Changing schools in Westmorland and Furness

Before changing your child's school

An in-year application is for children who want to move to a different school during the school year.
Sometimes changing schools is unavoidable, such as when a family moves home. If you are considering changing schools for another reason, there are some important points to consider first.

Changing schools can be a big change for a child. They may have to leave friends, make new friends, get used to new teachers, and settle into a new school. It can also affect their learning.

Before you decide to move your child to a different school, you should:

• talk to your child's current school about any worries or problems. The school may be able to help
• remember that schools may teach topics at different times. Your child could miss some learning or repeat work they have already done. This can be especially difficult for children in Years 9, 10 and 11 who are studying for GCSEs
• think about how your child will get to school. You may need to arrange and pay for transport. The transport policy is explained in the leaflet “How to apply for School Transport”. Find out more on your Local Authority Website
• be aware that Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes can usually have no more than 30 children. This can make it harder to get a place in these year groups
   

How to change school

If you would like to change your child's school, you can:

• apply using an SA8 form through the School Admissions and Appeals Team
• contact the school you would like your child to attend

Your child should stay at their current school until they have been offered a place at the new school and have a confirmed start date.

Find a school in Westmorland and Furness

Apply through the School Admissions and Appeals Team

You can apply using the SA8 form.

You can list up to three school preferences on the form. We cannot guarantee a place at your first-choice school.

• Form SA8 request for in-year admission to school (PDF, 282KB)

If you can't complete the PDF version, you can use the Word version:

• Form SA8 request for in-year admission to school (DOCX, 63KB)

Contact your preferred school directly

Schools can offer places directly. 

You can contact your preferred school to find out what you need to do to apply.

Find a school in Westmorland and Furness

After you apply

We aim to process applications within 10 school days. Some applications may take longer.

The school or the local authority will write to tell you whether your child has been offered a place.

If your child is offered a place and you accept it, the school will arrange a start date as soon as possible.

Your child should stay at their current school until the new school place and start date are confirmed.

If you are offered a place, it must be taken up within six school weeks. If not, the place may be withdrawn and offered to another child.

If your child stops attending their current school before a new school place has been confirmed, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and could lead to prosecution.

If you do not get a place at your preferred school

If your child is not offered a place, you have the right to appeal.

Information about how to appeal will be included in the letter you receive and is available on our website.

How do I find a school?

The School Directory on our website lists all schools in Westmorland and Furness.

You can find information about:

• age ranges
• Ofsted reports
• admission criteria
• school contact details

It is a good idea to visit any schools you are considering.

Every child is different. A school that is right for one child may not be right for another. Contact the headteacher to arrange a visit and ask for a school prospectus.

Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If your child has an EHCP and wants to change schools, the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Team will deal with the application.

Most children with an EHCP can go to their local school if they have the right support. Sometimes a child may need to attend a specific school because of their needs. For example, a school adapted for children with mobility difficulties. If this happens, the school will be named in the EHCP.

For advice about your child's EHCP, contact the SEND Team:

Telephone: 01229 407403
Email: send.waf@cumbria.gov.uk
Email: send@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Children aged 5 to 18 must receive a full-time education. This may be through attending school or another arrangement. Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their child attends school regularly and on time. If you don't, it can result in the local authority taking action.