In Year Transitions

In Year Transfers - Primary and Secondary Schools

If you wish to transfer your child to another local school you can make your application online via the website  www.schooladmissions.gov.uk/admissions 

Important You should not withdraw your child from their current school before admission to another has been agreed. It is expected, therefore, that your child will continue to attend his/her current school while the in-year transfer application is being processed. Please read the following notes before completing the in-year transfer application. Parental responsibility/one application per child The application must be completed by a parent/carer who has parental responsibility. The local authority will only accept one application per child for school places. Where parents disagree on school preferences for their child, they must settle their differences between each other and submit only one form. Before you make an application Many parents request a transfer because their child is unhappy or because there are problems with friendship groups or bullying at school. We ask that every possible step be taken to try to resolve these problems before a request is made to transfer schools. If, therefore, you wish to transfer your child to another local school (for reasons other than a change of address), we strongly recommend that you discuss the matter with the headteacher of your child's current school. You should consider the decision very carefully, bearing in mind that the upheaval may damage your child's progress.

School admissions booklet

Applications for schools outside St Helens

If you want to apply for a school outside St Helens, you need to contact the relevant local authority - find contact details for neighbouring local authorities.

Change of address

If moving address, please ensure that you state the date of the move on Section 2 of the in-year transfer application form. Please also attach proof of your new address e.g. exchange of contracts or tenancy agreement and also inform your child's current school of the move.

As it normally takes 10 to 15 school days to process an in-year application, you should submit your form before the move.

Applications for more than one child

Please complete a separate form for each child. Please be aware that if you are applying for more than one child, it may not always be possible for your preferred school to admit any or all of the children. In such cases the local authority will normally offer an alternative school, if you are a St Helens resident.

Families of UK Service personnel and other Crown servants

If the in-year transfer application Form is accompanied by an official MOD, FCO or GCHQ letter declaring a relocation date, the local authority will process the application in advance of the relocation.

Asylum seeker applicants

If you are seeking asylum in the UK, please attach a copy of the UK Visas & Immigration letter confirming your asylum support arrangements.

Applications from parents coming from overseas

You should complete the transfer application form and attach a copy of your, and your child's, passport confirming that you have leave to enter or remain in the UK.

In Year Transfer Process

Please note any in year transfer applications received after 1st July will NOT be processed until then schools return after the summer holidays.

If you wish to transfer your child to a St Helens school, you need to complete an in-year transfer application form.

You can list up to three St Helens schools in order of preference and we will liaise with the relevant admission authority. All first, second and third preferences will be treated as equal regardless of parents' ranking. If your child qualifies for a place at more than one school, we will offer the school that you have ranked highest on the application form.

How places are allocated

All schools have an admission limit based on the physical capacity of their buildings and class organisation. The number of places available is called the Published Admission Number (or PAN for short). If more applications are received than the number of places available, the relevant admission authority will apply their over subscription criteria.

If there are no available places, your application will be refused - see 'Waiting list' and 'Appeals' below. In such cases, the local authority will normally offer a place at the next nearest suitable school with available places, if you are a St Helens resident.

The Published Admission Number and over subscription criteria for each St Helens primary school is published in the 'Information for Parents - Primary Education' booklet 

Fair Access Protocol

The local authority has a Fair Access Protocol, the main purpose of which is to ensure that unplaced children, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. For such applicants, schools may be required to admit above their PAN or if the Fair Access Panel agrees; it is also possible that a school with available places may refuse admission.

Further details will be provided if your child's application is to be considered under this Protocol. The School Admissions Code states that those allocated a place at a school, in accordance with the local authority's Fair Access Protocol, must take precedence over those on a waiting list.

Decision letters

You will normally receive a written response to your application within 15 school days.

Applications for the start of the school year

If you wish to transfer your child to a new school at the beginning of the autumn term, you should complete an application form early in June and return it as soon as possible.

Applications received during the summer holidays

Applications received during the summer holidays will be dealt with when schools re-open.

Waiting list

If your preference for a St Helens school is refused, your child's name will be kept on the school's waiting list for the remainder of the academic year. If you wish your child to be added to the waiting list for the following academic year, you will need to re-apply at the beginning of June 2022.

The waiting list will be kept in over subscription criteria (not date) order. Looked after children, previously looked after children and those allocated a place at the school in accordance with the local authority's Fair Access Protocol, will (in accordance with the School Admissions Code) take precedence over those on a waiting list.

Appeals

If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have the right, under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, to appeal against that decision to a panel independent of the school and the local authority.

Details of this procedure will be sent to you with the decision letter explaining the outcome of your application.

More help and information

If you wish to discuss the in-year transfer application process, please do not hesitate to contact the school admissions team at schooladmissions@sthelens.gov.uk