Information for Parents and Carers of Secondary School Students Seeking to Transfer to Carr Hill High School
Carr Hill High School manages its own In-Year Admissions (IYAs) in close collaboration with the Local Authority (LA), which oversees our main intake admissions for Year 6 to Year 7 transfers and admission appeals. We handle admissions in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2014, ensuring that our policies and processes are fair, transparent, and in line with legal requirements.
The below information explains how we process In-Year Admissions, both when spaces are available and when the school is full in a particular year group.
When a Place is Available:
The school will contact the applicant’s previous school to gather relevant information about the student.
An admissions committee will convene to discuss applications for available places. This committee meets every three weeks, or as necessary, depending on availability. The committee consists of:
- Pastoral Assistant Headteacher
- Pastoral Administrator
- Headteacher
If a place is granted, the school will contact the parent to arrange an enrolment meeting to discuss the next steps and establish a start date.
All applications will be logged by date and time of receipt, and available places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If the application is unsuccessful, the school will notify the parent in writing, outlining the reasons for the decision. The Local Authority will be informed, and parents will be advised of their Right of Appeal (ROA).
Waiting lists:
If there are no places available, you must still complete the application process and we may add you to our waiting list.
The school maintains waiting lists until the last day of each term. For example, if an application is made in the autumn and no place is available, the student will remain on the waiting list until the end of the autumn term. A new waiting list will begin at the start of the following term.
Important Notes:
Applications are not accepted during school holidays. Application records are retained for 12 months from the date of receipt and then securely discarded.
How to Apply:
If you wish to apply for a place for your child at Carr Hill High School, you must complete the In-Year School Admission Form. The form consists of two parts:
- Part 1: To be completed by the parent/carer.
- Part 2: To be completed by the Headteacher or Principal of your child’s current/previous school.
Application Form Part 1:
To begin your application, please download and complete Part 1 of the form:
Application Form Part 2:
Once you have completed Part 1, please ask the Headteacher or Principal of your child’s current/previous school to complete Part 2 of the form. This must be done before we can proceed with your application. You can download Part 2 of the form below:
After both parts of the form are completed and submitted to our school, we will contact you within 20 working days.
**Please Note**: Your child must continue to attend their current school while the application is being processed. However, if you have moved out of the district, this may not be feasible. In such cases, it is essential to inform the Headteacher or Principal of your child’s current/previous school about your situation.
Key Considerations:
Before applying to transfer your child to another school, please carefully consider the following:
Behaviour: Changing schools does not automatically improve a child’s behaviour, as underlying issues may persist. It is often more effective for parents/carers, the child, and the school to work together to address these challenges.
Bullying: If your child is experiencing bullying, inform their current school immediately. All schools have anti-bullying policies, and addressing the issue may prove more beneficial than a school transfer, which might only offer a temporary solution.
Curriculum: Different schools may follow different curriculums, which can particularly impact students in Years 10 and 11. For example, option subjects and exam specifications may vary between schools. A transfer during Year 11 is only considered in exceptional circumstances due to the potential disruption to the student’s education.
Uniform: A school transfer will require purchasing a new uniform. Financial support for uniform costs is limited, and parents/carers are not typically eligible for a second grant to cover the costs of a new uniform.
Travel: Consider how a change in school might affect travel arrangements, both for your child and your family’s schedule. The Local Authority offers limited assistance with school transport, so you may need to cover the cost of your child’s commute to the new school.
Peer Groups/Friends: Changing schools means making new friends, which can be challenging. Peer groups can influence your child positively or negatively. If your concern is that certain students are negatively impacting your child, it may be better to address the issue at the current school rather than changing schools. Moving away from established friendships can also affect your child’s academic performance and well-being.
Submitting Your Application:
Please send completed forms by post or via email (by scanning and attaching the documents) to admissions@carrhill-ept.com – addressed to the Headteacher.
Appeals
The school’s admission appeals are supported by Lancashire County Council. If the Governing body cannot offer a school place, parents have the right to make an appeal.
This appeal should be submitted using the link below within twenty days of refusal of admission. The appeal provides you with an opportunity to explain why you wish to register your child at our school. The appeal forms and advice on how to complete them is available on the Lancashire County Council website:
Lancashire County Council will contact you in respect of your appeal application and inform you of the arrangements. The outcome of the appeal will be notified to you in writing.
The decision of the Independent Appeal Panel is binding to all parties, ie the family and the school.
