How to apply for a Primary, Infant, Junior or Secondary school place using the Online System for September 2014-15 A guide for parents and carers to use the Swindon Borough Council online system For more information please contact School Admissions on Tel: 01793 445500 Fax: 01793 445770 Email: schooladmissions@swindon.gov.uk 1 Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Why apply online.............................................................................................................................. 4 Registering ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Logging in ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Changing personal information ........................................................................................................ 9 Creating a new application ............................................................................................................. 10 Using a UID (Junior and Secondary School applications only) ...................................................... 11 Entering the child’s details ............................................................................................................. 12 Entering the address details........................................................................................................... 12 Returning Service Families ............................................................................................................ 13 Current School (Junior and Secondary School applications only).................................................. 13 School Preferences ........................................................................................................................ 14 Completing the application ............................................................................................................. 15 Changing the application once you have submitted ....................................................................... 15 2 Introduction The online system is used to apply for your child to start school for the first time in September 2014. This information relates to applications for children applying to go to school for the first time (Primary or Infant), or transferring to a Junior or Secondary School. If your child is born between 1st September 2009 – 31st August 2010 you can apply for a Primary or Infant School 1st September 2006 – 31st August 2007 you can apply for a Junior School 1st September 2002 – 31st August 2003 you can apply for a Secondary School. This information outlines the steps to complete an application online via the Swindon Borough Council Internet Site. You can access the website from 2rd September 2013 You should read the Admissions Guide related to your application prior to submitting your application in order that you are aware of the application process and how your application will be treated. This gives information regarding the application process, Swindon Schools, key dates and frequently asked questions. Closing Dates Primary & Infant Junior School Secondary Schools 15th January 2014 15th January 2014 31st October 2013 The online system will only be available until the relevant closing dates. You will be able to apply after the closing date by submitting a paper application; however your application will be considered and treated as late. A hard copy of the application form can be found either online or is available from the School Admissions Team 3 Why apply online There are many excellent reasons why to apply online  It is quick and easy to do  You can apply from home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  You will receive email confirmation that your application has been received  You can make changes to your application up until midnight of the closing date 15th January 2014 for Primary, Infant and Junior Schools 31st October 2013 for Secondary Schools  There is security information in place to prevent anybody else from seeing the information you’ve submitted  If you apply online you can tick to request an email to be sent on the offer day to let you know the result of the application 4 Registering If you have never used the online system to apply for a school place in previous years then you will need to register. The online Admissions site has undergone some security enhancements over the recent months which include a change to the allocation of passwords and general registration process. It may therefore be necessary for some users of this system that have previously had a user account to re-register with the site to comply with the enhanced security 5 1. When at the School Admissions Online home page, if you have never used the system before you need to register, click the REGISTER button. 6 2. Enter personal information and your home address and then click on the NEXT button 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Enter the email address you want to use to log in Enter the password you want to use Choose a secret questions and enter the answer (this will be used if you forget your password) Once all the fields are complete, click on the REGISTRATION COMPLETE button You will then see the following screen 8. You will receive an email giving further instructions on how to activate your account. 7 Logging in 1. If you have previously registered on the online system, enter your email address and password and press the LOGIN button 8 Changing personal information If you have used the system before to register an application for your child, please ensure that you check the personal information stored against your name. This is particularly important if you have moved previously as a previous address may be registered against you 1. At the top right of the screen you will see “Change my personal details” 2. This will allow you to change your personal details 9 Creating a new application 1. Once you have logged in – click on MAKE A NEW APPLICATION (on the right hand side of the screen) 2. Enter the child’s date of birth and press CONFIRM 3. This will then allow you to select the type of application you are making. 10 Using a UID (Junior and Secondary School applications only) 1. If you are applying for a Junior or Secondary School Application you will see a screen prompting for your UID – this will have been sent to you by letter via your child’s school. REMEMBER – enter the UID exactly as it is written in your letter. If you do not have a UID number – click on the button which says NO UID If you are applying for a Primary or Infant school you will not have a UID and will not see this screen. 11 Entering the child’s details 1. Enter all the details for the child and then click the NEXT button INFORMATION:  If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, you should contact the Special Educational Assessment Team who will advise on how to make an application. Entering the address details 12 1. Enter in all the details of your child’s current address – the information will default from the address you first used when you registered. 2. The system further allows you to enter details if you are due to move to a new address. If you are intending to move to a new address you will need to provide proof of this new address to the School Admissions Team in order for this address to be taken into account. Deadline for address changes for Primary, Infant & Junior Application = 21 March 2014 Deadline for address changes for Secondary Application = 17 January 2014 Further information about changing your address can be found in the Admissions Guide. Returning Service Families 1. If your family is returning to the UK because of a military or diplomatic posting, please indicate. You will also need to send proof of posting to the Admissions Team. Current School (Junior and Secondary School applications only) 1. If you have used a UID your child’s school should be entered automatically 2. If it has not populated, please complete and then click the NEXT button 13 School Preferences This is the screen where you can select the first school that you want to put on your application form. TIPS –  If you want to see all schools in Swindon, select “Swindon” from the Schools located in drop down box and then press search  You can select the school that want by clicking on the SELECT box on the left hand side  If you want to look at a school’s website, you can click the LINK on the right hand side  Please take care to ensure that you are selecting the school you want. Many schools have similar names and the Local Authority can only consider the schools that you have selected. 1. Select the school you wish for your first preference 2. Once selected you will be able to record the reasons why you wish your child to attend the school. This may be because you have an older sibling attending. Please make sure you record the details of the sibling 14 3. You will have the opportunity to write the reasons why you want your child to go to the selected school, however please note that the Admission Authority can only take into account the oversubscription criteria when considering you child’s application. Further information is available in the Admissions Guide. 4. You can select up to three schools when making your application and the Local Authority recommends that all three preferences are used. Completing the application Once all the preferences have been entered, you will be presented with the following screen 1. If you want to preview your application, click PREVIEW This will show a preview of your application and that it is UNSUBMITTED 2. If you want to submit your applciation – click on the CONTINUE BUTTON 3. Agree the terms and conditions and click SUBMIT 4. You will receive an email to confirm that you have submitted your applciation Changing the application once you have submitted If once you have submitted your application you want to change your application, you can do this up until the closing date for the application process. When you re-enter an application, even if only to review it, you MUST resubmit it. If you do not resubmit your application, it will not be considered. You will receive an email to confirm your new submitted preferences. 15