Wickersley School and Sports College
School Admissions Code 2021
The purpose of the Code is to ensure that all school places for maintained schools and
Academies (excluding maintained special schools and special academies) are allocated and
offered in an open and fair way. The Code has the force of law, and where the words ‘must’
or ‘must not’ are used, these represent a mandatory requirement. Admission authorities and
local authorities must also comply with the regulations and legislation set out in the
Appendix to the Code.
In drawing up their admission arrangements, admission authorities must ensure that the
practices and the criteria used to decide the allocation of school places are fair, clear, and
objective. Parents should be able to look at a set of arrangements and understand easily
how places for that school will be allocated.
How Admissions Work
In summary, the process operates as follows:
All schools must have admission arrangements that clearly set out how children will be
admitted, including the criteria that will be applied if there are more applications than places
at the school. Admission arrangements are determined by admission authorities.
Admission authorities must set (‘determine’) admission arrangements annually. Where
changes are proposed to admission arrangements, the admission authority must first
publicly consult on those arrangements. If no changes are made to admission arrangements,
they must be consulted on at least once every 7 years.
Consultation must be for a minimum of 6 weeks and must take place between 1 October
and 31 January of the school year before those arrangements are to apply (the
determination year). For example: for arrangements which are to apply for entry in
September 2024, consultation must be completed by 31 January 2023. This consultation
period allows parents, other schools, religious authorities, and the local community to raise
any concerns about the proposed admission arrangements.
Once all arrangements have been determined, arrangements can be objected to and
referred to the Schools Adjudicator. Objections to admission arrangements must be referred
to the Adjudicator by 15 May in the school year before those arrangements are to apply (the
determination year). For example: for arrangements which are to apply for entry in
September 2023, objections must be referred to the Adjudicator by 15 May 2023.
Any decision of the Adjudicator must be acted on by the admission authority and admission
arrangements amended accordingly. The local authority will collate and publish all the
admission arrangements in the area in a single composite prospectus.
In the normal admissions round parents apply to the local authority in which they live for
places at their preferred schools. Parents are able to express a preference for at least three
schools. The application can include schools outside the local authority where the child lives.
A parent can apply for a place for their child at any state-funded school in any area. If a
school is undersubscribed, any parent that applies must be offered a place. When
oversubscribed, a school’s admission authority must rank applications in order against its
published oversubscription criteria and send that list back to the local authority.
All preferences are collated and parents then receive an offer from the local authority at the
highest preference school at which a place is available. The offer is made on National Offer
Day – this is 1 March for secondary schools (or the next working day where 1 March falls on
a weekend or bank holiday), in the year in which the child will be admitted.
Parents, and in some circumstances children, have the right to appeal against an admission
authority’s decision to refuse admission. The admission authority must set out the reasons
for the decision, that there is a right of appeal and the process for hearing such appeals. The
admission authority must establish an independent appeals panel to hear the appeal. The
panel will decide whether to uphold or dismiss the appeal. Where a panel upholds the
appeal, the school is required to admit the child. Further information is available on the Local
Authority website. School admission appeals – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
alternatively you can also email schoolappeals@rotherham.gov.uk
Determining Admission Arrangements
Admission authorities are responsible for admissions and must act in accordance with the
Code, the School Admission Appeals Code, other laws relating to admissions, and relevant
human rights and equalities legislation.
Published Admission Number (PAN)
As part of determining their admission arrangements, all admission authorities must set an
admission number for each ‘relevant age group. (Relevant age group is the first year of entry
– Year 7 in a secondary school)
Own admission authorities are not required to consult on their PAN where they propose
either to increase or keep the same PAN. For a community or voluntary controlled school,
the local authority (as admission authority) must consult at least the governing body of the
school where it proposes either to increase or keep the same PAN. All admission authorities
must consult where they propose a decrease to the PAN.
