Westminster Your choice for secondary education A guide for parents with children transferring to secondary school in 2019
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Westminster
Your choice for
secondary education
A guide for parents with children
transferring to secondary school
in 2019
APPLY ONLINE FOR YOUR CHILD’S
SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE
westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster City Council
westminster.gov.uk
APPLY ONLINE AND SAVE TIME CONTENTS
The Pan-London eAdmissions site opens
on 1st September 2018. CONTACTING THE ADMISSIONS TEAM 4 Harris Academy St. John’s Wood 26
If your child was born between 1st September Marylebone Boys’ School 28
2007 and 31st August 2008, you will need to INTRODUCTION TO WESTMINSTER’S
Paddington Academy 30
apply for a secondary school place by SECONDARY SCHOOLS 5
31st October 2018. Pimlico Academy 32
Applying online can be done in five easy steps. PAN-LONDON SYSTEM 5 St. Augustine’s CE High School 34
How the system works 5 St. George’s Catholic School 38
Why apply online?
The St. Marylebone CE School 40
• It is quick and easy to do.
KEY DATES 6
Westminster Academy 44
• It’s more flexible as you can change or delete
preferences on your application up until Westminster City School 46
GATHERING INFORMATION 7
the application deadline of 11.59pm on
31st October 2018. Considering the facts 7
ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL (4–18) 50
• You’ll receive an email confirmation once Applying for schools outside Westminster 8
Ark King Solomon Academy 50
you submit the application.
• You can receive reminder alerts to your mobile THE APPLICATION PROCESS 9
14–19 EDUCATION OPTIONS 52
to make sure your application gets in on time.
Closing date for applications 9
University Technical Colleges (UTCs) 52
• You will receive your outcome by email
Proof of address 9
during the evening of 1st March 2019. Studio Schools 52
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Paper applicants will not receive their Change of address 9
Sixth form and post-16 education
outcome until the following morning.
Exceptional Need 10 in Westminster 52
Additional forms to complete 10 Sir Simon Milton Westminster
University Technical College 54
Applications for children living abroad 10
Members of the UK Armed Forces
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 56
and Crown Servants 11
In-year admissions 56
Late applications 11
Fair access protocol 56
Change of preferences 11
Assistance with home-to-school travel 56
GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING YOUR Support for school attendance 56
APPLICATION (PAPER OR ONLINE) 12
Educational Psychology Service 56
Step-by-step guide to applying online 14
Special Educational Needs and Education,
Health and Care needs assessments 57
HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE 16
Children with Disabilities Team 57
The process 16
Family Information Service 57
Notifying you of the outcome 17
The information provided in this brochure Free school meals 58
is correct at the time of publication in Waiting lists 18
Privacy Notice 58
August 2018. The admissions process and
Appeal arrangements 18
school admission arrangements are set out
in accordance with the current Admissions Making final arrangements for starting school 18 INDEPENDENT FEE-PAYING SCHOOLS 60
Code (issued December 2014), Section 84 of
the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 19 CONTACT DETAILS FOR
NEIGHBOURING BOROUGHS 61
Any corrections, updates and additions
will be published on our website: SCHOOL INFORMATION 21
westminster.gov.uk/admissions KEY AND MAP OF WESTMINSTER’S
Common definitions 21
EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS 64
Cover artwork by a pupil from Pimlico Academy The Grey Coat Hospital 22
3
CONTENTS
CONTACTING THE ADMISSIONS TEAM INTRODUCTION TO WESTMINSTER’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Westminster City Council Admissions Team CONTACT DETAILS This brochure is for parents of pupils aged between The higher the number of applications, the
works in partnership with the Royal Borough 11 and 16, focusing on children transferring from harder it will be to gain a place, so looking at each
schooladmissions@westminster.gov.uk
of Kensington and Chelsea as a joint service. primary to secondary school. It provides information school’s criteria becomes even more important.
westminster.gov.uk/admissions about how and when to apply for a place, explains You need to be aware that the outcome can be
The Admissions Team is based at Kensington
how admission decisions are made and gives different each year depending on the number and
Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX. 020 7745 6432 / 6433
information about each school to help parents types of applications (e.g. the number of siblings).
Lines are open Monday to Friday between
decide which schools to apply for.
9am–2pm This information is therefore provided as a
There are currently 10 State maintained secondary guide to help you to make an informed decision.
schools and Academies in Westminster, and
When considering your preferences, do not
one All-through school. Five of the schools are
rely solely on what you may have heard about
denominational or church schools. This means
a school’s reputation. Visit as many schools as
they have a religious foundation, usually Catholic
possible on their open days or evenings. Take
or Church of England.
your son or daughter with you and, if you can,
Westminster’s University Technical College (UTC) visit the school when it is at work.
opened in September 2017. The Sir Simon Milton
Further details about each school can be found
Westminster UTC delivers a new education
on pages 22–49. Each school also issues its own
opportunity to 14–19 year olds. Further
prospectus, available directly from the school.
information can be found on pages 52–55.
Open days or evenings are one of the best ways to
It is important to check the admission criteria find out more about a school. Details of when these
for each school to assess whether your child is take place are contained in each school’s section.
likely to be offered a place. You can also find
Many of the questions parents raise are answered
information on the number of applications each
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
in this brochure, but if you need further information,
school received for admission in September 2018.
the Admissions Team will be pleased to help.
