Starting School A GUIDE FOR PARENTS & CARERS 2019 - 2020 - Monmouthshire County Council
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STARTING SCHOOL
Starting School
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS & CARERS
2019 - 2020
Publication date September 2018
Important dates relating to your School Admissions Online
child’s admission to school
Primary School Secondary School
Packs Available Packs Available Is your child eligible to start School (Reception) in September 2019?
5th November 2018 1st October 2018 Or maybe you have a child currently in year 6, getting ready to
move up to Secondary School? If so...
Closing date for Closing date for
applications: applications: Why not take advantage of our online application system
Monday 14th January Friday 30th November
2019 at midday 2018 at midday
s of
Offer date: Offer date: What are the benefit
16th April 2019 1st March 2019 Primary to Secondary the system?
Applications rantees the
• Saves on postage costs
and gua
application
System available to use from safe delivery of your child’s
sing date of ledg ement once
1st October 2018 until clo atic ack now
Please ensure that you complete an application form either on-line or • Get an autom
mitt ed and
8 at 12 midday. your application has been
sub
on a paper application form which can be obtained from The School 30th November 201
received by us
and Student Access Unit on 01633 644508. Admission to Primary • Ability to view and amend
your application
ns
(Reception) Applicatio online up until the publish
ed closing date
on the
System available to use from o our syst em
• Ability to log ont
Please ensure that your completed application is returned prior to the closing date of e to find out if your child’s
5th November 2018 until publish ed offe r dat
ces sful
above closing dates. Failure to do so will disadvantage your child’s 14th January 2019 at 12 mid day. application has been suc
School Admissions
application and increase the risk of them not obtaining a place at For further information on
-
Secondary offer date and to access the online app
lication system,
your preferred School. 1st March 2019 please visit: www.monm out hsh ire.gov.uk
h April 2019
Primary offer date - 16t
-place
/applying-for-a- school
For more information on
the application process
and the evidence that
we require, please refer
to pages 20 - 23 of this
booklet.
1 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 2
Contents Introduction
Introduction 4 DEAR PARENT/CARER
Term dates 2018/19 5
Provision of Education In Monmouthshire 6-9 At this important time in your child’s life this booklet is provided to support you in
What will my child study in Primary School? 10 - 13 your next steps.
What will my child study in Secondary School? 13 - 17
Admissions Procedure 17 Monmouthshire is proud of its achievements for all its children and young
Admission to Early Years Education 18 - 19 people. We aim to provide learning opportunities and experiences that
Admission to Infant/Primary School 20 - 21 allow pupils and students to achieve their potential in all aspects of their life
Admission to Secondary School 22 and the future.
Admission to Voluntary Aided Schools 21
Important Dates Relating to your Child’s Admission 21 The Directorate for Children and Young People has an excellent record of
Applying for a Primary/Secondary School Place 22 - 27 achieving a very high percentage of first preferences for school places. We are
Allocation of places at Local Authority maintained: proud of this achievement and want to continue to work with you and our schools
Primary/Secondary Schools 28 - 30 to meet your needs wherever possible. We are also determined to ensure that
Late Applications 31 - 32 when your child starts school, this very important time for your family is supported
Some reasons why we may refuse an admission 33 - 35 with clear information. This booklet is designed to provide you with the detail you
Appeals 35 - 37 need to ensure that the process is a positive experience from the start. Staff in the
In Year – transfer between schools 37 - 38 Directorate will be pleased to help and support in any way they can.
Admissions arrangements for VA Schools 39 - 70
We are sure that you appreciate that the information offered here is for general
Useful Information Section
guidance only. Each year we forecast the demands for places in schools. From
time to time external and unexpected factors can challenge the accuracy of our
projections.
Frequently asked questions regarding admissions 72 - 74
Frequently asked questions regarding transport 75 - 78
To assist you in deciding on your preferences there are specific details in relation
Special Educational /Additional Learning Needs 79 - 81
to the Primary and Secondary schools in Monmouthshire and surrounding areas
Healthy Schools Scheme 72 - 84
contained in this booklet.
School Meals 85 - 88
School clothing grants 89
This is a milestone event for you and your child. We are here to help.
School Governors and Health & Safety 91
Education Welfare Service 92
Will Mclean
A Guide for our Customers 93
Chief Officer for Children and Young People
Concerns or Complaints about Schools 94
Local Authority Maintained Nurseries in Monmouthshire 95-96
County Councillor Richard John
Non - maintained Early Years Provision 97
Cabinet Member for Children & Young People.
A list of Primary Education in Monmouthshire 98 - 105
A list of Secondary Education in Monmouthshire 106 - 107
Useful Contacts 108
Terms used in this booklet 109
Publication date September 2018
133 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 4
Term Dates 2019 - 2020 Provision of Education
Please see below our confirmed School Term Dates
in Monmouthshire
and Holidays for the 2019/20 academic year.
Monmouthshire is proud to offer the following
Within Monmouthshire, we ensure that appropriate consultation is held educational provision within it’s County:
with our neighbouring Authorities with the view to ensuring compliance and
consistency of dates, although this is not always possible. We acknowledge Nursery Education
the importance of consistency of term dates across neighbouring Authorities Monmouthshire has twelve nursery units attached to mainstream schools.
and how this relates to a variety of implications for parents, staff and The authority maintains these nurseries which provide free, part time early
children. years education (if there are spaces available) for pupils from the term
following their third birthday.
These dates comply with those dates being put forward by our immediate
neighbouring Authorities which include Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent We also support many private day nurseries, pre-prep schools, playgroups,
and Cardiff. crèches and cylchoedd meithrin (playgroups using the medium of welsh).
