Applications
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PLACE AT THE GILBERD SCHOOL (FOR STUDENTS IN YEAR 6 IN SEPTEMBER 2017)
Essex County Council co-ordinate admission to The Gilberd School for those children moving from primary school Year 6 to Year 7 in a secondary school.
Parents must apply for a secondary school place in this instance by completing the Essex Common Application Form. This can either be completed online at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions or you can use the form in the booklet 'Secondary Education in Essex 2018 -2019' available from Essex County Council in September.
Parents can express preferences for up to six schools, both in and out of Essex, in the order in which they would like them considered. On 1st March 2018, parents will be notified by Essex County Council of one offer of a place at the highest preference school that can be met.
The closing date for applications for entrance in September 2018 is 31st October 2017. This is the last day for receipt by the Local Authority (Essex County Council) of the Common Application Form, either paper or online.
Applications received after this date will normally be treated as late applications.
TIMETABLE FOR APPEALS FOR CHILDREN STARTING SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2018
If you do not receive an offer of a place at your highest preference school, you can appeal against the decision.
Please read the Guide to School Admission Appeals to help you with your appeal.
24th April 2018 - Deadline for lodging an appeal for The Gilberd School. This is the deadline by when appeals against a refusal of a place should be lodged if you want it to be heard before the end of the summer term.
Please print and complete The Notice of Appeal Form and this must be returned directly to The Gilberd School.
• For applications made in the normal admissions round, appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals.
• For late applications, appeals should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
Appeal Hearings for entrance in September 2018 will take place the evening of 25th June 2018 and during the 26th June 2018 and 27th June 2018.
Any Appeal Hearing for any appeals not heard before the end of the summer term 2018 will be arranged from September 2018 onwards.
WAITING LIST FOR ADMISSION IN YEAR 7 SEPTEMBER 2018
The waiting list for The Gilberd School is maintained by the Local Authority until 31 August 2018. Following that date the waiting list will be maintained by The Gilberd School.
STUDENTS WITH A STATEMENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS
The admission of pupils with an EHCP - Education and Health Care Plan is dealt with by a separate procedure, which is integral to the making and maintenance of statements by the pupil’s local Education Authority. Parents considering naming the school are advised to make early contact with our SEN department and the Statutory Assessment Service.
HOW TO APPLY FOR MID-YEAR PLACE AT THE GILBERD SCHOOL (FOR STUDENTS TRANSFERRING SCHOOLS DURING YEAR 7-11)
Parents/Carers should complete the 'Mid Year Application For A Secondary School Place' form and return it directly to:
The Admissions Officer
The Gilberd School
Brinkley Lane
Colchester
CO4 9PU
The Admissions Officer will write to you to confirm if a place is available. If a place is not currently available you will be given the opportunity to join a waiting list. Waiting lists are disbanded at the end of each academic term.
At this stage you will have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel and information will be provided to you in your refusal letter. Appeals should be lodged within 20 school days of the refusal letter. Please print and complete The Notice of Appeal Form and this must be returned directly to The Gilberd School. On receipt of an appeal being lodged the hearing will be arranged within 30 school days. You will receive at least 10 school days' notice of the date of the appeal hearing.
After the appeal hearing you will receive a decision letter within 5 school days of the hearing wherever possible.