Information for parents booklet 2025 / 2026

Admission authority - the local authority (LA) responsible for admissions to all community schools.

Admission number (AN) - the maximum number of children the local authority is able to admit to a school in each year group.

Community school - funded and maintained entirely by local authorities.

LA - local authority.

Looked After Child (LAC) - a looked after child refers to a child who is looked after by a local authority in England or Wales (as defined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 and Section 74 of the Social Services and Wellbeing [Wales] Act 2014.

Previously Looked After Children - children who cease to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order, or special guardianship order immediately following having been looked after.

Mid-year transfer - a request to change from one school to another at any time during the academic year.

Normal admission round primary - the period of time when parents can apply for a Reception place for their child to take up in the following September.

Normal admission round secondary - the period of time when parents can apply for a Year 7 place for their child to take up in the following September.

Preference(s) - school(s) selected and applied for.

Statutory school age - pupils who are between age 5 and 16 (ie. pupils in any year group between and including Reception to Year 11).

Voluntary aided (VA) schools - church schools, for example, Roman Catholic, Church in Wales.