Primary School Places, Your Questions Answered
Where have the additional 210 Reception Year places been added?
Seven schools will each have an extra 30 places in September 2008:
Alexandra Infant School, Burlington Infant and Nursery School, Christ Church C of E Primary School, Surbiton, Coombe Hill Infant School, Fern Hill Primary School, Lovelace Primary School, and Maple Infant School. All of these schools are good or outstanding, and all have good early years provision.
Will there be enough places locally for all children?
Yes, we have added 210 places, in addition to the 50 vacancies, to ensure that 100% of parents will be allocated a place in the local area. At the end of the admissions process we estimate that 96% of parents overall will have been allocated a place for their child in one of their 3 preferred schools.
Why couldn’t you tell us sooner where the extra places were being added?
We needed to be sure that the additional places were being added in schools where we could ensure that all arrangements can be in place for September and that they provided the best match between parents' preferences and the overall number of places needed.
How have the additional places been allocated?
The additional places have been allocated in accordance with the published admissions criteria which are also used to prioritise waiting lists.
Why haven’t the additional places been automatically offered to children without a place?
Legally, we have to allocate the places in accordance with published admissions criteria. The admissions process allows all parents to state up to three preferences initially, and to request to be added to waiting lists for oversubscribed schools once initial offers are made. Some parents who already have an offer based on their second or third preference may now be offered a place at their first preferred school which may free up a place they are currently holding at another school.
Is the admissions process still a fair one?
Yes, the additional 210 places have been allocated in accordance with published admissions criteria for each school. The criteria continue to apply in the same way for every child.
I still haven’t been offered a place at one of my preferred schools, when will I know the final outcome?
All parents receiving offers are being asked to let us know whether they wish to take up the place as soon as possible and by no later than Monday 16 June. We will be re-offering any places as they become available. However it will not be possible to offer everyone a preferred school and you may have to consider a place at a local school with vacancies.
My child has been offered a place at a school with additional places - will the additional class continue throughout my child’s time at the school?
Yes, the additional class will continue throughout all year groups.
Where the places have been added to an infant school, will there be enough places in the linked junior school?
Yes, the Local Authority has discussed this with the linked junior schools and will make arrangements for additional accommodation and staffing to be ready for September 2011.
Where is the money coming from for the additional places?
Funding for schools running costs is provided by the Government and is not funded by Council Tax. The cost of making enough accommodation available at each school is currently being met by the Local Authority, but we have made an application to the Government for additional funding to help with this exceptional increase in pupil numbers.
Will there be enough resources for schools that have the additional classes?
Yes, the seven schools will receive additional funding for staffing and equipment etc for September 2008 to March 2009 (the end of the financial year). This has been agreed with the Schools Forum which locally oversees how all of the money available for schools is allocated. In future years these schools will receive funding on the same basis as all other schools, based on the number of pupils on roll in January. Recruitment of permanent, qualified teaching and support staff is underway, and where necessary, arrangements are in place for schools to have additional accommodation.
Will there be any effect on my child who is in a year group with additional places?
No, each additional reception class will become an integral part of the existing Early Years team in the school. For every school this will be an expansion of its current provision with new staffing appointments to enhance their good practice. Each school has already given careful consideration to the location of its additional class, ensuring access to outdoor learning and proximity to other reception classes to share resources and expertise. Teams will plan for the curriculum across the year group, using the new Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure consistency and quality for each class. Pupil progress will be closely tracked using ongoing observation and assessment systems across all six areas of learning.
Schools welcome the expansion as an opportunity to extend their Early Years team and provision. They acknowledge the importance of giving children and their families the best possible start to learning and the induction process and ongoing practice will promote this. Discussions are already underway to ensure strong liaison with pre schools and nurseries to ensure an effective transition for all children and families.
Why didn’t the Local Authority know about and respond to the shortage of places sooner?
We identified that there would be an increased demand for primary school places this year, but underestimated the extent of the increase. Our projections, based on Greater London Authority (GLA) data, in recent years have tended to be higher than actual places needed. The projections and actual figures for Reception places over the past four years are as follows:
| Year | Projection of Places Needed | Actual Number on Roll |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 1,517 | 1,477 |
| 2006-07 | 1,477 | 1,454 |
| 2007-08 | 1,590 | 1,503 |
| 2008-09 | 1,637 | Estimated based on current applications at 1,750 |
There are 1,575 planned reception year places, with an additional 210 now added for September 2008 (total 1,785).
Will there be enough places in Sept 2009 and Sept 2010?
The Local Authority will ensure that there are enough places in future years. Kingston is not unique in facing increased applications this year and there is evidence of a similar trend right across London. Kingston is reviewing its projections for future school places and liaising with neighbouring local authorities to monitor the situation carefully and plan for future years.
Can I still lodge an appeal if I haven’t been offered a place at my preferred school?
Yes, if at this stage you still haven’t been offered a place at a school that you prefer your right of appeal still remains. Please contact School Admissions if you need further information on 020 8547 4610.