Community and voluntary controlled schools have the right to object to the Schools
Adjudicator if the PAN set for them is lower than they would wish. There is a strong
presumption in favour of an increase to the PAN to which the Schools Adjudicator must
have regard when considering any such objection.
Admission authorities must notify their local authority of their intention to increase the
school’s PAN and reference to the change should be made on the school’s website. If, at
any time following determination of the PAN, an admission authority decides that it is able to
admit above its PAN, it must notify the local authority in good time to allow the local
authority to deliver its co-ordination responsibilities effectively.
Admission authorities may also admit above their PAN through in-year admissions. The PAN
only applies to the relevant age group. This means that admission authorities may not refuse
admission to other age groups on the grounds that they have already reached their PAN.
They may, however, refuse admission where the admission of another child would prejudice
the provision of efficient education or efficient use of resources.
Oversubscription criteria
The admission authority for the school must set out in their arrangements the criteria against
which places will be allocated at the school when there are more applications than places
and the order in which the criteria will be applied. All children whose Education, Health and
Care Plan names the school must be admitted. If the school is not oversubscribed, all
applicants must be offered a place (with the exception of designated grammar schools - see
paragraph 2.8 of the Code).
All schools must have oversubscription criteria for each ‘relevant age group’ and the highest
priority must be given, unless otherwise provided in the Code, to looked after children and
all previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission
authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a
result of being adopted.
Previously looked after children are children who were looked after but ceased to be so
because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special
guardianship order). All references to previously looked after children in the Code mean
such children who were adopted (or subject to child arrangements orders or special
guardianship orders) immediately following having been looked after and those children who
appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and
ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. Oversubscription criteria must then
be applied to all other applicants in the order set out in the arrangements.
Oversubscription criteria must be reasonable, clear, objective, procedurally fair, and comply
with all relevant legislation, including equalities legislation. Admission authorities must
ensure that their arrangements will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a
child from a particular social or racial group, or a child with a disability or special educational
needs, and that other policies around school uniform or school trips do not discourage
parents from applying for a place for their child. Admission arrangements must include an
effective, clear, and fair tie-breaker to decide between two applications that cannot otherwise
be separated.
The Governing Body / Trust Board of an Academy is the Admissions Authority for their
school. Places will be allocated using the admissions criteria given below and will be coordinated by the Local Authority. Places will be offered by Rotherham Local Authority on
behalf of the Governing Body / Trustees.
The Local Authority Admission to Secondary School 2024 booklet contains information on all
Rotherham schools and is a guide for parents/carers to the admissions process.
Parents/carers are strongly advised to read the booklet and familiarise themselves with the
process and the admission criteria given below prior to submitting their application. The
Admission to Secondary School 2024 booklet is available to view online:
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/download/216/apply-for-secondary-school-places
A hard copy of the booklet can be posted to parents/carers on request by telephoning the
Local Authority Admissions Team on 01709 823777 or email:
admissions.enquiries@rotherham.gov.uk
Closing Date for Reciept of Application
For Admission to Secondary School in 2024, the Government has deemed that the National
Closing Date for receipt of applications will be 31st October 2023.
Parents/carers should submit their secondary school application by 31 October 2023.
Although Rotherham Authority will consider applications for Rotherham schools received up
to and including 30th November 2023 in the first round of offers; if you have named a school
in another Authority this may not be the case and your application may be deemed late if it
was received after the national closing date.
How to Apply for a Secondary School Place
Parents of children resident in Rotherham MUST apply via Rotherham Authority. However,
for looked after child, the application must be submitted by the social worker via the Local
Authority responsible for the child’s care rather than the foster carer.
Rotherham Authority operates an online admissions service to enable parents to submit an
application for their preferred school(s) via the Authority’s website:
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/schools-schooling/starting-secondary-school.
Parents who are unable to apply online or would simply prefer to complete a paper
application form can contact the Admissions Team to request a paper copy.
