Fernwood School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Places will first be allocated to a “Looked After Child” or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order. A Looked After Child is a child who is (a) in the care of the local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions in accordance with section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989 at the time of making an application to a school. An adoption order is an order under the Adoption Act 1976 (see section 12 adoption orders) and children who were adopted under the Adoption and Children’s Act 2002 (see section 46 adoption orders). A “child arrangements order” is an order settling the arrangements to be made as to the person with whom the child is to live under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 as amended by section 14 of the Children and Families Act 2014. Section 14A of the Children Act 1989 defines a “special guardianship order” as an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian (or special guardians).
2. 2Places will then be allocated to other pupils who, at the closing date for applications, live within the catchment area and have a sibling already attending the school whom is expected still to be on roll on the proposed date of admission of the applicant pupil.
3. 3Places will then be allocated to other pupils who, at the closing date for applications, live within the catchment area.
4. 4Places will then be allocated to other pupils who live outside the catchment area who, at the closing date for applications, attend one of the designated feeder schools, and have a sibling already attending the school (i.e. The Fernwood School) and whom is expected still to be on roll on the proposed date of admission of the applicant pupil.
5. 5Places will then be allocated to other pupils who live outside the catchment area who, at the closing date for applications attend one of the designated feeder schools.
6. 6Places will then be offered to children of staff at the school in either or both of the following circumstances:- a) where the member of staff has been employed at the Academy for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and/or b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.
7. 7Places will then be allocated to other pupils who live outside the catchment area, who, at the closing date for applications, have a sibling already attending the school whom is expected still to be on roll on the proposed date of admission of the applicant pupil. The Fernwood School
8. 8Places will then be allocated to other pupils who live outside the catchment area. Exceptional Circumstances The above criteria (2-8) may be overridden and priority given to an applicant for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a specific medical or social need that makes it essential that they attend The Fernwood School rather than any other school. Each case will be considered on its merits by the Trustees who will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this criterion. The evidence must relate specifically to The Fernwood School and must clearly demonstrate why Fernwood is the only school that can meet the child’s needs. It should include: The Fernwood School can meet the child’s individual medical needs, and/or circumstances that justifies why only The Fernwood School can meet the child’s individual social needs; and school is not appropriate Tie Breaker: Proximity to school In the event of there being more applicants meeting any of the above criteria than remaining places available, proximity to the school will be used as a tie breaker, with those living nearest being given priority. Distance will be measured ‘as the crow flies’ from the applicant’s residence to the main school gate on Goodwood Road. — • Specific professional evidence from a registered health professional such as a doctor that justifies why only • Specific professional evidence from a local authority social worker that outlines exceptional family • If The Fernwood School is not the nearest school to the child’s home address clear reasons why the nearest

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.