Admissions to Secondary Schools in Lancashire
On-Line Admission Application Form
Introduction
The majority of children who are admitted to Lancashire Secondary schools in
Year 7 in September each year will transfer from a Year 6 Primary School
placement.
Parents / guardians will have the opportunity to express 3 secondary school
preferences in priority order for each child and will receive an offer for a single
secondary school place (please note co-ordinated admissions).
Any requests for children to transfer early to secondary schools must be sent
with supporting evidence to the relevant Area Pupil Access team by the end of
the December preceding the requested transfer. Only in the most exceptional
circumstances (where the application is strongly supported by both
headteachers) will early transfer requests be considered.
Any decision to allow an early transfer is without prejudice to the published
admission policy (ies) and does not therefore automatically guarantee a place
at a first preference school.
Children’s Services Authority (CSA)
The Children’s Services Authority (CSA) was formerly known as the Local
Education Authority (LEA). The CSA co-ordinates secondary admissions
within Lancashire and with neighbouring authorities and is the admission
authority for all community and voluntary controlled schools.
Admission Authorities
Admission authorities are responsible for determining admission policies and
applying admission criteria (deciding which children will be offered places at a
particular school).
For community and voluntary controlled schools the Children’s Services
Authority (CSA) is the admission authority.
For voluntary aided (church) schools and foundation schools the School
Governors are the admission authority.
Admission Policies
The admission policies for all secondary schools in Lancashire are included in
the Secondary School Admissions in Lancashire (Information for Parents)
booklet which is issued to parents during September each year for secondary
school admissions the following September.
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The booklet is on the Lancashire county Council Secondary School
Admissions website
Summaries of the admission policies for voluntary aided (church) and
foundation schools are in the inserts to the booklet which are also on our
website. You are advised to obtain full versions from individual voluntary
aided and foundation schools in order to ensure that you are clear about their
admission arrangements. This will also help you to assess your priority for a
school place within each school’s admission criteria.
Co-ordinated Admissions
Government regulations require that Children’s Services Authorities coordinate secondary schools admissions both within their area and with
neighbouring authorities.
The main requirements of a co-ordinated secondary scheme are that:
You must complete the common secondary school application form
to be registered within the admission process (a hard copy of the form
is included at the back of the insert to the secondary schools admission
booklet). The on-line application is the electronic version of the
common application form.

You are invited to express 3 secondary school preferences in priority
order. (and encouraged to use all 3 prefences).

It is advised that you ensure that there is sufficient space in your e-mail
box to accept an e-mailed receipt of your on-line application.

You will receive only a single secondary school offer.

You are advised to ensure that there is sufficient space in your e-mail
box to accept a school offer by e-mail (at the beginning of March each
year).

There is a national set day for the issuing of all offers for secondary
school places. This will be 01 March 2007.

