address to create an online account.
Paper applications can be requested from the Children’s Information Service (CIS) or collected from the
Customer Service Centre, St Stephen’s Road. There will also be some available from your child’s primary
school.
If you are applying to a school with religious criteria, you will need to complete a Supplementary Information
Form (SIF) to prove your religious commitment and be considered on these grounds. These can be found
on each individual school’s website and will need to be returned to the school directly by 31 October 2016.
Are there any benefits to applying online?
If you decide to apply online, you will be able to log in to your account on the morning of Wednesday 1
March 2017 and see which school your child has been offered. If you apply using a paper form you will
need to wait until you receive your offer letter – posted out on the 1 March 2017.
What if I forget my password?
Make sure that your password is memorable as if you forget it the admissions team are unable to reset it.
The password must include at least one upper case and one lower case letter, and at least one number. In
case you do forget, you will be asked to choose and answer a secret question. The answer to this will also
be case sensitive, so it’s important to remember this as well.
How do I decide which school I should apply for?
You should look at Ofsted reports for the schools and attend the open evenings taking place from July to
October 2016. A list of open evenings can be found towards the end of this information pack.
You can also look at the allocation tables from last year for historical data, however this should only be
used as a guide.
How do I apply for a place at a Grammar School?
If you are applying for a place at one of the grammar schools in Bournemouth, your child will need to sit a
test. You will need to register them for testing. The deadline to register for testing is 12 noon on 9
September 2016. Registration forms can be downloaded from the schools’ websites or requested from the
schools directly.
The tests will take place on Saturday 24 September 2016, where pupils will be tested in Maths, English
and Verbal Reasoning. Results will be posted out first class on Friday 14 October 2016 so you will know if
your child has passed the test before you need to submit your application.
All applications must be received by Bournemouth Borough Council by 31 October 2016.
Where do I apply if I am not a Bournemouth Resident?
If you are not a Bournemouth resident, you must apply to the Authority where you live (this would be where
you pay your council tax). You are able to apply for Bournemouth schools on another authority’s form if you
wish.
Where can I get help and advice about the process of applying for a secondary school place?
You are able to speak to member of the Children’s Information Service (CIS) about this process. They can
be contacted by phone on 01202 456223, via email at cis@bournemouth.gov.uk, or you can visit them at
the Customer Services Centre (see back page for full address).
You may read our booklet ‘Moving up to Secondary School’, which will be available online at
enrol.bournemouth.gov.uk from 1 September 2016. There will also be a copy for reference at the Customer
Service Centre via CIS, all Bournemouth Schools and Bournemouth Libraries from September. This booklet
contains a lot of information about the process and also includes the admissions policies for each
Bournemouth Secondary school.
When do I need to return my application?
All applications from Bournemouth residents (online and paper) must be submitted by 31 October 2016.
Paper forms must be received by the Admissions team by this date.
What happens if my application is late?
If your application is not received by the closing date of 31 October 2016 it will be classed as late. All
applications received by 31 October will be considered before yours and the chance of getting the place
you want may be reduced.
How will I know if you have received my application?
Online applicants will receive an automatic email confirming the application has been received. Once the
application has been uploaded you will receive another email to confirm this. Please check your spam and
junk folders. If you apply using a paper form, we will send you an acknowledgement by post or email if
requested on your form.
If you do not receive an email or a paper acknowledgement we have NOT received your application.
Please contact us about this with enough time to submit another if necessary.
I’m a Bournemouth resident, am I able to apply for schools outside of Bournemouth?
Yes. You can list any schools on your Bournemouth application, including those outside of Bournemouth as
long as they transfer at the same time, ie: from Year 6 to Year 7.
What happens if my child lives part time with each parent?
Only one application and address can be considered for each pupil. If parents are separated, you must
come to an agreement about the schools you apply for. If you can’t agree, the Local Authority will only
consider the application from the child’s main carer (the parent who receives the Child Benefit payments).