Telephone 01709 823777
email admissions.enquiries@rotherham.gov.uk
The Published Admission Number for entry to Year 7 is: 340
Where the published admission number for the school is likely to be reached mid category,
places will be prioritised within that category by reference to the distance between the home
address and the school. Highest priority will be given to those who, on 30th November 2023,
live closest to the school measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane (commonly known
as measurement, “as the crow flies”). Distance measurements are calculated (by the Local
Authority Admissions Team) using a Geographical Information System which applies seed
points as determined by Ordnance Survey. Measurements are taken from the seed point of
the ordinary place of residence to the seed point of the school. Where the school has more
than one seed point, the seed point closest to the geographical centre of the school site is
used.
Where places are being allocated based on the distance criteria or as part of the distance tie
breaker, and there are insufficient places within the admission number for two (or more)
children living in the same building (e.g. flats) or otherwise equidistant from the school, then
any final place will be allocated by the simple drawing of lots by a representative of the Local
Authority independent of the School Admissions Team.
Where applications are received for twins, triplets, siblings born in the same academic year
etc these will be treated equally as there is nothing within the admission criteria to
distinguish between them.
Places will be allocated in accordance with the LA’s co-ordinated admissions schemes for
Secondary schools. In assessing preferences, the LA will operate an ‘equal preference’
system, which means that no priority will be given according to the ranking of the preference,
except where a potential offer can be made in respect of more than one school. In that
situation, the final offer of a place will be made at the highest preferred school as named on
the application form of the potential offer schools.
Children issued with an Education and Health Care Plan will gain a place at the school
named in the plan as part of that process.
Information on the catchment area for the school can be obtained by contacting the School
Organisation Team on (01709) 254831 or on the Local Authority website at:
Finding and choosing a school – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Catchment area list of streets and a map of the catchment (appendix 1)
Admissions Criteria
- Children with Special Educational Needs: A small number of children will have an Education Health Care Plan that names the school and these children must be admitted to the school if named as part of that process. The majority of children with special educational needs will not require an Education Health Care Plan. Applications for children who have special educational needs but no Education Health Care Plan, will be considered on the basis of the Admission Authority’s published admissions criteria.
- For all other applications places will be allocated in the following order of priority;
- Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children (see note (a) below).
- Children who, on 30 November 2023, have a specific medical reason, confirmed
by a medical practitioner, which the Admissions and Local Authority is satisfied
makes attendance at this particular school essential. Parents should ensure
that they provide full supporting information to be considered along with their
application. - Children who, on 30 November 2023 have a compelling social reason which the
Admissions and Local Authority is satisfied make attendance at this particular
school essential. The kind of overriding social reasons which could be accepted
are where there is evidence that the children’s education would be seriously
impaired if he or she did not attend this school. Parents should ensure that they
provide full supporting information to be considered along with their application.
*Please note very few cases are agreed annually on exceptional medical or social grounds - Children who, on 30 November 2023, live in the catchment area of the school as
defined by the Authority and it is expected will have an older brother or sister on
the roll of this school in Years 8-11 at the start of the academic year 2024 (see
notes (b), (c) and (d) below) - Children who, on 30 November 2023, live in the catchment area of this school as
defined by the Authority (see note (b) below) - Children who, on 30 November 2023, it is expected will have an older sibling on the roll of this school in Years 8-11 at the start of the academic year
2024 (see notes (c) and (d) below) - Children who, on 30 November 2023, are on the roll of one of our associated
primary/ junior/junior and infant catchment area schools(feeder schools) as identified by the
Authority. (see note (f) below) - Children who, on 30 November 2023, live nearest to the school measured by a
straight line on a horizontal plane, (commonly known as measurement “as the
crow flies”).
