Secondary Schools Information Evening Purpose of the Evening

Secondary Schools Information Evening

Purpose of the Evening • To consider the options for children leaving Bramhope -where and why • To talk through the application process-what to do/what not to do • To clarify admissions procedures • To discuss any questions you may have

How do I choose a school? • Start thinking early, but keep your options open • Read, listen and look for yourself! • Visit midweek • Identify your own non-negotiables and core values

Friends are important but what about… • • • Academic focus and results • Extra curricular opportunities and residential The facilities visits The extended day • Ethos School size and class size • Practicalities Learning Support • Fee paying or not? Heritage

How much should I involve my child? • It is a long process! • Remember their criteria may be different to yours • Focus on knowing what’s best for your child rather than just asking them

LCC recommends: • Before you apply for a secondary school place, we advise you to: • visit the schools you are interested in applying for before making your application to ensure that you are making an informed choice • read the Leeds City Council composite prospectus 2019 -20 (PDF, 3 MB), which includes school information and individual school over-subscription criteria. This will help to ensure you include school(s) where your child has a realistic chance of being offered a place • speak to staff in school or the Admissions Team to clarify any issues you are not sure about • consider how your child will get to school and the potential transport costs

Where did our Y 6 children go last year? Non-selective. • PHGS (24) • Ralph Thorseby (2) • Allerton High (2) • St Mary’s Menston (1) • Ilkley Grammar (1) Selective: (Maths, Reading Comprehension and Writing tests. Consider bursaries, potential scholarships, boarding opportunities…school day/schoolholidays) • GSAL (3) Maths, Reading Comprehension and Writing • Woodhouse Grove (1)

Prince Henry’s has a long-standing partnership with Bramhope Primary School. In recent years this partnership has been strengthened as the range of shared activities has been extended. The strong links between the two schools includes: �A range of transition visits and activities for KS 2 pupils �Ongoing student enrichment activities �Moderation activities for English and maths Our decision to form a MAT (Multi Academy Trust) was founded on formalising and growing this partnership.

The Leeds City Council school admissions timeline Date Stage By 31 October 2019 Apply online for school places (5 preferences) 2 March 2020 Offers go out 30 March 2020 Deadline for accepting offers 30 March 2020 Deadline to appeal March to July 2020 Places allocated from the waiting list and appeals held September 2020 Start Secondary School

Myth busting • • The most important thing is that children stay with their friends If a school has a good OFSTED report it’s a good school You won’t get into Prince Henry’s if you live more than 2. 5 miles away If you only put one preference on the application form you’ll have to be given it • The MAT guarantees automatic entry to Prince Henrys • If you move your child to an independent school at the end of Y 6, you risk not getting in • We only prepare children for PHGS

What to do if you are not offered a place • Using the waiting list form on your offer letter, inform the LA that you wish to register your child’s name on the Leeds City Council waiting list. This should be done asap. The list is ordered according to distance from Prince Henry's (not first come first served) and adding your child’s name to the PHGS waiting list does not jeopardise any school place you may have been offered already. The deadline to add your child’s name to the waiting list is 13 April but if your child’s name is not on the list, they cannot be considered for a place if one becomes available. Also, it will help their case if it does go to appeal. If parents notify PHGS that they do not wish to take up their school place (typically because they have a place in an independent school) places are reallocated. This process starts on 19 March and continues until September. • Inform the LA that you intend to appeal but take your time to complete the forms and use the guidance below to help draft your supporting evidence. If you would like me to read your appeal form, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment. Please do not feel obliged to submit a rushed appeal. The deadline for completing your appeal form is 28 March. Appeals are not considered on a first come, first served basis. All cases are heard on their own merit and no appeals are considered until May. The appeals procedure usually ends in July.

Last year 19 parents went to appeal. Their cases were based on the following: • Issues around transport and safeguarding. Successful appeals have evidence of thorough research in this area. For example Prince Henry’s may not be the closest school, but it might be more accessible (and therefore safer) via public or school bus routes. Another example might be If the child knows older students who make the same journey / has practiced the route and is confident travelling towards Otley but not in other directions. • Friendship groups and vulnerability. Successful appeals have evidence that their child is particularly vulnerable. For example without existing friendship group / very best friend some children struggle to make new friends and therefore risk becoming overly anxious, others are vulnerable due to an SEN need. • Analysis of historic allocations and students on roll. Successful appeals use the information provided in the appeals pack, including the Prince Henry’s Statement of Case. For example is there evidence that in the past the Prince Henry’s has accepted students over and above the published admission limit

Last year 19 parents went to appeal. Their cases were based on the following: • The existing educational links between the child and Prince Henry’s. Successful appeals have been able to evidence prior links to Prince Henry’s e. g. through language teaching, enrichment activities, curriculum progression. In some cases this may lead to a ‘presumed feeder school’ situation. Finally: • Avoid criticising the school that has been allocated. The panel will consider that all schools are appropriate places for children to be educated. Focus instead on why Prince Henry’s is a more appropriate school given the specific individual circumstances of the child. Why does Prince Henry’s better meet the child’s need?

How do we ensure our children are ‘secondary ready’ Being ready is a culmination of children’s entire education, both academic and personal • Ensure they meet ARE in all core areas (89%/65%) • Ensure children are reading regularly, practising tables and spellings (fluency and • • application) Have high expectations (presentation and handwriting-fluency) Encourage your child to participate in a range of enrichment activities and take up leadership opportunities Fully prepare for SATs Focus on developing independence and good habits in key areas: homework, mobile phones/online behaviour, friendship and problem solving

What next? • Visit the schools you are considering, ask questions, speak to existing parents and make an appointment with me if you’d find it helpful • Find out about open days and entrance exams if appropriate. Practise past papers. Consider private tutoring • Any questions?