Are admissions criteria the same for all schools?
No - the rules vary with the type of school and their Admissions Authority.
Government information for parents explaining the different types of school.
Check the "Manchester Secondary School Admissions 2008" brochure for information about individual schools.
Community Secondary Schools:
The Admissions Service processes all the applications for the community secondary schools in Manchester, on behalf of the schools. Parents of children going from primary school to secondary school can state a preference for any community secondary school in the city. If there are enough places for every child who wants to go to a community secondary school, then they all get a place. If there are not enough places the same admissions criteria are applied for all community schools:
Children in public care, children with exceptional medical or social needs, and any child with a sibling living at the same address attending the school in question are given a place first, in that order. All the children left who attend a Manchester-maintained primary school are put into order, with those living nearest the school at the top, and places are given out until the set number of places for the school is reached. If there are still places left, children who do not attend a Manchester primary school are considered.
Faith Schools:
Faith schools have their own admissions policies agreed by each school's governing body. Supporting documents such as references from a religious leader may be requested.
For example Roman Catholic Schools prioritise Catholic families. Families who live in the parishes near school or whose children attend the local Catholic primary schools are given priority. Roman Catholic schools will usually ask to see a Baptismal Certificate and a proof of the child's permanent address. Spare places may be given to non-Catholic applicants.
Look carefully at the admissions criteria in the "Manchester Secondary School Admissions" brochure, or ask the school directly, before you apply. Choice Advisers can give you up to date admissions criteria for particular schools.
Academies:
William Hulme's Grammar School Academy specialises in Modern Foreign Languages so 10% of all places are offered to children with a language specialism. The school asks that extra forms be completed (since children are asked to sit a Non-verbal Reasoning Assessment in December). All applicants are then banded by ability so that pupils with a broad range of abilities get a place.
The United Learning Trust (ULT) sponsors Manchester Academy. ULT academies welcome diverse pupils of all abilities. If demand exceeds places available, looked after children, students with significant specific medical, social or special educational needs who are not covered in a Statement of Special Educational Needs, students with a sibling or siblings currently attending the Academy, and students who live closest to the Academy are prioritised, in that order.
Applications for places at the Manchester Enterprise Academy (formerly Parklands High School) will be assessed in the same way as community secondary schools in Manchester.