These settings are approved providers of early year’s education.
Term Term Half Term Half Term Term Number
Details of the Local Authority maintained and private nurseries can be found
Begins Begins Ends Ends of Days
on pages 93 - 94
Autumn MONDAY MONDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY 75 Primary Education (4-11)
02.09.19 28.10.19 01.11.19 20.12.19
The County Council offers a number of educational
establishments at Primary level:
Spring MONDAY MONDAY FRIDAY THURSDAY 65
06.01.20 17.02.20 21.03.20 03.04.20
Primary Community (English) 20
Primary Community (Welsh) 2
MONDAY MONDAY FRIDAY MONDAY 60
Summer Primary Church in Wales VC 4
20.04.20 25.05.20 29.05.20 20.07.20 Primary Church in Wales VA 3
Primary Roman Catholic VA 2
200
Details of the above Schools are on pages 96 - 103
Inclusive of 5 days for teachers in-service training
May Day 04.05.2020
Total Number of Days 200
Total Number of Pupil Days 195
Please contact schools for details of their individual Inset days
5 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 6
Welsh Medium Primary Education All schools provide a broad and balanced
The Authority maintains two Welsh Medium Primary Schools curriculum and offer many additional
located in Abergavenny (Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni) and Caldicot opportunities through a wide range of
extra-curricular activities which take place
(Ysgol Gymraeg Y Ffin). outside lesson times offering children the
best opportunity to develop themselves
Children wishing to be educated through the medium of Welsh will
as an individual, socially and academically.
receive free Home to School Transport to their nearest Welsh Medium
GCSE, AS and A level results in
establishment.
Monmouthshire schools consistently achieve
grades above the welsh average.
Voluntary Controlled Schools
These co-educational day schools, whilst under the control of the Local Monmouthshire Secondary Schools and their sixth form provision continues
Authority as far as admissions are concerned, offer an education which is to develop individuals with the skills to succeed in Further Education and life
founded on Christian principles and values. beyond statutory schooling.
Special Secondary Education
Voluntary Aided Schools
Mounton House Special School is located in Chepstow and accommodates
These are voluntary aided co-educational day schools which are
11-16 year old boys with significant social, emotional and behavioural
maintained jointly by the the Local Authority and voluntary bodies. All
difficulties.
aided schools in the County are either part of Catholic or Church in Wales
Caldicot School and Monmouth Comprehensive School have an Additional
denominational groups.
Educational Needs Base to provide for children who have additional
learning needs.
Children wishing to be educated at a school which offers denominational
education will receive free Home to School Transport to their nearest
Welsh Medium Secondary Education
denominational setting.
Monmouthshire has developed close links with neighboring authorities
Torfaen County Council and Newport County Council to provide Welsh
Special Primary Education
Medium Education at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw for the North of the County
Overmonnow Primary School (Monmouth), Pembroke Primary School
and Ysgol Gwent Is Coed for the South of the County.
(Chepstow), and Deri View Primary School (Abergavenny) have Additional
Educational Needs Units to accommodate those children whose needs
Children wishing to be educated through the medium of Welsh will receive
cannot be met in mainstream education.
free Home to School Transport to their nearest Welsh medium setting
Secondary Education (11-19)
Denominational Secondary Education
All mainstream secondary schools in Monmouthshire are mixed
Monmouthshire, in addition to its mainstream primary schools, offers the
Comprehensive Schools and serve 11 - 19 year olds. These are situated
opportunity for parents to educate their children in a setting complimentary
close to the four major towns in Monmouthshire.
to their religious beliefs and understanding.
7 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 8
Whilst Monmouthshire does not currently offer denominational secondary
What will my child
educational settings, we appreciate that you may wish to continue to
educate your child in such a school and we would support this.
study in Primary School?
Children’s Primary Education is divided into two areas. Since September
Children wishing to be educated at a School which offers denominational 2008, the curriculum for children aged 3-7 has been called the Foundation
education will receive free Home to School Transport to their nearest Phase. A statutory framework called ‘The Framework for Children’s Learning
denominational setting. from 3-7 year olds in Wales’ is available to support the curriculum. The
Foundation Phase features an active learning style, developing independence
Please see page 105 for details of local denominational secondary schools and confidence inside and outside in purposefully constructed environments.
outside of Monmouthshire.
Foundation Phase
Post 16 Education Foundation Phase contains 7 areas of learning:
Monmouthshire 14-19 Learning Pathways Network is a collaborative • Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity
network of learning providers dedicated to broadening the choice and • L anguage, Literacy and Communication Development (studied in Welsh in
flexibility available to young people aged between 14 and 19. Welsh Medium Settings)
• Mathematical Development
The network ensures that the individual needs of young people are met • Welsh Language Development (omitted in Welsh Medium Settings)
and provides greater opportunities and experiences that will help learners • Knowledge and Understanding of the World
develop the wider skills they need for life and work. • Physical Development
• Creative Development
Vision The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on children learning by doing.
For example, mathematics will be more practical so that children can see
how problems are solved and how important mathematics is in their
To provide the students of Monmouthshire with an educational everyday lives.
provision that prepares them to participate fully in today and
tomorrow’s society. From September 2008 pupils aged 7-14 have followed a revised curriculum
which is skills based and makes links between learning in different subject
areas. There is an emphasis on the development of thinking skills and using
Within Monmouthshire, we are fortunate to have 4 the skills of literacy, numeracy and IT across the curriculum.
