Admissions
Deciding on a school is an exciting and sometimes daunting process for parents and children alike. It is an important to make a well-informed decision about the school you would like your child to attend.
Please browse our school website for further information about Shinewater Primary and if you are interested, it is recommended that you ring the school office on 01323 762129 to arrange an appointment to view the school, preferably during a typical school working day, to make sure it is the right place for you and your child. Please do not hesitate to bring your child to have a look around too, as their opinion / reaction can often be an influential factor.
Although Shinewater Primary is an Academy, we continue to use the Local Authority to co-ordinate admissions applications for new school starters in Reception.
For in-year admissions (one that is made outside of the normal time of transfer between schools, for example when a family moves house part way through a school year), applications are initially made to the Local Authority (East Sussex) who then pass the application to the academy. Acting as our own admissions authority, the academy then decides the outcome of the in-year admissions requests and communicates directly with families.
Our Published Admission Number (PAN) is 30 pupils in each class.
APPLYING FOR A SCHOOL PLACE
Although there is no right to choose a child’ school, you do have the right to state a preference for up to three different schools that you would like your child to attend.
APPLICATIONS IF YOU LIVE IN EAST SUSSEX
On your application form, it is recommended that you list at least three different schools in case your first preference can’t be offered. Do not list the same school more than once as this i) does not improve your chances of admission to that school and ii) it means you would not have indicated what other school you’d prefer if your first preference is over-subscribed.
APPLICATIONS IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF EAST SUSSEX
If your child is transferring between schools as the normal age of entry or starting school for the first time at the age of 4+ and you are interested in them attending a school in East Sussex, you must apply through your ‘home’ local authority. Your local authority will then pass your details to East Sussex Admissions to consider. Your ‘home’ local authority will be responsible for letting you know the outcome of your application.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Once you have submitted your application, you’ll get an email to confirm. It is important to be careful and accurate in your application – if the decision to allocate a place at school is based on incorrect information (for example, a wrong address or date of birth) the place may be withdrawn.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Admissions and Transport Team for a paper application on 0300 330 9472.
STARTING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME (AGE 4+)
APPLICATION DATES FOR CHILDREN STARTING RECEPTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2023
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Admissions information available: September 2023
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Applications open: 12th September 2023 (Apply for primary school)
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Closing date for applications: Monday 15th January 2024
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The deadline to apply late for a school place with a good reason: Friday 15th March 2024
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National offer day: Tuesday 16th April 2024
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Deadline for submitting appeals: Wednesday 15th May 2024
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Appeals to be heard: Throughout June till Thursday 18th July 2024
SUMMER-BORN CHILDREN
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August, they don't have to start until a full year after they could have started. If you defer their start date, then, when they do start school, they will normally join Year 1 but you can request that they start in Reception Year. See Page 5 of the 'Applying for a School Booklet' for guidance.
STARTING SCHOOL AND COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE
Children reach compulsory school age at the start of the school term following their fifth birthday. However, all children can start school in the September following their fourth birthday. All children are entitled to attend full-time but there are flexible options for parents who do not feel their child is ready for full time attendance. Children may attend part-time until they reach compulsory school age or you can defer entry until later in the school year but not beyond compulsory school age. Please discuss your options with the Head of School once a school place has been offered.
Guide to when children may attend or must attend school on a full-time basis
START OF TERM 1
(AUTUMN TERM)
may attend
full or part time
START OF TERM 3
(SPRING TERM)
MUST attend
full time
START OF TERM 5
(SUMMER TERM)
MUST attend
full time
may attend
full or part time
may attend
full or part time
MUST attend
full time
may attend
full or part time
may attend
full or part time
may attend
full or part time
APPLYING DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR or ‘IN-YEAR ADMISSIONS’ (e.g. moving house, changing school)
‘In-Year Admission’ is the admission of a pupil to a school which takes place outside of the normal entry times (e.g. Age 4+ in Reception, transfer from infant to junior school). This includes pupils changing schools, pupils coming from a different country or from other parts of the UK, pupils returning to a school from living elsewhere or those that have not been in school. You can ask to change schools at any time.
You should apply online direct to East Sussex County Council. You can apply online here or the application box above. The Academy Trust will then contact you directly with its decision.
MOVING HOUSE
East Sussex will only use a new address for the purpose of allocating a school place when either contracts have been exchanged or when a tenancy agreement has been signed. Without this evidence, your application will be processed based on your existing address.
If you are moving within East Sussex, consider whether your child(ren) can remain at their current school or research schools within the new postcode area.
HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE
If there is a place, the school will normally admit your child. You will receive a confirmation letter from the Admission Authority of the Academy Trust.
If there are not enough places for all the children applying, the school applies its admission priorities when deciding who is offered a place. Schools cannot make a decision on any other basis. Shinewater Primary School Admission Priorities are as follows:
1. Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or subject to residence orders or special guardianship orders) immediately following being looked after.
2. Children who will have a brother or sister at the school (or linked junior school) at the time of admission and who live at the same address, within the pre-defined community area.
3. Other children living within a predefined community area.
4. Children who will have a brother or sister at the school (or linked junior school) at the time of admission who live at the same address, outside the pre-defined community area.
5. Other children.
If there are no places available, the East Sussex School Admissions Team will allocate a school place at a new school or they may suggest your child staying at their present school if this is reasonable. East Sussex will not overcrowd a school if there are vacancies at other schools and additional places will not be created unless there is a shortage of school places to meet a local need.
FINDING A SCHOOL PLACE FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
If your child has special educational needs and has either
a Statement of Special Educational Needs
an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) talk to your SEN Caseworker about which school you’d like your child to attend and they will explain the next steps.
For more information, click here or the information box above.
CONSIDERING AN APPEAL
You can choose to put your child on the school’s waiting list. You also have the right to appeal if you are not happy with the decision. Click on the appropriate boxes above for more information.