IN THIS SECTION
Overview
The pages in this section contain trust-wide policies that we believe it is important to publish to share information about how we operate.
This is not an exhaustive list of the policies we have to ensure we manage our organisation effectively and efficiently. Please contact us if you have a query about our policy framework.
Education Provision Policies
Admissions Policies
NEAT is its own admissions authority and decides the admissions arrangements for the schools within the trust.
The single admissions policy for all of our primary schools and the secondary admissions policies for Benfield School and St Hild’s Church of England School are provided below.
You have the right of appeal if you are refused a place. Further information is available from:
Newcastle City Council Admissions Team for Benfield, Central Walker, Tyneview, Walkergate and West Walker.
For reception or transfer appeals for places in September, you will have at least 20 school days to submit an appeal from the day you received notice that your application was unsuccessful.
The deadlines for submitting an appeal in order to ensure that it is heard before the end of the summer term are:
Transfer place – 29 March 2023
Reception place – 17 May 2023
Hartlepool Borough Council Admissions Team for St Hild’s
The deadlines for submitting an appeal are:
29th March 2023
2022-23
The single admissions policy for all of our primary schools and the secondary admissions policies for Benfield School and St Hild’s Church of England School are provided above.
2023-24
The single admissions policy for all of our primary schools and the secondary admissions policies for Benfield School and St Hild’s Church of England School are provided above.
There is a right for people to object about the policy to the Schools Adjudicator (OSA). See the Schools Adjudicator website for more information on how to do this.
Further information
We work closely with the school admissions teams of each local authority where our schools are based. Depending on the school involved, you can find information about the process and timetable on the:
Admissions and school transfers section of Newcastle City Council’s website
School admissions and transfers section of Hartlepool MBC’s website
Finance Policies
Governance Policies
Complaints Policy and Procedure
We welcome feedback about the trust and its schools and we want to know as soon as possible if there is any cause for dissatisfaction from a parent or other stakeholder. This policy and procedure explains how we deal with complaints and aim to resolve these where possible.
You may use the form above if you wish to submit a formal complaint under Stage 2 of the trust’s Complaints Policy and Procedure. Please contact the trust’s Clerk to the Directors on 0191 2284090 if you have difficulty providing details in writing so we can discuss with you alternative ways of receiving the information.
A Stage 2 formal complaint about the actions of a member of a staff at one of our schools should be submitted to the headteacher of that school. Their contact details are available on the school’s website, which can be accessed here.
A Stage 2 formal complaint about the actions of a headteacher of one of our schools or a member of the trust’s Central Team should be submitted to the trust’s CEO. A Stage 2 formal complaint about the CEO or one of the trust’s local governors, non-executive directors or members should be submitted to the Clerk to the Directors, who will liaise with the Chair of the Trust Board. The CEO and the Clerk to the Directors can be contacted via the trust’s registered office listed at the bottom of this page.
HR Policies
Information Governance Policies
Making a data request
The Data Protection Policy for the NEAT Group sets out how to make a data request and the timescale we will respond within.
Data subjects are not required to make a request in writing in order to exercise their rights (including making a subject access request) but are encouraged to do so. We have provided a Data Protection Request Form for this purpose. This also includes guidance on the proof of identity and proof of address that you will need to provide with the form.
Your completed form(s) should be sent for the attention of the trust’s Head of Digital Resources and Delivery using the details on the contact page.
Making a FOI request
Requests for information from the trust which is not available under the trust publication scheme will be considered in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (2000) or the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) (2004).
EIR requests can be made verbally. FOIA requests must be made in writing (this can be an email) and include a valid name and address. To help us respond to your request you should clearly describe the information you are requesting and the time periods for which you are seeking the information. Requests will be acknowledged within 5 working days.
Full details of how we record and assess requests and the timescales for providing a response are contained in the Freedom of Information Policy.
Requests should be made to the trust’s Head of Digital Resources and Delivery using the details on the contact page.
Contact Information
All requests under the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations for NEAT and NEAT Active Ltd are handled by Head of Digital Resources and Delivery who can be contacted using the details found on the contact page.
We also have an external Data Protection Officer who performs this statutory role and provides advice to NEAT and NEAT Active Ltd:
Information Governance
Veritau Ltd
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
DL7 8AL
Tel: 01609 554025
E-mail: schoolsDPO@veritau.co.uk