When should my child start school?
How do I apply for a place for my child?
Where and when can I get an application form?
Can I apply online?
Which schools can I include on my application form?
What about independant or boarding schools?
How many schools should I include on my preference form?
In what order should I put my preferences?
Who makes the decision on my application?
How do admission authorities make their decisions on who should be offered a place in a school?
When is the closing date for applications for reception places?
What happens if I send my application in after this date?
What if I change my mind after I have handed in the preference form?
When will I find out which place I am being offered for my child?
Will I need to let you know that I am accepting the offer?
What can I do if I do not get offered a place in my preferred school(s)?
Will my child’s name be kept on a waiting list for my preferred school if a place is not offered?
Who should I contact for help and guidance on my application?
In Newcastle, if your child will be 4 years old on or before 31 August 2009 they can start at a Community or Voluntary Aided (Church) school from the beginning of the school year September 2009.
Return to questions
Please note that attendance at a nursery class does not guarantee a place in a reception class at the same school.
Your application must be completed and returned by 24 October 2008. If you wish to apply you need to contact:
School Admissions and Transfers Team,
Children’s Services,
Room 308, Civic Centre,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 8PU
Return to questions
From any Primary or First School, from most nurseries and from the Admissions and Transfers Team. For help, information and advice, please contact the Admissions Team.
Return to questions
Apply online - the closing date for online applications for 2009 entry has now passed, please contact the School Admissions and Transfers Team, telephone: 0191 277 7428 or E-mail: admissions.education@newcastle.gov.uk
Return to questions
You can include any Community or Voluntary Aided First or Primary school in Newcastle or neighbouring LAs
Return to questions
With the exception of children with special educational needs, we do not make any arrangements for the provision of education at schools not maintained by the Local Authority. You should apply directly to the school but it is helpful if you let us know you are applying for a place for your child elsewhere.
Return to questions
You can include up to three preferences of school on your form. Indicating only one or two preferences does not increase your chance of a place in those schools.
Return to questions
You should put the school you would most prefer first on your list.
Important information
You should consider how the admission authority for a school processes applications as this may affect how you rank your preferences on your form. Not all admission authorities process applications for their schools in the same way. The following information gives details about how applications are processed for Newcastle Community and Voluntary Aided schools.
Return to questions
The Local Authority will make the decision on applications for places in community schools. If any of your preferences are for a Voluntary Aided (Church) school we will send your application to that school. They will let us know if they can offer you a place. If you apply for a place in another Local Authority we will send your application to them for consideration.
Return to questions
If there are fewer applicants than there are available places in a school then all applicants will be offered a place in the school.
If there are more applicants the admission authority (either the LA or the governing body if it is a Voluntary Aided (Church) school) has admission criteria (often called oversubscription criteria) that they use to decide which children should be offered a place.
Voluntary Aided schools do not have the same admission criteria as Newcastle Community schools. The admissions criteria for each of the Voluntary Aided schools in Newcastle can be found on each schools individual web page in our schools A to Z. The Local Authority will, on behalf of the VA school governing body, offer a place to you at whichever of the schools you ranked highest.
Important Information - Our co-ordinated admission arrangements mean that you will receive only one offer of a place in a Newcastle Community or Voluntary Aided school. If your child is eligible for a place in more than one school then our arrangements mean that you will be allocated a place at the highest ranked school you nominated on your form, where your child is eligible for a place. For example, is your child is eligible for a place at the schools you nominated 1st and 2nd we will offer a place at the school you put 1st. If your child is eligible for a place at your 2nd and 3rd nominated schools then we will offer a place at the school you put 2nd.
Return to questions
The closing date for applications is 24 October 2008.
Return to questions
If you return your form after 24 October 2008, your application will be considered as late. This may reduce your chance of gaining a place in the school you want.
Late applications - exeptional reasons
If your application is late for an exceptional reason, for example, you have just moved into the area, it will be accepted up to January 2009 when the allocation procedure will begin. Otherwise late applications will be considered for any remaining places after the allocation period has ended on 13 March 2009.
Return to questions
You can get advice about changing your preferences. Telephone the School Admissions and Transfers Team on 0191 277 7428 or email admissions.education@newcastle.gov.uk
You can write to the Admissions Team to change your preferred school(s). Requests received after the closing date of 24 October 2008 will be treated as late applications.
If you have submitted your application by email, then email admissions.education@newcastle.gov.uk again with your new preference, with the subject of your email ‘changed preference’.
We will write to you by 2 March 2009 to let you know the result of your application.
You have until the 13 March 2009 to let the school know if you are accepting a place in a Newcastle school.
If you do not respond by this date then the offer may be withdrawn. Please check arrangements for other Local Authorities.
Return to questions
We will always try to offer you a place at your preferred school. If we are unable to do so, we will allocate you a place at the next highest ranked school you nominated where your child is eligible for a place.
If we are unable to offer you a place at any of your preferred schools then we will provide you with a list of alternatives and offer you a place at the nearest community school to your home address measured straight line distance in Newcastle with a vacancy.
You have the right to appeal against the decision. Appeals are to an independent panel whose decision is binding.
Click here for details of the appeals procedure.
Important Information
When considering an appeal you should be aware of the class size restrictions that apply to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes as this means that the grounds for appeal are very restricted.
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, any appeal has to be to the Special Needs Tribunal (external link opens in new window).
Return to questions
If we are unable to offer you a place at your preferred Newcastle school, your child’s name will be kept on a waiting list. Children will be listed, in order, in accordance with the school’s admissions criteria and places will be offered to the highest-ranking applicant on the list, if they become available.
Please note
Applications received after the allocation date will be placed on the waiting list in the position of their ranking according to the admissions criteria. This means that a child on the waiting list can be moved down the list if a late application is received for a child who has higher priority. No priority is given on waiting lists to the date the application form is received.
We will keep waiting lists for Newcastle Community Schools until the official start of the autumn term in September 2009. From this date the waiting list be passed to individual schools. Please check the arrangements of other LAs.
Return to questions
If you need any help or advice about the admissions process please contact the Admissions Team or you can call personally at the Customer Service Centre on the ground floor of the Civic Centre.
The opening times are 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
If you need guidance about the admissions criteria for a particular Voluntary Aided school you should contact the school directly.
Contact details can be found on our schools A to Z.
Advice about admission to schools in neighbouring Local Authorities.
Contact
School Admissions and Transfers Team,
Room 308, Children' s Services Directorate,
Civic Centre,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 8PU
Phone: 0191 277 7428
E-mail: admissions.education@newcastle.gov.uk