What is School Choice Advice?
In Milton Keynes the School Choice Adviser is based in the Parent Partnership Service. Choice Advice is free, impartial advice and information for parents who have children in years 5 and 6. It is for families who want support through the process of deciding which school is best for their child and applying for a secondary school place.
The Choice Adviser can provide realistic advice about school preferences and advise on the SEN provision within schools. There is help for parents to understand the school admissions and appeal hearing processes which can at times be daunting. Importantly, the service is there to provide clear and understandable information.
What information about schools can the Choice Adviser provide?
- School types and admission policies
- School profile and ethos
- Special needs policy and provision
- School specialism
- Uniform policy
- Time of school day and term dates
- Travel details
- Ofsted information
- School permformance and value added data
- Oversubscription data
It may be that you have recently moved into Milton Keynes and are unfamiliar with the area. You might need help with completing the application form or perhaps English is not your first language.
How will this support be provided?
- Information leaflets and factsheets
- Attending school open evenings
- Group drop-in sessions at accessible venues
- Telephone helpline
- Signposting to other support available
- Documents from relevant organisations
- Information in alternative formats and languages (upon request)
What can the Choice Adviser not do?
The Choice Adviser cannot offer or guarantee places at a particular school. The Choice Adviser cannot influence the allocation process or take a decision on behalf of a family. The Choice Adviser cannot recommend one school over another.
The Choice Adviser can offer advice and guidance via the helpline and email on the appeal process and how to prepare a Parental Case for an Appeal Hearing. For parents who are experiencing significant difficulties it may be possible for the Choice Adviser to accompany the parent to the Appeal Hearing and support in the presenting of a Parental Case.
Contact Details:
Jane Cliff - Choice Adviser
School Choice Advice: 01908 253514
(9.30-1pm Monday - Friday, term time only)
Email: choiceadvice@mkparents.org
Drop-in Sessions
If you would like to attend one of these sessions to discuss your concerns, please call or email Jane to book a place (see contact details above)
School Choice Advice Leaflets and Factsheets
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Primary & Secondary Admissions and Appeals - a guide for parents A Department for Children, Schools and Families guide for parents. It describes how the school admissions process works, admission rules, choosing schools, the admissions process chart and more. Also, it provides information on how the appeals process works.
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619 kb
Milton Keynes School Admission Appeals A guide for parents making an appeal about admissions to schools in Milton Keynes
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752 kb
Admission to Secondary Schools in Milton Keynes A booklet produced by the Admissions Team of Milton Keynes Council and issued to all Year 6 pupils in September of that year. Contains all the admissions information: general information on types of schools, school details, admissions procedures, admissions timeline, how to apply for a school, allocations and appeals, transport etc.
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3018 kb
Appealing for a School ACE (Advisory Centre for Education) - a practical guide to parents' legal rights in step-by-step format.
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66 kb
Fact Sheet 1 - Appealing for a School Guidance to those parents and carers who have asked for help in preparing their appeals.
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38 kb
Appealing for a School Breakdown of process when preparing for an admission appeal hearing; to be used in conjunction with Fact Sheet 1 - Appealing for a School
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351 kb
School Choice Advice Supporting parents and Carers with the Transfer to Secondary School
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1067 kb
Admissions to Primary Schools in Milton Keynes A booklet produced by the Admissions Team of Milton Keynes Council. Contains all the admissions information: general information on types of schools, school details, admissions procedures, admissions timeline, how to apply for a school, allocations and appeals, transport etc.
School Choice Advice Links
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Education Otherwise
National : Education Otherwise : School Choice Advice
UK based membership organisation that provides support and information to parents whose children are being educated outside of school.
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Ofsted
National : Education Otherwise : School Choice Advice
The Office for Standards in Education, which runs inspections of schools, childcare providers, education authorities and youth services. Recent reports on schools are available from their website.
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Department for Children, Schools and Families
National : Information : Young People : School Choice Advice
The Department for Children, Schools and Families leads work across Government to ensure that all children and young people stay healthy and safe, secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement, make a positive contribution to society and the economy, enjoy their childhood and have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty. They can also provide the special educational needs code of practice. They also provide school information such as school performance tables, research and statistics and local education statistics.
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Parentline Plus
National : Information : Parents : School Choice Advice
Supports all parents by having a free confidential 24 hour national helpline for parents, E-mail helpline, 'parents together' groups and workshops held face to face and by telephone. Information leaflets, website, one to one parent support services. Also information about choosing secondary schools, changing schools and school life in general.
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Eleven Plus Exams
National : School Choice Advice
Information about the 11 plus exams, resources and practice papers
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Independent Schools Council
National : School Choice Advice
Represents 1280 independent schools. Searchable website with links to school websites. Politically independent and non-profit organisation. Resource for parents, teachers etc.