PAN-LONDON SYSTEM
All 33 London boroughs, together with councils The local authorities taking part in the PLCAS
bordering the capital, use a Pan-London system to then use a secure computerised system to pass on
coordinate admissions to their secondary schools. details of the applications for schools in other
In 2018, 92,500 secondary school applications were areas. They will also coordinate the offer of places
submitted as part of the Pan-London coordinated to make sure no child is offered more than one
system. there was a 6.4% increase in applications school place. The decision on whether a place
for London secondary schools. can be offered will continue to be made by the
Admission Authority for each school. When a
This coordinated admissions system is fairer
school receives more applications than places
and means more parents are offered one of their
available (also referred to as oversubscribed),
preferred schools at an earlier stage and fewer
its published admissions criteria will be used
parents receive no initial offer at all. It is also easier
to decide the order in which applicants will
for parents to manage, reducing anxiety for you
be offered places.
and your children.
Schools will not be informed of where they are
listed on the application form or other schools
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
that have been applied for.
Under the Pan-London Coordinated Admissions
Where a child is eligible to be offered a place
System (PLCAS), all parents must list the schools
at more than one school, the local authority will
they want to apply for on their local authority’s
hold the offer for the highest preference on the
common application form, ranking them in order
parents’ form and release all other lower preference
of preference. This is important, as potentially only
offers. These places can then be offered to other
one offer will be made and this will be for the
applicants. Potential offers are exchanged between
highest-ranked school able to make the offer.
local authorities until they are in a position to make
This form (either paper or online) is returned to the
the single best offer to parents using all available
local authority for the area in which the child lives.
Artwork by a pupil from Westminster City School
places. All offers will be made on the same day,
1st March 2019.
4 5
CONTENTS
KEY DATES GATHERING INFORMATION
To make an informed decision about which Maps are also available for schools located
secondary schools to apply for, you are advised in Kensington and Chelsea:
2018 From 1st September You will be able to apply online at to read the information about the schools in this
rbkc.gov.uk/children-and-education/schools/
westminster.gov.uk/admissions brochure and research the schools you are
join-school/cut-distance-maps
interested in applying to.
Paper applications will be available
• You must read the admission criteria for the
from the Admissions Team on request. You are advised to:
school(s) you would like to apply to. The criteria
This brochure will be available online, • Contact schools you are interested in directly will determine the order of priority for each
from 1st September. to ask for a copy of their prospectus. applicant. As an example, church schools will
prioritise applicants who meet the respective
• Visit schools’ own websites to find out more
faith criteria if that school receives more
31st October Closing date for applications detailed information. If you want to find out
applications than places available.
about Ofsted reports for Westminster schools
If you are applying via a paper form you will
visit ofsted.gov.uk • Not all schools give priority to children
need to ensure your application is received by the
with siblings already attending the school,
Admissions Team by 5pm on 31st October 2018. • Check how places were offered last year
so you will need to check the admission criteria.
If you are applying online, you will have until for schools that offer on distance by viewing
11.59pm on 31st October 2018 to submit the ‘distance maps’ on the council website: • All church schools (and some Academies and
your application. westminster.gov.uk/distance-maps-school- foundation schools outside the borough) have
admissions additional supplementary forms to complete,
which are available directly from the schools.
• Arrange to attend schools’ open days and
Supplementary Information Forms must be
evenings. These can be found in the individual
returned to the school. The schools in
school section of this brochure on pages 22–49.
2019 1st March National offer day Westminster that require you to complete
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
• Talk to your child’s primary school headteacher. supplementary forms will be indicated in the
All resident applicants that applied online will receive
They will have experience of previous transfers. schools section.
an email notification during the evening. Resident
applicants offered one of their preferences will not • Contact the Admissions Team for advice if • Within the schools section on pages 22–49
be sent a letter in the post unless they submitted you are unclear as to how the system works you will see how many appeals were submitted
their application on a paper form. An outcome letter on 020 7745 6433 or email your query to for each school and the numbers that were
will be sent on 1st March to all residents not offered schooladmissions@westminster.gov.uk successful, which will be very few. Be realistic:
any of their preferences. remember you can state up to six preferences.
Even after you have researched the schools and
CONSIDERING THE FACTS
you have decided where to apply, you should
15th March Deadline for successful applicants to accept
Many schools receive more applications than not assume your child will be offered a place.
or decline their school offer.
they have places (also referred to as oversubscribed). You should also consider other schools where
To avoid disappointment you should consider you know you will have a good chance of
From 29th March Waiting list positions for schools held by the whether your child has a realistic chance of gaining gaining a place. Naming other schools will not
Admissions Team will be made available. Further a place at your preferred school(s). affect your chances of being offered a place
offers will be made as a result of withdrawals and at a higher-preference school.
You are advised to consider the following:
late applications for schools with vacancies from
• Schools are not informed of other preferences
this date. • Look at how many applications were made for
you have made or the order you place them.
your preferred school(s) last year compared to
how many places were available. This information • The preferences you make are treated equally.
10 May To ensure appeals are heard by the end of
can be found in the individual school section This means no matter where you place a
the summer term, appeals managed by the
of this brochure on pages 22–49. The same school in your list of preferences, it will be
Admissions Team must be lodged by this date.
information can be found for schools in other treated in the same way as all other applicants
You will need to check with voluntary aided
boroughs in their equivalent brochure. It is who also chose that school, regardless of
schools, Academies and Free Schools as
important to note the pattern of admissions where they have placed the school in their list.
deadline dates may vary.
can vary from year to year. As an example, living
within the distance in which places were offered
June/July Appeals managed by the Admissions Team in a previous year does not guarantee a place
are heard by an independent panel. Voluntary will be offered in this year or future years.
aided schools, Academies and Free Schools
• As indicated above, you can also view the
will also arrange for appeals to be heard
distance maps on the council website.
before the end of term.
