Secondary admissions FAQ

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about secondary school admissions.

1. When should I complete a Common Application from for my child?
2. My child has a statement of special educational needs, do I need to do a Common Application Form?
3. Will I definitely be offered a place?
4. What is a Supplementary Information Form (SIF)?
5. Once I have filled in the CAF (Common Application Form) and returned it, what should I do next?
6. Do I use a Lambeth CAF for Lambeth schools and a Wandsworth CAF for a Wandsworth school?
7. Where can I find information about a particular school’s performance?
8. Does it matter what order I put the schools on the Common Application Form?
9. I've read all of the information and I think I know what to do next but I am not 100% sure. What should I do?
10. Can I change the preference order or add new schools to the Common Application Form after the deadline of 19 October 2007?
11. Can I appeal against the schools decision to not offer my child a place?
12. Can I request that my child’s name remains on the waiting list of any of the schools that I applied to but did not receive an offer from?
13. Can I apply for another school after 3 March 2008?
14. If I apply for another school, or accept a place which is not my first preference, will this affect the possibly of my child getting a place at my first preference school?

When should I complete a Common Application from for my child?

A: For year 7, secondary school, September 2008 start, your child should be born between 01/09/96 and 31/08/97, or taught as a year 6 child in the preceding academic year. Common Application Forms received for children outside this cohort will not be valid.

My child has a statement of special educational needs, do I need to do a Common Application Form?

A: No, In Lambeth, you need to apply for a secondary school place via the Special Educational Needs Team, tel. 020 7926 9578

Will I definitely be offered a place?

A: If your child does not meet the school’s admissions criteria, they are unlikely to be offered a place at that school. Please bear in mind that even if your child meets all the schools admissions criteria, they may still not be offered a place due to the large number of applications received by some schools.

What is a Supplementary Information Form (SIF)?

A: This is a form that voluntary - controlled (church) and foundation schools may need to assist them, unless you are applying for an “open” place for some schools. A school will use the information that is requested on the SIF, e.g. how often your child goes to church as this assists them in determining how well your child meets the admissions criteria, i.e. will be offered a place. If you are applying for a school that requires a SIF, the application is only valid if a SIF and a Common Application is not valid unless both a Common Application From and a SIF have been done for the school. If you are uncertain which schools require a SIF, please check the Secondary School in Lambeth booklet for Lambeth schools and the school or their Local Authority for other schools.

Once I have filled in the CAF (Common Application Form) and returned it, what should I do next?

A: Please check individual school details to see if an additional Supplementary Information Form is required. The Supplementary Information Form will be available from the specific school and should be returned to the school by the stated deadline (usually 19 October 2007). Ensure that your child sits admissions banding tests where they are required (check the school’s admissions criteria). Your child will be invited to the tests in writing, using the details from the Supplementary Information Forms.

Do I use a Lambeth CAF for Lambeth schools and a Wandsworth CAF for a Wandsworth school?

A: No. If you live in Lambeth you must use the Lambeth CAF and include the details of your chosen school/s. The school can be located anywhere in London but must be part of the Co-ordinated Admissions System.
If you live another borough then you need to use the CAF for that borough to include the details of your chosen school/s. Again the school can located anywhere in London but must be part of the Co-ordinated Admissions System.

Where can I find information about a particular school’s performance?

A: The National Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is the government department responsible for inspecting schools and reporting on standards of achievements. OFSTED can be contacted on 08456 404045, or online at www.ofsted.gov.uk. Alternatively you can find this on the Lambeth secondary schools page.

Does it matter what order I put the schools on the Common Application Form?

A: Yes, as this is the order the co-ordinated system looks at when determining what offer can be made. For example, if your child could be offered their first and fourth preference school, we would offer the first as that is the highest preference on the form on the form that can be offered.

I've read all of the information and I think I know what to do next but I am not 100% sure. What should I do?

A: Contact the Lambeth Schools Admissions Team on 020 7926 9503, and/or contact the school/s you are applying for.

Can I change the preference order or add new schools to the Common Application Form after the deadline of 19 October 2007?

A: No, once a form has been submitted, after the closing deadline, no changes can be made. If you happen to move address afterwards, please contact the Schools Admissions Team for advice on 020 7926 9503.

Can I appeal against the schools decision to not offer my child a place?

A: Yes you can. You have the right of appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. If you wish to appeal, you must contact the admissions authority for the school as soon as possible and ask for the date when appeals have to be received. If you want to appeal against a decision for a Lambeth Community or Voluntary Controlled School, please contact Democratic Services, on 020 7926 2170; these appeals must be submitted by 25 June 2008.

Can I request that my child’s name remains on the waiting list of any of the schools that I applied to but did not receive an offer from?

A: Yes. Some schools will experience movement in their waiting lists after 3 March 2008. If you wish your child to remain on the waiting list please refer contact the admissions authority for the school. If it is a Voluntary Aided school, Foundation or Academy, contact the school directly. If it is a Community or Voluntary Aided school, contact that Local Authority the school is in.

Can I apply for another school after 3 March 2008?

A: Yes. You need to apply using the Lambeth Common Application Form (CAF) and any Supplementary Forms that may be required. The Lambeth Schools Admissions Team will be able to inform you of details of any vacancies in Lambeth schools as well as those in other boroughs. However, Lambeth can only do this once these schools have informed us of their vacancies which will be after 17 March 2008 (when all acceptance forms are due to be returned). We would recommend that you apply for the schools with places as soon as possible as these vacancies may not be available for long.

If I apply for another school, or accept a place which is not my first preference, will this affect the possibly of my child getting a place at my first preference school?

A: No, as each application for a school is viewed individually using the school’s admissions criteria. If your first preference school offers your child a place as well as you receiving another preference, you need to inform Lambeth Schools Admissions Team which place you are accepting out of the two, so that another child can be offered the one you reject as soon as possible.

Lambeth Children and Young People’s Service is committed in supporting you and your child until your child has received an offer of a school place. If you have any queries please contact the Schools Admissions Team on 020 7926 9503.