Secondary School Fair Access Protocol (FAP)

Section 6 - How the FAP will be administered

In-year applicants

In the vast majority of cases, children requiring a school place will continue to be admitted in accordance with the usual admission arrangements, rather than through the protocol. 

Fair Access admissions will apply predominantly to Lancashire resident children, without a school place, who are seeking admission to a Lancashire school and meet one of the prescribed categories.  

When an in-year admission request is made for a school place that is subsequently refused, the admission authority should consider whether the child would be eligible to be placed via the FAP.  Where it considers that the child falls, or may fall, into any such category, the admission authority should notify the local authorities within 2 school days and submit evidence which demonstrates that they meet one of the Fair Access criteria (a-m).

The Fair Access and Pupil Placement Officer will investigate such matters and advise the school accordingly. 

• Where the in-year applicant does not meet the criteria for a Fair Access admission, the pupil should be admitted to the school without further delay or the parent should be informed of their right of appeal where the school is full.
• Where the in-year applicant meets the criteria for a Fair Access admission the Local Authority should notify the parent/s of this, and a school place must be allocated within 20 school days.

Pupils being reintegrated from a Pupil Referral Unit

Allocations of school places for children who are being reintegrated from a PRU will be considered at the half termly Fair Access Panels. 

Where a pupil is identified as ready to return to mainstream provision, preferences will be discussed with parents.  Whilst consideration will be given to parental preference, any identified school will be in line with current Fair Access admission arrangements.  When a school has been identified, the PRU will submit all relevant documentation to enable a reintegration to proceed.

The FAP will include the grammar schools where children have previously been assessed suitable for grammar school or who perform at a level which would indicate a grammar school would be well placed to meet their educational needs.