Dargavel ECSPB 18 05 23 - 11 May 2023
Renfrewshire Council · 18 May 2023
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 18 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 8 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 18 May 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Dargavel Education Provision ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide a further update on education provision relating to the Dargavel housing development following a previous report to this Board in March Dargavel Education Provision. 1.2. Members will be aware that the existing capacity at the new Dargavel Primary School is insufficient for the pupil yield now expected from the housing development and in response, agreed officers would take steps to address immediate capacity needs and progress planning for a new primary school. These decisions were informed by a robust revised roll projection exercise, which included input from a specialist data analytics company. 1.3. Work has progressed to ensure six new modular classrooms will be in place on the Dargavel Primary School site for the new school session beginning in August 2023. Pupils, parents and staff have been engaged in the design of the units, with pupils working with artists from the Glasgow School of Art to design the interiors and are excited to see the results of their work. 1.4. The new modular classrooms will create capacity for up to an additional 198 pupils (6 classrooms, 33 pupils per class), ensuring all children due to enter Primary 1 in 2023, will receive their place at the school. Based on ongoing monitoring of current admissions, class size and space requirements, demand for school places is likely to exceed the increased capacity created by the modular classrooms by August 2024. Current estimates indicate the school will be able to accommodate a Primary 1 intake of 75 pupils per year in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (if required). 1.5. Based on updated projections this planned P1 intake capacity of 75 pupils per year is anticipated to be insufficient to meet expected demand. As a consequence, there will be a requirement to apply the Council’s Admissions Policy from August 2024.
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Page 2 of 8 1.6. Since the last Board, planning for a new school on the Dargavel site has continued with positive progress made. Following further investigation of estimated pupil roll projections, officers are recommending the delivery of a school for 800 pupils. This builds flexibility and continues to offer confidence that the new school will deliver high quality learning and teaching in a positive nurturing environment. 1.7. Discussions between BAE (Dargavel landowner) and Council officers are ongoing to identify a suitable location to site a new primary school within the Dargavel masterplan development. The current position regarding these discussions is outlined within the report. 1.8. Notwithstanding ongoing discussions with BAE still being subject to conclusion, a dedicated project team will progress the necessary programme to support the delivery of the new school and any additional infrastructure that might be required. This allows early preparatory work to progress immediately and be completed in advance of a new school site being agreed and secured by the Council. This approach will ensure the timescale for the delivery of a new school is as short as possible. 1.9. Officers have also undertaken an analysis of future secondary school requirements, based on both the Edge Analytics projection model and considerable live data held by the council – the number of pupils already within the primary school system and expected to enter secondary. 1.10. This analysis indicates Park Mains High School’s capacity will need to be increased to accommodate at least an additional 400 pupils, increasing the capacity from the current 1600 figure to 2000 by building an extension. This will be continually monitored in future years. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. In order to maintain momentum and progress whilst discussions remain ongoing with BAE, members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to: • note that the six new modular classrooms continue to be expected to be in place at Dargavel Primary School for August 2023; • agree to set the planning figure for the new school at 800; • agree planning for an extension to Park Mains High School to accommodate an additional 400 pupils; and • note that any changes to the above planning assumptions that may be required as a result of ongoing discussions with BAE will be reported back to the ECSPB as information becomes available.
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Page 3 of 8 ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. In March an update on education provision relating to the Dargavel development was provided to the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board. 3.2. That Board decision was to: • note the outcome of the detailed external roll projection exercise; • note the planned application of the admissions policy; • agree that, at this stage, initial planning should focus on the projected roll of 1,131; • agree planning for an additional school, with a minimum capacity of 700 should progress immediately; • agree that additional options should also be developed to consider how to address potential additional capacity demands (up to the maximum planning scenario), should the current high rate of admissions continue into the future; and • note that a further report will come back to Board in May. 3.3. Since then, progress has been made on all Board decisions. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Meeting Immediate Capacity Needs 4.1. The previously agreed six new modular classrooms are on schedule to be in place for the start of the new school session in August 2023. 4.2. The modular units are currently being built at the contractor’s facility; officers are currently working towards a date of 17 June 2023 for the contractor accessing the site, marginally ahead of original plans. In accordance with the Council’s standard working procedures, officers are working with the school management team and the Contractor to ensure that any disruption to the school is mitigated, agreed in advance and documented in a Disruption Management Plan. 4.3. In the March Board update, officers identified a risk that capacity for all pupils within the Dargavel Primary catchment would be breached, even with the addition of the six modular classrooms, from August 2024, which is the maximum number of temporary classrooms the school site can accommodate. 4.4. Further analysis of new school roll projections, class size and space requirements has confirmed the expanded school will accommodate a maximum Primary 1 intake of 75 pupils in August 2024, 2025 and 2026 (if required). The new roll projection data shows that the Primary One intake in these years is likely to be significantly higher, and therefore the school will, in these circumstances, become oversubscribed.
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Page 4 of 8 4.5. To address this, the Council’s Admissions Policy (appended to the report) will require to be applied. The Admissions Policy provides clear guidance on managing increased demand and options for families requiring a school place. The table below shows the agreed criteria used to allocate spaces. This policy provides a fair, transparent, and consistent process for allocating spaces. Denominational Primary Schools Non-Denominational Primary Schools 1. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 1. Not Applicable for non- denominational primary schools 2. The pupil has sibling(s) in the school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 2. The pupil has sibling(s) in the school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 3. The pupil has medical reasons supported by the family doctor and a community medicine specialist, that say that the child could only be educated with difficulty in another school because of their medical condition. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 3. The pupil has medical reasons supported by the family doctor and a community medicine specialist, that say that the child could only be educated with difficulty in another school because of their medical condition. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 4. None of the above applies. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 4. None of the above applies. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 4.6. In line with the policy, pupils who are not allocated a space through this process will be directed to another school. For Dargavel pupils, the most appropriate alternative is Bishopton Primary, which is the nearest primary school and currently has surplus capacity. This surplus capacity will increase further over the next 2 to 3 years, as more P7 children leave the school, compared to those arriving in P1. 4.7. Live admissions data will become available from December 2023 and will inform the next stage in the admissions process. 4.8. It is anticipated that the ballot for space as described above will take place in January 2024 for August 2024 intake.
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Page 5 of 8 ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Next Steps for Primary Provision in Dargavel 5.1. In March the Board agreed initial planning for primary provision in Dargavel should focus on the projected roll of 1,131 and to progress planning for a new school to accommodate a minimum of 700 pupils. 5.2. The current Dargavel Primary School was built as a standard double stream school with an as-designed capacity of 434; but with the flexibility to operate to a maximum capacity, if necessary, of 530. 5.3. Given the nature of the Dargavel development, and the higher-than-expected level of admissions in the current school year, it is recommended building future resilience within the capacity of a new primary school. 5.4. After further investigation and forecasting, it is recommended a new school with capacity for 800 pupils. This will provide future flexibility and maintain high-quality learning and teaching in a positive nurturing environment. In addition, we are developing options that would enable us to increase primary capacity further, should this be required in the long-term. This is covered in Section 6 below, 5.5. The Council will take a flexible design approach to ensure that learning spaces are adaptable and can be repurposed for other uses and activities, should they not be required as classrooms. 5.6. As previously reported, the denominational catchment primary school had sufficient capacity to accommodate the projected school roll. Based on the projection data available at this time, it is evident that there is sufficient denominational provision within the area. This analysis of data supports the view that an additional denominational provision is not required. 5.7. Discussions with BAE, the landowner, regarding a suitably sized site for a new school within the Dargavel Masterplan are ongoing and progressing. Officers are seeking to secure arrangements that will facilitate agreement to transfer to Council ownership a site appropriately located within the masterplan development that has been remediated, has enabling infrastructure, and can be made available for development to support delivery of a new primary school and additionally secure ownership of further land adjacent to the existing school site to preserve flexibility for expansion if required in the longer term. Progress to date with BAE has principally been on establishing a shared understanding of the Council land requirements that would need to be made available based on the developed demand projections and school delivery planning. Discussion will continue in this regard as well as progressing wider discussions in relation to any adjustments within the overall masterplan that may be necessary to accommodate the land being made available for school development purposes. As outlined elsewhere in this report, it is important that officers continue to progress in parallel planning to ensure that the Council is ready to move at pace with the new school project once there is a concluded legal outcome to this ongoing discussion. Detailed planning for a catchment review will commence when confirmation of the specific school development site is confirmed.
