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Are you…
- Confused about when and how to apply for school places?
- Confused about what school to choose?
- Wanting help completing school admission or appeal forms?
- Moving or have recently moved to Torbay?
- Feeling unhappy with your child’s’ current school?
About the service
Choice Advice is a free, impartial information, guidance and support service for families to help with the school admissions and appeals processes to assist parents/carers who live in Torbay in choosing school place/places for their child/children. The Choice Advice Service will assist you by providing basic information about the schools you are interested in, help with completing the application form or applying on-line. Many parents/carers find this information particularly useful to help them through the transition from primary to secondary school. The Choice Adviser is also able to inform parents and carers about other support services which may be helpful to them.
The Choice Advice Service is able to offer phone support, home visits and/or meet you somewhere convenient to you.
What can the Choice Adviser do for you?
- Provide free, impartial, confidential information guidance and support
- Provide impartial information about local schools in Torbay and neighbouring areas including the difference between types of schools, prospectus and special facilities available.
- Provide a clear explanation about admission criteria and oversubscription.
- Provide information on Ofsted reports
- Explain how the equal preference system works.
- Provide information about school policies i.e. bullying, uniform, special educational needs and transport
- Provide information on Special educational needs facilities and provision within mainstream schools.
- Help you find out which schools may best suit your child
- Help you to make realistic and informed decisions.
- Help with form filling or on-line applications.
- Discuss options available if you are not offered your preferred school.
- Provide support with admission, exclusion and transport appeals.
What "Choice" do you have?
Although we talk about choice, as a parent/carer you only have the right to express a preference for a choice of school for your child/children. After you have made an application the School Admissions Team will allocate a place for your child at your preferred school providing your preference meets the admissions criteria and your preferred school is not oversubscribed.
Is the Choice Adviser and information they give impartial and in confidence?
The Choice Adviser will provide an impartial service to all parents. They will offer information and support to help you come to your decision, however they will not make a decision for you or give direct advice, nor can a choice adviser recommend or guarantee a place at any school. Confidentiality is always respected and information will only be shared with parents’ permission
Related Documents
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Checklist for visiting schools
Checklist for visiting schools, both before and after a visit.
Last updated: 11/01/2012, 3:48pm (98 KB) -
Process for amending a Statement
Process for amending a Statement at secondary transition phase.
Last updated: 11/01/2012, 3:48pm (59 KB)
Contact
- Tel: 01803 208239
- Email: choiceadviser@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208225
