School admissions and transfers

Whether your child is starting at nursery, reception or secondary school, it is an important time in their school career; you and they are probably looking forward to it with a mixture of excitement and worry. We aim to help make the move a smooth and simple one.

These pages include information on school admissions and may answer questions you have regarding the appeals process and 'in year' school transfers. Our School Admissions and Transfers Team help parents and carers through the school admissions process.

You may also find the following guidance useful:

Admission to Primary Schools 2019 booklet

Admission to Secondary Schools 2020 booklet

Visit the Schools Admissions section on the GOV.UK website.

Applying for a school place

Admission to primary school in 2020

If your child was born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, he or she will start primary school in September 2020.

We will send letters mid-November informing you how to apply for your child to start primary school in September 2020.

If you have any queries please ring the Schools Admissions Team on 01642 526605 or email: [email protected].

Visit the Applying to primary school page for further information.

Admission to secondary school in 2020

If your child was born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, he or she will start secondary school in September 2020.

We will send letters out in September through your primary school informing you how to apply for a secondary place for September 2020.

Apply online for your child's Secondary School Place

If you have any queries please ring the Schools Admissions Team on 01642 526605 or email: [email protected].

Visit the Applying to secondary schools page for further information.

Admission Zones

It is important to note that Stockton-On-Tees adopts an ‘admission zone’ policy where most schools have their own defined area. This means that your registered home address (i.e. the one you pay Council Tax for) generally identifies that you are ‘in-zone’ for that school.

We do understand that secondary schools do work closely with local primaries to support transition and while this is good practice, it does not automatically mean that children from those primary schools will be offered a place within a specific secondary school. In addition some Roman Catholic or Church of England schools may, as part of their admission policy, also identify Catholic ‘feeder’ or ‘partner’ schools and if your child attends one of these, at the point of application this may further aid your chances of securing a school place for your child.

All faith schools policies will include definitions with regards what ‘Catholic’ means and membership of the Church as well as referring to ‘parish zones’. If you are seeking a ‘church place’ for your child then you will be required to provide some form of evidence at the point of application.

If you would like further information about which school admission zone you live in please contact either the preferred school / academy first or the School Admissions Team on tel: 01642 526605.

School Admission Arrangements for 2020/21

To comply with the School Admissions Code (2014) please find below Stockton-On-Tees school admissions arrangements for all Community and Voluntary Controlled primary and secondary schools for entry in September 2020.

The Code states that the Local Authority (LA) as the 'admission authority' must determine its arrangements annually and this is explained in these documents:

Admissions Policy for Primary, Secondary and VC Schools for September 2020

School Admissions Numbers for September 2020

Co-ordinated Admissions arrangements timetable for Primary and Secondary Schools 2020/21

The admission arrangements for those schools within borough that are not community or voluntary controlled schools are determined by their respective governing bodies or academy trust.

Copies of the determined admission arrangements for voluntary aided, foundation, trust schools, academies and free schools are available from the individual schools.

Any person or body who considers that any maintained school or academy's arrangements are unlawful, or not in compliance with the code or relevant law relating to admissions, can make an objection to the office of the schools adjudicator.

Further information on how to make an objection can be obtained from the office of the schools adjudicator:

Address: Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Bishopsgate House, Feethams, Darlington DL1 5QE

Telephone: (01325) 340402

Email: [email protected]

Other Y10 education opportunities

To all parents/carers of children who are due to move into Year 10 in September 2020, the information below is to advise you of other opportunities for education starting in Y10 available across the North East & North Yorkshire area, which you may not be aware of. These schools have atypical admission ages so take pupils at a different age to typical 11-18 secondary schools. This does not mean that you are required to move your child from their existing school if this is still the best option for them.

Listed are Schools within a ‘Reasonable travelling Distance’, which you may wish to look into and consider whether your child would want to apply for a place in September.

You should also look at the GCSE curriculum at your child’s current school, to help consider what the best option is for the next two years of your child’s education.

University Technical Colleges (UTCs) are set up by universities and businesses and specialise in one or two technical subjects. At GCSE they offer a similar curriculum to a typical 11-18 secondary school, including the basics of English and Maths, as well as their specialist subject.
Studio Schools are similar to UTCs in that they have employer involvement in the curriculum and focus on developing the skills needed for employment, involving personal coaching and work experience, alongside a similar curriculum to a typical 11-18 secondary.

All schools have a statutory duty to secure impartial careers guidance for all Year 8 to Year 13 students to inspire young people to fulfill their potential and to make them aware of all opportunities open to them. We strongly recommend that your child discuss their options with a Careers Adviser in their current school or college.

If you decide that you would like to know more information or to apply for a place at any of these schools for your child, we suggest you contact them directly.