Comprehensive Schools offering 6th form facilities for those
wishing to continue their education through to the age of 19. The new orders of the National Curriculum (NC) consist of three core
subjects of English, Mathematics and Science with the addition of Welsh in
We also have close links with Coleg Gwent to broaden the
Welsh medium Primary and Secondary schools. The foundation subjects of
options available to the children of Monmouthshire. Welsh second language, Design Technology, Information Technology, History,
Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education makes up the remainder of
the National Curriculum.
9 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 10
A Non-Statutory “Skills Framework for 3 to 19 year olds in Wales” All learners in years 2 through to 9 will be required to be assessed using the
has been developed in order to provide guidance about continuity and national tests for the first time in May 2013. Parents should be informed
progression in developing thinking, communication, ICT and number for of the outcome of a test undertaken by their child. It is expected that the
learners. Learners develop their thinking across the curriculum through the information will form part of the annual report to parents / carers.
process of planning, developing and reflecting. Children are also required
to study Religious Education (RE), Cwricwlwm Cymreig and Personal, Social Are there any exceptions from the National Curriculum?
Education (PSE). Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious or sex
In maintained schools the RE syllabus is laid down by the Local Authority. education. However, they may not withdraw them from the National
In voluntary aided schools, a denominational syllabus is followed. In Curriculum subjects, or from the arrangements to assess pupils’ progress in
voluntary controlled schools, the RE syllabus is that laid down by the Local these subjects.
Authority but parents can opt for a denominational Religious Education.
The agreed syllabus is overseen by the Standing Advisory Council on Occasionally, if a child has certain Special Educational Needs, he or she
Religious Education (SACRE) may be excused from all or part of the National Curriculum on a temporary
basis.
The National Literacy and Numeracy Framework
In order to raise standards in literacy and numeracy for all learners aged 5 Teaching of Welsh in English-Medium Schools
to 14, the Welsh Government has introduced a new national Literacy and Under the requirements of the National Curriculum for Schools in Wales
Numeracy Framework (LNF) which was launched on the Learning Wales and regulations laid down by the Secretary of State, the teaching of Welsh is
site at the end of January 2013. Both primary and secondary schools will a compulsory subject at all schools in Monmouthshire.
use the Framework to make sure that the teaching of literacy and numeracy
skills is embedded in all subjects across the curriculum rather than focused Who makes the decisions about the curriculum in schools?
on English, Welsh and Maths lessons alone. Legislation sets out the national curriculum requirements for schools whilst
The Foundation Phase places great importance on literacy and numeracy. the Local Authority determines the syllabus for Religious Education. The
In the Foundation Phase children are introduced to early literacy through school decides its own curriculum taking account of these requirements and
real context learning in a print rich environment. The LNF became a organises its own timetables.
statutory curriculum requirement from September 2013, with formal
assessment against the LNF becoming a requirement from September It is for the school to ensure that its curriculum meets the legal requirements.
2014. The Framework will allow teachers and early years’ practitioners
to monitor pupils’ progress against year on year expectations for literacy How are Schools Supported?
and numeracy and will help schools to identify how best to challenge and Monmouthshire Local Authority has entered into partnership with four
support all their learners. neighbouring Local Authorities to form the South East Wales Consortium
(SEWC). The Local Authorities that form SEWC are: Monmouthshire CC,
The introduction of the LNF has been supported by a new National Support Torfaen CC, Newport City Council, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly. As part
programme (NSP) funded by the Welsh Government to offer direct support of this arrangement, an Education Achievement Service (EAS) has been
to schools and teachers. It is first and foremost a curriculum planning created to support, monitor and challenge Schools within Monmouthshire,
tool, identifying clear annual expected outcomes in literacy and numeracy. and the Consortium as a whole.
Schools will be expected to report annually on individual pupil’s progress,
strengths and areas of development.
11 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 12
Schools are inspected by teams of inspectors at least once every six years. What must my child study?
These are undertaken by the office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of The National Curriculum for pupils in Key Stage 3
Schools in Wales (ESTYN). (from 11 - 14 years of age) is made up of the following subjects:
• English • Design and Technology
Following an ESTYN inspection, the full report of the findings is provided • Welsh (as a second language,
in addition to a summary report which must be given to all parents. • Information Technology
except for pupils who attend • A Modern Foreign Language
The Governing Body must take this into account and include it’s Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw and • History
recommendations in its subsequent School Improvement Plan (SIP). Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, and • Geography
study Welsh as a first language) • Music
Following an Estyn inspection schools can receive • Mathematics • Art
different levels of follow-up activity, these are; • Science • Physical Education
Excellent practice case study, Local Authority
up categories that schools can be placed into, they At Key Stage 4 (14-16 years of age) only five subjects constitute the
are Significant Improvement or Special Measures. National Curriculum, these being:
Each of these statutory categories requires the • English • Mathematics
governing body and the local authority to adhere to • Welsh • Science
a series of additional statutory actions. Copies of • Physical Education
our schools Estyn Reports can be found by visiting This allows pupils to choose other subjects leading to GCSE or vocational
www.estyn.gov.uk qualifications.
All Schools will meet the minimum entitlement laid down by the Welsh
National Curriculum Government of the availability of 30 options from which to choose with at
The National Curriculum is designed to provide a firm foundation in least 5 of these being vocational.
English, Welsh, Mathematics and Science, and to provide children between
the ages of 5 and 16 with the opportunity to achieve their best within a Skills across the Curriculum
broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum. A Non-Statutory “Skills Framework for 3 to 19 year olds in Wales” has been
developed in order to provide guidance about continuity and progression in
developing thinking, communication, ICT and number for learners.
What will my child study in Learners develop their thinking across the curriculum through the process of
planning, developing and reflecting.
Secondary School?
For 14 - 19 learners, the framework should provide the basis for making
effective progress in these skills, which can be assessed through a range of
skills, , including key skills.