If no Child Benefit is paid to the family, or it has been suspended, Bournemouth Borough Council Legal
Department will determine which parent is considered to be the main carer for the child for the purposes of
the school admissions process.
When will I hear?
All applicants will receive a letter which will be posted out on the evening of the 1 March 2017. Online
applicants will be able to log into their accounts mid morning on the 1 March 2017.
What if I forget the password to my online account?
The Children’s Information Service and Admissions team are unable to help with forgotten passwords so
it’s important that you remember it.
All passwords contain at least one upper case and at least one lower case letter, and at least one number.
You will have to answer a secret question when setting up your account, so please make sure you
remember which question you answered, and type in the case sensitive answer correctly.
If you are still unable to log in to your account then you will have to wait for your letter to arrive in the post.
We are unable to give results over the telephone under any circumstances.
What if I do not get offered the school I want?
If we are unable to offer you any of the schools you have requested and you are a Bournemouth resident,
we will redirect you to the closest school to you which is able to offer a place. This may not be close to your
house.
If you are not a Bournemouth resident you will need to speak to your home Authority to find out what action
they take in these circumstances.
You are able to appeal the decision that has been made. The letter we send you will explain how to go
about this.
You are also able to request to be put on the waiting list for the schools which have refused you a place.
Will a place offered to my child ever be taken away?
An offered place may be withdrawn if you do not respond to the offer within a reasonable timescale.
We may also withdraw a place if it was offered based upon a fraudulent or misleading application, such as
under a false address.
You can accept a place online or by returning the paper reply slip.
My child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) – who do I apply to?
If your child has a Statement or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you should speak to the SEN
inclusion team on 01202 456166.
If your child has SEN but no statement then you should talk to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
or the Headteacher at your child’s current primary school.
You may also contact Bournemouth Parent Partnership on 01202 451970. They are an independent,
confidential and guidance on issues relating to SEN, exclusions and school admissions appeals.
How will my child get to school?
All schools can provide information on the buses which serve them. Bus companies such as RATP Group
and More provide information on their websites of the buses they run which serve Bournemouth secondary
schools.
Can I apply for transport assistance from Bournemouth Borough Council?
Parents can apply for transport from Bournemouth Borough Council. The Home to School transport
guidance notes are attached at the end of this document for your information.
What has happened in previous years?
The tables on the following pages provide detailed statistics for the main allocation for children transferring
to secondary school in September 2016.
Figures from previous years are available on request, you will need to check the categories against the
relevant policies on the Bournemouth website.
Please remember this information should only be used as a guide. The figures do differ from year to year,
for example if there are more/fewer children living in a particular area. Changes in the popularity of a school
(or a neighbouring school) can also affect the number of applications a school receives.
All the figures relate to the main allocation of places on 1 March 2016 and do not include any applications
received after the initial closing date.
The number of applicants ‘redirected’ to a school - ie: offered a place there having been unsuccessful with
all of their preferences – is noted, where applicable, at the bottom of the school’s table. The last distance
offered if the cut off is within a category is also provided.
The categories correspond with those in the admissions policy (criteria/category) for 2016/17 which may
differ from those in effect in 2017/18. These can be found on the Bournemouth Borough Council website.
TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2016
SUMMARY OF ALLOCATION FOR EACH BOURNEMOUTH SCHOOL
Below, for each school in Bournemouth at the main allocation on 1 March 2016, is a summary of the number of
applications received, for each preference rank (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and for each of the admissions categories, along with the
number offered, number gaining a higher preference and number refused in each of those categories. The number
‘redirected’ to a school, where they could not be offered any of their preferences, is shown beneath that school’s table,
where applicable. This sheet is produced shortly before 1 March to allow time for printing – please contact us if you
would like an updated sheet including any subsequent changes to this information.
Some figures for 3rd preference may include lower preferences from Authorities which allow more than three
preferences to be made.
