Using this guide

If you are a parent living in Derbyshire, excluding Derby city, the information contained in this guide explains how you can apply for a secondary school place for your child whether that school is in or outside Derbyshire. This does not include independent schools. If you live outside Derbyshire but want your child to attend a Derbyshire school you should make the application through your home council.

We invite you to state preferences for any three schools and give your reasons.

You can apply online. It's quick and it's free. See www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window)

Or you can apply by phone. Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058. The contact centre is open between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm.

You may prefer to fill in the paper application form that came with this guide. The form has been pre-printed with your child's details and tells you which is your normal area secondary school.

You can check the details, fill in your preferences and hand the form in to your child's Derbyshire primary school. Or post it to:

The Admissions and Appeals Team
Children and Younger Adults
Derbyshire County Council
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3AG

Make sure your application is in by 3.30pm on Friday 23 October 2009.

How does it work?

• The form included in your pack is the only application form you should complete to apply for a school place.

• You fill in one application form only, no matter how many schools you want to apply for. There is no need to fill out a separate form for each school.

• Only make one application by phone, online or paper, not one of each.

• Derbyshire County Council acts as a clearing house for admitting all Derbyshire pupils to secondary schools.

Supplementary forms

Some voluntary aided and foundation schools may want you to fill in other paperwork in addition to an application you make to us. This is called a supplementary form.

Look at the school's prospectus to see if this is the case. This is so that they can apply their own admission criteria. For example, they might want proof of your address or proof that your child has been baptised.

Supplementary forms are available from the relevant school and can be downloaded from the school's details where appropriate.

Any additional paperwork of that type should be returned to the school by the closing date. This supplementary paperwork is not instead of our application form. You will still need to make an application to us.

You must have your application in to your child's Derbyshire primary school or to the Admissions and Appeals Team by 3.30pm on Friday 23 October 2009.

Special Educational Needs

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs you should not fill in an application form as his or her transfer is dealt with through the statement.

You should contact the special needs team on 01629 536531.