Secondary School Fair Access Protocol (FAP)

Section 7 – Approaching the identified school

Where a case is accepted as a Fair Access admission a referral will be made by the Fair Access and Pupil Placement Officer. This may be direct to a school or to the district Fair Access Panel depending on the timing of the referral.  To ensure there is a transparent exchange of comprehensive background information the expectation is that FAP referrals should be accompanied with all the relevant educational history including, as a minimum, behaviour chronology, attendance history and academic levels.  Background information should be used to support a child after admission and cannot be cited as a reason to refuse admission.  It is imperative that any previous conduct that might put staff or pupils at risk is also shared.  Requests will not be unduly delayed pending a panel meeting taking place.

LCC's Fair Access and Pupil Placement Officer will oversee reintegration requests from PRU to mainstream school.  Once agreed, an admission meeting will be arranged with all relevant parties.

As outlined in the School Admissions Code, the FAP sits outside the other admission processes and therefore

• Schools cannot cite oversubscription as a reason not to admit a Fair Access pupil
• Fair Access pupils must be given priority for admission above other pupils who may be on a school's waiting list

There is an expectation that the school will agree to the request to admit unless any of the criteria in Section 4 are met. In any event, schools should respond in writing within 5 school days to avoid a delay in the process.  Where a school is declining the request to admit they must clearly set out their reasons for refusing to offer a place.

It should be noted that parents have the right to appeal for any school, at any time.