Primary
Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the Published Admission Number, Darlington Borough Council, as the Admissions Authority for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools will consider all preferences against the oversubscription criteria set out below. After the admission of pupils with a statement of special educational need where a specific school is named on the statement, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:
Order of Priority
Priority 1 - Looked After Children. A ‘looked after’ child is a pupil who is in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that Authority.
Priority 2 - Medical. Pupils with very exceptional medical factors directly relating to school placement. Applications under this criterion should be supported by written evidence from a doctor.(see below for further details).
Priority 3 - Family Links. Pupils who have a brother or sister already attending the school and are expected to be on roll at that school at the time of admission. In the case of associated schools a family link would exist if a brother or sister would be expected to be on roll of either school at the time of admission. (see table of schools in the primary brochure 2009/10 for associated schools).
Priority 4 - Distance. Pupils who live nearest the preferred school measured from the front door of the home address to the main school gate by the shortest walking route judged to be safe. This will be based on the home address of the child. Furthermore in connection with pupils who are transferring from infant to junior school, those pupils who are attending associated schools are to be given priority over pupils from other schools.
Secondary
Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the Published Admission Number, Darlington Borough Council, as the Admissions Authority for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools will consider all preferences against the oversubscription criteria set out below. After the admission of pupils with a statement of special educational need where a specific school is named on the statement, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:
Order of Priority
Priority 1 - Looked After Children. A ‘looked after’ child is a pupil who is in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that Authority.
Priority 2 - Associated Transport. Pupils who live in an area from which the Authority provides designated transport to the preferred school in order to limit travel costs (see transport section in the secondary admissions brochure 2009/10 for areas).
Priority 3 - Medical Reasons. Pupils with very exceptional medical factors directly relating to school placement. Applications under this criterion should be supported by written evidence from a doctor (see brochure for further details).
Priority 4 - Family Links. Pupils who have a brother or sister already attending the school and are expected to be on roll at that school at the time of admission.
Priority 5 - Distance. Pupils who live nearest the preferred school measured from the front door of the home address to the main school gate, by the shortest walking route judged to be safe (lit at regular intervals and paved/tarmaced). This will be based on the home address of the child.
Distance Tie-Break
In the event of a tie-break, the Authority will carry out a thorough investigation, which may involve an Officer walking the route using a pedometer. In the case of secondary admissions where a single place remains and the next child to be offered is a twin or other multiple birth, then the Authority will use its discretion in deciding whether to offer over the Published Admission Number. For primary admissions for multiple births where there is only 1 place available, then through consultation with the parent/carers, the place will be offered to the chosen child.
Medical Criterion
If you state a preference for a school and indicate your reason for doing so is ‘medical’, then you are required to send a supporting letter from a professional practitioner. The supporting evidence should set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the difficulties it would cause if your child had to travel to another school. The Authority will make contact the District Medical Officer for independent information regarding your child’s condition. We will also seek advice from other qualified professionals, e.g. Psychologists or other specialist where necessary.