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Bullying UK
National : Bullying : Young People : School Choice Advice
Charity providing practical information and advice for young people - strategies for tackling bullying. Resource for schools, teachers, pupils and parents.
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ParentsCentre
National : Family Support : Parents : School Choice Advice
Information and support for parents on how to help with your child's learning, including advice on choosing a school and finding childcare. Also advice on bullying, using computers and the internet, higher education and school holidays.
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Milton Keynes School Admissions
Local : Young People : School Choice Advice
The Milton Keynes website provides information about schools admissions to both primary and secondary schools.
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Choice Advice - Support & Quality Assurance Network
National : Young People : School Choice Advice
Provides information about the choice advice initiative. Provides information for parents about school admissions and admission appeals. You can download the School Admissions Code and the School Admission Appeals Code from this site. Links and leaflets can be accessed relating to school admissions.
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Department for Children, Schools and Families
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Milton Keynes Academy
Local : Information : School Choice Advice
There is now a 'frequently asked questions' (FAQs) page available on the new Milton Keynes Academy's website which is due to open in September this year.
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Local Government Ombudsman
National : Law : School Choice Advice : Complaints
If you feel that the independant admission appeal hearing was unfairly run, you may be able to take this further by complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) about maladministration. The LGO cannot overrule the panel's decision but can recommend a new appeal. This many not change the situation for your child. If you need help - call the LGO Advice Team on 0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983.
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Directgov - Applying for a school place: admissions criteria
National : Information : Young People : School Choice Advice
Government information website providing useful advice and information relating to a vast range of topics. This page outlines the process in which school places are allocated when the school's admission authority receives more applications than there are places available.
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Directgov - Appealing against a school place decision
National : Information : Law : School Choice Advice
Government information website providing useful advice and information relating to a vast range of topics. This page outlines what you can do if your child is not allocated the school place you would prefer. It outlines the appeal process that is available to you.
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Citizens Advice Bureau - Access to Education
National : Information : Law : School Choice Advice
The Access to Education page of the CAB website provides information on issues such as: duties of the local authority; children who are too ill to attend school, home education, what you can do if your choice of school is refused and more .......
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Department for Education
Local : Information : School Choice Advice
Milton Keynes Secondary School GCSE (and equivalent) Achievement and Attainment Tables 2009
Choice Advice Documents
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Admission Appeals and the Role of the School Choice Adviser in Milton Keynes Local : Family Support : School Choice Advice : Complaints : Special Educational Needs
This sets out the agreed role for the School Choice Adviser (CA) in Milton Keynes outlining the level of support available for parents and how support is delivered. It also outlines how the CA may be able to help in preparing for appeal, during an appeal and if a parent wishes to make a complaint about an appeal hearing.
School Choice Advice FAQ
- School Admissions
When will I hear about my child's secondary school place?
For children transferring schools at 11+, notification of school allocations will be issued on 1st March, 2010.
What should I do if I want my child to be considered for a different school to the one that has been allocated?
You must confirm in writing or by email stating your reasons to:
Pupil Support Section
Learning & Development
Saxon Court
502 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes MK9 3HS
Email: Education@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Tel: 01908 253 489
Your request will be considered in the following round of admissions. If it is not possible to allocate a place you have the right of appeal.
I live very near to the school I want my child to attend - do I still have to complete an application form?
Yes, it is VERY IMPORTANT that every child has an application form stating school preferences for secondary education completed and submitted by the deadline.
When is the deadline for my child's application for secondary education?
The form must be completed and handed back to your child's primary school or submitted online by 5pm on MONDAY, 2ND NOVEMBER 2009.
What happens if I miss the deadline for the completion of my child's application form for secondary education?
Any applications received after the closing date of 5pm on 1st November will be classed as late and will only be considered after those received on time. In very exceptional circumstances late applications may be considered alongside all those received on time.
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- School Admission Appeals
What is an Appeal Hearing?
An appeal is your chance to explain to an independent panel of people (usually three) why you think the wrong decision has been made.
I can't decide whether or not to appeal, what do I need to think about?
It may be helpful to consider:
The school's policy for admitting pupils (see LA's Admissions booklet and school's website/prospectus)
Your reasons for wanting your child to attend the school and the strength of your case
At what stage can I appeal against my child's school place?
As soon as you hear about your child's school place and you are unhappy with this decision, you can request information about the independent appeal procedure from:
Pupil Support Section
Learning & Development
Saxon Court
502 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes MK9 3HS
Email:Education@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Tel: 01908 253 489
You may find it helpful to look at the following leaflets providing school admission appeal information on the Parent Partnership Service website:
Related Documents
When do the appeal forms have to be returned by and where do I send them?