At Secondary School your child will study the National Curriculum through In both Key Stages, pupils must also follow Religious Education (according
two Key Stages. These are: to a syllabus laid down by the Local Authority).
Sixth Form Provision
• Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9 All four of Monmouthshire’s secondary schools have sixth form provision,
• Key Stage 4: Years 10 -11 years 12 and 13. Schools are responsible for the admission arrangements
to these year groups so please contact them directly. Contact details for
Monmouthshire Secondary Schools can be found on pages 104 - 106.
13 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 14
Are there any exceptions from the National Curriculum Assessment is an important element of the School Curriculum. Children are
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious or assessed on entry to the Foundation Phase to establish a baseline of what
sex education. However, they may not withdraw them from National they know and can do when they first start school. They are also statutorily
Curriculum subjects or from the arrangements to assess pupils’ progress in assessed at the end of the Foundation Phase, KS2 and 3 (ages 7,11 and
these subjects. 14) based on the National Curriculum (NC) programmes of study they have
followed.
Occasionally, if a child has certain additional learning needs, he/she may
At the end of the Foundation Phase, KS2 and 3 assessment is by Teacher
be excused from all or part of the National Curriculum on a temporary
Assessment (TA) only. At the end of Key Stage 4, pupils are assessed
basis.
principally through the accredited qualifications of the General Certificate
of Secondary Education (GCSE), General National Vocational Qualification
Teaching of Welsh in English Medium Schools (GNVQ) and Certificate of Education Achievement (CoEA) that are approved
Under the requirements of the National Curriculum for Schools in Wales for use with pupils of compulsory school age.
and regulations laid down by the Secretary of State, the teaching of Welsh is
How are Schools Supported?
a compulsory subject at all schools in Monmouthshire.
As with Primary Schools, the EAS will support, monitor and evaluate schools
Regulations exempt pupils (from outside Wales) from studying Welsh, who
both within the County and the wider Consortium.
enter a school in years 9, 10 or 11 of secondary education.
Schools are inspected by teams of inspectors at least once every six years.
Inspections are undertaken by the Office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of
Who makes the decisions about the curriculum in school? Schools in Wales (ESTYN).
Legislation sets out for schools the National Curriculum requirements and
the local syllabus for Religious Education. The school decides its own Following an ESTYN inspection, the full report of the findings is provided
curriculum taking account of these requirements and organises its own in addition to a summary report which must be given to all parents. The
timetables. It is for the school to ensure that its curriculum meets the legal Governing Body must take this into account and recommendations included
requirements. in its subsequent School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Following an ESTYN inspection schools can receive different levels of follow-
Who is responsible for entering pupils for public up activity, these are; Excellent practice case study, Local Authority follow-up,
examinations? ESTYN Monitoring. In addition, there are two statutory follow-up categories
School Governors have responsibility for entering pupils for prescribed that schools can be placed into.
public examinations although they may delegate this function to the Head
They are Significant Improvement
Teacher.
or Special Measures. Each of
these statutory categories requires
Secondary aged pupils, if considered suitable by the Head teacher, are
the Governing Body and the Local
entered for the examinations of the Welsh Joint Education Committee
Authority to adhere to a series of
and/or other examining boards. The timetables for the examinations are
additional statutory actions. Copies
arranged by the Welsh Joint Education Committee and other examining
of our schools ESTYN Reports can be
boards. Head teachers are notified of these, and the subsequent
found by visiting www.estyn.gov.uk
examination results, directly by these boards.
15 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 16
Standards in Schools
Admissions to
The Authority continues to work with its schools and the EAS in
implementing a policy framework to ensure that standards in schools
Early Years Education
continue to improve. Since Monmouthshire was created as a Local
Education Authority, there have been steady improvements in standards in Timetable for Nursery Admissions
Foundation Phase and Key Stages 2 and 3 and in the pass rates at GCSE Admission Admissions Parents Closing date Allocation Parents
and A Level. As a result in 2015 Monmouthshire is ranked 2nd for the Phase pack consideration period by LA Informed by
Foundation Phase, 1st for Key Stage 2 core subject indicators, 2nd for Key available period
Stage 3 core subject indicators and first for the Level 2 threshold including to parents
English and Maths. The aim is to continue to build on these successes
to increase the rate of pupil progress. The Authority sets and publishes Nursery 03.09.2018 from midday on 13.10.2018 - 30th
improvement targets for Key Stages 2 to 4 each year. It works closely with (Jan 2019 & 04.09.2018 - 12.10.2018 29.11.2018 November
schools to achieve these targets and to raise educational standards. There Sept 2019 12.10.2018 2018
are specific objectives in the Directorate Plan aimed at tackling the issue of Intake)
raising standards. These include transforming ALN provision, improving
performance in literacy, numeracy and key skills, enhancing provision for Nursery 04.06.2018 04.06.2018 – 12 15.10.2018 – 8th March
Eligible for free school meals pupils and other vulnerable groups. April 2019 12.10.2018 midday on 29.11.2018 2019
intake 12.10.2018
Admissions Procedure
Children born between the 1st September 2015 and 31st March 2016 may
Each year, the Local Authority consults upon its admission arrangements be offered an early start in the term following their 3rd birthday, this will
and attempts where possible to mirror the admission round timeframes of be dealt with through the same process using the same application form,
neighbouring authorities. however parents will not be notified of an early start in April until the 8th
March 2019.