Avonbourne College (number of places available: 210)
Category
SEN / A. LAC / B. Medical
C. Sibling
D. In-area
E. Feeder
F. Out-of-area
Total
Preference rank
1st
02
23
47
20
02
94
2nd
003
065
047
005
120
3rd
002
002
049
056
007
116
Total
applications
Total
offers
004
028
161
123
014
330
002
023
081
023
003
132
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
002
005
080
100
011
198
0
A further 3 children were ‘redirected’; therefore the total number of places offered was 135.
The Bishop of Winchester Academy (number of places available: 210)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC *
2. Sibling
3a. Religious commitment
3b. World religions
4. Distance
Total
Preference rank
1st
006
054
016
100
176
2nd
004
004
036
003
213
260
3rd
Total
applications
Total
offers
004
012
001
167
184
010
062
064
004
480
620
006
055
020
002
127
210
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
004
007
044
002
347
404
6
6
Last distance offered in Category 4: 2.869 miles by straight-line measurement.
* Excludes children with a Statement of SEN or EHCP, admitted to the Emmaus Centre (for children with complex communications
needs) who do not count towards the Admissions Number of 210.
The Bourne Academy (number of places available: 180)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC
2. Sibling
3. Distance
Total
Preference rank
1st
005
054
104
163
2nd
003
010
154
167
3rd
Total
applications
Total
offers
001
100
101
008
065
358
431
005
056
111
172
3rd
Total
applications
Total
offers
19
03
07
29
001
271
036
025
333
001
149
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
003
009
247
259
0
Bournemouth School (number of places available: 150)
Category
SEN
Met selection criteria
Did not meet criteria
Did not sit test
Total
Preference rank
1st
001
182
022
008
213
2nd
70
11
10
91
150
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
077
013
016
106
45
23
09
77
Bournemouth School for Girls (number of places available: 166)
Category
Met selection criteria
Did not meet criteria
Did not sit test
Total
Preference rank
1st
203
022
010
235
2nd
076
009
018
103
Total
applications
Total
offers
283
036
039
358
166
3rd
Total
applications
Total
offers
96
96
002
022
308
332
002
020
124
146
3rd
04
05
11
20
166
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
070
011
028
109
47
25
11
83
Glenmoor Academy (number of places available: 180)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC
2. Sibling
3. Distance
Total
Preference rank
1st
002
019
113
134
2nd
003
099
102
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
002
184
186
0
A further 2 children were ‘redirected’; therefore the total number of places offered was 148.
Harewood College (number of places available: 180)
Category
SEN / A. LAC / B. Medical
C. Sibling
D. In-area
E. Attending feeder
F. Out-of-area
Total
Preference rank
1st
04
16
30
11
01
62
2nd
27
28
02
57
3rd
02
01
37
39
04
83
Total
applications
Total
offers
006
017
094
078
007
202
04
16
40
15
01
76
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
002
001
054
063
006
126
0
A further 5 children were ‘redirected’; therefore the total number of places offered was 81.
Oak Academy (number of places available: 240)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC
2. In-area with sibling
3. In-area
4. Out-of-area with sibling
5. Out-of-area
Total
Preference rank
1st
002
024
047
016
022
111
2nd
02
04
21
02
30
59
3rd
Total
applications
Total
offers
12
01
33
46
004
028
080
019
085
216
002
024
051
016
026
119
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
02
04
29
03
59
97
0
A further 1 child was ‘redirected’; therefore the total number of places offered was 120.
Parkfield School (number of places available: 28 in addition to 28 children already on roll in Year 6)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC
2. Sibling
3. Distance
Total
Preference rank
1st
02
08
10
2nd
01
22
23
3rd
Total
applications
01
37
38
01
03
67
71
Total
offers
02
13
15
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
01
01
54
56
0
St Peter’s School (number of places available: 240)
Category
Preference rank
1st
SEN / 1. Baptised LAC
008
2. Baptised Catholic children 140
3. non-Baptised LAC
001
4. Other Christian
traditions
045
5. Other faith traditions
001
6(1) Other children (sibling) 008
6(2) Other children
054
Total
257
2nd
002
031
003
3rd
003
007
019
007
006
145
206
001
099
117
Total
applications
Total
offers
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
013
178
004
008
147
002
005
031
002
071
001
015
298
580
051
001
008
023
240
020
007
209
274
66
66
Last distance offered in Category 6(2): 0.925 miles by straight-line measurement.