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Page 6 of 8 5.8. In this context a corporate project team is being established with responsibility for the delivery of a new school and any additional infrastructure required for further capacity. This allows early preparatory work to be completed in advance of a new site being agreed which will support overall timescales. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Planning for Potential Additional Primary Capacity Demands 6.1. An options appraisal is underway to determine viable options should additional future capacity be required in the long-term. This includes ongoing consultation with parent groups to ensure their feedback is captured at an early stage. 6.2. As previously advised it is essential that if the current rate of admissions continue, the Council has a clear set of further flexible options identified to take forward in sufficient time to implement and deliver ahead of higher levels of demand (up to 1,500 primary places) emerging. 6.3. A range of options, in line with a continued focus on roll projections, will be presented to the ECSPB in August. ___________________________________________________________________ 7. Secondary School Provision 7.1. In the March report it was highlighted that Park Mains High School continues to operate well, with modular classrooms due to be installed during the next school year to provide some extra flexibility for the school. The existing building was designed to be extended if ever needed, and there is space in the school grounds to accommodate this. 7.2. Officers have also used Edge Analytics to model possible future options for the Park Mains catchment. The Edge model has provided for a maximum possible 10 year projection of 2134 by 2033, however this figure should be treated with caution as it is based on an overestimated S1 intake in August 23. 7.3. In contrast to projecting pupil rolls for primary schools, projecting secondary school provision benefits from having several years of live future pupil data of those already in the school system at primary school. The Council also have access to other useful data sets like primary to secondary transfer rates and senior school leaver rates. 7.4. Using primary and secondary roll projection data provided by Edge Analytics (including the long-term impact of the Dargavel Development) and existing pupil roll information across the catchment area including an element of additionality for those secondary age pupils moving into the area, the Council is able to estimate a school capacity for Park Mains of 1900 by 2030, 309 above the current capacity. 7.5. Based on this analysis, it is recommended to base the planning for future education provision at Park Mains based on the 1900 figure, which is itself based on actual pupil data, with an in-built element of contingency of plus 100, giving a planning figure of 2000 – an increase in school capacity of 409.
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Page 7 of 8 7.6. It is recommended that planning for an extension to accommodate a further 400 pupils begins immediately, and that figures are continually monitored and projections regularly reviewed to take account of any changes in patterns of behaviour which may have an impact on that planning figure. 7.7. In addition, to ensure long-term capacity, the council will be required to closely monitor emerging demand and capacity at both primary and secondary stages to ensure up-to-date information is used to inform future planning into the mid 2030s and beyond to ensure that there is sufficient time to plan, implement and deliver any further interventions should higher levels of demand emerge. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial Indicative capital costs have been produced based on metrics utilised in the Learning Estate Investment Programme and include appropriate allowances as necessary. These costs, as well as programmes, will be further developed taking cognisance of geotechnical, topographical and infrastructure information as site surveys are progressed; and as design considerations develop. These estimates are subject to further construction cost inflation volatility in the period up to where a contractor is appointed. Dargavel PS – New (800 pupil) £42-45,000,000 Park Mains HS (400 pupil extension) £27-30,000,000 As previously advised the financial implications of the new build primary school and the extension to Park Mains HS will require to be incorporated into the Council’s capital and revenue financial plans as the scale of works and proposed design develops. The planning terms for the Dargavel development include a requirement for the developer to make a capital contribution towards the costs of increased infrastructure for secondary education. The actual contribution will be subject to further discussion between the Council and the developer. It is likely in the absence of any other external capital funding being secured that the Council will require to fund the remaining capital costs through prudential borrowing. Based on the upper end of the range of capital costs outlined above, annual borrowing costs would be in the region of £4 million. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community Planning None. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets The projects will facilitate delivery of an energy efficient extension of Park Mains HS as well as a new, energy efficient Primary School. 6. Information Technology None.
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Page 8 of 8 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. (Report author to arrange this). 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Cosla Policy Position None. 13. Climate Risk None. List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper None ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services JC/KO 11 May 2023 Author: Julie Calder, Head of Education, julie.calder@renfrewshire.gov.uk, tele 0141 487 0884
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RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy August 2022 Appendix
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1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Catchment areas 1.2 Associated schools 1.3 Denominational/non-denominational schools 1.4 Applying for a school place 1.5 Choice of school 1.6 Reserved places 1.7 Additional Support Needs schools / units. 2. THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE 2.1 Age for commencement of primary education 2.2 Deferred entry 2.3 Early commencement of primary education 2.4 Applying for a P1 school place during the normal catchment registration round 2.5 Transferring from P7 to S1 during the normal catchment transfer round 2.6 Applying for a school place outwith the normal catchment rounds 2.7 Change of circumstances 2.8 Applying for a catchment school place before being resident within the school’s delineated catchment area 2.9 Applying for a placing request 2.10 Information for all requests 3 THE DECISION MAKING PROCEDURE / OVER SUBSCRIPTION 3.1 Processing applications for places in schools and the decision process 3.2 Allocation of catchment spaces for Primary 1 3.3 Allocation of catchment spaces for Primary 7 Transfer to Secondary 1 3.4 Allocation of catchment spaces outwith start of academic year / other stages / change of denomination 3.5 Allocation of placing requests 4 APPEALING A DECISION 4.1 Catchment 4.2 Placing request 5 RE-DIRECTION 5.1 The process 5.2 Returning to a catchment school after being redirected 6 TRANSPORT 6.1 Transport provision 6.2 Redirected children provision
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7 SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION APPENDICES Appendix A - Form: “Sending Your Child to School” Information Pack Appendix B - Reservation of Places in Schools Policy Appendix C - Catchment Allocations Policy for Primary Schools Appendix D - Catchment Allocations Policy for Secondary Schools Appendix E - Placing Request Allocations Policy Appendix F - Ballot Process Policy Appendix G - Form: Renfrewshire Schools (Secondaries and Associated Primaries) Appendix H - Form: School Registration Appendix I - Form: Request to Remain Notification Letter Appendix J - Form: Information For Parents–Transfer from Primary to Secondary Forms A,G,H,I and J - may be subject to change depending on administrative / future requirements to gather / process information. Any changes to Appendices B,C,D,E and F would require board approval.
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1. Background 1.1 Catchment areas 1.1.1 The geographical area of Renfrewshire Council is divided into delineated catchment areas for primary and secondary schools. Each school is either non-denominational or denominational (Roman Catholic). 1.1.2 The arrangements described in this document do not apply to Gaelic education, there are separate arrangements for this provision of education. 1.1.3 Each residential property which is located within Renfrewshire Council has a ‘catchment’ denominational and non-denominational primary and secondary school assigned to it. This is determined by the geographical location of the property and each school’s delineated catchment area in which the property is located. 1.1.4 Although the Council aims to provide enough places for all children at the preferred catchment primary and secondary school, living within the delineated catchment area of a school does not guarantee a child a place at a catchment school. 1.1.5 The Council’s website www.renfrewshire.gov.uk “Find My Nearest …”, provides details on the catchment schools applicable to home addresses. You can also view a map (graphical representation) of a school’s delineated catchment area. If there is any doubt regarding the catchment schools for a particular property, Children’s Services can advise. 1.1.6 In the situation where there is an agreement for shared custody of a child where a child lives with a different parent/carer regularly at a different property, the local catchment school is defined by Children’s Services as the residence of the parent/carer who receives Child Benefit for said child. Recent documentary evidence of receipt of Child Benefit or equivalent paperwork may be required to be submitted. Only for exceptional circumstances may alternative documentation be considered by headquarters. 1.2 Associated schools 1.2.1 Each primary school is associated with a number of other primary schools to a secondary school. The catchment area of the secondary school is generally made up of the catchment areas of the associated primary schools. There are 8 non-denominational clusters of associated schools and 3 denominational clusters of associated schools in Renfrewshire. 1.2.2 The exception to 1.2.1 above is St Catherine’s Primary School whose delineated catchment area overlaps that of Trinity High School and St Andrew’s Academy. St Catherine’s Primary School works collaboratively with both schools. 1.2.3 It is assumed that for Renfrewshire parents/carers, the secondary school place that their child will transfer to is their home address catchment secondary school, of the same denomination as the primary school their child
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already attends. The secondary school is deemed their designated local secondary school. 1 .3 Denominational/Non-denominational schools 1.3.1 Any Renfrewshire parent/carer has the choice of requesting a place in either of their catchment schools, on first entry to education provided by Renfrewshire Council or as part of the transition from primary to secondary school. 1.3.2 Parents/carers of children who are baptised Roman Catholic, and who want their child to apply for a place in a denominational school, should inform the school/Council and provide evidence in the form of their child’s Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate at the time of application. The Council aims to provide enough places for all baptised Roman Catholic children to attend their catchment denominational school. Only in exceptional circumstances will other documentation be considered e.g. asylum seeker with no access to original documents. 1.3.3 Parents/carers of children who are not baptised Roman Catholic, and who want their child to apply for a place in a denominational school, can also make a request. 1.4 Applying for a school place Applications for a place in a catchment mainstream primary or secondary school can be made by Renfrewshire parents/carers for their child: • for initial commencement of education at the beginning of the primary 1 year stage, or • at any stage when becoming resident within the school’s delineated catchment area, or • when, as a result of being educated elsewhere (e.g. home schooling or private education), they have never attended a Renfrewshire Council educational establishment, but are now returning to the public education system, or • at time of transition from primary to secondary education. 1 .5 Choice of school 1.5.1 Information on all Renfrewshire’s educational establishments is available via the Council’s website. All of Renfrewshire’s schools have their own website where you will find a wide variety of information specific to each school. 1.5.2 Requests for catchment placements should be made in line with the application procedures detailed within Section 2. 1.5.3. Parents/carers have the right to make a placing request for their child or children to be educated in a school other than their catchment school. The Council must grant placing requests unless there is a legal reason not to.
