WELCOME

1. version 1.2 information meeting for parents of children in Year 6 2014 High School Admissions WELCOME Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

2. Opening Prayer Lord, inspire us to live in such a way that we always give our best and be welcoming and generous towards others. Amen. Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

3. application forms must be submitted by 31st October 2013 realistically this means 25th October. Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

4. Local Authority Form (Common Application Form) on line or paper application list up to 6 schools in order of preference on line form – goes directly to LA paper application - to be returned to the Visitation School or the local authority (25th October 2013) Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

5. Local Authority Form (Common Application Form) If you live in Ealing – application must be made on the Ealing common application form If you live outside of Ealing – application must be made on the common application form of the local authority in which you live Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

6. (Common Application Form) Local Authority Form complete it on line! quick / easy / secure - at home or at the library you will receive an application reference such as 307-2013-09-E-123456 paper application – make a copy and obtain a receipt Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

7. Voluntary Aided / Faith Schools if one or more of your choices is a VA / Faith School - complete a school Supplementary Information Form (SIF) for each VA / Faith School on your list SIF obtained and returned directly to the High School – check date of return of form with the High School Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

8. Independent Schools have their own admissions paperwork bursaries / scholarships Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

9. Visit, visit, visit… • Compare and contrast, you don’t know what you want but….. • What’s good for the elder is not necessarily good for the younger. • Only “relevant” statistics count. • Beware school gate gossip.

10. How Do We Choose? parent choice – children make new friends no matter which school they go to! read school paperwork – ethos / exam results visit - Headteacher talks visit - see the school in ACTION! rate your chances of obtaining a place Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

11. Top tips • You MUST rank the schools in the order of your preference, not alphabetic or any other way. • Schools DO NOT know where you rank them. • Keep to deadlines. 25 October for 31st October 2013. • Make an appointment for the priest through the parish office, have forms completed and get all forms signed at one time. • Search for your evidence now eg Council Tax or alternative (pg 69). • Be honest. • Be realistic.

12. Example One. • Cardinal Wiseman 297 / 300 • Cardinal Vaughan 110/ 120 • Gunnersbury / Gumley 30 / 180 • Brentside 96 / 180 • Drayton Manor 196/ 180 • Elthorne 165 / 180 • Cardinal Wiseman offer made.

13. Example Two. • Gunnersbury / Gumley 240 /180 • Cardinal Vaughan/ Sacred Heart 110/ 120 • Cardinal Wiseman 30/300 • Brentside 96 / 180 • Drayton Manor 196/ 180 • Elthorne 165/ 180 • CV / SH offer made, is it worth going on the waiting list? Depends on Deanery waiting list.

14. Example Three. • Cardinal Wiseman 302/300 • Cardinal Vaughan / S.H. 140/ 120 • Gunnersbury / Gumley 170 / 180 • Brentside 96 / 180 • Drayton Manor 196/ 180 • Elthorne 165 / 180 • Gunnersbury / Gumley offer made but ask to be on the Cardinal Wiseman waiting list ; not automatic.

15. Example Four • Cardinal Wiseman 450/300 • Gunnersbury / Gumley 310 / 180 • Cardinal Vaughan / S.H. 590/ 120 • Brentside 96 / 180 • Drayton Manor 196/ 180 • Elthorne 12 / 180 • Brentside, but you wanted Elthorne, you just put the other schools in alphabetic order! Tough!

16. Example Four continued • Why such a low ranking for Catholic schools? • Mostly because the forms were not returned, priest’s reference, SIF and documents to each Catholic school, or • Forgot where the church was for any of the five Sunday masses; don’t get angry at the priest, we have great local schools!

17. What If I am stuck? • Then make an appointment and come and see Miss Coll. • Do something, late applicants have little (no) hope. • Don’t try to “play” the system, your child deserves better! • You cannot “buck” the system. • Do reflect and pray. • It is not your child’s choice, that’s not fair, you are the parent.

18. 1st March 2014 online applicants – parents receive offer via email after 5 pm paper applications – offer letters posted out on 1st March Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

19. Don’t get the offer you want? • Accept what you are offered. • See me or Miss Coll. • Go on waiting lists, consider an appeal. • Don’t talk down the school you are offered. • It tends to all come out alright in the end.

20. any questions? Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School

21. Closing Prayer • We pray, Lord, for all • who will need strength and courage • in the days ahead: • for those who face danger; • for those who risk themselves for others; • for people who are seriously ill; • for those who must make important decisions in the days ahead. • We ask you, Lord, • to give them • the power of your Spirit. • Amen. Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School