Prior to the consultation, the admission numbers for all schools should be Children will be admitted from the first term following their third birthday.
determined and form part of this consultation. The admission numbers Please note the required timescales for nursery admissions is highlighted
for the schools are derived from the physical capacity of the school to above. Upon receipt of all in time applications, the following criteria will be
accommodate pupil’s learning needs. applied in priority order, if the number of applications exceeds the number
of available places.
Each year, the date at which all application forms will be sent to parents/
(a) Medical or social grounds highlighted by appropriate agencies, such
carers is set. Simultaneously, a closing date for completed applications as Looked After Children, Gwent Health Care or Social Services and
is established. The Authority will ensure that this timeframe between children identified as having exceptional Special Educational Needs at
distribution and closing dates is no shorter than six weeks. the time that the application for admission is made.
The offer date, when parents/carers will be informed of the outcomes (b) Sibling priority; for siblings already in the nursery unit (not the main
of their applications is also established as part of the consultation on school), at the time of admission. For these purposes siblings will be
admission arrangements. attending the preferred school when the younger child would be eligible
to start. (In the case of Magor VA Primary School, priority is given to
children with siblings in attendance at the nursery and school)
17 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 18(c) Geographical Proximity: after taking account of categories (a) and (b),
Admissions
priority will be based on closeness to the preferred nursery measured by to Primary School (age 4 – 11)
the most direct route by road. Measurement will be taken using a digital
information mapping system. Places for children living out of County The Authority will admit a child to a maintained primary school at the
start of the academic year in which he/she will be 5 years old. The legal
will be allocated on condition that their Local Authority have cross requirements confirm that parents are able to delay the admission of
border funding arrangements in place with Local Authority and are in their child until the term following their 5th birthday; however, it is a Local
agreement with the placements. Authority Policy that the child will continue to follow their chronological year
A list of Local Authority Nurseries can be found on page 93 - 94 group unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Attendance at a feeder nursery does not exclude the need to apply
To apply for a Local Authority Nursery Place you will need to complete an for a Reception place at the School. Please note that priority for
application form, this can be obtained from the relevant school or from the admission is not given to those children attending a feeder nursery.
Access Unit on 01633 644508 or by emailing: Having read all the information available in this booklet and from individual
schools parents may indicate their preferred school(s) for their child to
accesstolearning@monmouthshire.gov.uk attend. Before deciding to apply for a place at a particular school, you
need to consider carefully how your child will travel to school, as you will
Alternatively you can complete an online application form that will be not necessarily be eligible for transport assistance. (See pages 75 - 78 for
available on the 3rd September 2018. details on Home to School Transport).
The website is www.monmouthshire.gov.uk Admission will be based on the criteria listed on pages 22 - 30. If the
Authority is unable to allocate according to parents preferred school(s)
When submitting an application, you will be asked to provide your child’s then we will offer a place at the next nearest School with places available.
Parents are entitled to appeal against the decision to refuse a place at their
birth certificate to verify the date of birth and any appropriate document
preferred School(s) (please refer to pages 35 - 37).
considered necessary to verify the home address. Please see the timetable on page 23 for important dates when applying for
a School place.
Admissions to Secondary
If a child is refused a place at nursery, parents do not have a right to
appeal, as nursery education is non statutory.
Please note: The admittance to a nursery class does not guarantee a place School (age 11 – 19)
at the feeder school as a separate application is required. Attendance at a Primary or Junior school does not guarantee that a place
will be made available for your child at the feeder Comprehensive school.
Although every effort will be made to accommodate parental preference,
The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership have a where a school is over-subscribed, the over-subscription criteria will be
responsibility to ensure that a part time, good quality Early Education applied (see pages 28 - 30).
place is available to those parents who choose it for their children from the Parents are invited to express their preference for a secondary school for
beginning of the term following their third birthday. their child. Before deciding to apply for a place at a particular school, you
need to consider carefully how your child will travel to school, as you will
In addition to Local Authority Nurseries, children can also access early not necessarily be eligible for transport assistance. (See pages 75 - 78 for
education at any of our Approved Non - Maintained Providers, which details on Home to School Transport).
If you wish for your child to attend a School which resides within Newport,
include playgroups, private day nurseries and pre-prep schools. A full list, you must apply directly to Newport Local Authority. You are also advised
including contact details and opening hours, can be found at to complete and return the Monmouthshire Application Form detailing
www.monfis.org.uk alternative preferences in case you are unsuccessful in your application to
attend this School.
19 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 20On your application you must clearly record that you have also applied for This excludes Schools that reside within Newport, where you will need to
a place at a Newport School. apply directly to Newport Local Authority. You are advised to also apply
for a place stating a preference for a Monmouthshire School just in case
Admission will be based on the criteria listed on pages 22 - 30. you are unsuccessful in your application to attend this School. On your
application you should clearly record that you are seeking a place in
If the Authority is unable to allocate according to parent’s preference another LA.
School(s) then a place will be offered at the next nearest School with places If you are applying for an Independent school you must apply directly to
that school. You are advised to also apply for a place stating a preference
available. Parents are entitled to appeal against the decision to refuse a
for a Monmouthshire School just in case you are unsuccessful in your
place at their preference School(s) (please refer to pages 35 -37). application to attend an independent School.
Please see the timetable on page 23 for important dates when On your application you should clearly record that you are seeking a
applying for a School place. place at an independent school.
Admission
Please note that an application made to attend an Independent
School or School outside Monmouthshire will qualify as one of your
to Voluntary Aided Schools preferences and will be ranked accordingly.
Governing Bodies of Voluntary Aided Schools have responsibility for their Applying for a Primary/
own admission arrangements and allocation procedures.
