The Road to Learning 2008

Glossary - Explanation of words used

Admission

Term used for entry to school.

Admission authority

The organisation that draws up the admission arrangements and sets out the admission criteria for the schools that it maintains. The local authority is the admission authority for community schools - each voluntary aided school is its own admission authority. All admission authorities within an area must link together to coordinate their admission arrangements.

Admission criteria

Conditions set by the admission authority which are used to decide whether or not a place can be offered to a child.

Admission number

The maximum number of children that may go to that school in a school year.

Appeals procedure

The process for questioning a decision not to offer your child a place at the school you have applied for.

Common application form

The name of the local authority form used by anyone applying for a school place.

Community schools

Schools within a local authority which are maintained only by the local authority. The local authority is responsible for admitting children to these schools.

Department for Children, Schools and Families

A central government department responsible for setting appropriate laws and guidance to help educate children and young people in England and Wales.

Governing bodies

Responsible for making sure that the school is managed in line with laws and follows policies in line with the conditions set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Infant, junior or primary schools

'Infant schools' provide education for children aged 4-11, 'junior schools' for children 7-11 and 'primary schools' for children 4-11.

Local authority

We are responsible for many services and this includes providing education across schools within our boundaries.

Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

The central government department responsible for inspecting the quality of education and welfare provided by schools and organisations that provide childcare.

Preference

The list of schools you would like your child to go to. You write these schools on your common application form.

Prospectus

A booklet or document which contains information describing a school, its day-to-day life and its way of teaching and learning.

Priest reference form (supplementary form)

The form that the priest signs to confirm your commitment to your faith as shown by your links with your local church. It is used by voluntary aided schools to apply their admission criteria. This form is only valid if you also fill in the common application form, and give that school all the information they need.

Reception

The first year of full-time education at school.

Sibling

A full, half, step or long-term fostered brother or sister living at the same address.

Statement of special educational needs

The statement prepared for children who have special educational needs. The statement is prepared in line with the Education Act of 1996 and gives details of the child's special needs and what should be done to meet these needs.

Voluntary Aided schools

Local authority schools run along side 'voluntary organisations' (usually religious organisations). The voluntary sector (the Catholic or Church of England Diocese) are responsible for maintaining the buildings and the governors of the schools are responsible for setting the admission criteria and arranging appeals (the schools' admission authorities).

Contact

Admissions and Attendance Team

160 London Road

Barking

IG11 8BB

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3004

Fax: 020 8227 5541

Textphone: 020 8227 3180

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.