Notes
- A ‘relevant looked after child’ is a child that is looked after by a local authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 at the time an application for admission to a school is made, and who the local authority has confirmed will still be looked after at the time when he/she is admitted to the school. Previously looked after children are children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order). All references to previously looked after children in the Code mean such children who were adopted (or subject to child arrangements orders or special guardianship orders) immediately following having been looked after and those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
- Places will be allocated based on your residential address on 30 November 2023. Therefore, you must notify the Local Authority Admissions Team in writing if you change address before this date. You may be asked to provide proof of residence (e.g. utility/council tax bill). Documentary evidence of ownership or rental agreement may be required together with proof of actual permanent residency at the property concerned. The Admissions and Local Authority reserves the right to request an affidavit where there is uncertainty regarding a child’s ordinary place of residence.
- For a child to be considered a sibling, one of the following conditions must exist: (you may be asked to provide proof e.g., Birth Certificate and proof of residence)
-
- brother/sister to be permanently resident at the same address.
- stepbrother/stepsister to be permanently resident at the same address.
- half-brother/half-sister to be permanently resident at the same address.
- brother/sister who do not live at the same residence but, who share the same parents.
- child of the parent/carer’s partner to be permanently resident at the same address.
- adopted brother/sister permanently resident at the same address
- foster brother/sister resident at the same address
- Children with an older sibling on the roll of the school who will be in Years 8-1 for the commencement of the 2024-25 and are on the roll of the school on November 2023
- Children of UK service personnel (UK Armed Forces) – For families of service personnel with a confirmed posting to their area, or crown servants returning from overseas to live in that area, admission authorities must allocate a place in advance of the family arriving in the area provided the application is accompanied by an official letter that declares a relocation date and a Unit postal address or quartering area address when considering the application against their oversubscription criteria. This must include accepting a Unit postal address or quartering area address for a service child. Admission authorities must not refuse a service child a place because the family does not currently live in the area, or reserve blocks of places for these children.
- The Associated Primary (Feeder) Schools are:
Bramley Grange, Bramley Sunnyside, Flanderwell, Listerdale, St Albans, Wickersley Northfield.
Waiting Lists
On the National Offer Day of 1 March 2024, the Local Authority Admissions Team will establish a waiting list
for secondary schools in Rotherham where the number of applications for those schools has
exceeded the available places in Year 7.
The Local Authority Admissions Team will administer the waiting list on behalf of this school
which will operate until the 31 December 2024 when it will cease.
The child’s name will automatically be put on the waiting list for a school where they have
not been made an offer of a place and where that school is named as a higher preference
than the school at which an offer has been made.
Children’s positions on the waiting list will be determined solely in accordance with the
oversubscription criteria, with no reference to the date of receipt of the application. The
waiting list will be re-ordered in accordance with the oversubscription criteria whenever
anyone is added to or leaves the waiting list. Should a place become available it will be
allocated to the child whose name is at the top of the waiting list on the day that the Local
Authority receives written confirmation of the vacancy.
In-year Admissions-Transferring School During the School Year
Any application for an in-year school transfer should be made via the Local Authority
Admissions Team in the first instance. The Local Authority will co-ordinate in-year transfers
for most of the schools in Rotherham. Further information and the relevant application form
is available on the Authority website:
Transferring School during the school year – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough
Council.
A paper copy of the application form can be requested from the Admissions Team:
Telephone 01709 823777 or E-mail; admissions.enquiries@rotherham.gov.uk
If you are moving homes, please apply in advance of your move to reduce the risk of your
child being out of school while your application is processed. You will need to provide details
of your new address and when you intend to move.
You are advised to discuss your transfer request with a member of staff at your child’s
present school.
The Local Authority Admissions Team will record all in-year transfer applications and will
forward your application via secure email for consideration by the relevant Admissions
Authority.
- Applications received will be forwarded to preferred schools on the day of receipt
where possible, or the following working (school) day. - Applications received during a weekend or bank holiday or during school holidays will
be forwarded to the preferred schools on the next working (school) day.
