Newcastle City Council

Who can I talk to for further information?

Newcastle Families Information Service (FIS) is available to provide support and assistance throughout your application process.

How quickly will my query be dealt with?

Phone calls

Most queries can be dealt with straight away. However, at peak times such as the weeks before and after the deadline for applications to be received (23 October 2009) and allocation day (1 March 2010) the volume of calls and correspondence is high.

We aim to deal with your telephone enquires as quickly as possible, usually within three working days. However, to ensure that each case is thoroughly investigated, response times may be longer at these particular times of the year.

Letters and emails

You will normally receive an answer within fifteen working days. If this is not possible, the officer dealing with your query will let you know the reasons for the delay and when you will receive a response.

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?

Please discuss your concerns with the Operational Manager, Admissions and Transport. Phone: 0191 277 7428.

We find that most concerns can be resolved in this way.

If you still want to make a formal complaint, you should write to:

Mr Robin Harvey
Head of Access
Children’s Services Directorate
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle
NE1 8PU

What happens if people provide fraudulent or misleading information?

We take allegations that parents or carers have provided false information on their application form very seriously. We work closely with schools to ensure that fraudulent applications are detected. We also carry out spot checks.

• If we write to you, please provide copies of the evidence we ask for within the timeframe given.
• If you do not provide the evidence we ask for and your application is found to be fraudulent, it will be reprocessed based on the correct information.
• If an offer of a school place has already been made, it may be withdrawn and we will offer your child a place at the nearest community or voluntary-controlled school to your home address with an available place (if you live in Newcastle). This may be some distance away.