Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School

Question and Answer 2015
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy - Primary
Reception Year Admission September 2015
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
If you require a translation of this document into Punjabi and other
languages, please contact the Primary Academy Office on 0208 573 6085.
A copy of this form is available to download from the School Website:gurunanaksikhacademy.co.uk
1
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015
Question and Answer 2015
What are my chances of getting a school place at Guru Nanak Sikh Academy?
We have far more applications than we have school places. The first priority always goes to
Children in Public Care (Looked After Children) and if a child has a statement of Special
Educational Need, naming our school then we will admit them providing we can meet their
specific needs. After these children have been admitted, others are considered according to
the Admissions Criteria, in priority order. For example, after we have admitted Children in
Public Care and Special Needs, places are then allocated to children whose parent(s)
demonstrate a commitment to the Sikh faith, up to 50 places. 10 places are then allocated to
children whose parent(s) attend worship in the tradition of any other faith. If places are still
remaining children living closest to the academy are admitted. The higher the score on the
RQ the more likely chance of a school place.
For September 2014 there were 267 applications for 60 places.
No places were allocated to Looked After Children or children with a Statement of Special
Educational Needs that named our school.
50 places were allocated to children with parents committed to the Sikh Faith under Criterion
2. This included :22 Outstanding Religious Questionnaire with sibling
28 Outstanding Religious Questionnaire without sibling
0 Good Religious Questionnaire with sibling
0 Good Religious Questionnaire without sibling
Places were allocated under Criterion 3 to another faith, other than Sikh. This included:3 Outstanding Religious Questionnaire with sibling
4 Outstanding Religious Questionnaire without sibling
0 Good Religious Questionnaire with sibling
1 Good Religious Questionnaire without sibling.
2 places were allocated under Criteria 4, ‘Other Faith’ Distance.
How Do I Apply For A School Place?
There are 2 parts to the application process:
1.
As a Hillingdon resident, fill in the Common Application Form from the London Borough
of Hillingdon.
If you live outside the London Borough of Hillingdon fill in your own Local Authority
Common Application Form. For example if you live in Ealing fill in the London Borough
of Ealing Common Application Form.
2.
Fill in the Religious Questionnaire obtainable from Guru Nanak Sikh Academy
(Primary) but returnable to the Nanaksar Trust by post.
2
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015
Question and Answer 2015
Do we get a receipt for the Religious Questionnaire Form we have submitted?
No. That is why we are asking that you send your forms by recorded delivery. Your recorded
delivery slip will act as your receipt. Use a posting system that records the name and address
of the sender, the date of posting and the posting address. It is the parents’ responsibility to
check that the Religious Questionnaire has arrived at the posting address. You are advised to
keep a copy of your Religious Questionnaire.
What is The Nanaksar Trust ?
It is the Religious Body that evaluates the Religious Questionnaire and responses to the
religious Criterion 2 and 3.
Why have a Religious Questionnaire?
We are a Sikh Academy and value our own and other Faiths.
Why assess the Religious Questionnaire?
We have a Religious Questionnaire because if 100 Sikhs applied and there were only 50
places the ranking of the Religious Questionnaire will help us to allocate places fairly.
Who is involved in the assessment of the questionnaire?
A close partner of the Religious Body is the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO). They are
an independent organisation and respected for their authority and knowledge of Sikh issues in
contemporary times and the challenges of the Sikh faith. The Nanaksar Trust uses the
Network of Sikh Organisations in an advisory capacity but they do not make any decisions as
to who is selected for an academy place.
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy will only be involved in the process in an administrative capacity
to help distribute information to applicants and supply forms. They will not engage with
applicants on queries about what to write and what to include. Please do not approach staff
members.
How is the Religious Questionnaire assessed?
Sikh Applicants
We have the majority of applications falling under Criterion 2, ‘children living with parents who
demonstrate commitment to the Sikh faith.’ Marks are awarded for each answer and the final
mark sent to The Admissions Panel in the categories “Outstanding”, “Good” and “Insufficient
Evidence”. Those that are ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’ would be considered under Criteria 2, and
those with ‘Insufficient Evidence’ only considered under Criterion 4, Distance.
If a large number of applicants met the criterion, the Admissions Panel would first consider if
any of the applicants had brothers or sisters admitted prior to year 11, in attendance at the
academy at the time of application and may give them a place. (See the definition of
brother/sister). The chart below explains the process.
Religious Questionnaire awarded
Outstanding (110 marks and above)
Academy places are allocated by rank order
of the Religious Questionnaire mark with the
‘Outstanding’ group considered first. The
sibling ruling would be applied to the top
3
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015
Question and Answer 2015
Religious Questionnaire awarded Good
(109 - 80 marks)
Religious Questionnaire awarded
Insufficient Evidence (79 marks and
below)
ranked ‘Outstanding’ and all those children
may be admitted. The ‘Outstanding’ without
siblings are then considered and may be
offered places.