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Please refer to “Sending Your Child to School” information pack (Appendix A) for further details. No decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year. 1 .6 Reserved places The Council is entitled to reserve a reasonable number of places for children moving into each school's delineated catchment area up to and during the following academic year. Please refer to Reservation of Places In Schools Policy (Appendix B) for further details. 1.7 Additional Support Needs schools / units. Placement at an Additional Support Needs (ASN) School or specialist unit will be considered outwith this policy by Children’s Services where: • it is in the best interests of the child; • the needs of the child have been assessed and recorded in their wellbeing plan; and • there has been discussion with the Children’s Services Inclusion Officer and a decision taken at the Education Support and Resource Group (ESRG). 2. THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE 2 .1 Age for commencement of primary education 2.1.1 Enrolment to the primary one year stage at Renfrewshire schools takes place once a year at the start of the new session in August. Children who reach the age of five years between 1 March of that year and the last day of February of the following year are expected to apply for a place in a catchment school. For example, children turning 5 between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 will be eligible to apply for a school place for August 2020. 2.1.2 If your child has already been in education elsewhere i.e. from another country / region and you are now requesting placement in a Renfrewshire school, the child’s date of birth will determine the year stage they should be placed in. 2.2 Deferred entry 2.2.1 If a child reaches the age of five during January or February (after the August in which they are supposed to commence their primary education), parents/carers may choose to defer entry until the following academic year. A fully funded nursery place will be available for such children. 2.2.2 If a child reaches the age of five between the start of the new academic session in August and the end of December, parents/carers may also choose to defer entry for a year however, a funded nursery place will not automatically be provided.
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2.2.3 If a parent/carer intends to defer commencement of their child’s primary education, they should still apply to register their child in the appropriate catchment primary school and advise the head teacher of their intention to defer entry. The appropriate paperwork will then be completed and returned to Children’s Services for processing. 2.2.4 Should your child's deferred entry be confirmed, it will be assumed that you will not require the P1 place for the commencement of the academic year for which the deferral was submitted; should you change your mind on deferring your child before the start of the academic year, there is no guarantee that a place will be available in your preferred catchment school. 2.2.5 If you defer your child’s entry to primary education, you are required to apply for a place in your preferred catchment school in November of the deferral year in order to be considered for a P1 place commencing the next academic year in August. This application will be treated as a new application to register your child and will be treated equally along with all other applications submitted. 2.2.6 If at any other stage outwith Primary 1 placement, you wish to defer your child’s progression to the next stage of their educational journey, you will be required to discuss this with their current school. It should be noted that a request to delay entry once education has commenced, is not normal practice. An assessment of the child may require to be carried out and the decision on placement will be determined by the Council. 2.3 Early commencement of primary education The Council does not have to educate children who are not of school age. Parents/carers may wish to make a request for early entry to school for a child whose fifth birthday falls after the last day in February. Requests for early entry to school should be made directly to Children’s Services headquarters. 2 .4 Applying for a P1 school place during the normal catchment registration round 2.4.1 Applications for P1 places commencing at the beginning of the academic year in August should be made in person at a specified location during school registration days which take place in November. Applications submitted after school registration days should be made to the catchment school of your choice until the end of the academic year prior to which your child will begin primary education. However it is advisable where possible to make your application during school registration days as this provides you with the optimum chance of securing a place in your preferred school. Delay in registering may result in a place not being available. 2.4.2 The exact dates for school registration days will be published annually from around the beginning of September onwards, and will be visible before the
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commencement of school registration days on the Council’s website as well as in the local published press. 2.4.3 Parents/carers must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of the age of their child and that their family reside within the catchment area of the school. This evidence includes: No. Document Verification Purpose 1 Child’s full Birth Certificate Required to verify child’s date of birth for allocation of correct year stage. A copy will be held for verification of who has parental rights. 2 • Most recent Council Tax Notice or if not currently resident in the property either a concluded missive or a signed and witnessed tenancy agreement/lease. • Required to verify that home address is within catchment area of the requested school. We will check the information provided with other Council departments and our audit colleagues and this may include visiting your home to confirm residence. We may also check your address again prior to a school term commencing and if we suspect fraud we may rescind your place and could refer the matter to the Procurator Fiscal. 3 Child Benefit Statement. In the event that a Child Benefit Statement is not available, a Driving Licence or a Bank Statement/utility bill showing transactions over the most recent 3 months and the applicant’s address may be accepted. Or If appropriate to current circumstances - Court Order / Looked After Child / Foster Carer document(s). Required to verify address of parent with whom the child is living with. 4 Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (if applicable) Required to verify baptismal status which may be required for prioritisation purposes, only where a denominational school is oversubscribed. The list above is not exhaustive and the Council retains the right to ask for further information when proof of residency is not satisfied.
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2.4.4 In the situation where there is an agreement for shared custody of a child where a child lives with a different parent/carer regularly at a different property, the local catchment school is defined by Children’s Services as the residence of the parent/carer who receives Child Benefit for said child. Recent documentary evidence of receipt of Child Benefit or equivalent paperwork may be required to be submitted. Only for exceptional circumstances may alternative documentation be considered by headquarters. 2.4.5 Parents/carers who intend to make a placing request for a non-catchment school should in the first instance apply for a place in their catchment school, and also inform the head teacher of their intention to submit a placing request. This is required to ensure there is a catchment place allocated in the event a placing request cannot be granted. 2.4.6 A placing request must be submitted for children to attend a primary school for which they do not reside within the delineated catchment area of. Please refer to “Sending Your Child to School” information pack (Appendix A) for further details. 2.4.7 In the event that the number of applications from catchment pupils is greater than the number of places available at that stage in the catchment school, the allocations process is detailed in Section 3. Priority is given to catchment pupils in the first instance, thereafter placing requests may be considered. 2.4.8 Following catchment allocations, if there are any further spaces available these will be allocated to placing requests in line with Placing Request Allocations Policy, please refer to Section 3.5. 2 .5 Transferring from Primary 7 to S1 during the normal catchment transfer round 2.5.1 As part of the P7-S1 transition programme, all parents/carers of children in P7 who attend a Renfrewshire primary school will be advised of the designated catchment school allocated, based on the pupil’s home address and denomination of primary school currently attended. Evidence of residency may be requested by schools or Children’s Services at any time, as part of the above allocations. Pupils who attend a Renfrewshire school from outwith the authority will require to contact their own local authority or if they wish to attend a Renfrewshire secondary school, make a placing request application for consideration. 2.5.2 In the situation where there is an agreement for shared custody of a child where a child lives with a different parent/carer regularly at a different property, the local catchment school is defined by Children’s Services as the residence of the parent/carer who receives Child Benefit for said child. Recent documentary evidence of receipt of Child Benefit or equivalent
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paperwork may be required to be submitted. Only for exceptional circumstances may alternative documentation be considered by headquarters. 2.5.3 At the time of being advised of the designated allocated school, parent/carers can make a request if they wish to attend the alternative catchment school for their area. They can also make a placing request application for a non- catchment school. 2.5.4 Renfrewshire parents/carers with children residing in the authority and not being educated in a Renfrewshire Council primary school, but who wish for their child to attend a Renfrewshire secondary school from the commencement of the S1 year stage, will require to contact Children’s Services before the end of October to apply for a place in the following academic session. Failure to do so may result in a place not being available. 2.5.5 In the event that the number of applications from catchment pupils is greater than the number of places available at that stage in the catchment school, the allocations process is detailed in Section 3. Priority is given to catchment pupils in the first instance, thereafter placing requests may be considered. 2.5.6 Following catchment allocations, if there are any further spaces available these will be allocated to placing requests in line with Placing Request Allocations Policy, please refer to Section 3.5. 2.6 Applying for a school place outwith the normal catchment rounds 2.6.1 Applications for a catchment place to commence at any point during the academic year outwith the normal catchment rounds should be made by a parent/carer directly to the preferred catchment school. Where places are available the school will agree a date and time for the parent/carer to complete a registration application and to provide the required appropriate documentary evidence as described in paragraph 2.4.3. Applicants may find that the school is already full at the year stage requested. In this situation parents/carers will be asked to contact Children’s Services to discuss options for redirecting their child to an alternative establishment. We will do our best to meet requests, please refer to Sections 5 and 6.2 for further details on re-direction. 2.6.2 Any application for a catchment school place being submitted during a school holiday should be directed to Children’s Services. The department will arrange for you to make your submission at Children’s Services headquarters by prior arrangement; documentary evidence, as per paragraph 2.4.3, will be required to be provided at this point. Children’s Services will pass your application to the school on their return from the holiday period.
