Main School Admissions
Admissions Arrangements For School
Most children start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday. This means they will turn 5 during their first school year. If you would like your child to attend The Avenue you must apply to a school place.
Please note that a place in the nursery does not ensure your child a place in school.
The Avenue Primary School is part of the James Cook Learning Trust. The Trust has decided to follow the Local Authority’s (Middlesbrough Council) Admissions Policy and is part of the Coordinated Admissions Scheme.
Further information about the admissions process and how to apply for a school place can be found at https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions and in the school’s Admissions Policy.
Mid-year transfer requests are applications for school places outside the usual primary school (Reception class) admissions processes. This includes children moving between schools within Middlesbrough, or children moving into Middlesbrough from another area or another country for example.
If you want to discuss or apply for a mid-year transfer, please contact the Middlesbrough Council’s School Admissions Team (see https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/school-transfers) for an application form. You may also contact the school to enquire about the availability of place.
We are happy to offer socially distanced visits for parents and carers. Please contact the school office or alternatively email the school using the address in the contact section of the website. We look forward to welcoming you.
Appeals Guidance for School
If the school receives more applications from parents than it has places available, not every child can be successful in securing a school place. The Trust will use its admissions criteria, also known as oversubscription criteria, to decide which children to allocate places to.
Parents have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel if they are dissatisfied with an admissions decision of the Trust. The appeal panel will be independent of the Trust. The arrangements for appeals will be in line with the School Admission Appeals Code published by the Department for Education. The decision of the panel is binding on all parties.
Parents can only appeal once for any academic year unless there has been a change in circumstances relevant to the application.
School admission appeals timetable
In-year transfer applications:
Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school as a result of an in-year transfer application will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
September 2022 entry
Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school for admission to Reception class in September 2022 will be heard according to the following statutory timescales:
Offer Appeals lodged by Appeals heard by
| Offer | Appeals lodged by | Appeals heard by |
| 16/04/2022 | by 23 May 2022 | within 40 school days (where possible) |
| after 23 May 2022 | within 40 school days (where possible) |
The School Admissions (England) (Coronavirus) (Appeals Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, which has been extended until 30 September 2022. Further information is available upon request.
Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date at least 10 school days before the appeal is considered by the Independent Panel. This will include a timetable for the appeal to be heard.
A copy of the school’s statement of case will be sent to each parent/carer in line with the timetable that includes the opportunity, along with necessary deadlines, for parents, the School and the Independent Panel to submit questions and receive answers to those questions.
Any additional evidence parents/carers wish to submit in support of their appeal must be sent to the clerk in line with the appeal timetable. Any evidence not submitted by this deadlines included within the timetable may not be considered by the Independent Admissions Appeal Panel.
