Diamond Hall Infant Academy

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

1. 1Looked After Children — Looked After Children - This refers to children who are looked after by a Local Authority in accordance with Section 22(1) of the Children’s Act 1989 and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so, because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order, a residence order or special guardianship order). It also refers to children who are regarded as having been in state care in a place outside of England, if they were accommodated by a public authority, a religious organisation or any other provider of care whose sole purpose is to benefit society. Parent/carers are asked to send evidence of an ‘Order’ as supplemental information with their application form, in order for the Admission Authority to consider the application. Page 72 Apply online at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline Admission to Primary Schools – Information for parents 2027–2028
2. 2Siblings — Siblings - Children who have an older sibling attending Diamond Hall Infant Academy at the time of their admission. Sibling refers to a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister and foster brother or sister living at the same address as the sibling in school. The child of the parent/carer’s partner is also classed as a sibling if the child for whom the place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.
3. 3Feeder school — Feeder school - Children who attend the Nursery class at Diamond Hall Infant Academy in the previous academic year to admission into Reception.
4. 4A sibling link — A sibling link - Children who have an older sibling attending Diamond Hall Junior Academy at the time of their admission. Sibling refers to a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister and foster brother or sister living at the same address as the sibling in school. The child of the parent/carer’s partner is also classed as a sibling if the child for whom the place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling
5. 5Neighbourhood places — Neighbourhood places - Children living near the Academy will be admitted using the selection criteria measured by the shortest, safest walking distance. Distance will be measured from the centre of the child’s home address (including flats) - taken to be the address in which the child mainly resides - to the centre the school – whichever is the closest) using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system (GIS – Geo- Information System). Those living closer to the school will receive the higher priority. Proof of residency will be sought in the form of a Council Tax Bill or electoral role eligibility. No other means of proving residency will be accepted. Requests for evidence will be sent to applicants following the national closing date for Reception applications. Reception places awarded under “neighbourhood places” will be offered to those able to provide proof of residency in the first instance. Tie Breaker: if in any category there may be more applicants than places available, the shortest, safest walking distance from the child’s home to the school measured using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system will be used, according to criteria in these categories. NOTES If there is an incomplete application for a child, in circumstances where parents cannot agree on a preferred school or the main address where the child resides, the Board of Trustees will suspend the application until parents agree. This will mean that if the closing date has passed, your child will not be considered in the admission round and if all places have been allocated then your child will not be given a place. Information given by parents which is found to be intentionally fraudulent will result in the offer of a place being withdrawn. Apply online at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline Page 73 Admission to Primary Schools – Information for parents 2027–2028 The admissions committee is required by law to consider the information supplied on the application form and the supplemental information asked for. It is very important that you take great care to ensure the details you provide are complete and correct before submitting them. Any advice or support you require in completing this form can be sought via the school office. Parents who are unsuccessful in securing a place for their child at the Academy have a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeal process are available by writing to the Chair of Trustees at the Academy address. Appeals are heard by an independent panel. Children who are unsuccessful in securing a place at the Academy will be placed on a waiting list which will be held by the Academy until the end of Year 2, in conjunction with the local authority. Should a place become available then the admissions criteria will be applied to every child on the waiting list at the time of the vacancy. In-Year Admission Applications From time to time, parents may wish to transfer their child to the academy from another school. The Trust have agreed to operate in accordance with Sunderland City Council’s In-Year Fair Access Protocol. To apply for a place in Diamond Hall Infant Academy during the academic year and outside of the normal application round, please contact the academy office and request a School Transfer Application Form, a copy of which is also available on our website for download. The process for an in-year transfer is as follows: Stage 1 The parent/carer completes Section A of the Transfer Application Form Stage 2 The parent/carer gives this form to the child’s current school The current school completes Section B Stage 3 The completed form is forwarded either by the child’s current school or the parent/carer, to the new school Stage 4 The application form is considered in line with the academy’s Admission Policy Stage 5 If a place is available, the parent/carer will be notified and a start date arranged. If there is no place available, the academy will write to the parent/ carer to confirm that the year group is full and advise of the right of appeal The completed form must be returned to the academy office and if a place is available, an informal visit to the academy will be arranged for the child along with the parents/carers to meet the Headteacher and other staff where appropriate, such as SENCo and Class Teacher. The purpose of the visit is for Page 74 Apply online at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline Admission to Primary Schools – Information for parents 2027–2028 the child and their parents/carers to familiarise themselves with the academy and the staff who will be involved in the care of the child. The criteria and priority of admissions detailed above is also applied to in- year transfers. If the year group is full or oversubscribed then the place will be refused. The applicant will then be given the opportunity to appeal and an appeals form will be supplied. If the parent/carer chooses to appeal for a place the Admissions Appeal panel will be convened and any decision made by the panel is legally binding. Apply online at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline Page 75

Transcribed verbatim from Sunderland City Council's 'Admission to Primary Schools — Information for parents 2027–2028' booklet, which reproduces the determined admission criteria of every Sunderland primary, infant and junior school. A child with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school is admitted first; that is not an oversubscription criterion. Section: 'Diamond Hall Infant Academy' (booklet page 74).

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.