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2.7 Change of circumstances 2.7.1 Allocations cannot be confirmed until all required documentary evidence has been received in full. If a child’s location of residency changes after submission of a request for a catchment school, the parent/carer should inform the school immediately or, if during a school holiday, Children’s Services. The Council reserves the right to refuse a place in any of its educational establishments when it is not satisfied that a request meets the required criteria for a place. 2.7.2 If you are or become a resident within the catchment area of the school which your child attends, and at a later date move out of the catchment area. You are deemed to be a “request to remain” (Appendix I). Technically you are now considered to be a placing request within the school, but without the requirement to fill out a placing request form. Continuation within the primary school does not automatically guarantee placement at the associated secondary school. 2.7.3 Where the new family residence is outwith the delineated catchment area of the school applied for but remains within Renfrewshire Council: • and the parent/carer has not yet been sent confirmation of a registered place being granted or the new academic session has not started, the registration application will be rescinded and a new application will require to be submitted for the new catchment school as appropriate. • and a registered place has been confirmed at the school initially applied for however, you wish to make a registration application for your new catchment school, you will be required to inform the school you no longer require this place and make an application for the new catchment school as soon as possible. 2.7.4 If the location of the new residence is outwith Renfrewshire Council: • and the parent/carer has not yet been sent confirmation of a registered place being granted or the new academic session has not started, the registration application will be rescinded and the parent/carer will be required to apply for a catchment place to the appropriate local authority where the new residence is located as soon as possible. If placement is still required at a Renfrewshire school a placing request will require to be made. • and a registered place has been confirmed at the school initially applied for however, you wish to make a registration application for your new catchment school. You will be required to inform the school you no longer require this place and make an application for a catchment place to the appropriate local authority where the new residence is located. 2.7.5 In all cases a request to remain, will be considered by the school where a child no longer resides within the delineated catchment area of the school they attend and they wish to remain registered or enrolled there (Appendix I).
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2.8 Applying for a catchment school place before being resident within the school’s delineated catchment area 2.8.1 Applications for catchment school places prior to becoming resident within the school’s delineated catchment area should be made no more than 4 weeks in advance of taking up residency. If you attempt to make an application more than 4 weeks in advance of becoming resident within the school’s delineated catchment area, you will be advised that you must reapply when your date of residency is no further than 4 weeks in the future. 2.8.2 On applying for a catchment place in advance of residency, satisfactory documentary evidence of future residency must be supplied; only on providing satisfactory documentary evidence will a catchment place (if available) be temporarily held (for a maximum of 4 weeks). On becoming resident within the school’s delineated catchment area you must provide further documentary evidence confirming your residency; your child will not be able to enrol at a catchment school until evidence of residency is provided. 2.8.3 If after 4 weeks you fail to provide further documentary evidence of your residency within the school’s delineated catchment area, the place will be released and made available or offered to other catchment applicants who satisfy the criteria. Should you make a further request for a future catchment place it will be placed at the end of the list of any “live” applications i.e. those already recorded for a place commencing 4 weeks or less in the future. 2.9 Applying for a placing request Parents/carers who do not reside within the delineated catchment area of a Renfrewshire school are required to submit a placing request in order for their child to be considered for a place. Please refer to “Sending Your Child to School” information pack (Appendix A) for further details. A placing request can be submitted at any time, however for the start of an academic session it is required that forms are submitted by the 15 March prior to August intake to allow the application to be included in the first round of allocations. No decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year. Requests received after this date will be considered on an individual basis. Placing requests will only be considered where there are sufficient spaces, after catchment allocations have been made. 2.10 Information for all requests Requests for documentary evidence is required to be produced the applicant will be given 4 weeks to produce original copies. Requests for places received during school holidays, will be processed on a school’s return as soon as possible; every endeavour will be made to target the first day pupils start the new academic year.
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3 THE DECISION MAKING PROCEDURE / OVER SUBSCRIPTION 3.1 Processing applications for places in schools and the decision process This section considers the timeline of when applications are received, when they are processed and when parents/carers will be advised. The overwhelming majority of applications for places are requested for the commencement of an academic year in August. For clarity, catchment allocations (3.2, 3.3 and 3.4) are considered and prioritised before any placing request applications (3.5). 3.2 Allocation of catchment spaces for Primary 1 Enrolment for P1 placements following registration of pupils in November will be processed firstly for catchment allocations and thereafter for placing request applications. The normal round of catchment allocations will be decided by the end of January, prior to August intake. In the case where the number of applications for a place in a catchment school is less than the number of places available all applications will be granted. Should a school be oversubscribed by catchment applications priorities for catchment allocations will be adhered to, as per Appendix C. It should be noted that the later applications are received and so processed for places to commence for the new academic year in August, will inevitably mean that there will be a reduction in the availability of places remaining. It is strongly advised that parents/carers apply to register as early as possible with complete and satisfactory documentary evidence to help gain a place for their child in the school of their choice. Places will only be confirmed once all the required evidence as detailed in Section 2.4.3 above is provided and the Council is satisfied with proof of residency for the applied school’s catchment area. Parents/carers should be mindful of this and seek to conclude any outstanding information as soon as possible to secure a place for their child. 3.3 Allocation of Catchment spaces for Primary 7 Transfer to Secondary 1 Transfer from Primary to Secondary catchment decisions as part of the normal transfer round, will consist of parents being notified if living in Renfrewshire and attending a Renfrewshire school, by the end of October, prior to August intake, of the school designated for their child. The process if they do not wish to accept this placement and options available will be explained. If we do not hear from parents, the assumption is made that the place offered will be taken. In the case where the number of applications for a place in a catchment school is less than the number of places available all applications will be granted.
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Should a school be oversubscribed by catchment applications priorities for catchment allocations will be adhered to, as per Appendix D. The normal round of catchment allocations will be decided by the end of November, prior to August intake. It should be noted that the later applications are received and so processed for places to commence for the new academic year in August, will inevitably mean that there will be a reduction in the availability of places remaining. It is strongly advised that parents/carers notify us of their request for alternative placement as early as possible with complete and satisfactory documentary evidence to help gain a place for their child in the school of their choice. Requests may be made for documentary evidence in relation to home address and baptismal certification. Places will only be confirmed once all the evidence is provided and the Council is satisfied with proof of residency for the applied school’s catchment area and if applicable baptismal certification. Parents/carers should be mindful of this and seek to conclude any outstanding information as soon as possible to help gain a place for their child. 3.4 Allocation of Catchment Spaces outwith start of academic year / other stage / change of denomination. If you have moved house within Renfrewshire and changed catchment areas or moved into Renfrewshire from outwith the authority you are required to liaise with the appropriate catchment school. Applications to register for a catchment place to start at times other than commencement of the new academic year in August, i.e. outwith the normal allocation rounds, are processed directly with the schools. In considering these applications, the date and time the application is received is used to determine the order they are processed. Those received earliest are processed first. In the case where the number of applications for a place in a catchment school is less than the number of places available all applications will be granted. Where there are no catchment spaces available, the parent will be asked to contact Children’s Services to discuss options for redirecting their child to an alternative establishment. We will do our best to meet requests and provide support with transport where appropriate. Please see Sections 5 and 6 for further details on re-direction. 3.5 Allocation of Placing Requests Where a pupil does not wish to attend either the denominational or non- denominational school for their catchment area they are required to make a placing request.
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Where a child is currently attending a Renfrewshire school and wishes to change denomination of school they currently attend they are required to make a placing request. This does not apply to P7 transfer catchment allocation rounds, parents will be advised of how to submit such a request in writing at the time of transfer. Once catchment allocations are agreed, any remaining places will be allocated to placing requests in both primary and secondary sectors. For placing requests received by the 15 March, parents/carers will be advised by 30 April of the status of their child’s application. No decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year. Placing request applications for places received after the 15 March will be provided with a decision within 2 months of submission of their application. It should be noted that the later applications are received, and so processed for places to commence for the new academic year in August, will inevitably mean that there will be a reduction in the availability of places remaining. It is strongly advised that parents/carers apply as early as possible. It should be noted that for normal round of placing request applications for the start of a new school session, decisions cannot be made until the 15th of March at the earliest prior to the August intake. This is a requirement by law and as such may cause delays in attendance at induction days. Should a school be oversubscribed catchment requests are given first priority, thereafter placing request applications are considered. Priorities for placing request allocations policy will be adhered to, as per Appendix E. 4 APPEALING A DECISION 4.1 Catchment 4.1.1 The Council appreciates that parents/carers may be very disappointed that their child cannot go to the school they desire because the year stage at the school is full. 4.1.2 There is no formal appeal process for catchment allocations. Section 28B of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 obliges local authorities to make provisions for admission to school and priorities for admissions and placing requests. If a school is oversubscribed it may use admissions criteria. The Council’s admissions policy for catchment allocations are attached as Appendices C and D. Where there are not enough spaces to grant all catchment requests the admissions policy will be adhered to and where appropriate ballots carried out in line with ballot policy (Appendix F), there is no right of appeal to catchment decisions.
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Following any ballot names will be held on a waiting list for any future allocations, people requesting placement after initial decisions have been made will be added to the end of the waiting list regardless of catchment priority banding. 4.2 Placing Requests 4.2.1 If a request is refused a parent may refer the decision to an appeal committee. They can make an appeal to the Education Appeal Committee, regarding the outcome of the placing request process, in relation to their application. 4.2.2 A parent can make as many placing requests in a year as they wish, but they are only entitled to appeal one. Please refer to “Sending Your Child to School” information pack (Appendix A) for further details on making a placing request appeal. 4 REDIRECTION 5.1 The process 5.1.1 In negotiation with parents/carers, redirected children will attend an appropriate alternative establishment until a place becomes available in their preferred catchment school following the decision making process in Section 3. 5.1.2 As places become available in the allocated catchment school these will be offered to parents/carers of redirected children in the order in which the applications for a place in the school were received. 5.2 Returning to a catchment school after being redirected 5.2.1 When places in the allocated catchment school become available, parents/carers may instead wish for their child to remain in their redirected school and not return to their allocated catchment school. In such situations, the child will no longer be regarded as a redirected child and will be removed from the redirected list. Further information is available in Section 6.2 in relation to transport provision. 6 TRANSPORT 6.1 Transport provision 6.1.1 Further information on meeting the criteria for free transport is available via the Council’s website “Home to School Transport Policy”. 6.1.2 Ordinarily, we will not provide support with transport to schools outwith Renfrewshire Council.
