POLICY: ADMISSIONS
DATE: 1.7.16
REVIEW DATE: 1.7.17
RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF STAFF: C MCKEOWN
RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF GB: S TUDBSERY TURNER
SIGNED HEADTEACHER: C MCKEOWN
SIGNED CHAIR OF GOVERNORS: S TUDBSERY TURNER
Which school will my child go to?
Each school has a geographical area known as its catchment area. Our catchment area lies within the following boundaries: Lea, Drybrook, Hope Mansell, Hildersley Roundabout and Bromsash. Parents considering sending their children to our school are encouraged to visit with their children during the school day to see the school within a working context. Parents who live outside the catchment area can also visit school and can state a preference for us as their preferred school.
When will my child start school?
Children do not legally have to start school until the term after their 5th birthday. However most schools within the area operate a one admission policy offering all children to commence school in the autumn term within the academic year in which their 5th birthday falls. At our school all reception children start at the beginning of the Autumn Term on a full time basis. All children are offered two induction sessions in the summer term preceding their entry, when parents will have the opportunity to meet members of staff and learn a little about school procedures, reading, school activities and how they can be involved in school. We also hold an information evening for parents
How do we apply for a place?
Parents need to apply via Herefordshire council for a place: www.herefordshire.gov.uk
The Local Authority then allocates places. The school and parents are notified of places on the National Offer date of 16th April of the academic year before the autumn term the children are due to start school. Our school is fully inclusive and welcomes children of all abilities, regardless of race or religion. Our current published admission limit (PAN) is 10 per year group, and places are offered according to the following criteria:
Children with a Statement of Special Education Needs which names a particular school will be allocated places, after which places are allocated according to an agreed set of criteria, in strict order of priority.
Priority 1 - Looked After Children and Children who were looked after, but ceased to be because they were adopted or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order; (see Footnote 1)
Priority 2 - Children living within the defined catchment area* of the school; (see Footnote 2)
Priority 3 - Sibling connection - Children who have an older sibling** at the preferred school not only at the time of application but also when the younger child is due to start; (see Footnote 3)
Priority 4 - Exceptional circumstances - Children with exceptional medical, social or compassionate grounds for admission and whose parents can show that entry to a particular school only is necessary for the wellbeing of their child. Parents are required to produce a medical certificate or other appropriate information preferably from an independent source. Applications on such grounds will not be considered by the Director of Children’s Wellbeing or her advisory panel unless this supporting information is attached to application forms received by 31st October 2015 (secondary schools) or 15th January 2016 (primary schools); (see Footnote 5)
Priority 5 - Distance*** - Children who live nearest to the school by the shortest available walking route. (See Footnote 6)
General Notes
No priority is given to pupils living outside but attending a primary school within the catchment area of the relevant high school, i.e. the determining factor is the child’s home address.
Footnote 1: This is the 1st priority because the council wishes to protect children who were or are in public care from further disadvantage that can arise from possible changes of school when the care placement changes.
Footnote 2: This is the 2nd priority because the council gives high importance to try to ensure that children are able to attend the school within their local community.
Footnote 3: This is the 3rd priority to recognise the importance to daily family life, including travel arrangements, of having brothers/sisters at the same school where possible. The rule is not intended to favour parents with a previous but no longer current family connection with the school.
Footnote4: This is the 4th priority to be sensitive to exceptional needs that individual children and families may have.
Footnote 5: The 5th priority is a measurable, objective way of allocating the remaining places
.
· Where, at any school, applications exceed the number of places, the priorities will be applied in the sequence indicated above
· Following the allocation of the top category there may be an occasion when it is not possible to offer places for all children living in the catchment area. In this situation the places will be allocated in the sequence of the criteria listed above, i.e. first to children with brothers and sisters who would still be at the school in September
· In case where distance is not the final deciding factor i.e. two applications are at exactly the same distance then the final tie breaker will be a lottery undertaken by an individual independent of the Children’s Wellbeing directorate.
*Living within the defined catchment area is defined as “a child residing with his/her Parent(s)/or carer(s) at his/her normal and genuine place of residence for the majority of the time”.
** A sibling connection refers to a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or a child of the parents/carer’s partner, and in every case the child should be living in the same family unit at the same address.
*** Distance will be measured by the shortest available walking route using a road and/or made up footpath from the front door of the child’s address (including flats) to the main entrance of the school, using the Local authority’s computerised digital map measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority.
Parents have the right to appeal to the Governing Body against an admissions decision.
This should be sent via email to or by post to:
Weston-under-Penyard CE Primary School
School Lane
Weston-under- Penyard
Ross-on-Wye
HR9 7PA