11+ Arrangements

Arrangements for the administration of the 11+ selections tests for entry to Skegness Grammar School.

A registration form must be completed for all students wishing to be included in the testing which is due to take place in the September when your child joins Year 6.

Local Primary Schools have agreed to hold the tests in normal school time on behalf of Skegness GS. This continues the practice of recent years and ensures that pupils are being tested in familiar surroundings.

In line with the co-ordinated admissions of the Local Authority the school must comply with their co-ordinated process and you

will receive a pack from the Local Authority in early September asking you to complete and return parental preference forms by October. 

Formal offer of places for the next September will be issued in the preceeding March.

It is imperative that the completed 11+ registration form is returned to Skegness Grammar School promptly.

The selection tests require parents to register their child. If the form is not returned it will be assumed that you do not wish your child to be included in the testing in September.

The school will keep you informed regarding future events such as the Year 5 Open Evening and the 11+ Familiarisation Sessions.

Admissions

Skegness Grammar School will admit pupils at 11+ who are in the top 25% of the ability range in all the areas of Lincolnshire which serve grammar schools. 

The school is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools (LCGS), this consortium was created to coordinate testing arrangments across the County. 

There are 14 schools within this consortium and all apply their selection tests and procedures (and appeals procedures) in order to ascertain those pupils whose ability places them in the top 25% of the ability range described above. Any change to this procedure or to the means by which the school assesses the level of applicants’ ability will be published in the prospectus prior to the next invitation for applications. Where a parent chooses to apply to the school under the county preference scheme, that choice will be considered as an equal preference.

As an academy within the David Ross Education Trust, we still operate under the Local Authority's admissions scheme.

Transfer from Primary Schools to Year 7 are managed by Lincolnshire County Council. The County Council website also provides options for completing on-line admissions forms for both normal and mid-year admissions. For more information visit: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/secondary-school-places/132836.article

The admission policy for Skegness Grammar School has been determined for the academic year 2019/20 and remains unchanged. 

Are you looking for your child to gain entry to Skegness Grammar School?

We are happy to answer any queries you may have and to help you with the appeals process. We can also help you register for the 12+.

How do I appeal?

Information about how to appeal is underneath, together with the appeal form.   

Should you wish to appeal, please complete the form by 19th March and return by email to:  dclarke1@skegnessgrammar.co.uk 

If you would like any help with completion of your appeal you are welcome to contact us. We can help advise you on what information you should consider including. 

How else can my child gain admission? 

Should your child be unsuccessful at appeal, there is also the opportunity to take our 12+ Entrance Test on Wednesday 1st September 2021.  

Every child can sit a grammar school entrance exam once every academic year. We have put one of these at the very start of our academic year to enable successful pupils to join us at the beginning of the school year with their peers and not have to make the difficult transition between two secondary schools. 

The Skegness Grammar School 12+ Entrance Exam is a computer-based assessment that cannot be practiced. All offers are at the decision of the Headmaster. 

If you would like to register for this entrance test please phone our school reception and we will help register you. 

Entrance Tests

Mid-Year Entry Examinations

For students wishing to join our school part-way through their secondary school education, they will be required to sit an entrance examination to assess the academic potential of that student.

Entrance exams are held on a monthly basis for students wishing to join the school later in Year 7 through to Year 10.

Please email enquiries@skegnessgrammar.co.uk to find out more.

Wondering how you can help prepare your child for the 11+?

Download a copy of our Getting Ready Guide for the 11+:  Top tips on supporting your child through the process of applying for a grammar school place.

School Transport

If your child is starting primary school or transferring to secondary school in September 2020 they may be eligible for school transport.  If you think your child is eligible please apply for transport as soon as you have your offer of a school place.  Applications can be made online at the website below or a telephone application can be made by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782020.

For more information about the home to school transport policy and online applications please go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/school-college-transport. Queries can be emailed to schooltransportapplications@lincolnshire.gov.uk. 

Admissions

Skegness Grammar School will admit pupils at 11+ who are in the top 25% of the ability range in all the areas of Lincolnshire which serve grammar schools. 

The school is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools (LCGS), this consortium was created to coordinate testing arrangments across the County. 

There are 14 schools within this consortium and all apply their selection tests and procedures (and appeals procedures) in order to ascertain those pupils whose ability places them in the top 25% of the ability range described above. Any change to this procedure or to the means by which the school assesses the level of applicants’ ability will be published in the prospectus prior to the next invitation for applications. Where a parent chooses to apply to the school under the county preference scheme, that choice will be considered as an equal preference.

As an academy within the David Ross Education Trust, we still operate under the Local Authority's admissions scheme.

Transfer from Primary Schools to Year 7 are managed by Lincolnshire County Council. The County Council website also provides options for completing on-line admissions forms for both normal and mid-year admissions. For more information visit: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/secondary-school-places/132836.article

The admission policy for Skegness Grammar School has been determined for the academic year 2019/20 and remains unchanged. 

Are you looking for your child to gain entry to Skegness Grammar School?

We are happy to answer any queries you may have and to help you with the appeals process. We can also help you register for the 12+.

How do I appeal?

