Admissions to Schools Maintained by the LEA

Nursery Education

Nursery schooling, in both English and Welsh medium schools within the Authority, is provided on the basis of 5 x 2 1 /2 hour sessions per week, for each child.

Though every effort will be made to meet parental preference, nursery education is not a statutory provision and parents have no right of appeal under Education Legislation if they are unsuccessful in gaining a nursery place for their child.

The Authority will admit a child to a maintained nursery school in the September following their 3rd birthday.

Admission to a nursery class or unit at a particular infant or primary school does not guarantee subsequent admission to that school

Infant/Junior/Primary Schools in Wrexham County Borough

Admission to Reception

The Authority will admit a child to a maintained primary/infant School in the September following their 4th birthday.

Parents may apply to the Headteacher of a primary/infants school for a place at Reception for their child(ren)

Admission (which is the responsibility of the County Borough Council) will be based on the admissions criteria

Infant to Junior Transfer - Admission to year 3

The Director of Education and Leisure Services will invite parents of those children who are due to transfer from an infant school, to a junior school, to express a preference for a school. Parents may express preference for their local junior school or may opt for another preferred school.

It must be noted that, parents who select a school other than the nearest suitable primary school, will be fully responsible for transporting their children to and from school.

If the Authority is unable to allocate a place at the school for which the parent has expressed a preference, the parent will be offered a place for their child at an alternative school. The parent may then accept the alternative placement or make representation to the Authority in terms of their preferred school. If still dissatisfied, parents may give notice of their wish to appeal against the Authority's decision to refuse to offer a place at the preferred school. Further details regarding this process will be made available to parents within a reasonable timescale.

The appeal (which shall be sent to the Director of Education and Leisure Services) must be in writing giving the reasons for instigating the process. In the case of an appeal, the Authority will initiate the statutory appeals procedure.

The parent, who may be accompanied by a friend, will be given an opportunity to present their case to an Independent Appeal Panel. The decision of the Appeal Panel will be binding on all parties.

Secondary School Admissions

Pupils will normally be transferred from a primary to a secondary school in the September following their 11th birthday.

The Director of Education and Leisure Services will invite parents to express their preference of a secondary school for their child. An admission form will be sent to each parent/guardian. Each form will have a printed list of designated secondary schools. Parents may express a preference for any of the schools listed or may insert the name of another school as their first preference.

It should be noted however that free transport will only be provided if the applicant meets the criteria of the County Borough's Transport Policy.

Any preference expressed by the parent will be considered by the Authority in accordance with its admission criteria.

If the Authority is able to comply with the wish of the parent then the child will be admitted to the preferred school.

If, however, the Authority is unable to comply, the parent will be offered a place for their child(ren) at an alternative school. The parent may then accept the alternative placement or make representations to the Authority. If still dissatisfied, parents may give notice of an appeal. Parents will be provided with details of this process within a reasonable time scale.

Transfer Between Schools

The Authority is prepared to consider requests for transfers between schools other than at normal admission times when it is in the best interest of the child(ren). Normally such changes can only be effected at the beginning of a school term but changes arising from exceptional circumstances may be effected during the course of a school term.

Parents seeking transfer other than at the normal transition times should convey this request, in writing, to the present school and to the preferred school, which will consider it within the context of the Authority's admission policy and in consultation with the LEA or Governing Body.

Parents are, however, advised as a first step, to discuss their child's progress and any problem with the Headteacher of the child's present school. Transfers are normally made at the beginning of a term.