Choosing A Secondary School

Understanding the Wirral School Admissions System

When Does the Admission Round Begin?

Secondary admission round runs from September to October half

term Application packs distributed by schools in early

September contain information about: Admission arrangements

Admission criteria Schools

School Open Days Parental Preference Form

Read the admissions booklet carefully. It explains Wirral’s admissions policy as well as admission and

oversubscription criteria for all schools.Look at the list of open days and evenings for schools you

are considering and decide which ones you wish to visit.Attend your child’s Headteacher’s transition talk.

Obtain information about schools. You can get this from :

School prospectus (from school or school website) Ofsted reports www.ofsted.gov.uk

Performance data www.education.gov.uk/performancetables Choice Adviser 0844 880 1500 or email:

www.choiceadviser@wired.me.uk Mainstream Admissions 0151 606 2000

Parents of pupils at the school

Where Do I Start?

Checklist For Visiting Schools What is the timetable for the school day? How many children would be in your child’s class? How does the school help children settle in and make friends? What extra activities does the school offer at lunch-time/after school? How well does the school communicate with parents? What arrangements are there for parents to get involved with the school? What will you have to provide for your child? (uniform/stationery/ money for trips etc) Is the school easy for your child to get to? How well does the school track the progress of pupils and what type of support do they provide for pupils to help them to meet their targets? School’s academic results? After the visit

Discuss your thoughts and feelings about the school with someone else (include your child in the discussion)

Did you feel welcomed at the school? Did the students seem happy, friendly and helpful? Do you think your child would be happy at that school? Did the school answer all your questions or do you have other questions you would like to ask?

What Choices Do I Have? You can name up to 3 schools

Include any out-of-area schools you wish to apply for on your home Preference Form

You should only include a grammar school if your child has passed the entrance exam

The Local Authority will try to match you to your preferred schools in the order you listed

them

How successful you are in being given your preferred school depends on how well you meet the school’s criteria and availability of

places If you are not offered any of your preferred

schools you will be offered the nearest suitable school which has places available.

Are All Wirral Schools the Same?

There are currently thirteen Academies. Most are not selective (excepting the Grammar Academies), children are assessed to determine their ability band. 10% of places can be allocated to pupils who demonstrate an aptitude in the

school’s specialism e.g music

All-ability schools cater for the needs of most children. They are either mixed or single sex

Faith Schools prioritise children of the Catholic faith or certain parishes, and children who attend Catholic Primaries, but anyone can apply for a place.

Grammar Schools are selective and entry depends on the achieving the required pass mark and availability of places. Grammar schools on Wirral

are all single sex

Foundation & Trust Schools set their own criteria and are run by the school governors. They are usually backed by a business or faith organisation.

Children who attend Special Schools have a statement of Special Educational Needs.

What Do Schools Offer?

All mainstream schools offer the full National Curriculum (English, Maths, Science and P.E)

Schools with Specialist Status have additional resources for their specialist subject.

The admissions booklet and school prospectus will tell you if a school has specialist status.

Specialist expertise of staff, equipment or facilities?Extracurricular activities/clubs etc

Grammar School Assessments

If unsure about your child’s level ask school for advice Complete and return form asking for your child to be included in grammar

school assessment test (check date this has to be returned by- should be last week of May)

Familiarisation packs go to schools (or home if outside Wirral) during June Tests take place in early September in child’s primary school or at one of the

Grammar schools or Test Centres

Tests consist of 2 verbal reasoning papers St Anselm’s and Upton Hall set their own tests Pass mark is 236 Results standardised according to child’s age Inform Head Teacher in writing, of anything which may adversely affect your

child’s performance on the day and provide evidence At Head’s discretion, cases where result does not match known ability may be

referred confidentially to Independent Assessment Board

Results are sent to parents in the second week of October You can only apply for a Grammar school if your child achieves 236+

What Do I Do Next? When you have decided on your preferences complete and return the

application form before the closing date-31st October 2012

Forms can be returned to school, posted to Mainstream Admissions

or completed online www.wirral-mbc.gov.uk/admissions

What If My Preferred School Is Oversubscribed?

All schools are required to publish their admissions policy which sets out

their priorities

Schools who are their own admissions authority set their own criteria

Schools do not know which order you placed your preferences

If more pupils apply than there are places available they must be

allocated in accordance with the published criteria.

When Will I Know The Outcome?

Allocation letters sent out 1st March 2013 (or available on-line if application

made on-line)

You can also ask if places are available in another school which you would

prefer in place of the allocated school If your child is not offered a place in

your preferred school you can appeal against this decision

Mainstream Admissions will give you all the information you need to do this and

you can contact the School Choice Adviser for help.

1.May 2012 applications for grammar school test to be returned by end of month.

September 2012Information booklets sent out to parents.

11+ testing takes place

2.Choose your preferences

Gather information about schools and attend their Open Evenings.

You can also contact choice adviser Tel: 0844 880 1500 Email:choiceadviser@wired.me.uk

3. Closing dates

You must return your completed form by 31st October 2012

Late forms not dealt with till end of allocations.

Any supplementary forms should also be returned by the closing date.

4.

March

2013

The offer letters will be

sent out on 1st March

2013.

Checklist for Applying for a Secondary School Place for Your Child to Start in September 2013

Role of The Choice Adviser

Funded by DfE

Provides free, impartial advice to anyone who would like help when choosing, applying or appealing for a school for their child

Ensures parents have access to all the available, up-to-date information about local schools (Ofsted reports, prospectuses, performance results, uniform, location & transport etc)

Help parents to complete application/appeal forms

The Choice Adviser is available to give advice by telephone, email, or 1:1 meetings

Please call Angela Knox Carter; 0844 880 1500 or email: www.choiceadviser@wired.me.uk

Preparing your child for Secondary School

Many children feel anxious about the move to secondary school but there are lots of ways that parents can help to make the transition easier.

Reassure them that most children will be feeling the same concerns as them Help them to establish routines by working out when they will have to get up in the morning to get to school on time

Help to plan their journey with them and find out if there is a friend that they can walk/travel in with

Get things ready the night before (uniforms, bag packed etc) Be prepared! Put a copy of their timetable on the fridge and check it with them to make sure they have everything they need for the day (P.E kit, books etc) Make sure your child knows who to contact (both in school and at home)

if there is a problem Agree on when and where homework is to be done each day Ensure your child understands how important regular attendance is Encourage them to talk to you if they are worried about anything.

Advice for Parents of Children with Additional Needs without a Statement• Speak to Senco or SEN support team at open

evening or make an appointment to discuss any particular concerns you have

• Ask about what provision is available to meet your child’s needs

• What experience do they have of meeting similar needs?

• Where does1-1 or small group work take place?

• Ask about transition support at primary and secondary school.

Secondary Transition for Children with Statements

• Follow the advice previously given about visiting schools and speaking to SENcos

• Discuss your thoughts with your child’s teacher at their year 5 review

• Attend the transition talk by the Statementing officers at your child’s special school or Parent Partnership

• Complete the Common Application Form within the given timeframe if applying for mainstream school

• Proposed statement will be sent out in January 2013

• Final statement will be issued February.