Winton Academy (number of places available: 180)
Category
SEN / 1. LAC
2. Sibling
3. Distance
Total
Preference rank
1st
2nd
3rd
Total
applications
001
040
120
161
001
003
102
106
005
002
100
107
007
045
322
374
Total
offers
001
041
130
172
A further 2 children were ‘redirected’; therefore the total number of places offered was 174.
Gained higher Total
preference refusals
006
004
192
202
0
FOR BOURNEMOUTH RESIDENTS:
GUIDANCE NOTES
GENERAL TRANSPORT TO SCHOOL
Many parents worry about how they can help their children to get to and from school each day.
Bournemouth Borough Council can help in some cases. This information will give you guidance about who
can claim for assistance with transport to school. Assistance is normally in the form of a bus pass.
Transport provision is subject to regular review. If you move home or your child moves school you must
inform us immediately and this could mean that entitlement to transport assistance is ceased because your
child no longer qualifies. This guidance also provides information on how to appeal the decision to refuse
transport.
How far must I live from my catchment school to qualify for free travel?
The distance measurement for children attending their catchment school is a statutory measurement and is
measured by the nearest available safe walking route. The distance is 2 miles and over for children aged
under 8 years old and 3 miles and over for children aged 8 years and over. The route can include
footpaths, bridleways, other pathways as well as recognised roads. This is referred to as the distance
criteria. Parents should accompany their children if they feel they need to do so.
What if my child is not attending the catchment school?
If you have expressed a parental preference for a school other than the catchment school, you must accept
responsibility for your child’s daily travelling arrangements to and from the school, including any costs
incurred.
Are there any exceptions to this? YES:
•
•
For primary school children (Reception to Year 6) where families are on Free School Meals or
the maximum level of Working Tax Credit and the **distance from home to school is at least two
miles,and normally not more than five miles transport assistance will be provided to their nearest
qualifying school and;
• *For secondary school children (Year 7 to Year 11) where families are on Free School Meals
andthe distance from home to school is at least three miles, and not more than ten miles.
Please note the entitlement for children in Years 7-11 will be also include children attending
secondary school who are on Free School Meals or the maximum level of Working Tax Credit
to one of their 3 nearest qualifying schools if it falls between **2 and no more than 6 miles
from home or up to a maximum of 15 miles if the nearest faith school.
**Please note distance measurements over 2 miles a road route will be used.
If your child is attending a school for one of the following reasons, assistance may be provided as
follows:
Year group full - when the catchment school is full, then a child may be eligible for assistance with
transport to the next nearest school with an available place, provided the distance criteria are met. They
do however need to ensure they apply for their catchment school and remain on the waiting list for the
school as this transport is reviewed regularly to ensure entitlement is still applicable.
Re-housing - if a family is moved from an area on a short term basis (i.e. re-housed by the council or
another housing association) transport to the existing school may be offered for the period of the temporary
re-housing, until the family’s return to permanent accommodation. Once again the distance criteria will
need to be met. If the transport is agreed during the summer term, it is for one term only.
Medical – assistance may be considered, if a child has a medical condition that would affect their ability to
get to school, if the child is attending the catchment/qualifying school. Also where for a route to be
considered safe it relies on the parent accompanying the child and because of the parent’s disability they
are unable to do so. Proof of the child’s medical condition will need to be provided by a School Medical
Officer. Proof of a parent’s disability can be a letter detailing the higher award of disability benefit for
mobility or a letter from a hospital consultant indicating that the parent cannot walk.