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6.1.3 Pupils admitted to a school by way of a placing request will not be entitled to transport. 6.2 Redirected children provision 6.2.1 Where a child has been redirected to a non-catchment school, the cost of transport may be met by the Council if the free home to school transport criteria has been met. 6.2.2 If the family of a redirected child chooses to keep their child in the redirected school when a place in an appropriate catchment school becomes available, travelling costs will no longer be met by the Council. Parents will have 4 weeks from the date of notification to make alternative arrangements before transport is withdrawn. 7 Submission of information 7.1.1 The information provided as part of an application for catchment place or placing request must be full and correct in every respect to the best of the parent’s/carer’s knowledge. Renfrewshire Council will conduct checks to establish the accuracy of information supplied. 7.1.2 From the point of applying for a school place (catchment or placing request), there will be ongoing investigations and scrutiny of children’s entitlement to attend, at any point, a school in respect of their residence; this will continue after school enrolment. The Council will use all means available to it in order to investigate suspicions or allegations of fraud, including but not limited to, surveillance in cases where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. At any point, if there are any concerns regarding a child’s entitlement to a place, Children’s Services will seek documentary evidence to validate a child’s entitlement to a place in a school. 7.1.3 A child’s parent/carer is responsible for advising the school attended or Children’s Services that they no longer reside within the school’s delineated catchment area. Where parents request that they wish their child to remain in school, entitlement for Request to Remain will be considered. Where it is found that a child is no longer entitled to a place in a school (whether that be before or after school enrolment) since they no longer reside in a property in the delineated catchment area associated with the school, and a request to remain has not been approved, the Council will seek to exclude that child from the school in question. 7.1.4 Any attempts to obtain a place by deception may result in the rescinding of the parent’s/carer’s request for their child’s place in a school and the matter being passed to our Legal Department / Procurator Fiscal’s office for consideration of criminal proceedings.
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Sending your child to school Information pack for parents and carers Revised August 2022 Appendix A
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General information Within Renfrewshire there are a number of primary and secondary schools. To get information on schools, you can contact your catchment school or: Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1LQ Phone number: 0300 300 0170 E-mail: cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk There is also information on our website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk Sending your child to school 2
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3 Denominational and non-denominational schools Normally, your child will go to the catchment primary or secondary school for their area. Further information on placement allocations is available within our Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy. You must register your child either at the catchment denominational school or at the non-denominational school for your area. In most parts of Renfrewshire there are Roman Catholic schools (denominational). Please note: You can register at only one school. Additional support needs If you are a Renfrewshire resident and you are making a placing request for an independent additional support needs school, you are advised to discuss this with the Education Manager with responsibility for ASN in Children’s Services before submitting the application form. You can use the contact details above. Entry age Your child will be admitted to school in August if their fifth birthday falls between 1 March of that same year and the last day of February of the following year. You can, however, ask for your child to start school early if their fifth birthday falls after the last day of February. A separate leaflet and application for Early Entry, is available from www.renfrewshire.gov.uk or by telephoning 0300 300 0170. Registering your child for primary education Entry to primary schools is on a once-a-year basis at the start of the new session in August each year. Registration takes place in November. You will need your child’s original birth certificate and proof of residence, to register them for school. Adverts appear in nurseries, schools and newspapers in early October providing details on how to register your child. You can register your child at only one school, either the denominational or non-denominational school in your catchment area. Delay in registering may result in a place not being available. If you are unsure which school you should register at, please call 0300 300 0170 for advice.
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4 Moving into Renfrewshire If you are moving into Renfrewshire and your child has already been to a school elsewhere, you should contact your new catchment school with proof that you now live in the area. Parents/carers must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of the age of their child and that their family reside within the catchment area of the school. This evidence includes: 1. Child’s full Birth Certificate 2. Most recent Council Tax Notice or if not currently resident in the property either a concluded missive or a signed and witnessed tenancy agreement/lease. We will check the information provided with other Council departments and our audit colleagues, this may include visiting your home to confirm residence. We may also check your address again prior to a school term commencing and if we suspect fraud we may rescind your place and refer the matter to the Procurator Fiscal. 3. Child Benefit Statement. (In the event that a Child Benefit Statement is not available, a Driving Licence or a Bank Statement/utility bill showing transactions over the most recent 3 months and the applicant’s address may be accepted). Or If appropriate to current circumstances: Court Order / Looked After Child/Foster carer document(s). 4. Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (if applicable). The list above is not exhaustive and the Council retains the right to ask for further information when proof of residency is not satisfied. Transfer from primary to secondary school A group of primary schools in an area are normally associated with a secondary school. All secondary schools have a catchment area which includes their associated primary schools. Pupils transfer from primary school to secondary school between the ages of 11 and 12 (in most cases). If you live within Renfrewshire, Children’s Services can tell you the name of the secondary school to which your child should normally transfer after the primary 7 stage. When your child is due to transfer from primary to secondary at the beginning of a new session in August, if you live within Renfrewshire you will be notified based on your home address and denomination of primary school attended, of the secondary school where a place has been allocated. If you wish to attend the alternative denomination of secondary school for your catchment area, to that allocated you will be asked to put this request in writing. There is no guarantee of entry when changing denomination at the secondary school stage. If you live out with Renfrewshire you should contact your local authority regarding provision, you can also consider making a placing request to attend a Renfrewshire secondary school. You should note that the granting of a placing request to a primary school, when transferring from primary to secondary school does not guarantee entry to the associated secondary school. Places in schools will be allocated in line with the Council’s Admissions to Schools and Placing Request policy. Renfrewshire secondary school handbooks are available from individual secondary schools. Details of induction days and parents’ meetings will be provided by secondary schools. Further information / Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy can be found by visiting www.renfrewshire.gov.uk or by telephoning 0300 300 0170.
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5 Placing requests You may ask for your child to go to a school other than your catchment school. This is called making a placing request. You do not need to tell us your reasons for making a placing request, but it may be helpful if you do. Please ensure all declarations are responded to, or we will be unable to process your application. There are strong educational reasons for making sure that the transfer or entry of children to a school happens at the start of a school session in August, so it is better to make placing requests before the start of a session. Parents who are moving to a new area may have to make requests at other times. The school you ask for is referred to as the ‘specified school’. You can apply for only one school at a time. If we grant your placing request, we will write to you to confirm this and advise you to contact the school to arrange to enrol your child. The place being held for your child, at their catchment school will no longer be available. If you want to make a placing request, please fill in the attached form. You must fill in one form for each child. Please send to Children’s Services (not the school) the filled-in placing request for each child. Please also tell the head teacher of your catchment school that you are making a placing request. We will acknowledge placing requests within five working days of receiving the form. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact us, as we may not have received your application. The Council has a duty to grant placing requests, wherever possible. However, it is not always possible to grant every placing request to a particular school. The size of the school, the current roll, the number of children who already live in the catchment area and other factors will affect the Council’s ability to grant a placing request. The law relating to placing requests covers children applying to change their school as well as those starting a primary or secondary school. How decisions are made After all catchment allocations have been decided, the director of Children’s Services makes decisions about placing requests that are received in Renfrewshire House by 15 March, for the new session which begins in August. We will consider all requests. If there are more requests than places available for a particular school, or a particular stage in a school, the director will make decisions based on our placing request priorities. Please note, granting a placing request for one child does not guarantee entry for brothers and sisters, should you wish to make another placing request to the same school at a later date. No decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year.
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6 Guidelines and conditions By law we are allowed to produce guidelines on how we will decide admissions to schools (this information is contained within our Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy). If there are places available in a school, we will give first choice to those children who live in its catchment area. This includes children who are considered suitable for primary education before the normal entry age. Thereafter, for placing requests we give priority in the order below: Placing Request Priorities 1.Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. If applicable and siblings attend the school please provide name(s) and stage(s). 2.Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school 3.Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only: The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school 4.Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 5.Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1–4 do not apply 6.Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic Denominational Secondary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school 7.Non-Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only: The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school 8.Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 9.Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1–8 do not apply In-line with placing request legislation, no decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year.
