This consultation relates to two changes to the Determined Admission Arrangements for all community schools in Warrington.

The proposals

We propose making the following changes to Warrington’s 2026-27 determined admission arrangements for community schools.

  1. Reworded Criterion 3 in the over-subscription criteria for primary and secondary schools to better explain the evidence required to be considered under this criterion:

    Children with proven medical needs which are directly relevant to the school concerned. If you wish to be considered under this category you must provide appropriate supporting evidence at the time of your application from a doctor or other professional. This evidence must explain why the preferred school is the most suitable and what difficulties would be caused if the child had to attend another school.

  2. Reworded Criterion 4 in the over-subscription criteria for primary and Criterion 5 in the over-subscription for secondary schools to explain how distances are calculated

    Pupils living nearest to the school measured as a direct distance from the child’s permanent place of residence to the school measuring using a geographical information address point system. Distances will be measured in a straight line from the central point of the child’s permanent place of residence to the central point of the school. (Central points are as defined by the Warrington Local Land and Property Gazetteer and distances are based on the same system.)

  3. A reworded the section regarding transferring from infant to junior schools to reflect the new admission arrangements for Broomfields Junior School. (Note that we are not consulting on the admission arrangements for Broomfields Junior School – The Challenge Academy Trust is the admissions authority for the school.)

    The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School and Broomfields Junior School

    The Local Authority is the admission authority for The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School and The Challenge Academy Trust is the Admission Authority for Broomfield Junior School.

    All children on roll at The Cobb’s Infant and Nursery School must apply for a Year 3 place at Broomfields Junior School. If the academy is oversubscribed, places will be allocated using Broomfields Junior School’s oversubscription criteria. Please visit the school’s website for further details.

  4. Based on our analysis of reports from the Office of the Schools Adjudicator*, we need to improve our definition of a child’s home address/shared responsibility. Previously the definition was defined as: “For the purposes of the community school admission arrangements, where parents/carers have 50/50 shared responsibility for their child, the address given on the application should be the address of the parent/carer who is in receipt of the child benefit and/or child tax credit. Proof may be required.” The updated, clearer version is below.

Definition of a Child’s Home Address/Shared Parental Responsibility

For the purposes of the community school admission arrangements, the address given on the application to be used for admission, should be the child’s permanent place of residence at the time of the application, not a childminder’s or grandparents’.

We will only accept one application per child for a school place. If parents are separated and the child spends equal time at each parents’ address, the address which will be used for admission purposes is the address where the child sleeps the majority of the school nights (Sunday to Thursday) during the week in term time. Where there is dispute or equal nights are slept, the applicant will be asked to provide proof of the address registered with the child’s GP.

We may ask to see additional forms of evidence of your home address. This may include:

  • council tax bill
  • driving licence
  • utility bill (water, gas or electric)
  • proof of your child benefit/ child tax credits
  • a signed copy of the contract for the sale and purchase of the property or a signed copy of a tenancy agreement (at least six months)

Any evidence you provide must show that the parent or main carer lives at this address. We may seek evidence by other means if the parent/carer is unable to provide sufficient proof of their residence.

*The use of child benefit is not a reliable indicator of where a child actually lives for most of the time Monday to Friday during school terms. Although in most cases child benefit will be paid to the parent with whom the child lives most of the time, there are circumstances when it is not. This is because it is potentially payable to anyone, whether a parent or not, who contributed at least a prescribed minimum amount to the cost of supporting the child. Whilst it is payable to only one person, that need not be the person the child lives with most of the time or at all. Some families, where the income is high enough that the benefit becomes taxable may mean that child benefit is not claimed. In some circumstances, the benefit is simply not claimed at all. Its use, with no scope for other indicators to be used to establish the address of a child of parents who do not live together, is therefore unreasonable and unfair and not compliant with the Code.

Take part and share your views

We would like to hear your views or comments about Proposed changes to Warrington’s Determined Admission Arrangements, you can get involved in the following ways:

Complete the survey online 

  • Email views to [email protected]
  • Write to Warrington Borough Council, Determined Admission Arrangements consultation, East Annex, Town Hall, Sankey Street, WA1 1UH.

The closing date for responses is 12 midday on Friday 29 November 2024

What happens next?

Once closed we will consider the views given in response to this consultation and make a decision. Once made we will update our Determined Admission Arrangements and add them to our admissions webpage.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

We comply with all legislation governing the protection of personal information, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Any personal information you supply will remain strictly confidential and anonymous and will be held and used in line with the Data Protection Act 2018. We will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it has been given.

Accessibility

If you require the questionnaire in another language or format including large print, Braille, audio, or British Sign Language please contact us:

  • Telephone 01925 44 3322
  • Email communications@warrington.gov.uk 
  • A paper copy of the survey and consultation documents can be made on request using the details above.

More information via Accessibility statement

16 October 2024