Glossary of words and phrases

Academy
An academy is an all-ability, state funded school, usually established and managed by sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds. Academies are not maintained by the local authority but they collaborate closely with it, and with other schools in the area.

Admission authority
The body that decides which children can attend a school, based on their admission policy. For most schools this is the local authority. In the case of a church aided or foundation (including trust) school or an academy, it is the governing body.

Catchment school
The school(s) that serve a specific area or address.

Church aided school
A church school where the governing body is the admission authority (also known as a voluntary aided school).

Community school
A school where the local authority is responsible for the admissions.

Co-ordinated admissions
Local authorities are required to co-ordinate admissions for all pupils in an area. This means that every parent of a child living in West Sussex who has applied for a school place receives an offer of only 1 school place.

First school 
A school that usually provides education from Reception, which children enter at the age of 4 going on to 5, through to Year 3, when children turn 8. However, in some areas this may continue to Year 5.

Foundation school
A school where the governing body employs the school’s staff and have a primary responsibility for admission arrangements. The school’s land and buildings are owned by the governing body or by a charitable foundation.

Independent school
A school that charges fees and controls its own admissions. Also known as private schools.

Infant school
A school that provides education from Reception, which children enter at the age of 4 going on to 5, through to Year 2, when children turn 7.

Intermediate school
A school that provides education from Year 6, age of 10, to Year 8, when children turn 13.

Junior school 
A school that provides education from Year 3, which children enter at the age of 7, through to Year 6, when children turn 11.

Local authority
The council responsible for schools in the area. In West Sussex it is West Sussex County Council.

Middle school 
A school that provides education from Year 4, which children enter at the age of 8, through to Year 7, when children turn 12. In some areas there are combined First and Middle schools which provide education from Reception through to Year 7.

Number on roll
This is the total number of children at a school on a specific date.

Nursery school
A school for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, staffed by qualified teachers and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than providing childcare.

Ordnance Survey address point data
Ordnance Survey address point data is used to determine distance measurements by the authority for all community and voluntary controlled schools. The authority also supplies distances for church aided and foundation schools using the same data. Measurements are from a central point in a child’s home to a designated central point in a building at a school site.

Oversubscribed
A school is oversubscribed when it has more applications than the published admission number.

Preferences
Parents have the right to state which 3 schools they would like their child to attend. However there can be no guarantee that a place will be allocated at the preferred schools.

Pre-school
A general term for schools for children below the age of 5, which includes nursery schools as well as playgroups providing childcare.

Primary school
A school that provides education from Reception, which children enter at the age of 4 going on to 5, through to Year 6, when children turn 11.

Published Admission Number (PAN)
This is the number of places available in each year group at a school, based on the actual accommodation at the school.

Secondary school 
A school that provides education usually from Year 7, which children transfer to at the age of 11, through to Year 11, when children are 16. Many offer Years 12 and 13 (sixth form) education too. Some secondary schools do not take in pupils until Year 8 or Year 9, if there are middle or intermediate schools in their area.

Sibling
A brother or sister. Brothers and sisters can be half or step siblings (by marriage or cohabitation) or foster siblings sharing a common address. Cousins are not classed as siblings. For the purpose of secondary transfer to a community and voluntary controlled school, sibling priority can only be given where the older sibling is attending the school requested.

Attendance at a sixth form attached to the school will not be taken into account. Some church aided and foundation (including trust) schools and academies may take another approach and you should check the school’s information.

Statement of Special Educational Need (SEN)
A formally recognised assessment of a child’s additional needs

Trust school
A state-funded foundation school supported by a charitable trust. It is made up of the school and partners working together for the benefit of the school.

Voluntary controlled school
A church school where the local authority is responsible for admissions.

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