St. Edmund's Catholic School - Supplementary Information Form

Supplementary Information Form

September 2012

Please read these notes carefully before making application for a place at the school.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

From September 2012 places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria:

Looked-after children from Catholic Families
Members of practising Catholic families, as confirmed by a reference from a Catholic Priest or Deacon. Highest priority will be given to those who attend Mass at least once a month
Members of Catholic families, with a reference from a Catholic Priest or Deacon
Other Looked-after children
Members of Eastern Christian Church families, with a reference from a member of the clergy
Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are attendees of their Church at least once a month as confirmed by a reference from their Minister
Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are attendees of their Church less than once a month as confirmed by a reference from their Minister
Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian Families, who are active participants in the worship at their Primary School, as confirmed by a reference from their Headteacher.
Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are annual or occasional attendees of their Church, as confirmed by a reference from their Church Authorities
Special considerations may be given to other children if suitably supported by an appropriate referee (e.g. medical or social grounds/pastoral grounds which make the School particularly suitable for the child in question. Strong relevant evidence must be provided by an appropriate professional authority (e.g. medical practitioner, education welfare officer, social worker, Priest/Minister)
Any other applicants

For All Criteria: Priority will be given firstly; to those who have a brother or sister at the School: and secondly; to those living closest to the school. For more information please see Notes below.

For Criteria 2-3 and 5-9 every applicant is asked to provide details of Baptism and current Church membership.

In order for an application to be valid, you must complete the Local Authority's Common Application Form. In addition, in order for the school to fully consider your application and rank it according to the published admissions criteria, you should complete the Supplementary Information Form and return this to the School.

Notes

'Looked-After Children' has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Children Act 1989 and means any child in the care of a Local Authority or provided with accommodation by them (e.g. children with foster parents).

'Catholic' means a member of a Church in communion with the See of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches. The evidence for this will normally be a certificate of Baptism or Reception.

'Eastern Christian Churches' includes the Orthodox Churches. The evidence for this will normally be a certificate of Baptism or Reception from the Church's Authorities.

'Practising' means regular attendance at Mass or Sunday Worship, the basis for which is taken to be at least monthly. The common Diocesan Reference Form will be used for this purpose when necessary.

Where appropriate, evidence of enrolment in the Catechumenate will be required.

Brother and sister includes all siblings whether by blood, marriage, foster or adoption.

Medical/Health and Special Access Reasons will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations, in particular those under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Priority will be given to children under this criterion whose health or physical impairment means they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend a particular school. Medical/Health and Special Access Reasons must be supported with written evidence from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. The evidence must demonstrate a special connection between the child's needs and the particular school.

The distance is measured between the child's permanent address and the school measured in a straight line using Ordnance Survey address point data. Distances are measured from a central point within the child's home to a similarly defined point within the school as specified by Ordnance Survey. The school uses measurements provided by the LA and further information on how distances are calculated is available in the Admissions Booklets provided by the LA. The school uses distances as provided by the Kent Local Authority. Further details of how measurements are made and how applications from pupils resident in blocks of flats will be measured are available in the "Admission to Secondary School in Kent 2012" booklet. This booklet will also provide further details of what constitutes main residence where a child may reside at more than one family home.

Right of Appeal

In September 2012 it is intended to admit 155 pupils into Year 7. Should a child not be offered a place and the parents/guardians consider that there is a positive reason to appeal against the Governors' decision; they have a right to do so under the 1980 Education Act. They should address their appeal to the Clerk of the Governors, c/o The School within 21 days of being refused a place, stating the full grounds of objection to the Governors' decision.

Sixth Form

Priority will be given to existing pupils transferring from Year 11. The PAN for external candidates will be 20, but this figure may be exceeded in the event that this and the number of internal pupils transferring into Year 12 is less than the overall figure for the year group, which is 100.