Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does consider preference mean?

• Each school has an admission number which an admission authority has a duty to admit up to.
• If the number of preferences exceeds the admission number the admissions authority will consider these preferences against the schools published admissions criteria.

2. Who is the Admissions Authority?

• For community schools it is Middlesbrough Council
• For City Academies and VA Schools it is the governing body or trustee board.

3. What are the admission Criteria?

• Admissions Criteria are the criteria by which places are allocated at schools that are oversubscribed.
• Admissions Criteria can and do vary from authority to authority.

4. What happens if I submit a preference after the closing date?

• All preferences submitted late will be considered after those
received by the due date.

NB: Closing date for applications is 24th October 2006

5. What happens if I am not offered my first preferred school for my child?

• A place will be offered at your highest ranked preference at which there are places.
• You will also be offered the right of appeal.
• If it is not possible to comply with any preferences submitted a place will be offered at the nearest appropriate school with places.

6. What is an appeal?

• Every parent/guardian has the right to appeal against a decision not to offer a place.
• Appeals are heard by independent appeal panels.
• Panel makes a decision based on the case presented by the admissions authority and the parent/guardian.

7. Is the appeal decision binding?

• Yes it is on both the admissions authority and the parent.
• Parents only recourse it to the Local Government Ombudsman and would need to prove maladministration.