Education and learning

1. What is the advantage of applying online?

Applying online gives the applicant the opportunity to link directly via the Internet to school information to help make preference decisions.  The application can be saved and re-visited before submission.

2. If I apply online, when and how will I receive the outcome of my applications?

You can login to view the outcome of your application on 3 March 2009 for Secondary Schools and at the close of business on 20 March 2009 for Primary Schools.   A letter, informing you of the outcome of your application, will also be sent to you by your home LA - it will be posted (first class mail) on 2 March 2009, for Secondary and 20 March for Primary.

3. How can I get information about schools online?

Information about schools is available from the 'Find schools in Croydon' link.

4.  When can I use the online system?

The online system for secondary school applications is open on 1 September 2008 and closes on 24 October 2008.  Primary school applications can be made from 8 September 2008 to 5 December 2008.  If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to submit an online application but you can make a late application on a paper application form.

5. I do not have a computer at home.  Where can I make an online application?

If you do not have access to a computer to make an online application, you may visit any Croydon Children's Library Services who will support parents/carers who do not have access to a computer.  Please contact your local library to ask about the support available.  Parents/carers will need to take 2 items (utilities bills etc) as proof of residence to join the library.

For existing ticket holders, computers can be booked for use at all Croydon's libraries.  Croydon Children's libraries may also be able to assist parents/carers who are unable to join the library if they approach the Children's Librarian.

6. Who can make the application?

The person who has parental responsibility should normally submit the application for the child's school place.  If you need further advice about who should apply for your child's school place please contact the admissions team.  Only one application per child is permitted and where parental responsibility is shared, only one application can be accepted.

7. How do I select what type of application I am making: primary or secondary?

The system will use your child's date of birth to determine what type of application you are making

8. If I apply online, do I also have to submit the paper form?

No.  Please do not submit the paper form if you apply online.

9. Can I apply for the same school more than once to make sure I get in?

No.  The online system will not allow you to select the same school more than once.  An offer of a school place is based solely how your child meets each school's admissions criteria.

10. I have twins wanting secondary school places from 2009 - do I have to complete two online applications?

Yes - the online system will not allow you to do otherwise.

11.  If I do not have an email address, am I still able to apply online?

You must have an email address to register with the eAdmissions system.  This is because you will receive your user name and password by email, as well as any 'submitted application' confirmation emails and any future reminder emails.

12.  If I start to fill out an online application and I am unable to complete it immediately, am I able to retrieve it and complete it at a later date?

The online application form is split into a number of steps. The information you input is saved whenever you move from one page to the next (i.e., when you click the 'continue' button at the end of the page). You can fill in part of the application and return at any time (if necessary, on several occasions) to complete it, provided you do so before the closing date (24 October 2008 - for Secondary School applications or 5 December 2008 - for Primary School Applications).  Remember to click on the submit button when your application is completed.

13.  If I submit my application online and then decide that I want to change my preferences of school, what should I do?

You can change your application at any time up to the closing date (24 October 2008 - for Secondary School applications or 5 December 2008 - for Primary School applications). Once the closing date has passed, you will no longer be able to submit an application or an amendment online.

14.  If I login and make changes to my original application, how can I be sure that these changes have been accepted?

If you make changes before you formally submit the application, you will be asked to preview all the information you have entered on the various pages before you submit it.

If you make changes after you have submitted the application, you will also be asked to review all the information you have entered. Only the final version of your application will be used and previous versions will not be retained. You can login to the online system (using your user name and password) at any time, even after the closing date, to view your application.

15.  How will I know that my online application has been received?

If you have provided an email address, you will be sent a confirmation email once you have submitted your completed application.

16.  I think I have made a mistake online; can I telephone and ask you to make any changes to my application?

It is possible to change your application up until the closing date. You must do this yourself by going back to the eAdmissions website - we cannot make changes to your application on your behalf. If you wish to change your application after the closing date 24 October 2008 for starting secondary school and 5 December 2008 for starting primary school, you will need to put this is writing to the admissions team. Changes made after the closing date will mean that your application will be considered late unless there are exceptional circumstances.

17.  Where the schools I am interested in require completion of a supplementary form, am I also able to complete that form online?

No - this must be submitted as a paper form direct to the school concerned. (The online system identifies the schools for which a supplementary form is required by highlighting them on the final confirmation screen.)

You may be able to download supplementary forms from the system but the availability of forms for downloading varies from school to school and you, therefore, need to check. If the forms cannot be downloaded, they can be obtained direct from the schools concerned.

18.  I need to apply for school places for my younger/older children? Can I also apply for these places online?

If you are applying for secondary school places for pupils entering year 7 in 2009, or for primary school places for pupils entering the reception year in 2009, you can apply online. You cannot apply online for school places in other primary or secondary school year groups.

Note: the arrangements for applications for reception places in 2009 are different from those which apply for secondary admissions. If you have not already done so, you need to obtain the primary schools brochure and advice about the application process from your home LA.

19.  Why does the online application change to eAdmissions when I make an application?

All the information is provided on the Local Authority website, but when it comes to completing the online form, the application is on a London wide website called 'eAdmissions'. This makes it easier in that parent/carers are not confused by applying for schools in different boroughs. Many people live near Local Authority boundaries, and this allows applications to be shared and coordinated effectively across London.

20.  Is my data held securely and privacy ensured?

All transfer of data is encrypted and stored securely in accordance with best technological practice. The same level of care is being taken over the data as would be in place for an online income tax return. All data is held according to established Data Protection principles. The confidentiality and integrity of an online application will be exactly the same as that of a paper application.

Contact Details

Contact name

Children, youth, families and schools

Telephone

020 8726 6400

Minicom

020 8760 5797

Address

Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS