Mid-year Secondary admissions
Application for a change of school
Moving your child to another secondary school is a very serious step to take. It can affect your child in many ways. It is important that you consider whether a transfer is really the best option. Before deciding to move your child to another school, please read this information carefully.
Moving to a new school may not mean that a problem is solved – it can happen again and could be worse because your child will not know new teachers and pupils and your child and his/her needs will not be known by school staff.
Many things that worry parents and pupils can be sorted out without moving schools. Talking to your child and staff at your child’s present school should make a transfer to another school unnecessary in almost all circumstances.
Choice adviser
If you have done this and are still unhappy, want to move and would like independent advice, please contact the Choice Adviser:
Choice Adviser
Walsall Children’s Services – Serco
Education Development Centre
Pelsall Lane
Rushall
WS4 1NG
Telephone 01922 686477
Email choice-advice@walsallcs.serco.com
Contact details for Mid-Year Secondary Admissions:
Walsall Children’s Services – Serco
Education Development Centre
Pelsall Lane
Rushall
WS4 1NG
Telephone 01922 686360/686362
Email karen.rowe@walsallcs.serco.com
Please be aware that we will refer you back to your child’s current school unless all possible steps have been taken to avoid a move.
My child is currently in Y10 or Y11 – does this make a difference?
While all schools follow the National Curriculum, schools will teach different topics at different times of the year. If your child moves schools, he or she may miss work which will affect his or her ability to be entered for, or succeed in, examinations and national tests. This is especially important once pupils reach Years 10 and 11, when it is unlikely that their preferred options will be available at a new school or that the curriculum currently being studied will be matched by a new school.
If your child is unhappy at school or you feel he or she is being bullied
Discuss the situation with your child to find out what is actually happening and then speak to the child’s form tutor, year head or the head teacher. Ask to see the school’s Anti Bullying Policy. Ask to speak to the chair of Governors if you feel that the problem has not been resolved.
If you have a complaint about the school, the teachers or the work your child is doing
Talk to the staff who work with your child. There may be a good reason for the amount/level of work. If it cannot be resolved by the teaching staff or head teacher, put your complaint in writing to the school’s Governing Body.
If your child is not attending school
Talk to your child about why he or she does not want to attend and speak to the teachers. Your child may, in some circumstances, feel happier talking to someone at the school not directly involved in the situation. You can also talk to an Education Welfare Officer. Please remember that it is a legal requirement for all children of compulsory school age to attend school.
If your child has special educational needs
Speak to the teacher in charge of special needs (SENCo) at your child’s school or contact the Special Educational Needs Team at Walsall Children’s Services – Serco (01922 686385).
If you think your child is about to be excluded
Speak to your child’s form tutor or year head or make an appointment to see the head teacher. It is always more difficult to find a place in a new school for a child who has been excluded so you should try and work with the school find a way forward
General information
If you decide to continue with your application to transfer your child to another school, do not remove your child from the current school until he/she has been offered a place at a new school. The transfer procedure, when appropriate, can take a while to process and your child needs to be in school until another place is secured.
If you wish to apply for mid-year admission you should contact the Admissions Team by telephone on 01922 686360 to obtain an application form. You may also wish to contact the independent Choice Adviser (01922 686477), who will be able to offer advice and support on the mid-year application process and appeals procedure.
Please bear in mind that many schools do not have places available, and if your request is turned down because the school is full, you would need to go through the appeal procedure. If successful, this would significantly delay any move.
We can only deal with mid-term applications for the following community schools:
- Alumwell Business and Enterprise College
- Brownhills Community Technology College
- Darlaston Community Science College
- Frank F Harrison Engineering College
- Joseph Leckie Community Technology College
- Pool Hayes Arts And Community College
- Sneyd Community – a Specialist Maths and Computing College
If you wish to apply to any school not listed above you will need to contact the school direct. The following schools deal with their own admissions:
| Foundation Schools | To apply for a place please write or telephone |
| Aldridge School – A Science College | Tynings Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0BG Telephone 01922 743988 |
Barr Beacon Language College | Old Hall Lane, Aldridge,Walsall, WS2 9UA Telephone 0121 366 6600 |
Shire Oak School | Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood,Walsall, WS9 9PA Telephone 01543 452518 |
The Streetly School | Queslett Road East, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2EX Telephone 0121 353 2709 |
| Voluntary Aided Schools | To apply for a place please contact |
| Blue Coat CE Performing Arts College | Birmingham Street, Walsall, WS1 2ND Telephone 01922 720558 |
| Queen Mary’s Grammar School (for boys) | Sutton Road, Walsall, WS1 2PG Telephone 01922 720696 |
| Queen Mary’s High School (for girls) | Upper Forster Street, Walsall, WS4 2AE Telephone 01922 721013 |
| St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College | Erdington Road, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0RN Telephone 01922 743696 |
| St Thomas More Catholic School Business and Enterprise College | Darlaston Lane, Willenhall, WV14 7BL Telephone 01902 368798 |
| Academies | To apply for a place please contact |
| Walsall Academy | Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3LX Telephone 01922 493910 |
| Shelfield Community Academy | Broad Way, Pelsall, Walsall, WS4 1BW Telephone 01922 685777 |
| Trust Schools | To apply for a place please contact |
| Willenhall School Sports College | Furzebank Way, Willenhall, WV12 4BD Telephone 01902 368221 |
This page was last updated on 08 January 2010