In year admissions

In-year admission for entry to Primary, Upper or Grammar school during the current academic year.

We are currently experiencing a high level of applications and whilst we will endeavour to process applications within our published timeframe it is likely that there will be delays to this.

Please be aware that there are very few vacancies available.

If you require an acknowledgement for the receipt of your application form, if sending a hard copy, please provide a stamped self addressed envelope with your in-year application. This will be returned to you on receipt of your application.

At this very busy time, whilst we are happy to take calls, calls chasing an application can hinder how quickly we are able to progress it so please think carefully before contacting us by telephone.

Thank you for your patience

‘In-year applications’ are applications for a school place made during the academic year and applications for admission to age groups other than the normal year of entry.

• If you wish to apply for September 2012 year 7 entry to a Buckinghamshire grammar school please visit: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/schools/admissions/september_2012_year_7.page
• If you wish to apply for September 2012 Rising 5 entry to a Buckinghamshire primary school please visit:  http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/schools/admissions/primary.page
• If you wish to apply for September 2012 Junior Transfer entry to a Buckinghamshire primary school please visits: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/schools/admissions/primary.page 
• If you are not a Buckinghamshire resident but are applying for a Buckinghamshire school in advance of a move to Buckinghamshire, then you should apply for a school place to your current home authority which will liaise with us. 

Further guidance for parents:-

1. You may wish to visit a school in advance of submitting an in-year application.  Please be aware, however, that it will be the admissions authority and not the school which would offer a school place, if available.

2. Whilst every effort is made to quickly allocate places to children without a current school, where a child is moving from one school to another within Buckinghamshire these moves can happen at the beginning of a term or half-term to aid smooth integration.

3. In many cases voluntary aided schools, foundation schools and academies will also contact families direct when an allocation has been made.

4. The following schools also require supplementary forms where appropriate:
• St Bernards Catholic School
• Waddesdon CE School

5. Aylesbury Vale Academy has its own application form which must also be completed and provided with the in-year application form

6. Applying for a school place for the beginning of the next academic year:
• The furthest ahead we will offer a place is half a term in advance.  If you wish to apply for a school place starting in September of the next academic year, your application will not be considered until after the summer half term prior.
• Waiting lists for primary or secondary upper schools will not be carried over to the next academic year.  If you wish to be considered for a school place for a new academic year you will be required to complete another in-year application form.

Sixth Form admission

All secondary schools manage their own admissions into the sixth form and parents should contact the school of their choice to make an application.  Schools have a published admission number and admission rules for sixth form admission, which often reflect a child achieving a certain number of points at GCSE.  All children must be qualified for admission before the school considers whether there are sufficient places.  Schools must use the same points profile to consider applications from their existing pupils and new applicants.  If a school refuses to admit any child to its sixth form, there is a right of appeal on two grounds:
• Qualification (insufficient points achieved).
• Space (more qualified children are seeking a place than there are places available).

Fair Access Protocol

Buckinghamshire County Council has a Fair Access Protocol which ensures that vulnerable groups of children can quickly access school places and that all schools take an equal number of children who may, for a variety of reasons, need more support.  These children can take precedence over all other children on a school's waiting list. Please note that removing your child from their current school when you do not have an alternative school place for them will not give them priority under Fair Access.
Some of  the questions on the in-year application form are included to identify more vulnerable children and to try and ensure appropriate support is put in place for them at their new school.  More information about the Fair Access Protocol is available on our website.