Page 14 - link magazine

14 The Link Magazine. October 1995

Choosing a secondary school

Making the right choice is important. With three schools serving West Swindon, many parents might be confused by admission arrangements.
The Link magazine put a range of questions to Wiltshire County Councils Chief Education Officer Dr Keith Robinson to clarify the situation.
How many schools may I choose Only if there yourchild. Dobear tion authority schools, e.g. Ridge-
from? are places avail- in mind however way and Greendown an independ-
Parents may express a preference able after all ap- that you will only ent appeals panel will consider
for any secondary school in Swin- plications in the have priority atone your case. If you wish to appeal
don or beyond. The key question above categories or two particular against a decision not to give your
is which schools are most likely to have been allo- schools depending child a place atBradon Forest Grant
have a place available for a child. cated will other on where you live. Maintained School you can apply
For parents living in West Swin- children be con- Remember any to the Governing Body.
don two schools give highest pri- sidered for a parent in West Does the headteacher of a
ority to applications for places. place. This in- Swindon living secondary school decide who
For parents living in Westlea or cludes children outside Toothill attends his school?
Toothill the two schools are Green- living in any and Westlea does Decisions about admissions are
down and Ridgeway. For parents other part of West not have high pri- made by the County Council for
living in Freshbrook, Roughmoor Swindon. ority for a place at local education authority schools
and Shaw the two schools are If the admis- Ridgeway School.
Greendown and Bradon Forest. sion limit for If parents put a and by the Governors for Grant
Maintained schools.
Ridgeway is school other than
Which school can I get free reached before all Dr Keith Robinson the high priority If transport is provided on the
transport to? children from school or schools as grounds of safety, who decides
Free transport is available from Toothill and Westlea have been first choice, and are not successful, whether a route is safe and how
West Swindon to Ridgeway be- allocated then distance from home they are not likely to obtain a place do they come to this decision?
cause of distance (over three miles) to school measured as the crow at a popular second or third pref- Decisions about the safety of a
and to Bradon Forest on grounds flies will decide which children erence. This means that if you live walking route to any school are
of road safety. Transport is not from those areas are allocated in the Freshbrook, Roughmoor and made by the County Council on
available from any point in West places and which are not. Shaw areas of West Swindon and the advice of Road Safety Officers.
Swindon to Greendown.
do not put either Bradon Forest or
Will any school be allowed to When does the LEA decide,
How many places are available Greendown as your first choice,
at each school? admit more than the agreed you are not certain to get either of and when will I know whether I
have my first choice of school?
number?
In September 1996 there will be The admission limit for a school these schools as your second pref- All parents will be informed by the
240 places available for Year 7 pu- will not normally be exceeded. erence. beginning of February 1996 as to
pils at Ridgeway, 200 at Bradon Exceptions are sometimes made How do I go about making my the outcome of their application
Forest and 240 at Greendown.
through the appeals process. choice of school? for places at secondary schools for
What happens if a school is Find out all you can about the September 1996. In order for this
oversubscribed? Who takes the decision as to schools concerned and don't just arrangement to work, all parents
whether a school may exceed
If a school is oversubscribed then the number? rely on any hearsay information. must complete and return their
places are allocated to a clear set of The admissions authority for the Consider carefully whether an applications by the end of the
priorities. If for example Ridge- school decides how many children application to a particular school Christmas term.
way School has more applicants can be admitted: for Ridgeway and is likely to be successful depend-
than the 240 places available then ing on the popularity of the school Who can I talk to if I want more
first priority is given to children Greendown Schools this is the lo- and whether or not you have high information about the process
cal education authority, Wiltshire
living in its traditional designated County Council; for Bradon Forest priority for a place there. or need help with the system?
area (Wroughton and neighbour- Grant Maintained School this is If you need any further informa-
ing parishes). Second priority is the Governing Body. What do I do if I don't like the tion about admission arrange-
given to children living in West school that my child is finally ments for any secondary school in
Swindon with siblings already in What advice would you give allocated to? Swindon, in the first instance
the school. Third priority is given about how to choose a school? In these cases you have the right to please contact: Kim Burgess at the
to other children living in the Visit any school at which you may make an appeal. In the case of Sanford Street Education Office,
Toothill and Westlea areas. be interested in seeking a place for appeals for places at local educa- telephone (01793) 480155.

INVITATIONS TO VISIT SECONDARY SCHOOLS

GREENDOWN
Come and see for yourself! BRADON FOREST
Greendown School is open to parents and their A GRANT MAINTAINED SCHOOL
year 6 children on four evenings at 6.30:
Tuesday 3rd October and Wednesday 4th October The students, staff and governors of
Wednesday 1st November and Thursday 2nd November Bradon Forest extend a warm welcome to all,
All our subjects and ficilities will be on display at their Open Evenings to be held on:
with plenty of lime to ask questions
Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th October
Daytime visits are easily arranged. Please contact the school
commencing at 7pm in the Main Hall
on(01793)874224
Greendown, Grange Park Way, West Swindon BRADON FOREST, PURTON, SWINDON