Consultation Request for change in admissions oversubscription criteria jan 2012

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- Consultation Document

Barnsley Academy would like to propose a change to these criteria for the following reasons:

1. In the interest of supporting fair access and best meet the needs of local children I would propose that Barnsley Academy bring it’s oversubscription criteria in line with all other Barnsley LEA schools in the following way : “children living nearest the school; the distance to be measured by a straight line between the centre point of the child’s permanent place of residence and the STUDENT entrance to the school building”.

2. At present Barnsley Academy is using the criteria which calculate the shortest walking distance along public highways and pathways, this could cause difficulties as pupils will use different and more obscure footpaths in summer which can be dangerous and inaccessible in winter.

3. Barnsley Academy is situated in an area of urban development where some clearance has taken place and new housing estates have been built. Because of this the information on foot paths is neither accurate nor up to date.

4. By looking at the data, the addresses of pupils applying for the Academy in 2011 you can see that: The furthest distance a pupil who has accepted a place for next year is 9.6 km. Consequently if we are oversubscribed it is unlikely that pupils who are offered a place based on distance would be walking. Permission was granted to apply for this change during the Governors’ meeting on Thursday 6^th October 2011. Minutes evidence this.

Proposed Criteria for Admission to Barnsley Academy from September 2013

Barnsley Academy will consider all applications for places. Where fewer than 180 applications are received, Barnsley Academy will offer places to all those who have applied. Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admissions number, applications will be considered for Year 7 against the criteria set out below. After the admission of pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs where Barnsley Academy is named on the Statement, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:

a. Admission of children in public care (looked after children).

b. (Specific medical needs, social needs and special needs where the application is supported by written specific professional advice as to why admission to Barnsley Academy is necessary. The definition as to what constitutes medical, social and special needs within the scope of this provision will be agreed by ULT and will be available in writing to parents in the prospectus as part of the admissions policy.

c. (Siblings of pupils who will be attending Barnsley Academy on the date when the applicant would be admitted. The term “sibling” means a full, step, half, adopted or fostered brother or sister, but not cousins. Barnsley Academy reserves the right to ask for proof of relationship.

d. “children living nearest the school; the distance to be measured by a straight line between the centre point of the child’s permanent place of residence and the STUDENT entrance to the school building” as all pupils enter by the student entrance.Permanent’ meaning “where he or she normally lives and sleeps and goes to school from”. Permanent also means the address to which the parent to whom any benefits or tax concessions are paid.

Proof of residence can be requested at any time throughout the admissions process. If false or misleading information is used to gain entry to Barnsley Academy, the offer of a place will be withdrawn and the application cancelled.

Consultation period is eight full weeks. Please send any recommendations or objections to:-

Jenny Holt

Barnsley Academy

Farm Road

Kendray

Barnsley

S70 3DL

01226 281606

jennifer.holt@barnsley-academy.org