Children who are cared for by a local authority (Looked After Children)

A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority in oversubscription criteria, ahead of all other applicants, in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2012. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).

Waiting lists

During the normal admissions round a waiting list will be kept until the end of the autumn term after which it will be closed. At any other time pupils will be placed on a waiting list if this is requested by the parents. If a place becomes available school will consider any applications on the waiting list in accordance with the criteria set out in the admissions policy, regardless of the time passed since an initial application was made.

Oversubscription criteria

These criteria apply only when the school is oversubscribed and should not deter anyone from making an application. In the event of over subscription the Governors will allocate places according to the following criteria in this order of priority.

1. Children who are ‘Looked After’.
2. Children living in the area of Bradwell and St Lawrence whose parents/carers worship regularly at any of the following: St. Thomas’s Church, Bradwell on Sea; St. Lawrence Centre; St. Lawrence Church; St. Peter’s Chapel.
3. Children living in the area of Bradwell and St Lawrence who have siblings at the school.
4. Children living in the area of Bradwell and St Lawrence.
5. Children living out of the area of Bradwell and St Lawrence whose siblings attend the school.
6. Children whose parents/carers worship regularly at other Christian Churches.
7. Children whose parents/carers worship regularly in another faith and wish their child to attend a church school because of its specifically religious ethos.
8. Remaining applications.

Supporting information for the oversubscription criteria

1. For the purposes of this policy, worshipping regularly is taken to be attendance once a month or more often. A signature confirming this attendance must be sought from the Priest or minister of the Church or place of worship concerned.
2. For the purposes of this policy a sibling is defined to be a child living in the same family unit, in the same family household and address as a child who attends St. Cedd’s School at the time of application and with a reasonable expectation that the older child will still be attending at the time of admission. This includes brothers and sisters and step brothers and sisters. In addition, biological siblings will be treated as siblings irrespective of place of residence.
3. In the event of over subscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given first priority.
4. Submissions may be made by parents who feel that their child’s medical needs necessitate attendance at St. Cedd’s. These would need to be supported by written evidence from an appropriate professional. Such a submission might be felt by the Governing Body to override all of the above.
5. Children with Statements of Special Educational Needs that name a school in the statement are required to be admitted regardless of their place in the priority order.

Appeals

If the school is oversubscribed, not all children whose parents apply can be offered a place. Parents have the right to appeal against Governors’ decisions on admissions. Parents wishing to appeal should send the appropriate form (supplied by the school) to:

Clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel,
PO Box 11,
Chelmsford,
Essex.
CM1 1LX