Secondary School place
If you are applying for a place at a Voluntary Aided School you must apply Parents must complete an application form in order to obtain a school
directly to that school. You are also advised to complete and return the place. There is the opportunity to complete an application on-line or
Monmouthshire Application Form detailing alternative preferences in case alternatively via a paper application.
you are unsuccessful in your application to attend the Voluntary Aided Having read all the information in this booklet and from individual schools,
parents may indicate their preferred school for their child to attend. Parents
School. On your application you must clearly record that you have also
are invited to express up to three preferences (in order of priority) in the
applied for a place at a Voluntary Aided School. event that admission to the preferred school has been refused.
Your preferences will be considered equally in line with the Local
Please see pages 39-70 for information on the Admissions criteria for Authority’s over-subscription criteria (pages 28 - 30) and not based
Voluntary Aided Schools. on the order in which you list your preferences. However, the highest
Important Dates Relating to your
preference school will be offered in the event that one or more
preferences can be met.
Child’s Admission to School You are strongly advised to include more than one preference
on your application as you will be disadvantaged over other
If you would like to apply for a Local Authority Maintained school that is applications if you do not.
outside Monmouthshire then you must send your form to Monmouthshire Please note that an application made to attend an independent
Local Authority. When you return your form to us stating your preference for school or a school outside Monmouthshire will qualify as one of your
an out of county school, we will liaise with the relevant authority in order to preferences and will be ranked accordingly.
determine your application. It is advisable to state a second and third Before you decide to apply for a place at a particular school, you need to
preference on your form in case the school you have chosen cannot consider carefully how your child will travel to school, since you will not
necessarily be eligible for transport assistance (please see pages 75 - 78 for
be offered to you.
details of the Council’s School Transport Policy).
21 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 22Timetable for Admissions Please ensure that this is received by us by the relevant closing date.
Failure to do so may result in you not achieving a place at your
Admission Admissions Parents Closing Allocation Parents preferred School(s).
Phase pack consideration date period by LA Informed by The offer of a school place will be based upon the applicant being resident
available period at the address declared on the application form, as at the published offer
to parents date. However, parents who are aware prior to the offer date that they are
unlikely to remain resident at the address declared on their application must
Secondary 01.10.2018 02.10.2018 - 30.11.2019 01.12.2018- 01.03.2019 inform us so that their application can be amended. Any offer of a school
29.11.18 28.02.2019 place could be withdrawn if it is later found that this is not the case.
Where parents advise us, at the time of application, that they are moving
Reception 05.11.2018 06.11.2018 - 12 midday 15.01.2019- 16.04.2019
property and provide the Local Authority with evidence to validate this
13.01.2019 on 15.04.2019
move, any offer of a school place on this basis would be under the
14.01.2019
circumstance that the applicant is resident at the new property at the time
the child concerned commences School. Any offer of a school place could
• The Admissions team take a proactive approach to ensure that be withdrawn if it is later found that this is not the case.
application forms are distributed to parents directly, where possible. Data
protection regulations prevent us from accessing all pupil information, Acceptance of a school place
and therefore we would urge you to contact us should you not receive an On receipt of an offer of a school place, parents are required to confirm
application pack within the timescales given in the above timetable. As their acceptance of this school place in writing within 14 days of notification
a reminder, it is parental responsibility to apply for a place and to of the school place offer. Failure to do so could result in the offer of a
notify us of a change of address school place being withdrawn.
• Applications received after the closing date or that remain incomplete
as at the closing date will be treated as late (see pages 31 - 32). It is Moving Address
essential to send your form in by the closing date in order to increase the Parents/carers who are in the process of moving property, will be required
probability of securing your preferred School. to notify the Local Authority at the time of application of the proposed move
• Any change in preference should be made in writing to the School and and submit evidence to validate their new address, in order for this address
Student Access Unit. Any preference that is changed after the closing to be considered. Suitable evidence would be a copy of the exchange
date will result in the application being treated as a late application (see of contracts (for purchases) or long term tenancy agreement (for rental
pages 31 - 32). arrangements). The application and notification of intended change of
address must be submitted prior to the published closing date in order to be
• You must include your Council Tax reference number on the application considered as an in time application. Failure to notify the Local Authority of
form. The local Authority will use information held by the Council Tax an intended move to a new address prior to the published closing date will
Department to verify your address is correct. result in the application being determined as a “late application”.
• Please return the completed application form (including the necessary
evidence) to the School and Student Access Unit, Directorate for Children
and Young People, PO Box 106, Caldicot, NP26 9AN.
23 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 24Parents/carers that are in the process of moving, but are not able to Unexpected change of Address
validate the move prior to the closing date, will need to ensure that their Should a parent, who has submitted an application prior to the published
completed application is submitted prior to the published closing date, and closing date, notify us of an unexpected change of address that has
that the application provides information on the intention to move. The occurred since submission of their application, the Local Authority will
Local Authority will liaise with parents/carers regarding the proposed move consider on a discretionary basis the circumstances of the unexpected
in order to obtain confirmation that residence at the new property has been change of address prior to determining the application as being late.
secured. However, parents will need to provide the Local Authority with Unfortunately, such discretion can only be exercised if notification and
evidence that secures their change of address no later than 6 weeks prior to evidence of the change of address is provided no later than 6 weeks prior
the published offer date in order for the new address to be considered for to the published offer date in order for the new address to be considered for
allocation purposes. allocation purposes.
Where the Local Authority accepts evidence to validate a property move It is a parent’s responsibility to notify the Local Authority of a change of
and uses the new property for allocation purposes, the offer of a school address that takes place during the application process. Failure to do so
place will be based on the applicant being resident at this property at the could result in any offer of a school place being withdrawn.
time of the child’s entrance into the School. Any offer of a school place
could be withdrawn if it is found that the applicant is not resident at the Shared Residency
property at the time of child’s entrance into the school. In the event that the residency of a child is shared between two parents, the
address where the child concerned resides for the majority of the school
Any offer of a school place could be withdrawn as a result of non- week will be used for allocation purposes. This is the address that should be
compliance of the above. declared on the application.