6 7
CONTENTS
• The reason it is so important to list the APPLYING FOR SCHOOLS OUTSIDE
schools in your order of preference is that WESTMINSTER
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
when results are returned to the Admissions
You may also wish to consider schools outside CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS If you own or rent more than one property you
Team, we may receive offers for more than
the borough. Under the PLCAS, Westminster should state this on your form. You will also need
one of your preferences. As only one offer The closing date for applications is 31st October 2018.
residents can apply for schools anywhere in to provide proof of residence and occupancy for
can be made to your child, you will be For all the reasons detailed on page 14 it is
London and this will need to be listed on your the address at which your child lives most of the
offered the highest school possible from highly recommended that you apply online
application. Detailed information about schools time and is considered as the main family home.
the list you provided. Any offers made at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
outside the borough will be available directly If you move into a second property for a temporary
lower in your list will be withdrawn and If you would prefer to complete a paper form,
from the schools and from the local authority period purely for the purpose of trying to be nearer to a
put back in the system. Take special care must return it by the closing date to the address
for the area in which they are located. school, we will use your normal, permanent residence
how you order your preferences. shown on the form. If you would like confirmation
The contact details for all London boroughs are for the purpose of processing the application.
we have received your application, please indicate
provided on page 61. Please remember to check this when you submit the form. Make sure you use
the admission criteria to assess whether your child CHANGE OF ADDRESS
the correct postage if you return your form through
is likely to be offered a place. the post. Incorrect postage may delay your Any offer made to your child on 1st March 2019
application, preventing it from reaching the is based on the address you indicated on your
Admissions Team by the closing date. application. If you do not inform us of a change
of address, any offer that is made to your child
PROOF OF ADDRESS for a school that you would not have been
The address you provide on your application must eligible for will be withdrawn.
be your child’s permanent address on close of You must notify the Admissions Team if you
applications, 31st October 2018. You must not use a move address. Your new address will not be
business address, childminders’ or relatives’ address, updated until proof has been provided. If you
or any address other than your home address. Only move after 11th December 2018, your address
in circumstances where the relative or carer has legal will not be updated as the process for allocating
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
guardianship and is the main carer will a different places would have already started. We are able
address be considered as the main residence. Evidence to send you correspondence to your new address,
will be requested to support this arrangement. but your application will be processed using the
If you have a genuine 50/50 share care arrangement address you submitted at the close of applications.
with your child’s other parent, it will be for you to
determine the address that will be used as the main FRAUDULENT APPLICATIONS
address for your child’s application. Only one address
will be used throughout the application process. Westminster City Council takes very seriously
If you are unable to agree on which address to use, any attempt to obtain a school place by fraud.
the address of the parent making the Child Benefit All cases are fully investigated and the use of
claim will be used for the purpose of the application. internal and external agencies has improved
In the situation where there are ongoing Family Court detection rates.
proceedings, the Council will consider the approach Council officers will carry out unannounced
to be taken for processing on a case by case basis. address visits as appropriate.
You do not need to provide us with documentary If you know someone who intends to or has
evidence of your address. Your details will be used a false address to get a school place,
cross-referenced with internal council databases, you can report this confidentially to the
and if we are unable to verify your address we will Admissions Team on 020 7745 6433 or email
contact you for more information. If you are not schooladmissions@westminster.gov.uk
registered to pay council tax, either because you
are not liable or have recently moved, you will You do not need to give your name but please
be asked to provide one or more of the following: provide as much information as possible so
that we can investigate the matter fully.
• A mortgage statement/tenancy agreement.
If we find a school place was obtained using
• A recent utility bill or, if you have moved,
a false address we will withdraw the offer, even
your closure bill at your previous address.
after the child has started school, and re-offer
• A Child Benefit/Inland Revenue document to a child who was entitled to the place.
(if entitlement applies).
If it is decided not to remove the offer, normally
• For members of the UK Armed Forces and when the child has been on roll for more than
Crown Servants, an official letter confirming one term, any future sibling link will not apply.
the address of your quarters. This can be
provided before you have relocated to ensure
Artwork by a pupil from Westminster City School
your application is not disadvantaged.
8 9
CONTENTS
EXCEPTIONAL NEED ADDITIONAL FORMS TO COMPLETE MEMBERS OF THE UK ARMED FORCES
AND CROWN SERVANTS USING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
All schools have experience in dealing with children All Westminster voluntary aided schools have
with diverse needs. These may be educational, additional Supplementary Information Forms For members of the UK Armed Forces and Crown Westminster City Council will handle
medical and/or social needs. However, in a very (SIF), Priest Reference Form and/or Certificate Servants an official letter confirming the address information you have provided for school
few exceptional cases there may be reasons of Catholic Practice (CCP) to complete, which of your quarters is required. This can be provided admission purposes accordance with General
why a child may need to attend a specific school. are available directly from the schools or before you have relocated to ensure your Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Please
If you feel there are exceptional reasons for your at westminster.gov.uk/admissions application is not disadvantaged. refer to page 58 for the full Privacy Notice.
child to be considered for a priority placement at
These forms are necessary for the school governors
a particular school, you must indicate this in the
to determine whether applicants meet their faith LATE APPLICATIONS
area provided in your application, giving reasons
requirements or other criteria. If you are applying
supporting your case. Please be aware not all If you apply after the closing date without a valid
for a place on religious grounds, you will be required
schools have this criterion in their policy, so it reason, your application will only be considered
to provide proof of your church attendance and/or
is advised you check this first. after the offer date, 1st March 2019. Your child’s
religious commitment.