All offers will be issued by the Children’s Services Authority (including
any offers from reserve (waiting) lists up to the the end of August
preceding school admissions. (please see offer of places).
Applying On Line
In order to apply on line you must have internet access and an e-mail
address.
You will be asked to register a user name and password which you should
remember and not make available to third parties.
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If you are applying for more than one child (eg twins or triplets) you will
register only once but must complete an on line application for each child.
You will be permitted to amend school preferences up to the closing date but
after the closing date changes are not generally permitted (see closing date /
late applications). If you do make changes the on line application which will be
used for your child will be the last version received (the latest dated version).
All on line applications and any amendments will be acknowledged by e-mail.
You will be able to print a hard copy of your completed on-line application.
(and will be prompted to do so when you submit an on-line application). It is
recommended that you do make a copy.
If your e-mail address changes between the submission of your on-line
application and the offer date for secondary school places you must
confirm the new e-mail address with the Children’s Services Authority
(CSA).
Common Admission Application Form
a) General
All parents / guardians resident in Lancashire must complete Lancashire’s
common secondary school admission application form (even if their
preferences include secondary schools situated in neighbouring authorities).
This means completing either an on-line application or a hard copy of the
common application form from the booklet.
This is an essential requirement for your child / children to be included within
the secondary school admission process.
Please also note that voluntary aided (church) and foundation secondary
schools will require you to complete their supplementary application form
which is available from individual schools.
b) Address Details
You must use the address at which your child / children normally reside (s).
Please give your full address (house name, house number, road / street,
town, and postcode). This is essential in order for the on line system to be
able to verify individual addresses.
The relevant address is that which the child / children live at and addresses of
friends and relatives must not be used. It is not permitted to use addresses of
other properties which you own, rent or lease at which the child / children do
not live. Temporary addresses may not necessarily be accepted for school
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admission purposes. If you are intending to move house during the admission
process or have queries about shared parenting arrangements you are
advised to contact the Area Pupil Access Team. (please see contacts).
Address changes prior to, during and immediately after the admission process
are checked.
Please note that school places can be (and have been) withdrawn where they
were originally offered due to misleading or false information. In exceptional
circumstances school places can be withdrawn after a child has commenced
at a school.(see withdrawal of places).
c) Council Tax Details
In some areas of Lancashire the admission arrangements for secondary
schools include a geographical priority area. In a few cases, where families
live close to the boundaries of a geographical priority area, the exact location
of the home address in relation to a school’s priority area is not always easy
to determine. Confirmation of Council Tax details does therefore facilitate the
application of the published admission arrangements in these circumstances.
d) Alternative Address Details
If you do provide the details of an alternative address it is helpful for an
explanation of the circumstances to be given. You can do this under Part 3,
Section 8 of the common application form – additional information.
(please note address details).
e) Siblings
For community and voluntary controlled schools siblings include brothers,
sisters, stepchildren, half brothers, half sisters, adopted and foster children
who are living with the same family at the same address.
You are advised to check the sibling category for individual voluntary aided
and foundation schools as there may be variations in the application of this
criteria.
f) School Preferences
You are invited to express 3 secondary school preferences in priority order.
It is strongly advised that you use all 3 preferences and that you identify 3
different secondary schools. If you repeat the name of a school within your
preferences this will not be accepted on the on line application form and an
error message will appear.
Your preferences may include community, voluntary controlled, voluntary
aided (church) and foundation schools within or outside of Lancashire.
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Independent Secondary Schools must not be included on your on line
application.
You must include the full name of the school (s) (and are advised to
state the town / village where it is situated to avoid confusion).This is
because many schools share the same or similar names (eg St Mary’s) and it
is important that your precise preferences can be easily identified. The on-line
system does incorporate a drop down box and school search facility. You
must exercise great care when selecting your school preferences to ensure
that the school (s) which you actually prefer are being placed on the
application.
g) Changing Secondary School Preferences
You are entitled to change your secondary school preferences up to the
stipulated closing date for common application forms. The closing date is
given on the application form and throughout the secondary schools
admission booklet.
After the closing date it is not generally permitted for secondary school
preferences to be changed.
If you feel that there are exceptional reasons for a change to your preferences
you should contact the Area Pupil Access Team to discuss matters. (please
note contacts). It is not enough that you have simply changed your mind and
evidence of a substantial change in your circumstances or substantial new
information will be required. Individual admission authorities will then decide
whether requested changes to an application after the closing date can be
accepted.
h) Additional Information (from parents)
Part 3, Section 8 of the common admission application form allows the
provision of additional information.
If you feel that there are exceptional medical, social or welfare reasons which
require that your application is given greater priority you must state these
clearly on your application.
In these circumstances you are encouraged to provide any additional
evidence which you feel will support your application (eg letters from doctors
or health visitors). This can be sent directly to the Area Pupil Access Team
and will be dealt with confidentially.
(please note Special Educational Needs - SEN).
i) Children in Public Care (Looked After Children)
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It is important that you indicate whether or not your child / children is / are in
public care (Looked After Children - LAC). Please note Part 3, Section 9 of the
common admission application form. You must confirm which Children’s
Services Authority has responsibility for any child in public care.
Children who are in public care will be prioritised for admission to the parent /
guardian’s preferred school.
j) Ethnicity
The ethnicity fields included on the form are for statistical purposes only and
are not relevant to admission arrangements. These are formatted in
accordance with Department for Education and Skills (DfES) data collection
requirements.
k) Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Primary School Headteacher who initially receives your application form
is asked to indicate whether or not the child has a final statement for Special
Educational Needs.
If you are applying on line it would be helpful if you could also either tick the
yes / no boxes in section 9 on page 2 of the application form. This will be
