Read the information below before you start the application process.

I applied on time - when will I find out what school place I've been offered?

Primary

Emails will be sent to those who applied online from Friday 20 April 2012. Letters offering a school place will be sent by second class post to all applicants.

Secondary

1 March 2012 - letters (and email if you applied online) offering a school place will be dispatched on this date by second class post.

If I live in the catchment (designated) area for a school am I guaranteed a place

No.If you want the school in your catchment area, you will have a high priority for a place, but it is not guaranteed. If the designated area has more children living in it who wish to go to that school than places at the school, it may not be possible to offer a place.  If the school cannot offer places to all the children in its designated area it will use its admissions rules to allocate the places. Often this means that if you live very close to the school you have more chance of a place than if you live much further away. Therefore, it is really important to list three schools in your preferences boxes so you maximise your chances of getting a place at a school that you want.

Does putting only one preference mean I’m more likely to get it?

All schools are allocated on how your child meets the rules and the number of school places available.  If you do not get a place in your only preference we will offer you a place at a school that still has places. This may be a long way from your home. Therefore it is really important to put down three preferences so you maximise your chances of getting a school of your choice.

How do I find how a school is performing?

Contact the school for a visit and to find out more about the school and read the school prospectus. If possible, talk to parents or carers of children who already go to the school. Pupils are tested and results are compiled into performance tables. You can also read the latest OFSTED report to learn what the school does well and where it needs to improve. Reports are available from the from the OFSTED website. However, you should not make a decision solely on the school's performance or OFSTED report.

Can I apply for schools in other areas?

Yes. You can apply to any school in or outside of Oxfordshire. Schools cannot refuse to offer you a place because of where you live unless the school is oversubscribed and the admission authority has to apply the admissions rules to allocate places. Your application will only be refused if other meet the admissions criteria more than you. Please remember, when applying for a school place you must apply through your home local authority (where you are resident).

Are Catholic schools are only for Catholic children?

Baptised Catholics do get priority for places in Catholic schools, but the remaining places are offered to any other children who apply in line with the school’s rules.

Do we have to pay to attend faith schools?

All maintained schools are free to all pupils. They are not allowed to make a charge for attending the school. If your child meets the admissions rules and is offered a place, there will not be any charge.

How do we check if the information is correct?

The Admissions Team checks all forms carefully and looks out for any false information. The team make extra checks if they receive information suggesting that someone has falsified any information. If someone is found to have provided false information to get a place at a certain school, then the offer of a place can be withdrawn and the place offered to another child.

Do I have to apply for a school place?

When a child turns three parents can apply for a place to start at a primary or infant school for the first time (even if their child already attends a nursery which is part of a school).

Every child moving from junior or primary school must apply for a secondary school place. If you don’t make an on time application there is a risk that all available places in all your preferred schools will be taken and your child will be offered a place at an alternative school.