Section one Introduction and general information Choosing the right school for your child to start their education can be a difficult and anxious time for parents and children. Medway Council’s Student Services Admissions Team is here to help you understand the process and make the right decisions for your child. It is very important that you read carefully, and understand, the information in this booklet regarding how the admissions process works and how school places are allocated before you submit your school application. Throughout this booklet we have provided useful information to help you make the most informed decisions possible. We encourage you to use this information, do your own research on schools and visit the schools you are interested in if you can. It is also important to help your child feel happy and comfortable about starting their education, so you may want to involve them in the process. If you have any questions, please contact: Student Services Admissions Team Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road Chatham, ME4 4TR Phone: 01634 331110 Fax: 01634 331614 Email: admissions@medway.gov.uk
Medway Council works within the guidelines set out in the School Admissions Code published by the Department for Education. Details of the School Admissions Code can be found at www.education.gov.uk
Q
Can I visit the schools I’m interested in? Schools may not have scheduled open sessions but may be happy to consider requests for a tour. It is up to individual schools whether they will permit this or not. We suggest you contact the individual schools direct to discuss this matter. If any schools have advised Medway Council of planned open sessions, the details will be listed with the school details in section 10 of this booklet.
Key dates
Q
What happens if my child has as Statement for Special Educational Needs (SSEN) or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?
If your child is statemented, they do not need to go through this admission process.You will be discussing your school preferences with the Special Educational Needs Team to determine which school is right for your child. Please do not complete the application for this admissions process as the allocated school will be named in your child’s statement. For more information, please contact the SEN Team on 01634 337170 or 337175.
for primary admissions 2016 entry
Action
Date
Application period opens (online applications open at 9am)
Monday, 14 September 2015
Closing date for applications (online and RCAFs/JCAFs) – National closing date
Friday, 15 January 2016
Offer emails and letters sent to parents – National offer day (emails sent after 4pm to those who registered online)
Monday, 18 April 2016 (16 April is a Saturday)
Places must be accepted/refused and requests to go on a waiting list and appeals must be submitted
By Wednesday, 18 May 2016
Medway Council re-allocates any places that have become available to those who have asked to go on the waiting lists for each school
From Tuesday, 31 May to Monday, 31 October 2016
apply online
www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions
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