School admissions

Applying for a place in a Hampshire school

Year 7 Timeline

It is very important that your application form reaches your child's current Hampshire maintained school or is submitted online by 12 o'clock midday on Friday 24 October 2008 at the very latest. Be sure to read all instructions on the CAF very carefully.

Timeline

Beginning of Autumn term - Primary and junior schools send CAF and A5 guide to Hampshire pupils only. Publication of secondary school examination results. Secondary school open days/evenings.

24 October 2008 (by 12 o'clock midday) -  Closing date for secondary school applications.

November 2008  - February 2009 - The admissions team liaises with admission authority schools and neighbouring authorities to ensure that parents receive a single offer for the highest preference school able to offer a place.

2 March 2009 -  Single notification date: The Admissions Team writes to all Hampshire parents to inform them of the outcome of their applications.

16 March 2009 - Schools' waiting list established.

From April 2009 - Appeals heard.

September 2009 - Start school.

Applications received after the deadline

Applications received after the closing date will be considered after all on-time preferences, unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant earlier consideration.

If you wish to apply to a school in another local authority area, you must obtain a copy of that authority's own brochure to ensure that you fulfil all admission requirements.

Warnings

Use your preferences wisely. Investigate schools, especially your catchment school.

  • Check how many applications the school had last year compared to places available, and the final criterion used to allocate places. This may give you some idea of the likelihood of your preference being met.

  • Places are withdrawn every year because parents give a false address on application forms. This includes cases where parents take out a short term let or buy a property solely to use its address on the application form without any intention of taking up permanent residence there. In fairness to all parents, the County Council will investigate all allegations of fraudulent practice brought to its attention and, where appropriate, may monitor the residency details you provide, particularly if use of a temporary or permanent address causes concern.

  • Accepting a place at an out-catchment school for an older sibling does not guarantee a place at the same school for a younger sibling.

Deadlines: Make sure your application form is returned on-time and to the right place.

Application forms: You must use the appropriate application form.

Linked schools: Attending a primary or junior school descibed as linked to a particular secondary school does not guarantee a place at that secondary school. Catchment is determined by home address.