However, if the residency with both parents during the school week is equal,
the address for where the child benefit is paid will be used for allocation
purposes.
School Catchment Areas
Whilst residing within the catchment area for a School forms an element
of the oversubscription criteria, it does not guarantee a placement on this
basis. The Local Authority will refuse to admit above the School’s admission
number, unless the application complies with the permitted exceptions listed
on pages 33 - 34.
Admission of Multiple birth children (e.g. twins or triplets)
If when applying the over-subscription criteria to applications received
requesting admission into the normal year of entry (Reception and Year 7),
and the last child to be admitted is one of a multiple birth, then the Local
Authority will admit the other sibling(s).
25 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 26Where multiple birth applications are received for year groups other Summer Term Births
than the normal year of entry, where there is only one remaining place in In the case of a child born during the summer term, they too are not
the relevant year group before the Admission Number is met, the Local legally required to attend School until the term following their fifth birthday
Authority will consider each case individually before deciding whether the / the September after the normal year of entry for a Reception age child.
admission number is exceeded. Particular consideration will need to be However, in such circumstances the Local Authority will continue to ensure
given to the capacity of the school and the likelihood of causing prejudice that children continue to follow their chronological year group and
to the effective education and efficient use of resources at the preferred therefore the child would be admitted into year 1 and not Reception.
school.
It is only in exceptional circumstances that the Local Authority will authorise
Children of Armed Forces Personnel the admission of a summer term birth into a year group that is outside the
Children of armed forces personnel moving to Monmouthshire will be normal year of entry. In such circumstances, there will need to be a suitable
determined as meeting the residency criteria for the relevant catchment evidence base (e.g. report from an Educational Psychologist) that suggests
school if their application form is accompanied by an official proof of the chronological year group is not suitably able to meet the needs of the
posting declaring a definite return date with confirmation of the new child concerned.
Allocation of Places at Local
address wherever possible.
Where the relevant catchment school has already met its admission number
in the relevant year group at the time of application, the Local Authority will
Authority maintained Primary
exceed the admission number. / Secondary Schools
Please refer to the timetable detailed on page 23 for the timescales
Deferred entry into Primary School that the Admission’s team will work to when allocating places.
The Local Authority will admit a child to a maintained primary/infant school
at the start of the academic year in which he/she will turn 5 years old. Oversubscription Criteria
However, the legal requirements confirm that parents are able to delay the When the number of applications received for a preferred School is less
admission of their child until the term following their 5th birthday. The Local than or equal to the number of available places, all children will be
Authority is obliged to ensure that any offer of a school place is held for admitted assuming that the school concerned can meet the needs of all
parents who wish for their child’s admission into Reception to be deferred applicants.
until later in the academic year. However, when there are more applications than places in a school, the
admission number is exceeded and the over subscription criteria will be
A parent, however, is not able to applied to select which children are to be offered places at the School
defer entry beyond the term concerned. For children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs,
following the child’s fifth birthday, the Authority must admit the child concerned to the School specified on
nor beyond the school year for their statement.
which the application was made. When applying the oversubscription criteria to determine who is to be
awarded places, all parental preferences will be considered equally and
allocated in line with the criteria below. The highest preference school, as
listed on the application form, will be offered in the event that one or more
preferences can be met.
27 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 28When considering the remaining available places, the following criteria will 3. Brothers and sisters, whether half, full, step, or foster will be considered
be used to determine the children that are to be offered places: relevant where living in the same household and where they will still be
registered at the school when the applicant is eligible to attend.
1. L ooked After Children or previously Looked After Children. i.e. children 4. The Local Authority will consider the child’s home address to be the
who are in the care or have previously been in the care of the Local place where the child resides for the majority of the School week. In
Authority, will be given priority over those fulfilling points 2-5 below. the event that the residency of a child is shared between two parents,
( Please see note 1 below ) the address where the child concerned resides for the majority of the
2. C hildren with exceptional medical circumstances will be given priority school week will be used for allocation purposes. This is the address
over those fulfilling points 3-5 below. ( Please see note 2 below ) that should be declared on the application. However, if the residency
3. C hildren with relevant siblings at the preferred School will be given with both parents during the school week is equal, the address for where
priority over points 4-5 below. ( Please see note 3 below) the child benefit is paid will be used for allocation purposes. Whilst
4. C hildren residing within the preferred school’s catchment area will be residing within the catchment area for a School forms an element of
given prior consideration over point 5 below. ( Please see note 4 below ) the oversubscription criteria, it does not guarantee a placement on
5. C hildren residing outside of the catchment area this basis. The Local Authority will refuse to admit above the School’s
admission number, unless the application complies with the permitted
After applying the categories above, or should the school continue to be in exceptions listed on pages 33 - 34.
a position of over-subscription in any of the above categories, priority will 5. The Local Authority will use Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
be based on closeness to the preferred school, measured using the shortest to calculate home to school distances. The GIS software adopted by
safe walking route. ( Please see note 5 below ). the Local Authority for these purposes will be Routefinder and Mapinfo
desktop solutions.
