CHRISTCHURCH CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Shooters HillSE18 3RS

Headteacher: Mr. Terry Segarty M.A. B.Ed.

Admissions Policy 2011/12

Preamble

ChristChurchSchool is a successful church school and has a distinctive Christian contribution to make to the education of children in the area of Shooters Hill.

The total number on the school roll is limited by the size of the building. The Governors admit 27 pupils per year into the Reception class.

ChristChurchSchool regularly has more applicants than the number of places available. In formulating the admissions policy for the school the Governors recognise their responsibilities to both parents and children who are active members of ChristChurch and to those who live in close proximity to the school.

The intake to the Reception class takes place at the start of the September term.

Intake will be staggered during the first half of the term September/October.

Criteria for Admissions

ChristChurch has formulated its admissions policy to reflect the reasons why parents and carers want their children to attend ChristChurchSchool. These are set out below in order of priority:

1. Children in public care (looked after).

2. Priority is given to applications from parents/carers who areregular and committed members of ChristChurch. In the event of there being more applicants than there are places within this category, places will be offered by the nearness of the home to the school, measured in a straight line from the school gate to the front door of the child’s home. Those living nearest will be given priority.

3. Children with siblings (children who live as brother and sister, including natural brothers or sisters, adopted siblings, step-brothers or sisters, half-brothers and sisters and foster brothers or sisters at the same address) currently attending the school when the child enters Reception. In the event of there being more applicants than there are places within this category, places will be offered by the nearness of the home to the school, measured in a straight line from the school gate to the front door of the child’s home. Those living nearest will be given priority. If more than one applicant lives in a multi-occupancy building e.g. flats, priority will be given to the applicant whose door number is the lowest numerically and/or alphabetically.

4. For those who do not qualify under criteria 1-3, places will be offered by the nearness of the home to the school, measured in a straight line from the school gate to the child’s home. The computerised mapping system measures from a single fixed point in the centre of the home address to the main entrance of the school. Those living nearest will be given priority. If more than one applicant lives in a multi-occupancy building e.g. flats, priority will be given to the applicant whose door number is the lowest numerically and/or alphabetically.

The home address is where the child lives as the only or principal residence. The principal home address will be considered as being the address of the parent or carer who is in receipt of child benefit for the child.

Further Details

For an explanation of ‘regular’ as it appears in number 2, please see below

Regular: parents to worship at ChristChurch at least twice a month for a minimum of 2 years preceding the date of application.

For an explanation of ‘committed’, as it appears in number 2, please see the list below:

Committed: to be involved at ChristChurch in any of the following for a minimum of 2 years preceding the date of application. See list below as a guide.
Assisting in services; reading, leading prayer, serving.
Singing in choir at 9.30am Sunday service.
Helping with refreshments after 9.30am Sunday service.
Helping with Sunday School during 9.30am service.
Helping with supervision of babies during Sunday 9.30am service.
Helping with some social events (generally held once a month throughout the year).
Helping with Toddlers’ Services on Wednesday mornings: eg refreshments, social activities.
Cleaning the church – being on the cleaning rota (monthly).
Helping with working party – first Saturday morning of each month.
Helping with annual events e.g. Christingle (February), Christian Aid (May).
Helping with particular projects at ChristChurch.
Offering practical skills, for example in carpentry, electrical work.
Clerical/Admin support.

Note 1Application Procedure

The application period is in line with the Local Authority’s timetable under the co-ordinated admissions scheme. The closing date for applications is 14January 2011.

1.Parents must complete the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) and return it by 14January 2011.

2. If applying for a place under criterion 2parents/carers must complete a Supplementary Information Form. You will be required to complete the Supplementary Information Form at a Parish Office session at the Church.

3.Failure to complete aSupplementary Information Form will mean that the governors cannot consider the applicant under the Church criterion.

4.The Governors meet to discuss admissions in the Spring Term of the academic year before the child is due to start school and places are allocated. The Local Authority posts letters informing parents/carers of the outcome of their application on 4 April2011.

Note 2The Right of Appeal

Candidates whose applications for places are unsuccessful may appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel set up in accordance with sections 88 and 94 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Appeals should be made to the Admissions Appeal Clerk at the school address within 14 days of the date of the letter confirming the decision not to offer a place. Appeals must be made in writing and must set out the reasons on which the appeal is made. Parents/carers have the right to address the Appeals Panel in person to support their appeal.

Note 3For Further Clarification

We are always pleased to discuss any points which parents need clarified at any time. Please ask for an appointment to see the Headteacher and/or the Vicar of Christ Church.

Note 4Waiting List

Parents and carers of children who have not been offered a place at ChristChurchSchool may ask for their child’s name to be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list is operated using the same admissions criteria listed above and is held indefinitely. Placing a child’s name on the waiting list does not guarantee that a place will become available. This does not prevent parents/carers from exercising their right to appeal against the decision not to offer a place. You need to state how long the waiting list is kept i.e. a term after the start of the academic year or for the entire academic year.

Note 5Late Applications and In-Year Admissions

Procedures for late applications and in-year admissions will be in accordance with the Local Authority’s scheme for the co-ordination of primary school admissions and Fair Access Protocol.

In addition, the DCSF has determined that all admissions (Reception AND admissions to all other year groups) must be administered centrally by the Local Authority. Families will apply to their home authority. The Local Authority is expected to contact schools (both in and out borough) to see whether the child can be offered a place. The offer will be sent out by the Local Authority on the school’s behalf.

CHRISTCHURCH CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship as identified in the Education Act 1944 and in subsequent legislation. ChristChurch is a Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School where Christian values and principles permeate the whole curriculum. In order to preserve the distinctiveness of a church school community we would encourage everybody to be involved in religious education and collective worship. Parents who have concerns should discuss them with the Chair of Governors and the Headteacher.