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Secondary school admissions

Deciding which secondary school to choose is one of the most important decisions carers / parents and young people have to make. We want to make sure that the move from primary to secondary is as smooth as possible.  It is important to have all of the information available to enable you, with your child, to take an informed decision about the school you would prefer them to attend. Coventry also has a Choice Adviser, who is able to work with parents/carers and young people to assist them with this process.

Starting Secondary in 2009

In-Year (Mid-term) Transfers

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 Latest News

• Changes for parents at Corpus Christi Catholic Primary school

Following guidance from the Schools Adjudicator, parents of children attending Corpus Christi school should be aware that Cardinal Wiseman is their feeder link school for September 2009. Pupils will not have feeder link status for applications for Bishop Ullathorne school. This is a change to the criteria set out in Appendix Two (pg 33) of the "Secondary Education in Coventry 2009" booklet.

• Changes for parents applying for Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School and Music College 

Parents need to be aware of the changes made to this policy since the original version was published in the Secondary Education in Coventry 2009 booklet. It can be viewed here.

General Information

We aim to make sure that you have the best chance of securing a place at the school of your choice. In 2008, we managed to offer 88% of children their first preference. Many schools, however, receive more applications than there are places available. Coventry has developed a set of criteria (see our Secondary Schools Admissions Policy 2009), which help determine how the available places are allocated. These arrangements must be fair and unbiased and follow the requirements of the Government's Code of Practice for Admissions. 

The City Council sets the rules for admission for community and voluntary controlled schools and the governors of voluntary aided schools set the rules for their schools. Our brochure Secondary Education in Coventry 2009 gives you information about applying for a school place and gives details about schools that are available in the city. Further information about each school can be found in its prospectus, which can be obtained either direct from the school or from the Children, Learning and Young People's directorate. Arrangements can be made to visit individual schools by contacting the headteacher.

Please Note:

Coventry operates a co-ordinated scheme for secondary admission arrangements. This means that we administer applications for all maintained schools in Coventry, as well as exchanging applications with other local authorities eg Solihull and Warwickshire.

Starting Secondary in September 2009?

From 4th July 2008, parents and children can start applying for a Secondary school for entry in September 2009. Please be aware that the admission policy has changed for a number of schools for entry in 2009. The criteria for all schools are in the "Appendices" section of the "Secondary Education in Coventry 2009" booklet. 

In order to help you decide which schools you apply for, it is highly recommended that you visit the schools. Each school will be holding an Open day/evening, the dates of which you can find here. For more information/questions about individual schools, you could use the Choice Adviser,  have a look at some of the frequently asked questions, which also cover any queries you may have about the application process and/or the "myth busting" section which looks to challenge popular myths that surround applying for schools.

How to apply

To apply for a school place at a Local Authority Community, Academy, Trust, Catholic or Church of England Secondary School within Coventry, for a child who is moving up to secondary school in September 2009, you can:

• Make an online application;
• Download the Common Application Form  (Word);
• Complete the Common Application Form supplied with the "Secondary Education in Coventry" booklet.

Parents who live in Coventry will also be able to apply for schools outside of the city on the same application form.

Please complete the application form and return to either your child's primary school or the Admissions Team by 10 October 2008. If you want to apply for a place at Blue Coat Church of England School you should also complete supplementary information forms to apply for either a Church Place or an Open Place (Faiths other than Christian).   

Application Timetable

Friday 4th July 2008	Booklets distributed through primary schools
June/July/September 2008	Open evenings at Secondary schools
Friday 10th October 2008	The closing date for applications
Wednesday 31st December 2008	The last date for letting us know any address changes
Monday 2nd March 2009	Allocation letters sent by 1st class mail. Emails sent to those who applied online
May, June & July 2009	Appeals will be heard
May - August 2009	Allocations from waiting list/late applications
September 2009	Re-register for waiting lists

Appeals

If your application for a school is unsuccessful, you have the right to have your case heard by an Independent Appeals Panel. Follow this link for more information about the appeals process.

Further advice

If you are in need of more advice or guidance at any time during the process, you can:

• contact the headteacher of your current school
• call into the Children, Learning and Young People's directorate, which is located in Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RS.  The staff who can help you are available from 8.30am to 5.00pm (except on Fridays when the offices close at 4.30pm).
• Speak to the Choice Adviser

In-Year (Mid-Term) Transfers

If you are looking to transfer to another Coventry school outside of the usual admission round (i.e Year 6 to Year 7), you will need to contact the admissions team on 024 7683 1573. The decision to transfer should not be taken lightly, and may not be in your child's best interests. Please look here for things to think about.

If you are currently living in the UK and would like to apply for a place at a Coventry school, please contact the number above.

If you are currently living abroad but are intending to come to Coventry and need a Secondary school place, you will only be able to apply once you have arrived in the country and have a residential address. Once you have arrived contact the Admissions and Benefits Team on 024 7683 1573.

Contact Details

Downloadable documents