name will be added to waiting lists along with
All requests for priority consideration must be
The SIF and all additional documents required those unsuccessful applications considered in
supported by a professional, such as a doctor or
must be returned to the school. The same will the initial allocation round.
social worker, who must clarify which school you
apply for church schools located in neighbouring
are making a special case for, the reason why it is If there is an exceptional reason for applying
local authorities. If you name the school on your
necessary for your child to attend this school in after the closing date and by 11th December 2018
application and do not complete a SIF, your child
particular and the difficulties it will cause your (for example, you have just moved to the area),
will be considered but it will reduce the chance of
child to attend another school. it may be possible to consider your application
your child being offered a place. The school will
with those that were made on time. Other
It is for you to decide how to support your case not have any information to consider when judging
circumstances will be considered and each
and what documents to provide, but these must your application against its admission criteria and,
case decided on its own merit.
be submitted by the closing date, 31st October as such, your application will be ranked very low
2018. The Admissions Team is not responsible when decisions are made. It is therefore important Examples of reasons that would not be accepted
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
for contacting professionals for information you complete the required forms. include failure of a primary school to remind a
about your case and any decision will be based parent to apply, late return from a family holiday
on documents you submit by the closing date. or non-receipt of an application form due to postal
APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN LIVING ABROAD
issues. You are advised to contact the Admissions
For own Admission Authority schools, and schools
Applications submitted by resident families working Team as soon as possible if submitting an
located in other areas, any additional documentation
or temporarily living abroad will be processed application after the closing date.
you provide will be passed on for the respective
with all other applicants and must be submitted
school’s attention via the secure Pan-London system.
by the closing date. The address where the child
CHANGE OF PREFERENCES
The notification date is 1st March 2019. You will not is living at the time of application and at the closing
be advised before this date whether your request date will be used for the purpose of processing. If you wish to change the order of preference
for priority is agreed. If priority is not granted, your The applicant must inform the Admissions Team of schools listed on your application form,
application will be considered against the remaining on their return for the address to be updated. and you applied online, you can log back
criteria for the requested school. Proof of address and occupancy will be required. in to your account to change/add/delete
preferences up until the closing date.
It is important to be aware very few cases are
If you did not apply online, you must email
agreed under this category. The Admission Authority
schooladmissions@westminster.gov.uk
must be able to justify awarding priority for a child
or write to the Admissions Team before
above other applicants. It will need to be agreed
the closing date.
by those making the decision that the professional
support provided clearly makes a case that the It is not normally possible to accept any changes
needs of the child can only be met at the school after the closing date. If you do want to add
required as opposed to another local school. preferences or change your order of preferences
after this date, you must inform the Admissions
Team. In most cases new or changed preferences
will be considered only after all other applications
have been considered.
10 11CONTENTS
Siblings (brothers or sisters) Reasons for preference
GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION (PAPER OR ONLINE)
If your child has a brother or sister who is currently Please note schools can only use their published
The online application is set out in a similar way Children with an Education, Health and Care on roll, and will continue to be so, at one of your admission criteria to decide which children qualify
to the paper form. The following guidance applies (EHC) plan preferred schools at the time of admission for the for a place. It is therefore not necessary to give
to both: child you are applying for, you must include their reasons for your preferences. If, however, there
You do not need to complete this application
details where requested. are medical or social reasons why your child
• Naming only the school you most want for if your child has an EHC plan as there is a separate
should attend the school you have named,
your child will not increase his or her chance process that is outlined on page 57 in this brochure. Relatives such as cousins, uncles and aunts are
please indicate these, as outlined above.
of being offered a place. It is therefore advised If your child is in the process of being assessed for not considered as siblings, even if they are living
you name further preferences and ones you an EHC plan, please complete this application and at the same address.
Declaration and signature of parent or carer
consider to be realistic options. make us aware of the circumstances. Doing so will
Please be aware the definition of sibling can vary,
ensure the school that is eventually offered to your You must sign your application to certify you
• If we receive more than one application for so you are strongly advised to check with relevant
child is fully aware before admission and can plan have parental responsibility for the child for
your child, the most recently dated application boroughs or schools for their definition and if the
accordingly to be able to meet your child’s needs. whom you are applying and the address on
will be the one we process. school gives priority to siblings.
the application is the main residence of the
• Because of the demand for places at the most Looked After Children child. If you provide any false or misleading
Siblings of former pupils
popular schools, your child may not be offered information on the application or in supporting
Looked After Children (also referred to as
a place at your first preference. Some schools give priority to siblings of former papers, or withhold relevant information,
‘in Public Care’) and children who have been
pupils in their admission criteria. This does not it may render your application invalid and
adopted or made subject to a child arrangement
Your child’s name apply to all schools, so check the criteria for the lead to the withdrawal of an offer of a place.
order or a special guardianship order immediately
school you are applying to. If you are applying
Please write your child’s name clearly and use the after having been ‘Looked After’ receive priority
under this criterion please list the name and
same name you have registered with your child’s for admission to school. The child’s social worker
date of birth of the former sibling and the
primary school. must submit a letter to the Admissions Team
school they attended in the relevant box.
confirming the legal status of the child and the
Your child’s date of birth local authority to which the child is/was in care,
Children of school staff
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
quoting the child’s full name and current address.