Should you wish to appeal, please complete the form by 19th March and return by email to:  dclarke1@skegnessgrammar.co.uk 

If you would like any help with completion of your appeal you are welcome to contact us. We can help advise you on what information you should consider including. 

How else can my child gain admission? 

Should your child be unsuccessful at appeal, there is also the opportunity to take our 12+ Entrance Test in September.  

Every child can sit a grammar school entrance exam once every academic year. We have put one of these at the very start of our academic year to enable successful pupils to join us at the beginning of the school year with their peers and not have to make the difficult transition between two secondary schools. 

The Skegness Grammar School 12+ Entrance Exam is a computer-based assessment that cannot be practiced. All offers are at the decision of the Headmaster. 

If you would like to register for this entrance test please phone the school reception and we will help register you. 

Entrance Tests

Mid-Year Entry Examinations

For students wishing to join our school part-way through their secondary school education, they will be required to sit an entrance examination to assess the academic potential of that student.

Entrance exams are held on a monthly basis for students wishing to join the school later in Year 7 through to Year 10.

Please email enquiries@skegnessgrammar.co.uk to find out more.

Wondering how you can help prepare your child for the 11+?

There are many commercial sites and online 11+ sites. www.onlineelevenplusexams.co.uk   is one such online site

School Transport

If your child is starting primary school or transferring to secondary school in September 2020 they may be eligible for school transport.  If you think your child is eligible please apply for transport as soon as you have your offer of a school place.  Applications can be made online at the website below or a telephone application can be made by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782020.

For more information about the home to school transport policy and online applications please go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/school-college-transport. Queries can be emailed to schooltransportapplications@lincolnshire.gov.uk. 

SKEGNESS GRAMMAR SCHOOL – ADMISSIONS POLICY FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2021 - 2022

The David Ross Education Trust is the Admission Authority for this Academy.

Arrangements for applications for places in Year 7 at Skegness Grammar School will be made in accordance with Lincolnshire County Council's co-ordinated admission arrangements; parents resident in Lincolnshire can apply online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions, they can also apply by telephone, or ask for a paper application form, by telephoning 01522 782030. 

Parents resident in other areas must apply through their home local authority.

Skegness Grammar School will adhere to the timescales outlined in the Lincolnshire County Council Co–ordinated admissions scheme available at  www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions for these applications and the relevant Local Authority will make the offers of places on our behalf as required by the School Admissions Code (2014).

Published Admission Number (PAN)

The Published Admission Number is 132. If there are more applicants than the 132 places available the over

subscription criteria detailed below will be applied.

Admissions up to PAN

The school is a member of the consortium of Lincolnshire selective schools (LCGS) and will apply their selection tests and procedures in order to ascertain those students whose ability places them in the top 25% of the ability range described above (standardised score of 220 and above).

For children who are defined as in receipt of the Pupil Premium or Service Premium (or eligible at the time of registration for the 11 plus tests in the summer term of Year 5). They will be eligible for a place upon achieving a standardised score of 210 and above.

Pupil Premium or Service Premium Definition 

The pupil premium is additional funding given to state funded schools in England according to the number of pupils who have been:

• registered for free school meals (FSM) at any point in the last 6 years

• looked after by the local authority (in care) for one day or more

• those who have left local authority care through adoption, or via a Special Guardianship, Residence or Child Arrangements Order Free school meal eligibility for the purpose of attracting pupil premium funding is based on family income. It does not include all other children who are eligible to receive Universal Infant Free School Meals. 

The Service Premium is paid to schools for those children who:

o have parent(s) who are currently serving in the UK regular armed forces;

o have parent(s) who served in the UK regular armed forces at any time in the last three years;

o have parent(s) who died serving in the UK regular armed forces and are in receipt of a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or War Pension Scheme.

The common application form must be completed and returned to the local authority by the date given. 

Please note that all applications for a place at Skegness Grammar School must also complete 11-plus testing if they are to be considered.

Qualification in the schools 11-plus testing arrangements, however, does not, in itself, guarantee your child a place in the school, but will mean that your child is eligible for a place at the school. Places will be allocated to eligible children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. 

Also, sitting the tests does not constitute an application. Information on testing is available from the School.

Parents seeking boarding places must register their child with the School. The number of boarding places available will depend on the availability of boarding facilities at the time.

Special Educational Needs

In accordance with legislation the allocation of places for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (Children and Families Act 2014) naming the school in the plan will take place first. Remaining places will be allocated in accordance with this policy.

Oversubscription Criteria

DRET offers a unique educational and extra-curricular experience for all pupils and is particularly keen to ensure that where reasonably possible a child who enters a DRET primary academy is able to continue their education and develop their ethos and values to the full in a DRET secondary academy. This includes the pursuit of academic

excellence, outstanding sports opportunities, house system and a uniform.

If there are more applications than places available we will apply the oversubscription criteria listed below. The oversubscription criteria are listed in the order we apply them. If it is necessary to distinguish between more than one applicant in any criteria, the next criteria will be applied until the tie-breaker is used.

1) Looked after children and all previously looked after children. Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order).

