School Admissions and Open Day Information for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Schools in 2020-2021

We know that this could be a particularly anxious time for families of Year 6 pupils who are not only facing changes in their school life and, in most cases, returning after an extended period away from formal education but also looking forward to their move to the secondary stage.  This can also, of course, be an exciting time and a chance to think into the future as well as having a boost in confidence that comes from being the oldest in their current school.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many schools are having to adjust their normal open days and evening events as well as family visits to school.  Each school will have their own arrangements which may be amended over time and so we strongly recommend that you keep up-to-date with any schools that you are interested in by visiting their individual websites, social media or contacting them directly.

There are other resources available that can help you and your family come to the right decision. Go to www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk to find the Progress 8 scores - this score shows how much progress pupils at a school make between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. On the website you’ll also find league tables, statistics and the Ofsted rating for individual schools.

To find an Ofsted inspection report about an individual state maintained school visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk.  For independent schools, inspection reports can be found on the Independent Schools Inspectorate website by visiting www.isi.net.

Catchment Areas

Although most pupils end up applying to the school in their catchment area, there are some schools that do not operate designated areas and have a slightly different admissions policy. So, it is worth checking the admissions policy on each school’s website for further information. If you are considering applying to a local independent school, it will have its own separate admissions procedure.

 

Catchment Areas in Devon: To find the catchment school for your area, visit http://map.devon.gov.uk/dccviewer/schoolareaplusone/

 

Applying to a School out of Catchment Area: You’ll be asked to list state schools in order of preference on your application form. Whether a place is offered will depend on the school’s admission process and if places are available. For most schools in Devon, there is an admissions priority for children who live in the school’s catchment area.

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The Application Process

Submit your application for a primary or secondary school place online. An email receipt will confirm that the application has been received.

 

Devon County Council Applications:

Primary School Applications: The online system will be available from 15 November 2020 until midnight on 15 January 2021.

Secondary School Applications: The online system is available until 31 October 2020.

Devon Contacts:

• Education helpline: 0345 155 1019
• Online applications: www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/school-information/apply-for-a-school-place
• You can search for information about a school in Devon at www.devon.gov.uk/schools
• Email: primaryschooladmissions@devon.gov.uk or secondaryschooladmissions@devon.gov.uk
• This year you will be able to state up to 4 options.

 

Torbay Council Applications:

Primary School Applications: The online system will be available from 1 November 2020 until 15 January 2021.

Secondary School Applications: The online system will be available 31 October 2020.

Torbay Contacts:

• Education helpline: 01803 208908
• Online applications: www.torbay.gov.uk/schooladmissions
• Email: pupil.services@torbay.gov.uk
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Plymouth City Council Applications:

Primary, Infant and Junior School applications in Plymouth: The application system will be available from 2 November 2020 until 15 January 2021.

Secondary School applications in Plymouth: The application system will be available until 31 October 2020.

Plymouth contacts:

• School Admissions: Primary admissions: 01752 307166; Secondary admissions: 01752 307469
• Email: school.admissions@plymouth.gov.uk
• Online applications: www.plymouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Allocation Days

The dates when school places are officially confirmed are:

1 March 2021 – Secondary Schools

16 April 2021 – Primary Schools