Proposed Co-ordinated Scheme for Secondary School Admissions for 2025/26

15. Where two (or more) adults have parental responsibility for a child, it is preferable that they should  agree which  school(s) to  name as their  preference(s) schools  before submitting an application form. In cases of dispute, or where two application forms are submitted,  the  LA  will process the application  received  from  the adult who has a residence  order. If  no such order has been  made,  preference  will  be given to the parent with whom the child is normally living with for the majority of the school week.

If both parents are in dispute as to whom the child lives with the majority of the school week, the LA will process the application received from the adult who is in receipt of the child benefit, if this is not available then the address used on the NHS card will be used.

In the event of a further dispute regarding the application, parents may wish to take independent legal advice on whether they should seek a specific issue order from the court to decide on where the child is schooled. For an in-year transfer application, the placement will continue in the best interests of securing educational provision for the child, with a minimum of disruption, until any such order is made.

For year of entry, where possible, a place will be offered in accordance with the preferences to the parent who can provide evidence that they are in receipt of child benefit.

Where children spend time with parents at more than one address then the address given on the form should be the one at which they are normally and habitually resident,i.e. sleep at, for the majority of term-time school nights (Sunday night to Thursday night). If children spend time equally at different addresses, then the address which will be used for admissions purposes will be the one registered for child benefit. The Local Authority may request proof of the registered address, which must pre-date the application.