In-year transfer process

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 oversubscription 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 oversubscription criteria for each St Helens secondary school is published in the 'Information for Parents - Secondary Education' booklet (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window) .

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.

More 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 10 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 oversubscription 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 on 01744 671027 or email schooladmissions@sthelens.gov.uk