Continuity - a child in year 10 or 11 who has already started GCSE study may be eligible for assistance if
the family move, providing the distance between the home and school is 3 miles or more and is still within
reasonable daily travelling distance.
What about 4 year olds who are not attending school for a full day?
Transport will be provided only at the start and end of a school day. Parents are normally responsible for
any midday travel where your child attends school for part of the day. There may be exceptions to this so
you should check with the Admissions Services Team on (01202) 456200 for confirmation.
Are there any concessions available?
The Bournemouth Borough Transport Group either hires vehicles to take children to and from school or
pays for bus passes. Very occasionally there may be one or more seats on small hired vehicles which are
available to children not eligible for free transport. A fixed price will be charged for these concessionary
places unless the family is in receipt of Free School Meals or maximum level of Working Tax Credit.
However, a concessionary place may not be available and, at very short notice you could be faced with
making your own transport arrangements to and from the school of your choice. This happens if:
•
•
•
The seat is required for an pupil who is entitled under the policy
The service is withdrawn, or
The passenger-carrying capacity of the vehicle is reduced.
What about when my child reaches 16 years of age?
Once your child reaches the age of 16 and is above statutory school age, the Authority has no legal
obligation to help with transport. The present policy is that assistance can be given if your child is
attending the nearest appropriate school or college (as designated by the LA) if the parents are in receipt of
Income Support, income based Job Seekers’ Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit up to the
level of income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) which will qualify the family for help with health costs
and if the distance when measured by the nearest available safe walking route is five miles or more.
How is unacceptable behaviour on transport dealt with?
Children travelling on LA transport are expected to conform to the accepted code of behaviour, which
applies in the school. Any breach will be dealt with by the school. Public transport operators are entitled to
refuse to provide a service where there would be a risk to safety. In addition, the Passenger Transport Unit
at Bournemouth LA will be informed and they will consider withdrawing the bus pass for up to 12 weeks for
a serious incident: parents will be informed accordingly. If the behaviour is repeated the child will be
banned from transport provision and parents will be expected to make alternative transport arrangements.
The LA works with bus operators, schools, parents and the police in dealing with behaviour issues.
What information will I receive about the transport arranged for my child?
The Passenger Transport Unit will send you a booklet “Passenger Transport” which gives important
information. You will also be sent details about the transport that has been arranged. You may be offered
an appointment for a photograph to be taken prior to issue of the photo bus pass.
Can I appeal or request a review of the original decision made about help with transport?
Yes. You may request that the initial decision to refuse is reviewed if you are unhappy with the decision to
refuse transport or with the transport provision put in place. You will need to put your reasons for wishing
to have the review in writing to The Manager, Access Services, Community Learning &
Commissioning, TH E3, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth BH2 6DY.
The original decision will then be reviewed by a Senior Officer within the Council who is independent of the
original decision and they will write to you with the outcome of their investigation into your specific
circumstances.
Please ensure you provide all relevant professional or medical reports with your request to review
the decision. If you do not provide all the information or evidence to support your request it may be
that important information is not able to be taken into account for the review process. If you are
unsure if a document or information is important please include it as all information and evidence
you provide to the Senior Officer will be considered.
What can I do if I am still unhappy with the outcome of the Review by the Senior Officer?
If you remain unhappy with the response you receive from the Senior Officer then you can lodge an appeal
with the Appeals Panel. The Appeals Panel are also independent of the original decision process and will
then consider the original decision and the review. If you require an appeal form you may contact the
Admissions Services Team on (01202) 456200, or download a form from the Bournemouth Borough
Council website. If you wish to make a complaint you can follow the Bournemouth Borough Council
Corporate Complaints procedure via the website, information is also available from Customer Services.
Attached with this Guidance is a flowchart of the review and appeals process detailing the timescales.
Who should I contact if I wish to complain about how my Review and Appeal was processed?