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7 Transport: Placing Requests You should be aware that if we grant your placing request, we do not have to provide a school bus pass or any other help with transport. Why we may not grant placing requests Once you have told us, in writing, that you want your child to go to a particular school, we can only refuse your request for certain reasons set out by law in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Examples of where we do not have to admit your child to the school of your choice may be: • If the school would have to employ an extra teacher or spend a lot of money, for example, if we would have to provide an extra classroom. • If your child’s education would suffer as a result of changing school. • If education in the school you want would not be suitable to the age or ability of your child. • If the specified school you have requested is an additional support needs school and your child does not have a requirement for the education or special facilities normally provided at that school. • If we think that your child would be likely to disturb the order and discipline in that school, or the educational wellbeing of other pupils at the school. • If accepting the request would prevent us from reserving a place at the school for a child who is likely to move into the area. • If accepting the request would make it necessary for us to create an extra class or employ another teacher at a future stage of your child’s primary education. If we refuse your placing request If we refuse your placing request, or if we have not given you our decision on your request by 30 April for new session P1 and S1 requests (or within two months for requests made at other times of the year or for new session other stages applications), you may make an appeal to an appeal committee. You can appeal against a placing request refusal only once in a 12 month period. This does not mean that you cannot make another placing request. It just means that if we refuse your first placing request and you lodge an appeal, you cannot appeal to the appeal committee again, on another placing request decision, within 12 months of the date of receipt of the original appeal letter. You must appeal in writing to the director of Children’s Services. By the time of the appeal, you will know why we refused your placing request. At the appeal hearing you will have the chance to present your case in person or through a representative. If the appeal committee agree that we were right to refuse your child a place in the school you want, you have 28 days from receiving the appeal committee’s decision to appeal to the Sheriff Court. In case places become available in the school you want, we will keep your request open until 31 August of the year you made it unless you tell us you want to change your request to another school.
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8 Pupil travel We do not provide travel for placing requests, however for catchment pupils we do provide free home to school transport for all primary pupils who live more than 1.6 kilometres (one mile) from their catchment school and to secondary pupils who live more than 3.2 kilometres (two miles) from their catchment school. The distances are based on the recognised shortest, safe walking route (further details available in the department’s “Home to School Transport Policy”. This policy may be reviewed at any time. We may provide transport for children with additional support needs. For more information, phone 0300 300 0170. Gaelic Medium Education Gaelic medium education, which means learning while speaking, reading and writing in Scottish Gaelic, is now an established sector in Scottish education. Gaelic medium education includes children who come from families where Gaelic is spoken and children from families with little or no background in the language. Gaelic medium education is currently available in almost all education authorities across Scotland. Renfrewshire Council has opened its first Gaelic Medium Primary Education provision for Primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils in West Primary School, Paisley. This provision is currently staffed with a Principal teacher and an additional class teacher with the head teacher of the school having overall responsibility. To register/enrol your child in this provision, you can either contact the head teacher (Lynne McGinn) at the school (0300 300 0177 / westenquiries@renfrewshire.school), email admissionsandtransfers@renfrewshire.gov.uk, or telephone 0300 300 0170. Visit our ‘learning and education in Gaelic’ page on our website (www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ schools) for information. Although the information in this document is correct at the time of printing, it is possible that arrangements could change either before the start of, or during the course of, the school year in question, or in relation to later school years. This information leaflet only provides general guidance about placing requests.
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For office use only Input by Date Cat catchment checked P1 Registered 9 Placing Request Application Form Parent/Carer or Young Person over 16 Details: Title: First Name: Last Name: Home Address: Postcode: Telephone Number: Email: If you would like to discuss this application by telephone, please complete this security question: What was the name of your first primary school? Answer: Child / Young Person: First Name: Last Name: Date of Birth: / / Gender: Additional Support Needs: Does the child/young person have any additional support needs? Yes No If so please specify, and attach any reports or evidence: If the child/young person is receiving additional support in the current nursery or school, what is the support and who provides it? Does the child/young person have, or there is in preparation, or have you asked for an assessment for a Coordinated Support Plan (CSP)? Yes No
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10 School Details: My child currently attends (specify Nursery or School): I would like my child to go to (specify school): The catchment school for my area is: Session to Start (e.g. 2020): 20 Stage required (please tick one box below). Stage in primary: P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 Stage in secondary: S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 If the application is for a place in stages S3 to S6 of a secondary school, please advise of subjects and levels being studied e.g. English, Level: National 4. Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3 Subject 4 Subject 5 Subject 6 Subject 7 Subject 8 Subject 9 Priorities We grant placing requests on the basis of priorities set out below: Please tick one box below that applies to your situation: Tick Priority 1.Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. If your child holds a baptismal certificate please provide a copy. Denominational Secondary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. If applicable and siblings attend the school please provide name(s) and stage(s) below 2.Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school and will continue to do so at time of placement. Please provide name(s) and stage(s) 3.Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only: The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school.
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11 4.Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 5.Renfrewshire Resident. Categories 1–4 do not apply. 6.Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. If your child holds a baptismal certificate please provide a copy. Denominational Secondary School only: The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. 7.Non-Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only: The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. 8.Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 9.Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1–8 do not apply. In line with placing request legislation, no decisions will be made for requests for the start of a new academic session, before 15 March in any given year. Please add any other relevant information below
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Data Protection We need your details for the purposes of dealing with your application for a placing request and they will be used for the purposes of the Council’s public functions. The Council may check your details with other information held and may share these with other Council services and other local authorities to check the accuracy of the information and to prevent or detect fraud or crime or to protect public funds. Further information on how the Council handles your personal information can be found on: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2201/privacy-policy If your child currently attends a school or nursery outside the Renfrewshire Council area, we would also seek access to the education records for your child from that education authority. By signing the declaration below, you consent to Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services receiving a copy and access to your child’s current educational record held by that education authority. If you require further information on how the Council will process your application, information on schools or help with completion of this application form, please contact:0300 300 0170. Declaration I confirm that I have made myself fully aware of Renfrewshire Councils “Sending Your Child to School” information pack before submitting this application form. The information I have given is full and correct in every respect to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that if the information that I have submitted is found to be fraudulent my placing request application will be rescinded and the Council could pass the matter to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office. I acknowledge that the form will be returned to me if I have not completed the application in full. I have read and understood the statement under the Data Protection Act 1998. I am aware that if this placing request is granted, it may not be possible for future sibling applications to be granted. I also confirm that I am aware that if applicable to my application, when transferring from primary to secondary school the granting of a placing request does not guarantee entry to the associated secondary school. The allocation of secondary placement will be dependent on my home address and priorities for admission. I understand that Renfrewshire Council do not provide transport for pupils attending schools as a result of successful placing requests. 12 Signature of Parent/Carer or Young Person (if over 16) Date
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Appendix B RESERVATION OF PLACES IN SCHOOLS POLICY On occasion, a number of Renfrewshire schools are unable to provide a place for children moving into the catchment area during a school session. The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act (2000) addresses this problem and allows authorities the right to reserve places in schools at the start of the session for children who may move into the catchment area during the session. The authority can reserve as many places as are, in its opinion reasonably required to accommodate pupils who are likely to become resident in the catchment area of the school over the course of a school session. However, reserved spaces may be used at the start of a term if the catchment demand for places requires the spaces. To facilitate the provision of a school place in a local school for children moving into a catchment area during a school session, places will be reserved at the start of the session as follows: (i) For primary schools, one place per class per stage and one place per composite class. e.g. P1 max intake is = 50 (2 classes of 25). 2 classes = 2 reserved spaces for this year stage are required. Current maximum class sizes in Primary Schools are:- P1 = 25 P2 = 30 P3 = 30 P4 = 33 For all stages Composite Classes = 25 P5 = 33 (Minimum number of pupils in a composite year stage is 5 P6 = 33 e.g. P1/2 = 5 P1 pupils and 20 P2 pupils) P7 = 33 (ii) For secondary schools one place per two register classes, per year group. A year stage intake is set so that one place is reserved for every two register classes in that year stage. This would be rounded up for schools with an odd number of register classes. Number of Register Classes Number of Reserved Spaces Held 1 1 2 1 3 2 4 2 5 3 6 3 7 4 8 4 9 5 10 5 e.g. S1 maximum intake is = 165 (5 register classes of 33) 5 register classes = 3 reserved spaces will be held
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Appendix C Catchment Allocations Policy for Primary Schools Based on the pupil’s home address, this will determine the primary catchment schools available. The pupil should be enrolled at either the denominational or non- denominational school accordingly. Only where there are not enough catchment spaces for all pupils, the following priorities will be applied in the order below:- Denominational Primary Schools Non-Denominational Primary Schools 1. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. • If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 1. Not Applicable for non- denominational primary schools 2. The pupil has sibling(s) in the school. • If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 2. The pupil has sibling(s) in the school. • If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 3. The pupil has medical reasons supported by the family doctor and a community medicine specialist, that say that the child could only be educated with difficulty in another school because of their medical condition. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 3. The pupil has medical reasons supported by the family doctor and a community medicine specialist, that say that the child could only be educated with difficulty in another school because of their medical condition. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 4. None of the above applies. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 4. None of the above applies. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot is required. 5. Where a school is oversubscribed at any of the above priorities a ballot for the available spaces will be held. Ballot Process Policy (Appendix F) will be followed. 6. Those pupils not offered a place through this process will be recorded on a “waiting list”, this list will apply to the current academic year only. 7. After the allocation of places if there are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. Pictorial representations of the policy process for both primary denominational and primary non-denominational journeys are detailed below.
