Appendix 1 - Important information for Parents who wish to apply for a Year 7 place for their child from September 2010

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In the academic year 2008/2009 and following the outcome of grammar school tests 636 equal preference applications were received. The planned admission number for each Year Group was, and remains at 180 and the Admissions Authority applied the over-subscription criteria approved by the Secretary of State. 180 places were duly allocated - 2 to students with statements of special educational needs, 58 to children whose siblings were already attending the school and 120 allocated using the distances criteria which pertained at that time. 456 equal first preference applications were either unsuccessful or had been offered places by the Local Authority at other schools placed higher on their preference list.

Applications for entry to the School in September 2010 should be made using the Medway Council Common Application Form, which will be provided by the Local Authority (LA). Clear guidance will be given to parents by the Local Authority (LA) in their Booklet entitled "Admission to Secondary School September 2010: A Guide for Parents" which will be distributed by your child's primary school.

The Admissions Authority of The Thomas Aveling School wish to provide parents with the following important information and guidance at the earliest opportunity to assist them with their application.

The Application Process

• Parents should refer to The Thomas Aveling School Policy for Admission of Pupils. A copy of this will be made available with each prospectus and with these guidance notes
• The Thomas Aveling School is a Foundation school and as such, the Governing Body is the Admissions Authority, hereafter known as the Governing Body Admissions Authority (GBAA)
• The Planned Admission Number for Year 7 from September 2010 is 180.
• Should the number of applications exceed the Planned Admission Number of 180, the GBAA will apply the school's over-subscription criteria, which has been approved by The Secretary of State, in the following order:
  
  Over-subscription criteria
• 1. Children in public care
  2. Current Family Association, ie. an older sibling who is on the roll of the school when the application is made, living in the same household, who must still be attending at the point of entry in September 2010.  In this instance, sibling means one of the following:
     
     
  3. • an older brother or sister
     • Step brother or sister
     • Foster brother or sister, or
     • those who live as brother or sister in the same house.  
       
       In all cases, children must reside in the same household
       
       
  4. Nearness of children's homes - The Governors of The Thomas Aveling School have adopted Medway Council's criteria for measuring the nearness of children's homes to The Thomas Aveling School. Distance will be measured by the shortest available safe walking route between home and school. This will include footpaths where applicable, as measured by Medway Council's Geographical Information System.

It should also be noted that the GBAA are required under the Special Needs Code of Practice to first offer a place to children with a statement of special educational needs where, following consultation with the Local Authority that the child's individual needs can be met, the school is named.

Fraudulent Applications/Withdrawal of offer

In fairness to all applicants, the GBAA will ensure that reasonable checks are made to ensure the accuracy of details as stated on application forms. Any intentionally misleading applications or false claims to residence may lead to the withdrawal of any offer which may have been made and could affect further children's applications for a place. Failure to respond to an offer of a place within a reasonable time may also result in withdrawal of the offer.

Refusal of a place/right of appeal

If, having applied the over-subscription criteria, the school is unable to offer a place, parents will be contacted in writing and advised of the reason why a place could not be offered. They will, at that time, be given information about their right of Independent Appeal and details of how to make their appeal.