Admission criteria
The Secondary Admission booklet provides information regarding the criteria and open evenings. This booklet will be available from 22 August 2011 for you to view from this page. You will also receive a copy of the booklet via the post the week beginning 22 August 2011.
Apply online
Bolton Online Admissions website will be open to Bolton residents from Tuesday 30 August 2011 for secondary school admissions for 2012 and will close on Friday 21 October 2011. There will be a link to the online service from this page on 30 August 2011. You will not be able to apply online until you have received your unique identification number from the Bolton Local Authority which will be posted out to parents/carers the week beginning 22 August 2011. Please contact 01204 332137 if you do not receive this information.
All parents and carers of children living in Bolton must complete the Bolton Local Authority (LA) application for admission to secondary maintained schools, whether located in the borough or in neighbouring local authorities. This will include children with a statement of special educational needs. Non Bolton residents must apply through the Local Authority in which they live.
You can name up to three schools in order of preference. The schools listed on the preference form must include Bolton local authority maintained schools and those in other local authorities (e.g. schools in Salford, Wigan, Bury, Lancashire).
Some schools require you to fill in additional application forms, details of which will be available in the Secondary School Admissions booklet. You may download the supplementary church forms from this page from 22 August 2011 or contact the school to request the form.
Parents who have not submitted an online application by 26 September 2011 will be sent a paper preference form which needs to be returned by 21 October 2011.
Before places are allocated
Details of children who live outside Bolton who are offered or refused a place in a Bolton school are passed onto the child’s relevant home Local Authority. Neighbouring Local Authorities provide details of Bolton children who have been offered or refused a place at their schools.
Where a child could be offered a place at more than one school, the Local Authority will offer a place at the highest ranking school; in these situations the Local Authority informs the relevant admission authority so that the waiting list of pupils offered and refused places is always accurate.
Once places are allocated
Offer letters will be posted from the Local Authority on 1 March 2012 informing them of the school place offered at a Bolton Local Authority school or another Local Authority school. If admission is refused to the preferred school(s) an appeal form is sent with the letter. The letter will inform parents and carers of the alternative school to be offered. More information about appeals can be found in the secondary school booklet (see 'Downloads').
Special educational needs
If your child has a statement of special educational needs, the primary school will discuss your secondary school placement with you at the Annual Review in either Year 5 or Year 6.
You will receive a preference form like all other parents and you can use the online form on this website to make an application. If you are considering a secondary special school (discussed at the Annual review), you can specify your choice of special school on the form. At the same time you must also specify your mainstream school preference in case your child is not offered a special school place.
Late applications
Applications received after the closing date but before places are allocated
Late applications are only looked at after the applications received by the closing date of 21 October 2011. These applications will be notified in writing on 1 March 2012.
Exceptions: when late applications are equal to those received on time
- Parents moving to the borough after the closing date
- Parents were abroad for the whole period before the publication of the Local Authority admission booklet and the closing date of the application form
- Parental/carer/child with an illness which required hospital treatment during the application process
- Verification as to why the preference form is late may be required.
Applications received after the allocation date
- The Local Authority continues to co-ordinate admissions after 1 March until the end of the Autumn term
- Details and any relevant documents are passed to the relevant admissions authority for consideration
- The Local Authority tells parents if the child has a place
National offer day for secondary school places
Letters offering secondary school places go out on 1 March 2012.
If you live outside Bolton your home local authority will contact you in regard to all your preferences (even if your preferred school is in Bolton). Information on allocated school places will not be given out before 1st March, nor are details given out over the phone. This also applies if you are on holiday or planning to go on holiday when the offer letters are sent out.
Waiting list
On 1 March 2012 Bolton Local Authority compiles a waiting list for all oversubscribed schools for children who applied for but were not offered a place. The waiting list is maintained until the end of the end of the Autumn Term 2012. Places may become available after the allocation date due to children declining Local Authority places to take up places in an Independent School. This will vary from school to school.
Parents and carers cannot put their child's name on a waiting list for any school that was not one of their original preferences unless there is evidence of extenuating circumstances or you submit a written request to change your preferences after allocation date. The criteria for a school place on the waiting list is the same as the school admission criteria published in the admissions booklet.
Changing your mind about school preferences
You must write to Bolton Council, Pupil and Student Services before the closing date of 21 October 2011. If you change your mind after the closing date your application is treated as late and this reduces your chances of getting the place you want. If you change your mind after allocation date you may only be able to join the waiting list.
Change of personal details
If your personal details change during the application process please send these details to Pupil and Student Services as soon as possible. Please note proof of changes may be required.
Independent schools
Independent schools (e.g. Bolton School) are not part of the Bolton Local Authority coordinated admissions scheme. If you are applying for a place at an independent school you need to contact the school directly for information on its admissions policy. If you are applying for a place at an independent school you are also advised to complete the preference form for Bolton Local Authority schools as well.
If after receiving an offer for a Bolton Local Authority School you receive a offer from an Independent school, you must let Bolton Local Authority know which place you want to take up.