If there are still places remaining after this
then the next batch of Religious
Questionnaires ‘Good’ are scrutinised.
The ‘Good’ questionnaires are put into rank
order. The sibling ruling would be applied
first and all those children may be admitted,
followed by ‘Good’ without siblings. If there is
only one place left and a number of ‘Good’
applicants have the same score, then
distance, (those living nearest the academy
is the deciding factor)
These applications would be put to one side
and later considered under criterion 4
(distance) if there were still places remaining.
Please note that even a ‘Good’ questionnaire may not gain an academy place because
a score of ‘good’ at 81 may be exceeded by many others scoring above this mark.
There are only 60 places to allocate.
Total Marks for the Sikh Faith Religious Questionnaire: 139
Other Faith Applicants
Up to 10 places are allocated to other Faiths under Criterion 3. The applications are placed in
rank order. Those scoring ‘Outstanding’, between 110 and 90 will be considered first. The
sibling ruling will be applied. If there are still remaining places the ‘Good’ (between 89 and 70)
will then be looked at with the ‘Good’ sibling being considered first. If the 10 places are not all
filled, then any surplus places will revert back to those of the Sikh faith, under Criteria 2.
Those with ‘Insufficient Evidence’ are considered under Criterion 4.
Religious Questionnaire awarded
Outstanding (110-90 marks)
Religious Questionnaire awarded Good
(89 - 70 marks)
Academy places are allocated by rank order
of the Religious Questionnaire with the
‘Outstanding’ group considered first. The
sibling ruling would be applied to the top
ranked ‘Outstanding’ and all those children
may be admitted. The ‘Outstanding’ without
siblings are then considered and may be
offered places.
If there are still places remaining after this
then the next batch of Religious
Questionnaires ‘Good’ are scrutinised.
The ‘Good’ questionnaires are put into rank
order. The sibling ruling would be applied
first and all those children may be admitted,
4
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015
Question and Answer 2015
Religious Questionnaire awarded
Insufficient Evidence (69 marks and
below)
followed by ‘Good’ without siblings. If there is
only one place left and a number of ‘Good’
applicants have the same score, then
distance, (those living nearest the academy
is the deciding factor)
These applications would be put to one side
and later considered under Criterion 4
(distance) if there were still places remaining.
Total Marks For The Other Faith Religious Questionnaire: 110
Do we get to know our score for our Religious Questionnaire?
If you are not allocated a school place because the score is too low you can request that the
school obtain a copy of your marked Religious Questionnaire.
What if I forget to complete the Religious Questionnaire?
Applications made by a parent without the Religious Questionnaire will only be considered
under Criterion 4, Distance.
What happens if I complete the Religious Questionnaire but forget to name Guru Nanak
Sikh Academy as one of my choices of Primary Schools?
Your Local Authority will allocate you with one of your Named preferences.
If my Faith is “near to Sikhism” do I fill in the Sikh RQ or the Other Faith RQ?
It is for you to decide which form to fill in. Your form will be assessed under Criterion 2 as a
Sikh or Criterion 3 as Other Faith. Do not fill in both questionnaires as only one questionnaire
is considered when assessing an application. If you need clarification or advice on your strand
of Sikhism as to which Religious Questionnaire to fill in, seek advice from your priest.
What happens if I am a one parent family and the RQ awards marks to “Mother” and
“Father”?
If only one parent supplies information then their score is doubled on the relevant questions
so that the applicant is not disadvantaged e.g. the Sikh question on eating meat or the Other
Faith question on baptism.
Can we appeal?
In the event of an unsuccessful application for an academy place parents have a right to
appeal. This forms part of the normal appeals process and the academy or Local Authority
can advise you on how to do this.
The appeal form will be issued by the Academy and returned to the Academy. The appeal
will be heard by an Independent Appeal Panel. You are strongly advised to keep a copy of
your RQ in case of the non offer of a school place and as evidence you may wish to submit to
an Appeal Panel.
The Religious Body does not hear appeals and the Religious Body does not enter into any
correspondence with the applicant or their representative.
5
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015
Question and Answer 2015
Some parents who did not get an academy place make allegations that they told the truth in
their applications but other parents provided false information and got an academy place. The
admissions panel will reconsider the allocation of the academy place if evidence is brought to
their attention before the start of the academic year. The admissions panel cannot act upon
unsubstantiated comment and hearsay.
Where can we get more information?
For more information on Admissions and Appeals go online to www.education.gov.uk and
search School Admissions.
6
For ‘parent’ read parent, guardian, carer
September 2015