Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the volume of emails received regarding admissions, we will only respond where the answer cannot be found using the links below.

Do I apply to Charters School to make an In-Year Transfer application?

No you now apply to RBWM via the portal on their website.

Do I live in catchment?

To check if your property is within our catchment area please use the online tools on our website HERE.

I live very close but in Surrey – will I be in catchment?

Properties in Surrey are not in catchment.

Are there any plans to change the catchment area?

No, there are no plans to change the catchment area.

How do I make an application for my child to start Year 7 at Charters School in the September after they turn 11 years old?

All applications for a Year 7 place to start at the beginning of the academic year in September must be made to the Local Authority where you live and pay Council Tax.  Applications are made when your child is in Year 6.  Applications open in September of the year preceding entry and close on 31 October. 

If you miss the deadline you should make a late application to your Local Authority. 

How do I make an application for admission to join the school at any time after the Year 7 intake in September or for any other year group?

You now apply to RBWM via the portal on their website.

Can I find out my child's position on the waiting list?

RBWM School Admissions Team maintain the waiting list.  Please contact rbwm.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk

How are positions on the waiting list determined?

With the exception of children with an Educational Health & Care Plan (EHCP), children will be placed on the waiting list in the following order as determined by the Admission Criteria stated in our Admission Policy:

1 Looked after Children.

2 Children with exceptional medical or social reasons for requiring the school.

3 The children of staff.

4 Children who live in catchment and already have an older sibling attending Charters.

5 Children who live in the catchment area.

6 Children who have an older sibling at the school but do not live in catchment.

7 All other applicants.

Will my child just join the end of the waiting list?

No, the applicant will be positioned on the waiting list according to the admission criteria under which they apply.

When will I be offered a place?

If a student leaves us, then an offer of a place is made to whoever currently sits at the top of the waiting list.  This can only happen if the year group is at PAN (Published Admission Number) and not already over PAN (i.e. as a result of a successful appeal or managed move).

 

Will the PAN increase?

There are currently no plans to increase the PAN for any year group.

Do I have to reapply to go on to the waiting list for the following year?

Yes, the waiting lists all reset at the end of the academic year and you MUST reapply in order to be put on the waiting list for the next year.

I have a child starting in Year 7 and want a place for my older child – will I get sibling status?

Sibling status is only applied if you have an older child already on roll at the school. Qualification for sibling status is made on the basis that the student who is the older sibling will be on roll at the school in Years 7 to 10 on the date of application of the child for whom a place is being sought.  Siblings in Year 11 or the Sixth Form are not eligible under the sibling criteria.

I have a child already at Charters and am applying for my younger child but we live out of catchment. Do I get sibling status?

You will get the ‘Sibling Out of Catchment’ criterion applied to your application.  This means you will not be ahead of anyone living in catchment but will be ahead of anyone who lives out of catchment.

We are a military family, do we get any special dispensation?

No, military families do not get any special dispensation when applying, other than the fact that, if applying for a new Year 7 place, the Local Authority can accept their new address ahead of their arrival in the UK if they are being re-posted (something that would not usually be done) as long as they can provide proof of posting at the time of application. Once the Local Authority have received proof of posting, their application will be processed in the same way as everyone else using the prescribed oversubscription criteria for each school that they apply for.

My child is adopted, do we automatically get given a place?

If 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, makes an application to join the school, they will fall into the top criteria for allocation.   If the application is for a mid-year transfer to the school, they will not automatically be given a place (because the school is full) but they will be placed at the top of the waiting list.

I want to apply under the Social/Medical criterion, what do I have to do?

To apply under this category, the parent/carer must send a letter with the application form explaining the reasons for requiring a place in this category. It must explain why the preferred school is the only suitable school and why no other is suitable. Supporting evidence must be included from a suitably qualified professional person associated with the child or the family, such as a consultant, a general practitioner, psychiatrist or a senior social worker. Please see the appropriate section of our Admissions Policy for full details.

What are my chances of getting a place if I live out of catchment?

For any applicant, it is impossible to determine if a place will be available.  Both allocation of Year 7 places for September, and positions on the waiting lists, are done in accordance with the admission criteria.

If I volunteer or get a job at Charters, do I automatically get a place for my child?

Volunteers and Dining Hall staff employed by Cucina, do not qualify for the staff criteria.  Staff must be employed by Charters School for at least two years at the time of application, or were employed specifically where a pre-determined demonstrable skills shortage had been identified.

I want to have a look around the school, how can I get a tour?

Tours run throughout the year and can be booked via the website here.

My child is exceptionally talented in sport, does this help their application?

We do not have any special entry criteria for talented athletes.  Please see the Admissions policy for the admission criteria.

My child is exceptionally academic, does this help their application?

We do not have any special entry criteria for academically gifted students.  Please see the Admissions policy for the admission criteria.

My child does not have a school place anywhere, what should I do?

If you move into the area without a school place, or remove your child from their educational provision, and we cannot offer you a place at Charters, it is your responsibility to contact alternative schools to check their availability.  You may also wish to contact the Admission departments of the Local Authority where you live to see if they can offer you any advice or support.

RBWM  rbwm.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Surrey schooladmissions@surreycc.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest school.admissions@bracknell-forest.gov.uk