You should only be applying if your child is currently
Some schools give priority in their admission
in Year 6 in primary school and their date of birth
Exceptional Need criteria to children of staff. This does not apply
is between 1st September 2007 and 31st August
to all schools, so check the criteria for the school
2008. If your child is in Year 6 and does not fall in All schools have experience in dealing with children
you are applying to. Please indicate in the relevant
this birth range, please speak to your primary school with diverse needs. These could be educational,
section if you are applying under this criterion,
headteacher before completing the application. medical and/or social needs. However, in very
naming the school you are applying for. You must
few exceptional cases, there may be reasons
also provide supporting evidence from the school.
Your child’s home address why a child may need to attend a specific school.
Please refer to page 10 for further information.
The address you give must be your child’s permanent
address on the closing date for applications.
School preferences
Please see page 9 for more information.
You can list up to six maintained schools,
Your child’s primary school including any voluntary aided (church) schools,
foundation schools, Free Schools and Academies,
You must include the name of the primary school your
and any schools in neighbouring local authorities,
child currently attends. If your child is being educated
in order of your preference. Please do not name
at home, please state this in the space provided.
independent/private fee-paying schools on this
form – applications to these must be made separately.
Details of parent or carer
You do not have to name six schools, but it is
This section needs to be completed by the parent or
strongly advised you name as many preferences
carer of the child, who will also need to indicate they
as possible and include at least one school where
have parental responsibility. Only one parent needs to
you have a good chance of being offered a place.
complete this section but you can indicate the name
of the other parent in the space provided if you wish. You will need to read the admission criteria for
the schools to determine the likelihood you have
Relationship to child of gaining a place. Applying for only one school
will not improve your chances of gaining a place
Please indicate your relationship to the child
at that school.
(e.g. mother, father, grandmother, foster carer).
Artwork by a pupil from Pimlico Academy
12 13CONTENTS
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO APPLYING ONLINE
If you are a Westminster resident you must complete Why apply online? To start your online application please visit 4. Add your school preferences
Westminster’s common application form to apply for the website eadmissions.org.uk
• It is quick and easy to do. • Add your school preferences by first selecting
a secondary school place. We recommend you apply
You can also use the link from the council’s the local authority that each school falls within.
online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions • You can log back on to change or delete
website westminster.gov.uk/admissions
preferences until 11.59pm on the closing date • Make sure that you read the schools’
The council will coordinate the admission
of 31st October 2018 (ensure you resubmit If you experience problems with the form, admission criteria on pages 22–49 of this
process with the other 32 London boroughs
your application if making changes). please call the London Grid for Learning Support booklet. These criteria will be a guide to the
and neighbouring authorities to ensure no child
line on 020 8255 5555 and choose option 1. likelihood of your child being offered a place
receives more than one offer of a place at a • You are able to attach additional documents.
at the school(s) you are interested in.
secondary school in London on 1st March 2019. The application should not take longer than
• You can register your mobile phone to receive
The one offer received will be for the highest 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Please remember • Select and add the schools you wish to
reminder alerts.
preference school for which your child is eligible. to make a note of your username and password. apply for. You can apply for up to six schools.
• You will automatically receive a confirmation
You will have the opportunity to express a preference Once you have submitted your application you • For each school selected you will be asked
email once you submit your application.
for up to six secondary schools, Academies and will receive an application reference number a number of questions (such as whether
Free Schools, including schools outside Westminster. • During the evening of 1st March 2019 you will that will look like this: 213-2019-09-E-123456. there is a sibling at the school). Make sure
You must list them in order of preference. This means receive an email with the outcome of your This number confirms that your application has you answer the questions correctly.
you should put your first preference (i.e. the school application. Please wait until you have received been submitted.
you most want your child to go to) at the top of the the email before logging onto the Pan-London 5. Submit application
If you decide to apply online, you do not need
list, your second preference below and then continue eAdmissions website.
to complete a paper application form and the Check all of the details entered are correct:
adding any further preferences you would like to
• You will be able to accept or decline an offer closing date for applications is the same.
make. It is vital you put your school preferences • Read the declaration and tick the box to accept it.
of a school place online.
in the order you would like them.
1. Register • Read the Westminster terms and conditions /
If you apply online, you must not complete
privacy notice and tick the box
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
a paper application form. • If you have previously applied using the online
system you will be able to log in without the • Click the ‘Submit Application’ button.
need for registration. Please log in and jump
• Once you have submitted your application
to step 3.
you will be able to attach documents.
• For new users click on ‘Create a new account’
• You will receive an email confirmation.
and enter your details including email address.
You must click the submit button by the closing
• Make sure you enter your permanent address.
date of 31st October 2018. If you do not do this,
This will be verified against council records.
your application will not be processed.
2. Create password and security questions
• You will be asked to create a password. Pick
something secure but memorable. You will
need to log-in to the account to get the
outcome of the application in March.
• You can then specify up to three security
questions. This is optional, but will enable
to reset the account yourself if you forget
your password.
• Validate your email address by clicking the link
in the email you will receive.
• Click ‘Start a new application for a child that is
not listed below’.
3. Add your child’s details
• Enter your child’s details. Make sure you enter
the information accurately.
• Make sure that you only apply for a child born
between 1/9/2007–31/8/2008. If you enter a
date of birth outside of this range you will not
be able to progress to the next step.
14 15CONTENTS
HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE Example 2
THE PROCESS
Preference School Potential Outcome
The Admissions Team will process any preferences If any school has more applicants than places rank offer
you have made for Westminster schools and pass on available, the published admission criteria will
your child’s details to schools that are responsible for be used to decide the order in which applicants 1st School A No Placed on waiting list
their own admissions. If you have applied for schools will be offered places. The same process is carried
that are not located in Westminster, your preference(s) out across London and decisions are made by 2nd School B Yes Place offered
will be passed to the local authority that maintains all Admission Authorities by a common deadline
those schools. At the same time, the Admissions Team and relayed back to the home local authority. 3rd School C No Withdrawn as higher
will receive applications for Westminster schools from This coordinated process eliminates multiple offer met
residents in other local authorities. All these operations offers and will result in your child being offered
will be carried out via the Pan-London Coordinated the highest potential school you named in your 4th School D Yes Withdrawn as higher
Admissions System. list of preferences (if an offer can be made). offer met
Examples are shown in the following tables.