To clarify, any over-subscription in the above criteria will result in the final
determination of the allocation of a place being made on distance. So for Determination of the shortest safe walking route will be calculated using
example, if there are more applications than places available after applying official routes known to the Local Authority and Highways agencies. The
point 4 above, places will be allocated to those children whose home starting point of the calculated route will be determined as being the
address is determined to be closer to the preferred school. nearest network point to the main entrance of the property. The main
entrance of the home address is determined by the Local Authority to be
Notes: where the property receives post. The finishing point of the calculated route
1. The Local Authority will require suitable evidence to validate that your will be determined as being the nearest official open gate adopted for use
child was previously a looked after child (e.g a copy of the adoption by the preferred school.
confirmation in order for this criteria to be applied.)
2. A
pplicants wishing for their application to be prioritised on the child’s The coordinates of an applicant address will be determined using the Local
medical needs must supported by a medical consultant’s report Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) and Ordnance Survey address base
(obtained by the parents at the time of the application) outlining why the data.
preferred School is the only viable option when compared with other
Schools that the Authority may be able to offer. Where a safe walking route cannot be determined for an applicant, the
shortest driving route will be used for allocation purposes.
29 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 30Late Applications Timetable for processing applications received after the
Any application that is received after the published closing date or closing date (late applications)
applications that remain incomplete as at the closing date will be dealt with
under the late application arrangements. Month Application received Offer date
A change of preference received by the Local Authority after the published Applies to December 2018
closing date will result in the application being determined as late. Secondary January 2019 31.03.19
only
Applications where a change in circumstances have occurred, which have
an impact upon the application’s status within the over-subscription criteria Applies to 14.01.19 (after midday) - 19.04.19 (primary only)
(i.e. change of address), could also result in the application being treated Primary and 31.01.19 05.04.19 (Secondary)
Secondary Feb 2019 26.04.19 (primary)
as late if these changes are brought to the Authority’s attention after the
12.04.19 (Secondary)
closing date. The Local Authority will consider on a discretionary basis the
March 2019 03.05.19 (Primary)
circumstances an unexpected change of address prior to determining the
application as being late.
April 2019 10.05.19
May 2019 07.06.19
Unfortunately, such discretion can only be exercised if notification of the June 2019 05.07.19
change of address is provided no later than 6 weeks prior to the published July 2019 02.08.19
offer date in order for the new address to be considered for allocation 1st August to 8th August 2019 15.08.19
purposes. 9th August to 15th August 2019 22.08.19
Please note that applications
determined as being late may 26th August onwards Processed within 1 week
increase the possibility of not
achieving a place at your preferred
Admission to other year groups
School(s). This is because all Where requests are received for admission into year groups other than the
applications submitted with the normal year of entrance these will not be considered until the start of the
necessary evidence prior to the second half of the summer term (After the Whitsun break). Again these will
closing date will receive priority be batched and are processed as per the oversubscription criteria on a
over those received after the monthly basis. Parents will not be notified of a decision earlier than 4 weeks
closing date. prior to the end of the summer term.
These requests will be collated on a monthly basis and are processed as per
the oversubscription criteria, in the event that the number of applications
received exceeds the number of available places. However it should be
noted that preference will be given to those parents who are seeking a
place during the current term as opposed to the new academic year.
31 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 32Some reasons why we iv. C
hildren who cannot gain a place at any other suitable school within
may refuse admission a reasonable distance of their home because they move into the area
outside a normal admission round;
The School Admission Code of Practice (July 2013) gives parents the v. C hildren for whom education at a school which is Welsh speaking is
right to express a preference for their child to be admitted to any school desired where the school concerned is the only such school within a
maintained from public funds. However, there are reasons why that reasonable distance of their home;
preference may have to be refused, as the Local Authority also has to have vi. Children for whom education at a school with a designated religious
regard to: character is desired where the school concerned is the only such school
within a reasonable distance of their home;
• The Infant class size initiative which is committed to ensuring that no child vii. Pupils admitted to the school within an age group in which children are
aged 5, 6, and 7 years will be in a class of more than 30 pupils for every normally admitted and
one qualified teacher. The statutory infant class size limit of 30 pupils
applies to reception, year 1 and year 2 classes. • admitted after the first day of the relevant school year; and
• The Local Authority commits to ensuring that KS2 classes remain at 30 or • where the school has not yet reached its admission number but
less in line with Welsh Government guidance. has already organised its classes; and
• The physical limitations of the school and the site buildings • where admission of the child would mean that the school would
• Any other factors which may prejudice the provision of efficient education have to take a relevant measure;
and/or the efficient use of resources.
viii. Children of armed forces personnel who are
Exceptions admitted outside of the normal admission round.
Welsh Government Regulations require Authority’s to limit infant class sizes ix. Children whose twin or sibling from a multiple birth
to no more than 30 pupils and to ensure that junior classes do not exceed are admitted as non-excepted pupils, as the final
30 pupils. pupil(s) allocated a place before the admission
number is reached.
There are however exceptions to these regulations (called “excepted pupils”) x. Children who are registered pupils at special schools, but who receive
which may allow the 30 pupil class limit to be exceeded. part of their education at a mainstream school; and
xi. Children with SEN who are normally educated in a special unit in a
These pupils are: mainstream school, but who receive some of their lessons in a non-
i. Children whose statements of SEN specify that they should be educated special class.
at the school concerned, and who are admitted to the school outside a
normal admission round; Excepted pupils will remain so, once admitted, for the remainder of their
ii. Looked after children or previously looked after children admitted time in the infant class or until class numbers fall back and they can be
outside the normal admissions round; organised to comply with the infant class size limit.
iii. Children initially refused admission to a school, but subsequently offered
a place outside a normal admission round by direction of an admission
appeal panel, or because the person responsible for making the original
decision recognises that an error was made in implementing the school’s
admission arrangements;
33 www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/applying-for-a-school-place 34You can also read
