Admission Criteria
The conditions of admissions agreed by the Admission Forum (in the case of community and voluntary controlled schools) or by the governing (in the case of voluntary aided schools).
Authority/LA
The Local Authority of the Council responsible for pupil places and admissions.
Community School
A school where the LA is responsible for admissions and setting the criteria.
Voluntary Aided School (VA)
A school where the governing body set the criteria and is responsible for admissions.
Voluntary Controlled School
A school where the LA set the criteria and is responsible for admissions.
DCSF
The Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Looked after Child
A child who is in care of a Local Authority and as deemed under Section 22 of the Children Act 1989.
Oversubscribed
Where there are more requests for admission to a year group in a school, than there are places available.
Parent/Guardian
A person who can exercise legal parental responsibility as defined under the 1989 Children's Act.
Preference
The legal right of parents to state the school they would prefer their child to attend.
Planned Admission Number (PAN)
The maximum number of pupils to be admitted into a particular year group.
Sibling Link
An older brother/sister or step brother/sister that shares the same parent/guardian and lives at the same address as the child applying and will be attending the preferred school at the time of admission.