The order of your preferences is not revealed
5th No preference made
to the schools. This information is only known
by your home local authority and the authority
6th No preference made
where the schools are located.
You need to be realistic when deciding your If you are not offered your first preference school,
Example 1 school preferences. The following are examples you will be provided with the following information:
of why an offer may not be made to your child
• The name of the school that can offer you
if a school is oversubscribed:
Preference School Potential Outcome a place. If it has not been possible to offer any
rank offer • Other applicants live closer to the school of the schools you applied for, the nearest
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
and distance is the tie-breaker. alternative school will be offered to you,
1st School A Yes Place offered if there is one available.
• You applied for Church school(s) but other
applicants had priority in a higher faith category • That any preferences for schools listed lower
2nd School B Yes Withdrawn as higher
which meant lower categories in the criteria than the school offered have been withdrawn.
offer met
were not reached.
• How to accept the place you have been
3rd School C Yes Withdrawn as higher • You live close to the school, or meet the faith offered. You should not reject the place unless
offer met criteria, but the tie breaker used is random you have a place secured elsewhere and
allocation (lottery). should indicate the name of the alternative
4th School D Yes Withdrawn as higher school online (or on the paper reply slip).
A breakdown of last year’s admissions to each
offer met
Westminster school is included in the schools • If you have not been offered one of your
section of this brochure on pages 22–49. You will school preferences, the reason why and
5th School E No Withdrawn as higher
find this information is available for all schools in who to contact for further information*.
offer met
the respective local authority brochure, which can
• Waiting list and appeal information and who
be accessed online. Neighbouring London local
6th School F Yes Withdrawn as higher to contact for further details.
authority website addresses and contact details
offer met
can be found on page 61. • The details of schools which have vacancies,
if you did not receive an offer for any of your
preferences and you do not want to accept
NOTIFYING YOU OF THE OUTCOME
the alternative school offered to you.
If you made your application online, you will be
*The notification letter does not go into the detail
able to log on to the eAdmissions site using your
of why a place could not be offered and can only
username and password during the evening of
inform you that your child did not receive a high
1st March 2019 to view the outcome of your
enough priority in the oversubscription criteria.
application and accept or decline any offer made.
You will be able to obtain more detailed information
Letters will only be sent in the post to residents not
from the local authority where the school is located
offered one of their listed preference schools and
or the school itself if it is its own Admission
those that completed the paper application form.
Authority. Please contact the Admissions Team
These letters will be sent on 1st March first class. in the first instance who will be able to advise you.
The notification letter will include a reply slip and
should only be returned if you did not apply online.
16 17CONTENTS
WAITING LISTS APPEAL ARRANGEMENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your child’s name will automatically be added You can make an appeal to each school where
to the waiting list for any Westminster schools your application has been unsuccessful. Appeals What does the law require? schools you have listed up until the closing date of
that could not be offered. Any schools you are heard by an independent panel. The school 31st October 2018. Changes cannot be made to
Of parents:
named as a lower preference than the school will explain to the panel why a place could not your application after the closing date, except in
It is the duty of the parent of every child aged
offered to your child would have been withdrawn be allocated to your child. You will then be heard exceptional circumstances.
five to 16 to ensure the child receives efficient,
under the coordinated arrangements. You will by the panel and will need to show the school’s
full-time education, suitable to his or her age,
need to re-apply to these schools if you want published admission arrangements were not The distance you have calculated from my
ability or aptitude (and to any special need),
your child to be included on a waiting list. correctly applied or there are special reasons home to the school is further away than the
either by regular attendance at school
why your child should be given a place even distance I have calculated on a measuring
If you have not been offered a place at a or otherwise.
though the school is full. system I used on the internet. What do I do?
school in another borough and require waiting
Of local authorities:
list information, you will need to contact the More detailed information about admission appeals The local authority’s geographical measuring
It is the duty of every local authority to ensure
school or the borough that maintains the school. is available at westminster.gov.uk/admissions system is used for calculating distances from
sufficient primary and secondary schools
home to school. Distances measured by other
Waiting lists are ordered in accordance with Guidance will also be provided with your appeal of appropriate character and with necessary
means (e.g. private car, pedometer or on the
the published admission criteria for each school form should you decide to pursue this right. equipment are available to provide all pupils
internet) are likely to be calculated on a different
and places will be offered to children as vacancies in the area with education suitable to their
If you would like to seek independent advice basis and should not be relied upon as evidence
arise with no differentiation between on-time different ages, abilities and aptitudes.
you may wish to contact the Child Law Advice that the local authority’s distance calculation is
or late applications.
Service which provides free legal information, incorrect. The local authority’s measuring system
Does the law guarantee my child a place
The management of the waiting lists for advice and representation to children, their is designed to be precise, reliable and consistent,
in the school of my choice?
Paddington Academy, Pimlico Academy, Harris families and carers. Please see their website and is used for all applications.
Academy and Westminster Academy are delegated childlawadvice.org.uk/school-admissions You might not be offered on of your preferences,
to the Admissions Team. Waiting list positions will for further details or call 0300 330 5485, but to increase your chances of being offered one The school I have applied for has random
be available from 29th March 2019. Waiting lists Monday to Friday for advice. of your preferred schools, you must research the allocation to decide who is offered a place.
for the remaining schools in Westminster are the admission criteria for the schools you are How does this work?
