• In-year admissions - useful information for parents (PDF 114kb)
• In-year common application form (ICAF) (PDF 124kb)
• Supplementary information forms for admission to primary schools
• Supplementary information forms for admission to secondary schools

• disruption to examination courses
• breaking friendships
• lack of continuity of the curriculum
• attendance patterns

• parents or carers who have moved into Kirklees and do not have a school place for their child;
• parents or carers who are moving within Kirklees and whose child already has a school place;
• parents or carers who live in Kirklees and are not moving house, but would like their child to change school.

If you have moved into Kirklees and do not have a school place for your child, you will need to complete the In-Year Common Application Form (ICAF).

If you are moving within Kirklees and your child cannot continue to attend their current school because it is too far from your new home, you will also need to complete the ICAF.

Making an application if you have not moved

Moving your child to another school can affect them in many ways and the decision should not be taken without careful thought. You will need to consider the following before changing your child's school:

• Teaching and school organisation
  For children of any age, every school has its own way of doing things. For example, another school may teach the National Curriculum in different ways and at different times.
• How will your child cope:
  
  • with learning new rules?
  • if they have done the work before or have missed important work?
  • if they find the work new or strange?
• Older children who change school after exam subjects have been chosen may find:
  • that they can't do the same subjects in a new school;
  • that the exam boards and courses are different.
• Have you thought whether:
  • your child can take the same subjects at a new school?
  • the courses will be the same?
  • your child will be comfortable taking new subjects or exam courses?
• Relationships
  As an adult it takes a lot of courage to move to a new job or a new place to live. It takes even more courage for a child to move schools. Children need to feel happy at school and relationships with friends, and with teachers, are an important part of this.
  • Will your child be able to settle in and get to know new people quickly, so that their learning does not suffer?
• Uniform
  You might need to buy a completely new uniform, including PE kit, if your child changes school.
  • Have you thought about the cost involved?
• Transport
  Your child needs to be able to travel to school easily, safely and on time.
  • How would your child get to a new school?
  • What will be the cost involved? A change will usually be regarded as parental preference? In most circumstances you are unlikely to be eligible for travel assistance.
• Other things to think about
  Many things that worry parents and children can be sorted out without the need to move schools. All of these problems can occur to any pupil at any stage in his/her school life.
  • is your child is unhappy because they are being bullied?
  • is your child not getting on with their current teacher?
  • has your child been in trouble and feels they cannot sort it out?
  • is your child is struggling with their work?
  • has your child has fallen out with some friends?
  • have you talked to them about what has happened?
  • what do they think is wrong?
  • how do they feel about what is happening?
  • what do they think would make things better?
  • have you talked to someone about the problems?/li>

There are some difficulties that may arise for your child that could be resolved if you go to your child's school to discuss the problems they have been having.

If you are worried about going into school, you can contact the Attendance & Pupil Support who will be happy to discuss the problem with you and help you find a solution. You can contact Attendance & Pupil Support by telephoning 01484 221919 (HD postcodes) or 01924 326004 (BD and WF postcodes).

Moving to a new school does not mean that the problem is solved. Problems that happen in one school may very well occur again in a new school, but then your child will know none of the staff or pupils and will find the problem much more difficult to sort out.

You are not alone. Your child's school, the Attendance & Pupil Support at Kirklees Council, other parents and other professionals are all able to help you and your child resolve problems affecting their education.

If, having considered all of the above, you still wish to transfer your child to another school, you should complete the ICAF (in-year common application form).

The ICAF (in-year common application form)

The ICAF (in-year common application form) is used by Kirklees parents to apply for their child to change school during the school year.

You may apply no earlier than one school term in advance of when the school place is required. We normally only allow a child to start at a new school at the beginning of a term unless their home address has changed significantly.

You can apply for any schools in Kirklees or any other local authority (such as Bradford, Calderdale, Leeds) but not private schools.

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs please do not complete the ICAF. Please contact your child's special educational needs caseworker to discuss a change of school.

If after reading the 'in-year admissions - useful information for parents' leaflet, you need any further advice or help in completing the ICAF, please contact the School Admissions Team, on 01484 225007.

Please note that if we receive your application during the school holidays, we may not be able to consider your application until the start of the new school term.

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