The Governors are committed to maintain the College’s open access, non-selective admissions policy. They have decided on the following procedure to give applicants as equal a chance as possible to obtain a place.
The Governors consider applications in the following order of priority
Category 1
Catholic applicants from the college’s Catholic partner schools
Category 2
Catholic applicants from other schools
Category 3
Non-Catholic applicants from Catholic schools
Category 4
Brothers and sisters of present or former students of the college and children of current staff and governors of the college
Category 5
Other applicants
Aquinas College receives more applications than there are places. Admission is according to the criteria laid down by the Governors. There is no selection on academic ability since the Governors are committed to maintaining the Colleges open access, non-selective admissions policy. They are always prepared to give special consideration to students with particular needs. This includes Looked After Children who will also be given priority.
As they wish to retain the 'first come, first served' allocation of places to category 5 students, the Governors have decided to retain the following system for admissions for September 2012.
- Open Evenings are being held on Thursday 6 October and Wednesday 12 October 2011 from 6.30pm.
- Applications for all categories should be made online, via the college website.
- This process will be available from the first Open Evening, Thursday 6 October until the closing date Wednesday 30 November 2011.
- Applications should be submitted by Wednesday 30 November 2011.
- Applicants in categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 whose forms are received by the 30 November deadline will be considered in category order as outlined in the admissions policy.
- Applicants in category 5 who have submitted their application forms by the 30 November must also telephone the college (0161 483 3237) from 8.00am on Saturday 3 December 2011.
- Callers will be allocated a reference number according to the order in which their calls are received. Places for category 5 applicants will be allocated in strict order of this reference number.
- Callers will be asked to provide the applicant's name, date of birth and post code.
- All calls will be recorded in order to provide a verifiable record of the reference number allocated to each applicant.
- Applicants will be informed by letter of the outcome of their application by Saturday 10 December 2011.
January Interviews
All prospective students who are to be offered a place are interviewed either in the partner schools or at college early in the Spring term. This interview is not a pass/fail interview but a further opportunity for students to find out more about the college and the courses offered. After this interview students receive a letter formally offering a place. This offer of a place is not conditional on the achievement of particular grades in GCSE exams, nor does it relate to a particular programme of study - it is a place for the individual student on any appropriate course of study offered by the college.
Induction Course
Monday 2 July 2012
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Prospective students are invited on an Induction Course which takes place after GCSE examinations are completed. There is a tear-off slip at the bottom of the letter of invitation which the student is required to complete and return. Students are asked to indicate whether they are able to attend the Induction Course and whether they will be taking up the place offered in September.
During the Induction Course college routines and facilities are introduced and there are talks by staff and the Student Council. Students have the opportunity of trial classes which are offered for all courses. Advice on enrolment is also provided. An Information Evening for parents is held in the Sports Centre on each day of the Induction Course at 7.30pm
Enrolment
After the August Bank holiday students enrol and as much further time as is required is set aside for individual advice and guidance on course selection.
Enrolment will be on Tuesday 28 August or Wednesday 29 August 2012.
Should you have any questions or require clarification on any matter relating to our admission procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us, either at the Open Evening or by email via the college website or by telephone to Hilary Sturley, Admissions Manager 0161 419 3605.