How to apply for a place in Year 7 at secondary school for September 2021.
Unfortunately a letter that went out to Year 6 children via their Primary school in early September provided the incorrect link to make this application using our online Citizen Portal. Please note that this is the correct link. We apologise for this error and if you have any queries please email us at pupil.services@torbay.gov.uk
We have had to change the way that some of our services operate to meet the guidelines set out by the government in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Due to Coronavirus restrictions, we are currently unable to process paper forms posted to our offices. Please download any application you need to make, complete electronically and send to us by email: pupil.services@torbay.gov.uk. If you find it difficult to contact us by phone, please email us with your queries and we will do our best to give you a prompt reply.
If your child was born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 they will be due to transfer to secondary school in September 2021.
You should apply for a secondary place online no later than 31 October 2020.
The online system will close at 23.59 on 31 October 2020 and parents will no longer be able to apply through the Citizen’s Portal.
If you need to apply after the closing date of 31 October 2020 you will no longer be able to use the online system and will need to complete an application form.
All applications after 31 October will be considered late unless you can demonstrate that you were unable to apply on time.
The Secondary Supplement gives a summary of secondary school admission policies and full versions of policies will be on school web sites. These include amended proposed arrangements for selective testing (Churston Ferrers Grammar School, The Spires College, Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School) and aptitude testing (Torquay Academy). The admission process is summarised in our TIPS8 booklet.
Sadly, schools have not been able to offer open days or evenings during the summer term. They are looking at alternative arrangements that may include open sessions in September or October and virtual tours of their school. The Spires College has created a film for you to watch.
Given the extraordinary circumstances due to the coronavirus outbreak, it is unlikely that children will be ready to perform at their best in a test which takes place at the normal time in September.
Our advice to the sector, therefore, is that it is reasonable, for this year only, to test in late October or, if the local co-ordinated scheme allows for this, in November even if this means that test results are not known before the closing date for applications (31 October). This will enable as many children as possible to get back into the routine of education before being tested and therefore minimise the disadvantage caused by the lengthy period many children have had to spend away from school. This disadvantage is likely to be especially acute for children eligible for the pupil premium, and for children who face particular barriers to their education.
Selective tests for entry to Torbay’s selective schools will now take place on Saturday 17 October 2020. The school at which you register for the tests will contact you regarding the arrangements for testing.
There will be a further test date on November 3 for those students unable to attend through illness or COVID related issues.
Please note that the results of the tests will not be known before 31 October and so parents will need to apply for a place at a selective school without receiving a guidance letter. Because of this change, the local authority has agreed to add a fourth preference for all parents applying for transfer to secondary school for their child, for this year only. We strongly advise that at least one of your preferences is for a non-selective local school, in case your child is not successful in gaining a selective school place.
Parents can also register their child for an aptitude test at Torquay Academy. The deadline to register for this is 18 September. Aptitude tests will take place on 3 October.
We will keep this web page updated with current information as it becomes available.
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