If you remain unhappy following the review and appeal process you can contact the Local Government
Ombudsman on telephone number 0300 061 0614 or in writing P O Box 4771 Coventry CV4 0EH. The
Local Government Ombudsman will consider complaints where there was a failure of the Local Authority to
comply with the procedural rules or if there were any other irregularities in the way the appeal has been
handled. If the complainant considers the decision of the Appeal Panel is flawed on public law grounds, the
complainant may also apply for a judicial review.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you. If you require assistance with completing the form
please do not hesitate to contact us:
Admissions Service, Community Learning & Commissioning, Extension 3,
Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY
Tel: (01202) 456200
This information is a brief guide and is correct at the time of going to print. The full policy is
subject to review and could be changed at any time.
School
Avonbourne
College
The Bishop
of
Winchester
Academy
The Bourne
Academy
Bournemouth
School
Bournemouth
School for
Girls
Glenmoor
Academy
Harewood
College
Oak
Academy
St Peter’s
Catholic
School
Winton
Academy
Headteacher
/ Principal
Day
Date
Time
Details
Wednesday
21/09/2016
8.30 – 10.30 am
Morning session
Parents Only
Wednesday
21/09/2016
6.00 – 8.30 pm
CEO and Principal
addresses at
6.15 pm & 7:15 pm
Tuesday
04/10/2016
5.00 – 7.30 pm
Principal address at
5.30 pm & 6.30 pm
Mr M Avoth
Wednesday
14/09/2016
6.00 – 8.30 pm
Principal address at
6.15 pm & 7.15 pm
Dr D Lewis
Thursday
07/07/2016
6.30 – 8.30 pm
Headteacher address at
6.30 pm, 7.15 pm
& 8.00 pm
Mr A Brien
Monday
04/07/2016
2.00 – 3.30 pm
&
4.00 – 6.00 pm
Headteacher address at
2.00 pm, 3.00 pm,
4.00 pm & 5.00 pm
Mr B Antell
Monday
12/09/2016
6.30 – 9.00 pm
Principal address at
6.30 pm & 7.15 pm
Wednesday
28/09/2016
8.30 – 10.30 am
Morning session
Parents Only
Wednesday
28/09/2016
6.00 – 8.30 pm
Mrs G
Blanshard
Thursday
15/09/2016
6.00 – 8.00 pm
Mr D Todd
Thursday
22/09/2016
Starts at 6.30
pm
Held at the
Secondary
School
St Catherine’s
Road
Principal:
Mr J Holbrook
Mr P McKeown
Principal:
Mr B Antell
Tuesday
27/09/2016
Tuesday
13/09/2016
6.30 – 9.00 pm
CEO and Principal
addresses at
6.15 pm & 7:15 pm
Principal address at
6.00 pm
Open Evenings for
Parents/Carers &
Students
Principal address at
6.30 pm & 7.15 pm
Useful Contact Details
Bournemouth Children’s Information Service
Customer Service Centre
St. Stephen’s Road
Bournemouth
BH2 5EB
Tel:01202 456223
cs@bournemouth.gov.uk
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schools
School Admissions Team
Bournemouth Borough Council
Town Hall E3, Bourne Avenue
Bournemouth
BH2 6DY
Tel: 01202 456198
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schools
school.admissions@bournemouth.gov.uk
Poole Admissions
Children, Young People & Learning
Dolphin Centre
Poole
BH15 1SA
Tel:01202 261936
Appeals Officer, Democratic Services
Bournemouth Borough Council
Town Hall, Bourne Avenue
Bournemouth
BH2 6DY
Tel: 01202 451163
Dorset Admissions
Dorset County Council
Country Hall,
Dorchester
DT1 1XJ
Tel:01305 221060
admissions@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Telephone numbers for other teams within
Bournemouth Local Authority
Special Educational Needs Inclusion Team
01202 456166
Parent Partnership
Bournemouth Learning Centre
Ensbury Avenue
Bournemouth
BH10 4HG
Tel: 01202 451970