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P1 Enrolment for Denominational Primary Schools Prioritisation Start Parent / Carer makes application to attend a denominational school. (Proof of residency, full birth certificate, and if held baptismal certificate to be provided) Does the pupil live in the catchment area? Does the pupil have a Roman Catholic baptismal certificate? Priority 1: baptised in RC church Does the pupil have a sibling in the school? Priority 2 : sibling in school Does the pupil have medical needs? (This only applies if the pupils needs cannot be accommodated in any other school e.g. wheelchair user where nolift / stairlift is available) Priority 3 :medical needs Priority 4: none of the above Parent / Carer requires to register at catchment school then make a placing request* End End Yes Yes No No No No Note: • Where a school is oversubscribed at any of the above priorities a ballot for the available spaces will be held with priority for siblings provided. Those pupils not offered a place through this process will be recorded on a waiting list for the current academic year. • After the allocation of places if there are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. * Where a pupil does not live in the catchment area for a school they will require to make a placing request. If there are spaces available following catchment allocations, applications will be allocated in line with Placing Request Priorities. Yes Yes
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P1 Enrolment for Non Denominational Primary Schools Prioritisation Start Parent / Carer makes application to attend a non denominational school (Proof of residency and full birth certificate to be provided) Does the pupil live in the catchment area? Does the pupil have a sibling in the school? Priority 2 : sibling in school Does the pupil have medical needs? This only applies if the pupils needs cannot be accommodated in any other school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stairlift is available Priority 3 :medical needs Priority 4: none of the above Parent / Carer requires to register at catchment school and then make a placing request* End End Yes Yes No Yes No No Note: • Where a school is oversubscribed at any of the above priorities a ballot for the available spaces will be held with priority for siblings provided. Those pupils not offered a place through this process will be recorded on a waiting list for the current academic year. • After the allocation of places if there are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. * Where a pupil does not live in the catchment area for a school they will require to make a placing request. If there are spaces available following catchment allocations, applications will be allocated in line with Placing Request Priorities. Please note that Priority 1 does not apply to the non denominational primary schools enrolment process (this is only for denominational primary schools)
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Appendix D Catchment Allocations Policy for Secondary Schools Based on the primary school attended and the pupil’s home address, this will determine the secondary catchment school for a pupil. Only where there are not enough catchment spaces for all pupils, the following priorities will be applied in the order below:- Denominational Secondary Schools Non-Denominational Secondary Schools 1. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and has always attended a denominational primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 1. The pupil has always attended a non- denominational primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 2. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic; has moved into a denominational primary school associated with the relevant secondary school after Primary 1 but has attended a denominational school since primary 1 elsewhere. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 2. The pupil has moved into a non- denominational primary school associated with the relevant secondary school after Primary 1 but has attended a non-denominational school since primary 1 elsewhere. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 3. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and has attended a denominational primary school since primary 1. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 3. Not Applicable for non-denominational secondary schools 4. The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic but attending a non-denominational school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 4. Not Applicable for non-denominational secondary schools. 5. The pupil attends a denominational primary school, associated to the relevant secondary school but is not baptised. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings and length of time attended is required. 5. The pupil attends a non-denominational primary school, associated to the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings and length of time attended is required. 6. The pupil attends a non-denominational Renfrewshire school or a school outwith the authority. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 6. The pupil attends a denominational school or a school outwith the authority. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 7. The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school . e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 7. The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school . e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 8. None of the above applies. 8. None of the above applies. 8. Where a school is oversubscribed at any of the above priorities a ballot for the available spaces will be held. Ballot Process Policy (Appendix F) will be followed. 9. Those pupils not offered a place through this process will be recorded on a “waiting list”, this list will apply to the current academic year only. After the allocation of places if there
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are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. Pictorial representations of the policy process for both secondary denominational and secondary non-denominational journeys are detailed below.
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Primary 7 to Secondary 1 transfer: denominational Prioritisation Does the Parent / Carer accept place offered? Parents are advised of the catchment secondary school where a place has been reserved based on home address and denomination of the primary school currently attended End No further action required Secondary school arrange induction days Does the parent wish the pupil to attend the alternative catchment secondary school? Parent should make a request in writing to HQ. Places will be allocated in order of priorities below only if the school is oversubscribed Start Where a pupil does not live in the catchment area for a school they are required to make a placing request. If there are spaces available following catchment allocations, applications will be allocated in line with Placing Request Priorities. Yes No Yes No End End Priority 1 The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and has always attended a denominational primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 2 The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic; has moved into a denominational primary school associated with the relevant secondary school after Primary 1 but has attended a denominational school since primary 1 elsewhere. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 3 The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic and has attended a denominational primary school since primary 1. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 4 The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic but attending a non-denominational school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 5 The pupil attends a denominational primary school, associated to the relevant secondary school but is not baptised. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings and length of time attended is required. Priority 6 The pupil attends a non-denominational Renfrewshire school or a school outwith the authority. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 7 The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school . e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 8 None of the above applies. • After the allocation of places if there are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. Priority 1 Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 2 Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school. Priority 3 Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 4 Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 5 Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply. Priority 6 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 7 Non- Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 8 Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 9 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply.
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Primary 7 to Secondary 1 transfer: non-denominational Prioritisation Does the Parent / Carer accept place offered? Parents are advised of the catchment secondary school where a place has been reserved based on home address and denomination of the primary school currently attended End No further action required Secondary school arrange induction days Does the parent wish the pupil to attend the alternative catchment secondary school? Parent should make a request in writing to HQ. Places will be allocated in order of priorities below only if the school is oversubscribed Start Where a pupil does not live in the catchment area for a school they are required to make a placing request. If there are spaces available following catchment allocations, applications will be allocated in line with Placing Request Priorities. Yes No Yes No End End Priority 1 The pupil has always attended a non-denominational primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 2 The pupil has moved into a non-denominational primary school associated with the relevant secondary school after Primary 1 but has attended a non- denominational school since primary 1 elsewhere. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 3 Not Applicable for non-denominational secondary schools Priority 4 Not Applicable for non-denominational secondary schools. Priority 5 The pupil attends a non-denominational primary school, associated to the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings and length of time attended is required. Priority 6 The pupil attends a denominational school or a school outwith the authority. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 7 The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school . e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 8 None of the above applies. • After the allocation of places if there are no spaces available, any new requests will be added to the end of the waiting list where applicable. Priority 1 Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 2 Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school. Priority 3 Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 4 Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 5 Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply. Priority 6 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 7 Non- Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 8 Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 9 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply.
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Appendix E Placing Request Allocations Policy When a pupil does not wish to attend the school for their catchment area and they wish to attend another school within Renfrewshire they are required to make a placing request. The placing request will be considered, if following catchment place allocations, there are spaces still available. Where there are not enough placing request spaces for all pupils, the following priorities will be applied in the order below:- Priorities 1. Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. 2. Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school. 3. Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. 4. Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 5. Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – 4 do not apply. 6. Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. 7. Non- Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. 8. Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). 9. Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – 8 do not apply. To be considered in the first round of allocations for the start of a new academic session, applications should be made before the 15th of March prior to the August intake. In line with placing request legislation, no decisions will be made before this date. Where there are more requests than spaces available it may be necessary to carry out a ballot within a particular priority. Ballot Process Policy (Appendix F) will be followed.
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If further places become available after the first round of allocations, all current requests will be considered and allocated in order of priorities above. Unsuccessful placing request applications for the start of a new academic year will be held until 31st August of that year. Applications made outwith the start of a new academic year, will be held until the end of the academic year applied for. Pictorial representations of the policy process for placing request journey is detailed below.
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Placing Request Prioritisation To be considered in the first round of allocations for the start of a new academic session, applications should be made before the 15th of March prior to the August intake. In line with placing request legislation, no decisions will be made before this date. If following catchment place allocations, there are spaces still available placing request will be considered. Where there are not enough placing request spaces for all pupils, the following priorities will be applied in the order below Start End Priority 1 Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required. Priority 2 Renfrewshire and Non-Renfrewshire Residents The pupil has sibling(s) attend the school. Priority 3 Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 4 Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 5 Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply. Priority 6 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Denominational Primary School only - The pupil is baptised Roman Catholic. Denominational Secondary School only – The pupils is baptised Roman Catholic and the pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 7 Non- Renfrewshire Resident For Secondary Schools only - The pupil attends a primary school, associated with the relevant secondary school. Priority 8 Non-Renfrewshire Resident The pupil has medical needs (that cannot be accommodated in any other Renfrewshire school e.g. wheelchair user where no lift / stair lift is available). Priority 9 Non-Renfrewshire Resident Categories 1 – do not apply.
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Appendix F Ballot Process Policy Where a ballot may be required for the allocation of places in schools, the ballot will be carried out by an officer from the Council’s Internal Audit department. This officer is completely independent of the allocations process and is there to ensure fairness and transparency in the process. • The officer is given a copy of the list of eligible children to be considered in the ballot. • The officer will check the names on the list to ensure all eligible children are included and sign the sheet of names to verify all have been accounted. • Where a priority states “If oversubscribed at this point a ballot, prioritising siblings is required” the children eligible who meet sibling criteria will be balloted firstly. • When the names are checked, they are separated, folded and put into a large ballot envelope. • As each successful name is pulled out, it is noted on the ballot sheet. (For twins / triplets etc if one sibling is drawn from the ballot the others will automatically receive the next allocation of spaces, if available). • When the ballot has been concluded the officer selecting the names signs the ballot sheet and this is retained as a formal record of the procedure. • The number of spaces available will be allocated in order of the ballot. For catchment allocations – In the eventuality of any further spaces becoming available these will be allocated in order of the ballot list. Any requests received after the initial ballot will be added to the end of the ballot list. Ballot waiting lists will be held until the end of the academic year applied for. For placing request allocations – In the eventuality of any further spaces becoming available these will be allocated in line with priorities for placing requests, for all current applications held at that time. Unsuccessful applications for the start of a new academic year, will be held until 31st August of that year. Applications made for out with the start of a new academic year, will be held until the end of the academic year applied for.