It is not possible to process any applications during school holidays and your application will
be considered as soon as schools re-open. Schools are required to respond to in-year
transfer requests within a maximum of 15 school days from receipt of the application
therefore, although in-year applications may be forwarded to schools during school holiday
periods, it is unlikely that you will be notified of the outcome of your application until schools
re-open and the 15 school day response time commences.
In many cases a child will transfer to a new school only at the beginning of a new term,
unless there is agreement by all concerned that the transfer should take place earlier. Until
the transfer arrangements have been approved it is expected that your child will continue to
attend their present school.
Parents can make applications up to one term before the date when they would like their
child to start at the preferred school. Parents can apply from the 1 May onwards for
Admission in the following September. Any application for admission in the following
September which is received prior to this date will be considered as having been received on
1st May.
You will be notified in writing of the outcome of your application. This decision will usually be
sent on behalf of the Governing Body (as the Admissions Authority) by the Local Authority
Admissions Team.
It should be noted that it is the Local Authority’s policy that repeat applications made for
entry to the same year group at the same school will not be considered unless there has
been a significant and material change of circumstances which is relevant to the application
for admission.
Information on Appeals
Where it is not possible to offer your child a place at the school you have applied for, you will
receive a letter advising you of the reasons for this decision. This will usually be sent on
behalf of the Governing Body / Trustees (as the Admissions Authority) by the Local Authority
Admissions Team.
All parents/carers have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel if you have
received written confirmation that it has not been possible to offer your child a place at the
schools you have applied for.
All independent appeals are organised by an Appeals Clerk and follow procedures, which
are set out in legislation and the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice. The Appeals
Clerk, Panel and process are independent of the Admissions Authority.
Important requirements to note are:
- Appeals must be in writing stating the grounds on which the appeal is made;
- every parent has the right to attend the independent appeal in order to make their case;
- the parent can be accompanied by a friend or be represented by them;
- independent appeals are heard in private;
- the decision of the Appeals Panel is binding on both parents and the Admissions
Authority; - parents will receive written notification of the Appeals Panel decision.
- Dates – (parents will be advised at the earliest opportunity of appeal dates by the Clerk)
General Information on Appeals
A separate document containing details of the appeals procedure is available from the LA to
parents whose applications could not be satisfied.
Any member of the Authority may attend, as an observer, any hearing by an Independent
Appeal Panel established by the Authority.
Parents will be given at least 14 days written notice of the date, time and place of the appeal
hearing and will receive prior to the appeal, written documentation summarising the reasons
for refusing the admission.
If a parent does not attend the appeal or is not represented by another person the hearing
may be held and the case dealt with in the absence of the parent using only the written
documentation submitted.
In some cases, parents who are not successful at the appeal occasionally consider applying
again for the same school in the same academic year. Unless there has been a significant
and material change of circumstances which is relevant to the application for admission, the
Authority is not required to reconsider its decision and therefore parents do not have the
right of another appeal.
Further information is available on the Local Authority website:
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/schools-schooling/school-admission-appeals.
Email schoolappeals@rotherham.gov.uk
Find your catchment area school
You can use the catchment map to find your catchment area school.
- Visit RMBC Mapping
- Close the disclaimer
- Type your postcode in the address bar to search
- Select a property from the list (if yours is not shown press MORE)
- Click or tap on the property to select it
- The property will be shown on the map
- Select Map features
- Select Education
- Tick the Primary & Secondary catchment boxes as required
- Click or tap the map and catchment area school/s will appear in a pop-up box
Useful Contacts
Admissions Team
Children and Young People’s Services
Riverside House
Main Street
Rotherham
S65 1AE
Contact an Admissions Officer on (01709) 823777
or email: admissions.enquiries@rotherham.gov.uk
Appeals Clerk
Legal and Democratic Services,
Town Hall, The Crofts,
Moorgate Street,
Rotherham
S60 2TH
Tel: (01709) 822054
Email: schoolappeals@rotherham.gov.uk
Policy Ratified by Wickersey Partnership Trust: January 2023