Service families may be disadvantaged when applying for a school place. This is because:
they are more likely to need to apply when schools may already be full; and
they may be unable to provide a specific address in time for the admissions process.
The Armed Forces Covenant exists to make sure the service community is not disadvantaged. Cornwall Council has signed up to it, to ensure fairness for service families when accessing public services. There are some specific references to Service Children in the School Admission Code.
Applying for a school place
Special cases apply for children of UK service personnel or crown servants returning from overseas
We know that the children from UK service personnel or crown servants returning from overseas face some disadvantages. There are arrangements we can make to help remove some of this disadvantage, which are explained here.
Making an application
Applications during the school year ('in-year') can be made up to eight school weeks ahead of a place being required. For these special cases, an application can be processed earlier than this. However the application must be accompanied by an official letter that declares a relocation date.
Addresses
Where a proposed address is provided for an application, that will be used in the application in the normal way. However, if the family is not able to confirm a proposed address, an allocation can be made using the unit or quartering address.
Infant Class Size
The Infant Class Size legislation limits the size of classes for children aged 5, 6 and 7. It allows for specified children to be added above the limit of 30, as 'exceptions'. This can include children of UK service personnel, admitted outside the normal admissions round. While admissions authorities MAY admit children, they are not required to do so. They must consider the effect of adding an extra child upon all the children in the class.
Admission appeals
Normally, Infant Class Size appeals are handled differently to other admissions appeals. However, for service families, they are treated like normal ‘in-year’ appeals. The appeals panel will still consider the effect of adding an extra child upon all the children in the class. It may still not be possible for a place to be offered, even if the child could be an excepted pupil.
Service Pupil Premium (SPP)
Service Pupil Premium (SPP) helps schools give additional support that the service child may need. State schools, academies and free schools in England are eligible for SPP funding. It is payable for the children of service families from reception-age to Year 11.
You should notify the school if you:
are a member of the Armed Services
have a child or children from Reception age to year 11
attending a state school or schools in England
The school will hold an autumn census on the first Thursday in October. This is your deadline to inform the school, in order to qualify for Service Pupil Premium (SPP).
Support and information
The Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) provides expert and impartial advice. Visit the CEAS website.
The Department for Education has guidance: Service Pupils in Schools