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Appendix G Secondary School Associated Primary Schools Castlehead High School Glencoats PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) West PS Wallace PS Gleniffer High School Brediland PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Bushes PS Heriot PS Langcraigs PS Lochfield PS Gryffe High School Bridge of Weir PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Houston PS Johnstone High School Auchenlodment PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Cochrane Castle PS Fordbank PS Howwood PS Kilbarchan PS Lochwinnoch PS Thorn PS Linwood High School East Fulton PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Woodlands PS Paisley Grammar Gallowhill PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Mossvale PS Ralston PS Todholm PS Williamsburgh PS Park Mains High School Bargarran PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Barsail PS Bishopton PS Inchinnan PS Langbank PS Rashielea PS Renfrew HS Arkleston PS (Non-Denominational Cluster) Kirklandneuk PS Newmains PS St Andrew's Academy St Charles' PS (Denominational Cluster) St Fergus' PS St James's PS (Paisley) St John Ogilvie PS St Mary's PS St Paul's PS St Peter's PS St Catherine’s PS (split catchment) St Benedict's High School Our Lady of Peace PS (Denominational Cluster) St Anthony's PS St David's PS St Fillan's PS St Margaret's PS Trinity High School St Anne's PS (Denominational Cluster) St Catherine's PS (split catchment) St James's PS Ren St John Bosco PS
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Appendix H REGISTRATION FOR EDUCATION Parents can register their child in only one catchment school, either the denominational or the non-denominational school. If parents do not wish to attend either catchment school, a placing request application is required. Name of School: ___________________________________________________________ Pupil’s Name: Forename(s): _________________ Surname: ______________________ Sex: Male Female Date of birth: below 30 weeks Yes No Nursery the child currently attends: ____________________________________ Parent/Carer Details:- Forename(s): ________________________ Surname: ___________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ Postcode: ______________________ email:_____________________________ Telephone No: __________________ Mobile No: _________________________ Does the child have an older sibling in the school? Yes No Sibling(s) Name: _______________________ Year Stage: ________ Residence of child: (If different from parent/carer) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________ Telephone No: ___________________________ DAY MONTH YEAR Was your child premature? Yes No If yes, were they born between: weeks 30-36 Yes No Below 30 Weeks Yes No
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Parents/carers must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of the age of their child and that their family reside within the catchment area of the school. This evidence includes: No. Document For Verification of Received 1 Child’s full Birth Certificate Required to verify child’s date of birth for allocation of correct year stage. Held for verification of who has parental rights. 2 Most recent Council Tax Notice or if not currently resident in the property either a concluded missive or a signed and witnessed tenancy agreement/lease. Required to verify that home address is within catchment area of the requested school. We will check the information provided with other Council departments and our audit colleagues and this may include visiting your home to confirm residence. We may also check your address again prior to a school term commencing and if we suspect fraud we may rescind your place and could refer the matter to the Procurator Fiscal. 3 Child Benefit Statement. In the event that a Child Benefit Statement is not available, a Driving Licence or a Bank Statement/utility bill showing transactions over the most recent 3 months and the applicant’s address may be accepted. Or If appropriate to current circumstances - Court Order / Looked After Child / Foster Carer document(s). Verification of address of parent with whom the child is living with. 4 Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (if applicable) Verification of baptismal status. Only where a denominational school is oversubscribed this may be required for prioritisation purposes. The list above is not exhaustive and the Council retains the right to ask for further information. Has the parent/carer been advised of his/her right to request to place the child in a school other than this one? Yes No Decision of Parent/Carer – Tick one as appropriate: Enrol in catchment school Making a placing request Which school is request being made to? _____________ Making a placing request for Gaelic Medium Education Deferring entry to school. Has parent made application to defer? Yes No (If deferring entry, please check if the parent has made an application to nursery. If the answer is no, parent should be advised to contact nursery and request an application as soon possible.)
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Secondary Provision Parents are advised that when registering at a primary school, there is no automatic guarantee of transfer from the primary school to the associated secondary school. As part of the P7-S1 transition programme, all parents/carers of children in P7 who attend a Renfrewshire primary school will be advised of the designated catchment school to be allocated, based on the pupil’s current home address and denomination of primary school currently attended. Evidence of residency may be requested by Children’s Services at any time, as part of the above allocation process. Further information is available within the Council’s Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy. Data Protection We need your details for the purposes of dealing with school registration and they will be used for the purposes of the Council's public functions. The Council may check your details with other information held and may share these with other Council services and other local authorities to check the accuracy of the information and to prevent or detect fraud or crime or to protect public funds. Further information on how the Council handles your personal information can be found on: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2201/privacy-policy Declaration I confirm that I have read and understand the information provided above. The information I have given is full and correct in every respect to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that if the information that I have submitted is found to be fraudulent my application will be rescinded and the Council could pass the matter to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office. If I change address I understand that I require to notify the school immediately. I also confirm that I am aware that when transferring from primary to secondary school the granting of a placing request does not guarantee entry to the associated secondary school. The allocation of secondary placement will be dependent on my home address and denomination of primary school attended. I have read and understood the statement under the Data Protection Act 1998. Signature of Parent/Carer _____________________________________ Date ______________
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Appendix I PRIMARY REQUEST TO REMAIN LETTER TO BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY TO PUPIL’S NEW ADDRESS FROM THE SCHOOL Dear ……………………………………. Request to remain at :…NAME OF SCHOOL Stage P…….. CHILD’S NAME:........................................................... D.O.B.:.................................. I understand you have recently changed/are about to change residence to an area outwith the delineated area of INSERT NAME OF SCHOOL, you have requested that your child ……………………………., remain in this school. I would advise you that your request, which is in effect a placing request for your child to continue to be educated in this school, can be granted. The Council’s policy on home to school transport regarding placing requests will apply in these circumstances, “In the case of a pupil who attends a school by virtue of a placing request, the parents or carers are responsible for arranging transport to school”. I would also like to clarify that should you wish your child to attend the secondary school associated with this primary school you may require, if your home address is not within the catchment area of the secondary school, to submit a placing request at the primary 7 stage prior to transfer to secondary education. On the understanding of the above ___________ will be most welcome to remain in this school and I hope that he/she will enjoy a fulfilling future educational career with us. Yours sincerely Head Teacher A copy of this letter once filled out and put on to school headed paper, should also be sent to Children’s Services Support HQ.
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SECONDARY REQUEST TO REMAIN LETTER TO BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY TO PUPIL’S NEW ADDRESS FROM THE SCHOOL Dear ……………………………………. Request to remain at :…NAME OF SCHOOL Stage S…….. CHILD’S NAME:........................................................... D.O.B.:.................................. I understand you have recently changed/are about to change residence to an area outwith the delineated area of INSERT NAME OF SCHOOL, you have requested that your child ……………………………., remain in this school. I would advise you that your request, which is in effect a placing request for your child to continue to be educated in this school, can be granted. The Council’s policy on home to school transport regarding placing requests will apply in these circumstances, “In the case of a pupil who attends a school by virtue of a placing request, the parents or carers are responsible for arranging transport to school”. On the understanding of the above ___________ will be most welcome to remain in this school and I hope that he/she will enjoy a fulfilling future educational career with us. Yours sincerely Head Teacher A copy of this letter once filled out and put on to school headed paper, should also be sent to Children’s Services Support HQ.
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Appendix J Information For Parents – Transfer from primary to secondary school A group of primary schools in an area are normally associated with a secondary school. All secondary schools have a catchment area which includes their associated primary schools. Pupils transfer from primary school to secondary school between the ages of 11 and 12 (in most cases). If you live within Renfrewshire, Children’s Services can tell you the name of the secondary school to which your child should normally transfer after the primary 7 stage. When your child is due to transfer from primary to secondary at the beginning of a new session in August, if you live within Renfrewshire you will be notified based on your home address and denomination of primary school attended, of the secondary school where a place has been allocated. If you wish to attend the alternative denomination of secondary school for your catchment area, to that allocated you will be asked to put this request in writing. There is no guarantee of entry when changing denomination at the secondary school stage. If you live out with Renfrewshire you should contact your local authority regarding provision, you can also consider making a placing request to attend a Renfrewshire secondary school. You should note that the granting of a placing request to a primary school, when transferring from primary to secondary school does not guarantee entry to the associated secondary school. Places in schools will be allocated in line with the Council’s Admissions to Schools and Placing Request policy. Renfrewshire secondary school handbooks are available from individual secondary schools. Details of induction days and parents’ meetings will be provided by secondary schools. Further information / Admissions to Schools and Placing Request Policy can be found by visiting www.renfrewshire.gov.uk or by telephoning 0300 300 0170.