preference forms in staffordshire

[shyandquiet]

Please can anyone give information about how the system works if you live in staffs but wish to apply for grammar school outside county? how should you rank the preferences? Do the grammar schools go on the staffs form? Thanks

You need to check carefully in the information for secondary schools that will come out first week in September on exactly how to do it. It is quite possible that there will be some kind of supplementary form for the grammar school.
Alternatively look on the website of the grammar school now will probably give some details.
What is important is be sure that your child has a reasonably good chance of getting a place at your preferred grammar school both from the point of being of a suitable level of capability and then in terms of the admission arrangements of the school.
I have lost count of the number of appeals that I have done where the parents really did not understand that they have little or no chance of getting their child into the preferred grammar school because of the admission arrangements. It is not simply about meeting the required standard in the tests.
I would always suggest putting down your most local or catchment zone secondary school as one of the three preferences to try and ensure that you get a school place.

I know that if you live in Staffs and apply for a school in Cheshire or Stoke then you put that choice down on the Staffs form.

Assuming the school you mean is in West Mids then (as there arn;t any grammars in Cheshire) I think you do the same eg Queen Mary's you apply on your home LEA form but also fill in the schools own form.

I think its the same for St Jo's in Stoke too.

Thanks both for the info - I understand the system has changed this year - we are looking at 2012 so a bit of time to go yet - regarding the admission arrangements for grammars ... does distance to home apply to the birmingham schools? Are there other admission arrangements?
Thanks again