A 'looked after child' is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989) at the time of making an application to a school. 

This includes children who were adopted under the Adoption Act 1976 (see section 12 adoption orders) and children who were adopted under the Adoption and Childrens Act 2002 (see section 46 adoption orders). Child arrangements orders are defined in s.8 of the Children Act 1989, as amended by s.12 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Child arrangements orders replace residence orders and any residence order in force prior to 22 April 2014 is deemed to be a child arrangements order. 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) Eligible children with a sibling at the academy who will still be attending when the child is due to start. 

3) Eligible children whose permanent address is within the school’s designated area for free transport with priority being given to the order of their total scores in the entrance tests.

4) Eligible children from all other areas with priority being given to the order of their total scores in the entrance tests.

Tie-breaker

In the event that total scores are tied in any of the above categories, priority will be given to the children living nearest the academy. Distances are straight line distances measured using the LA computerised software measuring system.

If two or more children are tied for the last place a lottery will be drawn by an independent person, not employed by the school or working in Children's Service Directorate at the local authority.

Definitions

1. 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 (see the definition in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989). Previously Looked After Children are those who were looked after, but immediately after being looked after were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order.

2. Sibling means a brother or sister (including adoptive, half or step brothers and sisters and foster children) who will be attending the academy at the date of admission and is living permanently at the same address as the child. In the case of twins/multiple births (or two or more siblings in the same age cohort) and where there is only one place available in the academy, both will be considered together as one application. In such a case the academy will be authorised to exceed its admission number.

3. The definition of the child’s home address is the permanent home address of the parent at the time of application. Proof of residence can be asked for at any time during the admissions process. Where a child

regularly lives with one parent for part of a week and with the other parent for the rest of the week, the permanent address will be the address at which the child lives for the greater part of the school week, i.e. Sunday to Thursday. If the child spends equal amounts of time at two addresses, the parents must agree which address they wish to be the child’s main address before we can process the application.

A map of the designated area for transport is available from the school and is published on the school website and The Consortium of Lincolnshire Grammar Schools website

http://grammarschools.lincs.sch.uk/home/

Fraudulent or misleading applications

We reserve the right to check any address and other information provided so we can apply the oversubscription criteria accurately and fairly. As an admission authority we have the right to investigate any concerns we may have about your application and to withdraw the offer of a place if we consider there is evidence that you have made a fraudulent claim or provided misleading information, for example if a false address was given which denied a place to a child with a stronger claim.

Fair Access Protocols

Local Authorities are required to have Fair Access Protocols in order to make sure that unplaced children who live in the home local authority, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. 

This includes admitting children above the published admissions number to schools that are already full.

Students allocated under fair access protocols will take precedence over those on a waiting list. Skegness Grammar School will participate in Lincolnshire County Council’s fair access protocol.

Admission outside normal age group

Parents may seek a place for their child outside of the normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. Children should only be educated out of the normal age group in very limited circumstances.

If parents wish to seek a place for their child outside of the normal age group, they should submit a request in writing to the academy as early as possible. The Academy’s admissions committee will make a decision based on the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of the child concerned. 

This will include taking account of the parent’s views; information about the child’s academic, social and emotional development; where relevant, the child’s medical history and the views of a medical professional; whether they have previously been educated

out of their normal age group; and whether they may naturally have fallen into a lower age group if it were not for being born prematurely. The views of the head teacher of the academy will also be taken into account. 

Reserve Lists

For admission into the normal year of intake the academy will keep a waiting list, which is called a reserve list.

Students who are not successful in gaining a place at the academy are automatically put on the reserve list unless they have been offered a place at a higher preference school/academy. The academy will keep this list in the order of the over subscription criteria. 

Names can move down the list if someone moves into the area and is

higher placed on the oversubscription criteria. The academy will retain this list until 31 December in the year of intake.

In-year admissions

Students are admitted to other year groups, if places are available, on the basis of successful completion of 12+, 13+ and other entrance tests. Further information can be obtained from Skegness Grammar School. 

Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to benefit from a grammar school education.

Skegness Grammar School will accept admissions up to the Published Admission Number of the respective year group at the point of entry. In the event that this would cause prejudice to the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources it may be necessary to refuse a place although the year group has not reached the school's published admission number. 

If there are more applications than places then the oversubscription

criteria will be used to decide who should be offered the place. If it is necessary to refuse a place then you will be informed of your right of appeal.

Appeals

If your child’s application for a place at the school is unsuccessful, you will be informed why admission was refused and given information about the process for hearing appeals. If you wish to appeal, you must set out the grounds for your appeal in writing. You are required to fill out an appeals form, details of which can be found on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

You can find details of the form and the appeals timetable on the following webpage:

https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/school-appeals/132843.article

The School will admit eligible students who have an education, health and care plan that names the School.

If your child’s application for a place at the school is unsuccessful, you will be informed why admission was refused and given information about the process for hearing appeals. If you wish to appeal, you must set out the grounds for your appeal in writing. You are required to fill out an appeals form, details of which can be found on the Lincolnshire County Council website.

You can find details of the form and the appeals timetable on the following webpage:

https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/school-appeals/132843.article