verified upon receipt of your application. Copies of all applications for children
with statements for special educational needs are sent to the Area SEN Team
for their professional advice.
l) Closing Date (Late Applications)
The closing date for all applications (on-line and hard copy) to be received is
confirmed at the bottom of page 1 of the common admission application form
and is emphasised throughout the Secondary School Admission booklet.
You must ensure that your application is submitted by the stipulated closing
date. (this applies to both on-line and written application forms).
Late applications may not necessarily dealt with along with those received on
time. They may be put to one side and only processed after all those received
by the closing date have been put through the relevant admissions
procedures. The ability of admission authorities to meet your school
preferences may therefore be reduced if your application is received
late.
Individual admission authorities will decide whether or not late applications
can be accepted and you may be required to provide evidence of any
reason(s) for your application being late.
m) Accuracy of Information
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The common admission application form includes a statement at the bottom
of page 2 allowing you to confirm that the information which you have
provided is correct.
The Children’s Services Authority (CSA) is encouraged by the Local
Government Ombudsman to investigate all allegations of misleading or false
information. School places which have been offered on the basis of inaccurate
information may be withdrawn. (please note address details).
Please ensure therefore that the information which you provide is accurate as
this will allow the correct admission criteria to be applied to your application.
n) Late Applications
The on line application process will cease after the closing date and late on
line applications will not be possible.
Late written applications may not be processed along with those received by
the stipulated closing date (please note closing date).
o) Offers of School Places
All offers for secondary school places will be issued by the Children’s
Services Authority on the same date. For on-line applications confirmation of
school offers may be available slightly earlier than for hard copy applications.
This will include offers for places at voluntary aided (church) and foundation
schools where the School Governors are the admission authority.
You will receive only a single secondary school offer.
If the offer is not for your first preference secondary school (or not for any of
your preference secondary schools) you will be given options to have your
child / children placed on reserve (waiting) list and / or to appeal to an
independent appeal panel. (please note appeals).
If you are not happy with the offer which you receive please remember that
the situation can change between initial offers and the September school start
date. Some school places which have been offered are not accepted by
families who move out of the area or those who accept alternative offers in the
independent sector. Also the appeals programme does create movement
within the admission process.
p) Withdrawal of School Places
The Children’s Services Authority (CSA) will investigate all allegations of
misleading or false information. School places may be withdrawn where they
have been offered on the basis of inaccurate information. This will be
upsetting for any families involved and alternative school offers may
consequently be for non-preference schools which are some distance from
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home (as other local schools may already be full). You are therefore
encouraged to ensure that all information given on your common admission
application form is accurate.
Please note that address changes prior to and during the admission process
are also investigated.
Further details of how the CSA may investigate individual cases are given in
the Secondary Schools Admission Booklet (Section 2, Paragraph H).
(please note address details and accuracy of information).
Supplementary Application Forms
All Lancashire residents applying for secondary school places must complete
Lancashire’s on-line form or a hard copy of the common secondary admission
application form, even if the preference school (s) is / are outside of
Lancashire.
In addition voluntary aided (church) and foundation schools will require that
you complete a supplementary form which is relevant to that particular
school’s admission policy. If you are applying for a voluntary aided or
foundation secondary school you must also obtain a copy of the school’s own
supplementary form. You are advised to contact individual schools direct
about supplementary forms and about their individual deadlines for the return
of these. It is strongly advised that you contact voluntary aided (church)
schools prior to the closing date for the common admission application
form.
Test Results for Selective Schools
Selective foundation secondary schools in Lancashire must be included on
your common application form if they are amongst your secondary school
preferences. These are Lancaster Royal Grammar, Lancaster Girls’
Grammar, Clitheroe Royal Grammar and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar
schools.
The results of selection tests for admission to these schools cannot be made
known to parents prior to offers for school places being made.
You are strongly advised to obtain details of the school’s admission policies
and to discuss selective test requirements directly with the school (s) which
you are considering.
Appeals
If you are not happy with the secondary school offer made you are entitled to
appeal for places at any other schools to an independent admission appeal
panel.
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The decisions of independent admission appeal panels are legally binding on
all parties.
You can appeal for each school only once per child per school year. Reappeals are only considered where there is evidence of substantial new
information or a change in circumstances since the original appeal hearing.
If you receive an initial offer which is not for your first preference secondary
school you should automatically receive a form which allows you to confirm
your intentions with regard to reserve (waiting) lists and appeals. You are able
to contact Area Pupil Access Teams for advice at any time. (please note
contacts).
Contacts for Advice and Information.
The Children’s Services Authority website contains copies of the Secondary
Schools Admission booklet and area inserts:http://lccweb/home/index.asp
(click on “A-Z of Services” and then click on “letter search”. Then click on “A
for admissions” or “S for school admissions” to see copy booklets).
In addition you are welcome to contact Area Pupil Access Teams :North (Lancaster, Wyre and Fylde areas)
Education Office (North)
White Cross Centre
Quarry Road
Lancaster
LA1 3SQ
(telephone: 01524 581163 or 581112)
South (Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Chorley)
Education Office (South)
East Cliff
Preston
PR1 3JT
(telephone: 01772 531813 or 531819)
East (Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale)
Education Office (East)
The Globe
St James’ Square
Accrington
9
BB5 0RE
(telephone : 01254 220708, 220718, 220707,220710 or 220709)
Lancashire Parent Partnership (LPP)
In addition the Lancashire Parent Partnership (LPP) can offer independent
confidential advice and information about any special educational needs
issue. If you are applying for a school place for a child with special
educational needs you can contact LPP (Monday to Friday from 9-00 am to
5-00 pm on:0845 6014284
lpp@lancashireparentpartnership.org.uk
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
The Advisory Centre for Education also offer free advice for parents and
carers in relation to school admission appeals. If you do not initially receive an
Offer for a school place which is acceptable you are able to contact ACE
(Monday to Friday from 2-00 pm to 5-00 pm) on:0808 800 5793
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