Admissions
Your questions answered
When completing the common application form, what order should I state the schools?
All preferences are considered equally, so you should preference the schools in order that you would like them allocated. The Authority will offer the highest preference possible, if your child is eligible for more than one school. To clarify, your true first preference of school should be put first on the common application form.If I want to apply for a place at a grammar school, should I put this as my first preference?
The order in which you would like a place allocating must be the order in which you preference them on the common application form. If your true first preference is a grammar school, you must put this first. This does not mean priority is given to first preferences. This just allows the Authority to offer the highest preference if your child reaches the required academic standard (up to the published admission number) and is eligible for more than one school. Parents will be notified of details relating to the entrance exam, directly by the school, approximately one week prior to the test.What happens if my child does not reach the academic standard? Will my second or third preference school be in jeopardy?
No, all preferences are considered equally. If your child does not reach the required academic standard to obtain a place at a grammar school, your remaining preferences will be given the same consideration as all other applications, irrespective of whether these are first, second or third preferences.Can you provide me with some information regarding the Pre-Test for the grammar schools?
The parents association for the grammar schools organise a pre-test each year. This test does not form any part of the admissions procedure and is not considered as a formal application.
Neither the Local Authority nor the actual schools themselves have any involvement with arranging the pre-test. Any enquiries relating to the pre-test should be directed to Margaret Bottomley on 01422 231425 or pretest@nhgs.co.uk from 1 September 2011. Applications can be made between 1 September and 23 September 2011.
If parents wish to apply formally for a place at one or both of the grammar schools for September 2011, one or both of the grammar schools must be shown as a preference on the common application form.
What happens if the Authority cannot allocate any of my preferred schools?
The Authority has a duty to allocate a school place to all children living within Calderdale. If none of the preferred schools can be allocated, the Authority will allocate a school which is closest to the family home where there are vacancies. For residents outside of Calderdale, your home local authority is responsible for allocating a school place if your preferences cannot be met.When will I receive my allocation letter?
National Offer Day is Thursday 1 March 2012 for Secondary schools and Friday 20 April 2012 for Primary schools.How will I receive this?
Primary applications:
Offer letters will be forwarded to the school your child has been allocated. The school will then send this directly to you. The school may also send you specific information relating to the school at the same time.
Secondary applications:
- If you are resident in Calderdale and your child attends a Calderdale school, the letter will be sent home from school, via your child.
- If you are resident in Calderdale but your child attends a school in another local authority, the offer letter will be posted to your home address.
- If you are resident in another local authority but your child attends a Calderdale school, your letter will be posted to your home address by your own local authority.
- If you are resident in another local authority but your child attends an Independent school within Calderdale, your letter will be posted to your home address by your own local authority.
- If you are resident in Calderdale and your child attends an Independent school, your letter will be posted to your home by Calderdale Council.
My letter has not arrived, can you tell me which school my child has been allocated?
Allocation of school places will not be confirmed over the telephone. Parents must wait until they receive their allocation letter from the Authority, if you are resident in Calderdale, or from your home local authority if resident outside Calderdale.I have not been allocated my preferred school – what do I do now?
With your allocation letter, you will receive further information relating to the re-allocation and appeals processes, which will include forms to complete if you would like to be considered for re-allocation.Why was my neighbour allocated a place at a particular school last year but I have not this year?
Allocations of places differ year on year. It is possible under the distance category to allocate a place one year, but to be unable to allocate one the following year, even in the same street/area. This is due to the volumes of pupils applying, where they live and whether any higher priority categories have been applied to an application.The allocation was based on my old address, but I have since moved. Can this be taken into account?
Yes, re-allocation will take into account a change of address. However, if we are not already aware of this change, evidence of the move, such as a utility/council tax bill will be required.My application was late, will I be penalised during the re-allocation process?
No, after the initial round, the re-allocation requests are considered equally for those that arrive before the close date for re-allocation requests which is 15 March 2012 for secondary applications and 4 May 2012 for primary applications.How is priority determined during the re-allocation process?
If any places become available, the over-subscription criteria are reapplied to those seeking re-allocation.What are the chances of getting re-allocation to my preferred school?
The Authority cannot predict this as it depends purely on the number of places that are given up (if any) and who takes priority in terms of the over-subscription criteria.If the re-allocation request is not successful, when am I likely to get an appeal hearing?
Appeals are likely to be heard during June/July of the admissions year.I have decided to send my child to an Independent school/teach at home/move area and no longer require the place allocated. What do I need to do?
Written confirmation will be required to allow us to re-allocate the place to another child.Where can I get advice on how to complete the common application form?
The Authority recommends that parents contact the Admissions Team on 01422 392617 to obtain appropriate advice and guidance. The Authority cannot be responsible for advice taken from any other source.
