In year school admissions

Points of entry to school

There are two points of admission to school:

• normal point of entry
• in-year point of entry

Normal point of entry admission arrangements

Normal point of entry means:

• Starting at nursery school for the first time
• Starting at primary or infant school in the Reception year for the first time
• Transferring from Year 2 at an infant school to Year 3 of a junior school
• Transferring from Year 6 of a junior or primary school to Year 7 of a secondary school
• Starting at sixth form in Year 12 for the first time

In-year point of entry admission arrangements

In-year point of entry means:

• Any entry to school other than at the normal point, for example, transferring school due to a house move or for other personal reason

If you wish to apply for an in-year school admission, you must apply to the Council in whose area you live, not to the school direct.

Children move school 'in year' for a variety of reasons. They could have moved into Plymouth from another part of the country or from abroad or could perhaps be seeking a transfer of school.

A transfer of school is not a decision to be taken lightly. Many children will become unsettled by a change of school environment and may suffer emotionally as well as academically. Once examination options have been selected, a transfer of school should be avoided because it will be difficult to match chosen options and exam boards in alternative schools. If you are seeking a transfer of school, you should first of all discuss the situation with your child and your child’s tutor or Head of Year. It may be that any perceived difficulties can be resolved and schools have a number of strategies that can be put in place to assist a child who may have difficulty settling into a school or who is experiencing problems. A change of school may only move a problem rather than resolve it.

The information on this page and related in-year admissions pages was correct at the time it was first published in September 2011, you should note that there may be changes to the published information that will take effect during or after this date. The information cannot therefore form the basis of a contract with parents. Information on this page covers in-year admission arrangements for both primary and secondary school applications.

How do I apply for a school place?

• If you live in Plymouth and you wish to apply for a school place in-year, with the exception of admissions to a nursery or a sixth form, you must complete the common application form. This can be either the online in-year admissions application form or you can download a form from the documents page and return it to us.
• We will act as Commissioner for School Places and will deal with your application, even if the school that you want to apply for is an Academy or a Foundation Trust or Voluntary Aided school.
• We will aim to place your child in a school within 20 days of receipt of your application form.

What to do now

• Find out more about education in Plymouth.
• Visit our parents guide page to read guidance about in year school admissions.