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
responsibility of the respective schools. You will interested in. You should be at least one school in
MAKING FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR Some schools use random allocation instead
need to contact the school directly for an update your lust where you are reasonably certain your
STARTING SCHOOL of distance in order to determine a rank number
of your child’s waiting list position. child meets the criteria.
order when there are more applications than
The headteacher of the secondary school
As a result of vacancies arising, the governors As examples, this could be if there is a sibling places available. This may also be referred to as
where your child has been offered a place will
or Admissions Team on behalf of the school already at the school and this is a priority indicated a lottery or ballot. Schools can decide how they
invite you to visit the school before the end of
will determine who is offered the next place(s) in the school’s criteria. Also, if your nearest school apply this method but it must be supervised by
the summer term. You will have the opportunity
in accordance with the published admission offers the majority of places based on distance, someone independent of the school. This can be
to look around the school and to discuss
criteria and waiting list ranking. You will be notified then you are encouraged to add to your list of an individual or an external organisation. When
questions such as school uniform, books,
of any offer that can be made by the Admissions preferences. The law allows parents to appeal places become available, random allocation must
travel arrangements, midday meals and
Team from 29th March 2019. to an independent panel if their child is refused be used each time to determine the next offer.
possible financial help.
a place at a school of their preference. Please This will mean that there is no ordered waiting list
A child’s position on the waiting list can go down
By the start of the summer holidays, the refer to the section on appeals on page 18 for for schools that use random allocation. Each time
as well as up. For example, if a new application
arrangements for your child’s transfer to a new further information. random allocation is applied, a record is kept that
is submitted and they meet a higher priority
school should have been completed so they will show the rank number given to the applicants.
against the admission criteria for the school, the
can look forward to starting there in September. Will a school know where I listed it in
waiting list will need to be revised to include the
my application? If I decide I prefer a school I listed lower
new applicant. The offer of a place does not
than the school I was offered, can I be
depend on the length of time your child’s name No. All applications are treated equally against
considered for a place?
has been on the waiting list and there can never each school’s published admission criteria.
be any guarantee a place will be offered. Schools are not provided with the preference Any preferences that are listed lower than
order as it has no relevance to the decision- the school offered are automatically withdrawn,
You will be contacted at some point during
making process. so any lower preferences will no longer exist.
the academic year to indicate continued
Any requests after offers have been made for
interest to remain on the waiting list. If you do
Do I have priority for a school place in the lower preferences will be treated as a new late
not respond, your child’s name will be removed
borough I live in? application. If the school has a vacancy, then
from the list unless you inform us otherwise.
it will be possible to offer your child a place
This exercise is carried out to ensure waiting No. It is against the law for local authorities
and withdraw the original offer made to you.
lists only ever include children who would take to give priority to their own residents.
If the school is full your child’s name will be
up an offer for a school if it became available.
added to the waiting list.
Can I change or withdraw my preferences
after I have submitted my application?
Once you have submitted your application, you
can change the order of your preferences and the
18 19CONTENTS
SCHOOL INFORMATION
This section contains basic information for Distance from home to school
each school and a summarised version of the
Unless indicated otherwise in the individual
over-subscription criteria. You are advised to read
admission criteria for each school, distances are
the full admission arrangements for each school
calculated using a straight line (as the crow flies)
you are interested in applying to. These can be
measurement from the child’s home ‘address
obtained directly from the respective school,
point’ (determined by Ordnance Survey data)
their website and the local authority’s website.
to the main school gate (as determined by
As many Westminster residents apply for schools Westminster using its computerised measuring
located in Kensington and Chelsea, the link to the system). The child living closest to the school will
pages where you will find the full admission policy receive the highest priority; accessibility by car or
and arrangements for schools within this borough public transport will be disregarded. If applicants
is provided below. share the same address point (for example, those
who live in the same block of flats or shared
For Kensington and Chelsea:
house), priority will be given to those who live
rbkc.gov.uk/schools/admissions
closest to the ground floor, then by ascending
flat number order. Routes are measured to four
COMMON DEFINITIONS decimal places (if necessary).
To avoid repetition, the following common If, in the unlikely event or more applicants
definitions will apply to each school and Academy live exactly the same distance from the school,
in this section, unless indicated otherwise in the the offer of a place will be decided by random
school’s criteria. allocation, which will be carried out independently
of the school.
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
For all schools included in this brochure, children Exceptional Need
with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
If this priority forms part of the school’s admission
that names the school will be allocated a place
criteria, the governors may, on an individual basis,
before any other allocations are made. Further
give priority to applicants who can demonstrate
information can be found on page 57.
admission to the school is necessary on the
grounds of professionally supported medical,
social or educational need and that no other
Looked After Children (also referred to as
school can meet this need. Parents/carers must
‘in Public Care’)
supply details of any such special factors at the time
Children in care of the local authority and children of the original application, together with recent
who have been adopted or made subject to a supporting documentation. Such applications will
child arrangement or a special guardianship order not be considered without professional support –
immediately following having been ‘Looked After’. such as a letter or report from a doctor, consultant
The child’s social worker must submit a letter to or social worker. Further guidance can be found
the Admissions Team confirming the legal status on page 10.
of the child and the local authority to which the
child is/was in care, and quote the child’s full Children from multiple births (e.g. twins, triplets)
name and current address.
