School Admissions Policy
Useful Information
3.1 Admission Forum
The Pembrokeshire Admission Forum meets twice a year to discuss local admission issues. LA Members, Headteachers, Governors, Parents and Diocesan Authorities are represented.
Minutes of the meetings are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.
Throughout this document, parents are defined as meaningall person(s) with a legally defined parental responsibility for a child.
3.2 Transport
The Local Authority provides free school transport for children of compulsory school age (term after their 5th birthday) on the following basis:
To qualify for free school transport your child must:
- be a resident of Pembrokeshire
- be of compulsory school age
- be attending their catchment area school which is designated by the Council to serve the pupil’s home address, or to the nearest suitable school
- live at least 2 miles from the school if they’re in primary school
- live at least 3 miles from the school if they’re in secondary school
Distance is measured by the shortest walking route between home and school. From the nearest council maintained road to the property to the main school entrance.
There are separate applications processes in place for school admissions and school transport. Parents may express a preference for a school place and the admission authority must meet that preference unless to do so would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. However, it is important to note that obtaining a school place as part of the school admissions process does not automatically confer a right to free home to school transport, and parents must check their child’s entitlement for school transport before expressing a preference for a school place. Eligibility for school transport can be checked via the School Transport Eligibility Tracker. The Council’s School Transport Policy is published online.
The contact details for the Integrated Transport Unit are as follows:
Integrated Transport Unit
County Hall
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 1TP
Tel: 01437 775222
Email: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
3.3 Elective Home Education
In Wales, parents hold the primary legal responsibility for ensuring their child receives a suitable education. While most parents choose to fulfil this duty through school attendance, some opt to provide education themselves at home. This is known as Elective Home Education (EHE).
Pembrokeshire County Council recognises and respects the right of parents to electively home educate their children. We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure that every electively home educated child receives an education that is broad, balanced, and appropriate to their individual needs.
Legal duties and parental responsibilities
Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents must ensure that their child receives:
“Efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
The Local Authority also has a legal duty (Section 437 of the Education Act 1996) to ensure that children of compulsory school age who are not on a school roll are receiving a suitable education.
To help us meet this duty, we kindly ask parents to inform us of their intention to electively home educate. Early communication allows us to offer advice, guidance, and support as you consider and develop your child’s home education journey.
Approaches to Home Education
There is no set curriculum or formal teaching requirement for home educated children. Educational approaches can vary and may include:
- Structured, timetable-based learning
- Flexible, topic led study
- Autonomous or child-led education
- Blended approaches using online, experiential, or community-based learning
Education can be tailored to suit your child’s learning style, interests, and pace, and may take place in a variety of environments beyond the home.
Contact information
01437 774658
Thinking About Home Education?
If you are considering elective home education and would like to discuss your options or responsibilities further, please contact Parent Partnership for impartial advice. They are there to support you in making the best educational choices for your child.
Contact information
01437 776354
See the Elective Home Education Officers
3.4 Consultation
Local Authorities must consult each year on the admission arrangements for those schools for which they are the admission authority. In relation to Voluntary Aided schools, relevant governing bodies must also consult annually unless they have consulted on their proposed arrangements:
i. within the previous two determination years,
ii. those arrangements are unchanged, and
iii. no objection has been made to the Welsh Ministers about their admission arrangements in the preceding five years.