Admissions & Transfers

In September 2008 there will be 31 Primary Schools, 8 Secondary Schools and 3 Special Schools in Torbay.

In Community and Voluntary controlled schools the local authority is responsible for admissions. In Voluntary aided, foundation and trust schools admissions are the responsibility of the school's governing body.

Admission to Primary School

The closing date for applications was 10 October 2008 and you cannot now apply on line for a primary school place.

If you have not applied you should complete a paper form and send it to Admissions & Student Services, Oldway Mansion, Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2TE, as soon as possible.

You should read TIPS 5 before completing your form.

Admission to Secondary School

If your child was born between 1st September 1997 and 31st August 1998 he/she will start secondary school in September 2009.

You should read the booklet TIPS 1 before making your application which must be received by 24th October 2008.

You can apply on line or complete a paper form.

School Admission Appeals

If your application for a school place has been refused in writing by the relevant admission authority (i.e. the LA or the school) you can appeal against this decision.

You can appeal when the school that you would prefer your child to attend has turned down your application because, in their view, to admit any further children "would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources".

You also have the right to appeal if your application for a place at a selective school (a grammar school or Westlands School and Technology College’s selective stream) has not been successful as your child did not meet the required ability level in the selective tests or your child's score was not high enough.

Further information about appeals can be found in the TIPS Booklet 2, you can download and view a copy of this booklet from the Related Documents panel below.

If your child was not allocated our preferred secondary school on 3rd March, you may find it useful to contact the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) - an independent national advice centre for parents of children in state school.  They offer information and advice on state education, including on admission appeals.  They can be contacted by texting: APPEAL to 68808.

Local Admissions Forum

Torbay Local Admissions Forum (LAF) is a mandatory body set up under the School Standards and Framework Act 1996. The Forum facilitates discussion between all admission authorities on how best to organise admissions in the local area, in order to meet as many parents preferences as possible and to reach agreement about difficult issues, such as providing school places and sharing pupils with challenging behaviour.

The Forum meets approximately 3 times a year at regular intervals usually at Oldway Mansion Paignton.

If you require further information please telephone 01803 207064.

Related Documents

• TIPS Booklet 1 - Admissions to Secondary Schools
  The booklet is designed to help you decide which secondary school you would like your child to attend.
  Last updated: 26/08/2008 (807 KB)
• Tips Booklet 2 - A Guide to School Admission Appeals in Torbay
  If you have been refused a place at your preferred school you can appeal to the Torbay Independent Appeals Panel. This guide explains how you can appeal and what happens at the appeal hearing.
  Last updated: 02/04/2008 (482 KB)
• TIPS Booklet 5 - Admissions to Primary Schools
  This booklet is designed to help you decide which school you would like your child to attend if your child is starting at an Infant or Primary school for the first time.
  Last updated: 26/08/2008 (2.1 MB)

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.