Manchester Academy

Admissions Policy

Over Subscription

If the number of applications for admissions is greater than 240 after allocating places to those with a statement of special educational needs, places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria applied in the order in which they are set out below.

• Students who are in public care (looked after children) or previously looked after children on the date of the application (Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order).
• Students with significant specific medical, social or special educational needs which are not covered in a statement of special educational needs.

The significant specific need which parents may ask to be taken into account must:

• relate directly to the student;
• be significant to the extent that it will or is likely to have an impact on the ability of the student to access the provision of education.

Parent(s) wishing to make an application on the basis of this criterion must demonstrate that the Academy is uniquely suited to meet the need described in their application and that no other school can meet these needs.

• Applications made on the basis of this criterion must be accompanied by a report or letter from a relevant and appropriately qualified professional person. Such a person may be a doctor, social worker or educational psychologist. The Academy reserves the right to seek and take into account a second opinion from a suitably

qualified professional person, such opinion to be gained at the expense of the Academy.

Parent(s) are advised that they should provide full information with their application to enable it to be properly considered. It may not be possible for the Academy to consider late information.

• Students with a sibling or siblings currently attending the Academy who will continue to do so on the date of admission.

The term sibling means a full, step, half, adopted or fostered brother or sister but not cousins. The Academy reserves the right to ask for proof of relationship.

• Students who live the nearest distance to the Academy.

The distance which determines how far the student has to travel to the Academy is the shortest walking distance along public highways and footpaths between the door to the student’s permanent address and the nearest entrance to the main school building.

The student’s permanent address is where he or she normally lives and sleeps and goes to school from. Proof of residency can be requested at any time throughout the admissions process. Parent(s) may be asked to provide their original Council Tax and Child Benefit documents.

Waiting List

If in any year the Academy receives more applications for places than there are places available, the Academy will operate a waiting list until the end of the first term of the academic year of admission. It is open to any parent to ask for his or her child’s name to be placed on the waiting list following either an unsuccessful application or an unsuccessful appeal.

The child’s position on the waiting list will be determined solely in accordance with the over subscription criterion set out above. Where places in the Academy become vacant, they will be allocated to children on the waiting list in accordance with the over subscription criterion.

Appeals

Parent(s) have the right of appeal to the Academy’s Independent Appeal Panel if they are dissatisfied with an admission decision of the Academy. Further assistance is available at the Academy Office.

Making an Application

Any parent wishing to apply to Manchester Academy for a place for their child in Year 7 in September must use the Common Application Form published by the Local Authority in which the applicant resides.

Applications received in any other format will not be considered. Parent(s) may photocopy the form but an original signature is required. Parent(s) are advised to make a copy of the completed form for their own records.

Closing Date for Applications

The closing dates for applicants residing in other authorities should be checked with that authority.

Applications should be posted or delivered to arrive at the address given on the Common Application Form by the time stated. Parent(s) applying after this date should attach a covering letter to explain why their application is late. Late applications may not be considered until after consideration has been given to those applications received by the deadline.

Offer of Places

• Parent(s) will be notified in writing on 1st March of the outcome of their application. For those who are unsuccessful.
• parent(s) will be notified in writing as to the reason(s) why it has not been possible to allow the child to attend the Academy.
• Parent(s) will be given more detailed information about the process for appeals at that time.

The closing date for appeals to be lodged, normally 28 days after the notification of a place not being offered, will be stated clearly.

Those who are accepted to the Academy will receive further information once they have been notified of their place and an invitation extended for student and parent(s) to meet with the Principal.

In-year admissions

For the academic year, this is how in-year admissions will be dealt with between 1st November and 31st August.

In-year admissions are dealt with by Manchester City Council on behalf of the school and parents should apply to the local authority for a place in the school outside of the usual admissions arrangements. The school can provide the relevant documentation and this is also available on the school website.

Parents have the right of appeal against any refusal of a place.

Exceptions

The School Admissions Code sets out the limited and exceptional circumstances in which an application to the Academy will not be accepted. These are when the applicant has been excluded from two or more schools or when, for in year applications, in specific circumstances set out in the Code, the applicant is particularly challenging.