Admissions Policy
(For approval annually by Governors)
Context
The College follows the standard admissions policy and procedures approved by Devon County Council, whose criteria are reproduced below (Procedures have altered for 2005). As a co-educational, comprehensive Community College, we offer places to students within our designated area and our ‘family’ of Primary schools. These fifteen schools work in close partnership with the College to ensure problem-free transfer at age 11, and achieve a real measure of curriculum continuity.
In 2004, the College offered 300 places for Year 7 students, and the parents of 287 students applied. Thirty-two applications were made from ‘out of area’. 284 places were allocated. For September 2005, the College has once again offered three hundred places. We are pleased that our College is popular (despite falling rolls) and that parents choose to send their children here, and many select us from outside our catchment area, or come from the private sector. The College welcomes applications for admission from overseas students, particularly for our Sixth Form.
Principles and Values
The College is well equipped and places great emphasis on e-learning and ICT. We provide out-of-hours study facilities and late buses to enable students to use them. Parents are expected to be full partners in helping their children to achieve, and we encourage parents to support the work of the College and participate in parents’ events. Parents should understand and accept the College’s Vision Statement, and consider their responsibilities as defined within the Parents’ Charter.
Tavistock is a Specialist Language College, achieving this status in 1996. Consequently, as a member of the Specialist Schools Trust, the College has a wider role in raising standards, and offering an international dimension to its work. All students are encouraged to study two languages, in addition to undertaking assignments in each subject area that are ‘international’ in nature. The College has the option of selecting 10% of its intake on ability. For the year 2004~05, the Governors have decided not to exercise this option ~ this decision is reviewed annually.
The College values participation in sport and the performing arts, and other activities that challenge and develop young people. We hope that students will want to act as peer educators, lead teams, act as prefects, serve on the College Voice and Senate. Each student will be asked to set a ‘Personal Challenge’ each year, and we will expect students to serve the College and their local community as part of providing a complete and stimulating education for our students.
How to Apply
For a place in Year 7, parents should contact Devon County Council’s Admissions department for the Next Step booklet in the first instance. We strongly advise parents to:
- Attend the College’s Open evening, usually held in September.
- Arrange a private visit to see the College in session – this can be done by contacting enquiries@tavistockcollege.devon.sch.uk or by telephoning the College
- Familiarise themselves with the College’s website, curriculum and publications
- Talk to members of the Community about the College
We strongly advise parents to list the College as their first choice because the order of preference can dictate the possibility of gaining a place at Tavistock College.
In Year admissions
Contact Devon County Council’s Admissions department, or the College directly, and arrange a visit as above. All of the College’s year groups are usually full, but places do become available if a family moves out of the area.
Sixth Form
As above. The College offers some thirty A/S levels, but we do require students to have a minimum of four B Grades at GCSE. Vocational programmes also have qualification thresholds, so please enquire via the Director of Sixth Form. The College welcomes applications from overseas students.
Appendix:
Devon County Council ~ criteria for admission in September 2005
(A child who has statement of Special Educational Needs where the School is named on the statement will take precedence for a school place)
- Children who are in Public Care.(*iii)
- Children living (ii*) in the school’s designated area - with a sibling (*i) who will be attending the school at the time of admission.
- Other children living (*ii) in the school’s designated area - no sibling (i*), but attending a contributory primary school.
- Other children living (ii*) in the school’s designated area - no sibling (i*), and not attending a contributory primary school.
- Children living (ii*) outside the designated area - with a sibling (i*) who will be attending the school at the time of admission.
- Children living (ii*) outside the designated area - no sibling (i*), but attending a contributory primary school.
- Other children living (ii*) outside the designated area.
Notes:
- If it is necessary to differentiate between children in category 5, those children attending a contributory primary school will have priority over other children within that category.
- If it is necessary to distinguish between children in a particular category [or between pupils in a sub-category of category 5 - see note (a) above], priority will be determined on the basis of distance between home and school (*iv) measured as a direct line from the entrance of the property, to the nearest available official entrance of the school [i.e. the shorter the distance, the higher the priority]. (Parents should note that the direct line policy does not apply to school transport).
- Priority may be given to the admission of a child for whom a particular medical or social justification is demonstrated or for whom admission to the nearest alternative school, at which a place is available, would require unreasonable transport arrangements.
- Priority may be given to a child to be admitted to a designated SEN support centre at the school in question or where boarding education is provided at Queen Elizabeth Community College, Crediton.
*Definitions
i) Sibling:
This will be a full, adopted, half or step brother or sister and will include a full, adopted, half or step brother or sister living at a different address. Foster children will count as a brother or sister to those living within the foster household or where appropriate, the natural parental home address.
ii) Home Address:
This is defined as the address where the child is normally resident. Where a child resides through shared custody, the address will be with the parent who receives child benefit.
iii) Children who are in Public Care:
These children are looked after by or provided with accommodation in the exercise of its functions by Devon Local Authority.
iv) Measurement between home and school will be based on GIS.
Page updated Tuesday, May 14, 2013