Each school must set out in its admission
arrangements how it considers applicants from
Siblings (brothers and sisters)
multiple births when the admission limit may be
Children already attending the school who will exceeded to admit all children. In most cases,
continue to do so on the date of admission of the places will be offered to all children. You are,
applicant. This includes half-brothers or half-sisters, however, advised to check the full policy for the
adopted brothers or sisters, step-brothers or school(s) you are applying for if this is a concern
step-sisters, or the children of the partner of the for you as different rules may apply.
parent or carer, provided they live at the same
address as the applicant.
Artwork by a pupil from Pimlico Academy
20 21CONTENTS
THE GREY COAT HOSPITAL
SCHOOL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL based on their results. The governors will allocate the 136 remaining OPEN DAYS/EVENINGS
places on the following basis: AND TEST DATES
Headteacher/Principal The Grey Coat Hospital, founded in 1698, is a Church of England
Siân Maddrell school for girls aged 11 to 18 which is mixed in the Sixth Form. • 25% to applicants of above-average ability (Band 1 – the top band). Parents must go to the school
We are a school with strong values, committed to ensuring that website to book a visit
Type of school • 50% to applicants of average ability (Band 2 – the middle band).
each student is known as an individual, develops the knowledge,
Voluntary aided Church of Tuesday 25th September
skills and personal qualities to lead successful and fulfilling lives, • 25% to applicants of below-average ability (Band 3 – the lower band).
England Comprehensive 1.45–3.20pm
and is empowered to do so.
Academy for girls
Tuesday 2nd October
The aim of The Grey Coat Hospital is “to enable students to take
Specialism Church of Other Open Total 1.45–3.20pm
charge of their learning, make decisions based on Christian values,
Modern foreign languages England church places
live in the world as independent women and men and meet the Thursday 4th October
places places
Ages challenges of the twenty-first century”. We aim for excellence both one session at 5pm and
11–18 in and out of the classroom, seeking to develop the qualities of one session at 6pm
Band 1 22 7 5 34
inquisitiveness, resilience, independence, humility and kindness.
DfE number (25%) Monday 8th October
213 4628 We emphasise the learning of languages as we believe that it one session at 5pm and
is important to develop the linguistic skills to communicate with Band 2 44 14 10 68 one session at 6pm
Number of pupils to be
people from around the world as well as to gain an understanding (50%)
admitted in September 2019 Thursday 11th October
and an appreciation of other countries and cultures. As a community
151 1.45pm to 3.20pm
we want to be the very best school for our students, one which Band 3 22 7 5 34
ensures each student experiences a challenging learning journey (25%)
and learns in a reflective, creative and vibrant atmosphere in which LANGUAGE TEST
Nearest tube stations all our students may thrive. Total 88 28 20 136
Assessment tests held at
St. James’s Park (Circle and (100%)
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Westminster Your choice for secondary education 2019 Apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions
Regency Street, SW1P 4GH.
District Lines); Victoria (Circle,
ADMISSION CRITERIA No booking required
District and Victoria Lines)
The below criteria has been summarised and you will need to refer Tuesday 9th October
Bus routes Where, after all applicants have been offered a Church of England
to the school website for the full admission policy and arrangements: (Outcome of test notified
507, 211, 24, 11, 148 place, other church place or open place within their band and one
gch.org.uk/admissions by the end of October)
or more of the bands is undersubscribed, the places remaining
You can also obtain further information by visiting the school in that band will be allocated using the same order of priority
on the dates set out opposite. and tie-breaker as for open places, but without reference to BANDING TEST
Address
which band into which the applicant falls.
St. Andrew’s Building, After the allocation of children with a EHC plan*, the Tuesday 4th December
Greycoat Place, admission criteria will be applied in the following order of priority: Where there is undersubscription for open places, the extra places
SW1P 2DY will be treated first as Church of England places and second as
ADDITIONAL FORMS
Language places other church places.
Telephone TO COMPLETE
020 7969 1998 Up to 15 places will be offered to applicants solely on the strength
Church of England places Supplementary Information
of their aptitude for languages as shown by a test given for this
Email Form (SIF) to be returned
purpose on the languages aptitude test day. Up to 88 places will be given to girls from practising Church of
info@gch.org.uk direct to the school
England families living in the area covered by the Dioceses of London
If it is necessary to decide between applicants who have an equal
Website and Southwark. First priority will be given to Looked After Children
score in the language aptitude test, the governors will apply the
gch.org.uk and previously Looked After Children*, then to siblings*, then other
following tie-breaker: where the order of priority is otherwise equal,
applicants ranked in order accordingly. All applicants in this section
preference will be given to a child who lives the shortest distance*
will need to comply with one of the categories A to E below.
from the school. Where it is necessary to differentiate further
between applicants living the same distance from the school,
Other church (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
priority will be decided by random allocation. Where fewer than
or Evangelical Alliance) places
15 language places are allocated, any remaining places will be
added to the total number of open places available. Up to 28 places will be given to girls from families active in
other churches who live in the area of the Dioceses of London
Banding and Southwark. ‘Families active in other churches which are full
members of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland or the
To fill the remaining 136 places (excluding language places) and
Evangelical Alliance’ as defined in categories A to E in that order
to ensure a balanced intake from all ability ranges, all girls must sit
of priority. First priority will be given to Looked After Children
a literacy and non-verbal reasoning test on assessment day.
and previously Looked After Children*, then to siblings, then
The governors will refer to the results of the literacy and non-verbal other applicants ranked in order accordingly. All applicants in
reasoning tests and place all of the applicants into three ability bands this section will need to comply with one of the categories A to E.
22 23You can also read
