John Smeaton Community College Information
As was remarked upon in our last OFSTED Inspection (December 2006), ‘John Smeaton is a place where, genuinely, every child matters’.
We believe that young people have a right to expect that school will be a place where they can feel understood, happy and safe. This is vital for good learning. John Smeaton has a strong tradition of inclusive education and our aim is that all members of the school community are valued equally.
All students will:
- be expected to make progress, according to their ability
- be offered opportunities to gain recognition of their work by means of qualifications, awards and certificates
- be expected to follow the school rules
- be expected to have and show respect in all aspects of their lives
- have an opportunity to contribute to the improvement and development of the school
Students are supported in the Pastoral System by their Head of Year and Group Tutor, assisted by a Pastoral Officer. A copy of our Special Educational Needs Policy is available on request.
Admissions
John Smeaton Community College has an admission limit of 210 per year group. Parents are asked to express a preference for a Secondary School on a form sent out through Primary schools. If the school is over-subscribed the following criteria will be used by the Education Authority for the allocation of places to all Year Groups except the 6th Form:
Priority 1
- Children with a statement of special educational needs which names a school or unit which has special resources
- Other statemented children, who the LEA decides need a place in a school with has special resources
- If there is a choice of suitable school, the child will be given priority at the nearest suitable school.
Priority 2
Children who want to join brothers or sisters who will be at the school at the start of the academic year. For entry to Year 7, we can only guarantee places for brothers or sisters provided they are living in the same house and we receive your request by the closing date.
Priority 3
Children whose parents have given a preference for the school
Requests will be considered as follows:
- If there are enough places for everyone who has applied, we will offer everyone a place.
- If we have more applications than there are places, we will offer places to children who live nearest to the school (measured in a straight line).
This will be in line with parents’ preferences – giving priority to:
- Parents who show a preference for the nearest Leeds School to their home address; then
- Parents who show a preference for a Leeds school other than the one nearest their home address.
If we cannot meet parents’ preferences in this way, we will guarantee a place for their child at the nearest community high school with available places at the time of the allocation. Parents of prospective pupils are always welcome to visit the school. Please telephone for an appointment. Admissions will depend on availability of places. Students from elsewhere are normally welcome to join the 6th Form, providing they are considered suitable for their chosen courses.