When you receive news of your child's secondary school place (1st March, 2010) and you subsequently make the decision to appeal against this decision, you will need to submit your forms within 14 days of the date of the letter you receive at that time.
The forms need to be returned to:
Education Appeals
Democratic Services Division
Civic Offices
1 Saxon Gate East
Milton Keynes MK9 3HG
Do I have to send my supporting evidence with the forms or can I submit this later?
The Panel Clerk is required to send out appeal papers to parents, the presenting officer (for school or local authority) and the panel members at least 7 working days before the hearing. Evidence can be submitted after you have sent in your appeal forms, however, it is advised that this is no later than 3 days before the hearing to allow the panel members sufficient time to consider the additional evidence. It is also possible to produce a short document that can be easily considered by the panel members on the day of the hearing. However, it is important to bear in mind that if this last minute evidence is significant, the panel may require an adjournment to allow them time to consider the information. The admission authority may also need time to respond to this last minute evidence.
Who arranges an appeal?
For community and voluntary-controlled schools in Milton Keynes the council's Democratic Services Division arranges the admission appeal hearings. This is because the local authority is the admissions authority for these schools and therefore has the responsibility for school admissions.
For foundation and voluntary-aided schools the governing bodies are responsible for admissions and organising independent appeal panel hearings. However, the Democratic Services Division do organise appeals on behalf of the governing bodies of some of the foundation and voluntary-aided schools. The council will write and advise you of what the arrangements will be for the school you are appealing to.
Who sits on the appeal panel?
The appeal panels are independent of the council. Members are drawn from a list of people, many of whom have an interest or experience in education locally. Training is provided to members so that they have an understanding of the legislation and local policies relating to school admissions in Milton Keynes. Panels usually have three or five members and will not include anyone who has previously been involved in an individual case or have links with the particular schools.
Can I appeal more than once to a school?
You can only apply and appeal to a school once within an academic year unless your circumstances change significantly since your first application. You can, however, appeal to more than one school.
What if my child's or our family circumstances have changed since my first application/appeal to a school?
You can approach the school to see if they will consider a further application for a place for your child. If they agree to you applying again and this second application is unsuccessful, you then have the right to appeal again.
How can the Choice Adviser support me with a school admission appeal?
The Choice Adviser (CA) can provide information about schools, admissions, the appeals process etc. In Milton Keynes the CA can offer support (telephone/email) to help you prepare your parental case for the appeal. On occasions it may be appropriate for the CA to accompany you to the appeal and in cases of real difficulty support with the presentation of the parental case.
How long does an appeal last?
This will vary depending on the circumstances of an appeal but for straight forward appeals without adjournments for example, an hour is ample time to allow for the appeal.
An appeal hearing sounds quite scary - what is it like?
An appeal hearing is, of course, an official procedure but it is not a court of law! The appeal panel Chairperson will be friendly and courteous and do his/her best to make you feel at ease. The panel members usually sit behind a desk at the rear of the room and the parent, presenting officer for the school/local authority and the clerk sit behind desks in front and to the side of the panel members. The Panel Clerk will tell when you are needed and where to sit and will also do his/her best to calm any nerves you may be feeling.
Should I take my child to the appeal?
It is not necessary for your child to attend and it is advisable not bring any younger children with you as they may be distract you during the appeal.
When do I hear the decision of the appeal panel - is it the same day?
No, they do not tell you their decision straight away. The Panel Clerk will usually send you details in the post of the panel's decision within 7 days of the hearing.
If the CA is unavailable, is there anyone else who can help?
The Advisory Centre for Education offers advice on admission appeals (free advice line - 0808 800 5793 | www.ace-ed.org.uk)
Related Documents
What if my appeal is unsuccessful?
The Advisory Centre for Education offers the following advice:
- Only about a third of parents win their appeal, so try not to be too negative about other schools when you talk to your child.
- You could ask that your child is put on a waiting list but children can move down waiting lists if others apply to the school who have greater priority.
- If you are not successful, you do not have to send your child to any school allocated to you, but you must make sure that your child is at a school or taught at home.
- If your situation changes significantly you may be able to reapply, and if refused, to appeal again.
- If you feel that the appeal was unfairly run, you may be able to take this further by complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) about maladministration. The LGO cannot overrule the panel’s decision but can recommend a new appeal. This may not change the situation for your child.
- Parents sometimes hear of a case “just like ours” that was successful, but remember all cases are different.
Related Documents
How do I contact the Local Government Ombudsman?
If you need any help – call the LGO Advice Team on 0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983. Look out the LGO website:
www.lgo.org.uk/making-a-complaint- Print this Section