How are decisions made?
Admission authorities must make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of the child concerned.
This will include taking into account
- the parent’s views
- information about the child’s academic
- social and emotional development
- where relevant, their medical history and the views of a medical professional
- whether they have previously been educated out of their normal age group
- whether they may naturally have fallen into a lower age group, if they were not born prematurely
They must also take into account the views of the head teacher of the school concerned.
When informing a parent of their decision on the year group the child should be admitted to, the admission authority must set out clearly the reasons for their decision.
The admission authority must ensure that the parent receives the response to their request before national offer day.
If the request is agreed, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn, and the parent must make a new application for a place in a reception class or transfer to Secondary, as part of the main admissions round the following year.
