ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS SEPTEMBER 2023

The arrangements for the admission of children into the foundation year are made by the admissions department in the Local Authority (Pupil Services). All children are admitted in the academic year of their fifth birthday. The Admissions Procedure to Schools is clearly explained on the council website: www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Applications should be submitted on line and normally opens in the September of the year before they are due to attend and close in January, specific dates are set by the Local Authority and are advised on the website. Please ensure that you receive a confirmation receipt for your application and that you retain this for your records.

Please note it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that application forms are returned to the correct department at the Local Authority, by the deadline specified. Having a sibling in the school does not automatically confer a right to a place. Failure to submit the required application forms to the Local Authority may mean that you will fail to gain a place at your requested school. All applications should be supported by the necessary documentary evidence at the point of application; this may include copies of birth certificate, baptism certificate and proof of address. Full details of the required documentary evidence will be found in the school application online form provided by the LA. In addition, there is a school application form that should be completed, please contact the school for further information. Our friendly office staff are there to help if you have any questions.

As our school is Voluntary Aided, the Governing Body is their own admissions authority; however applications are still administered by the local authority. Confirmation of school places are made directly by the Local Authority. Please ensure that if you change your address during the application process that you update this information both with the Local Authority and the school to ensure that further information concerning starting school is received.

Admissions to the school will be made by the Governing Body in accordance with the following set of criteria which will be used to form a priority order if there are more applications for admission than the school has places available. All applications are considered on a single priority basis, the LA is responsible for then allocating the school places. The admissions process is a fair and inclusive one; it does not discriminate individuals from different ethnic backgrounds or disability. The school complies with the Single Equality Duty in respect of their admission code. Applications are welcomed from children of other religious backgrounds.

If at any time the number of applications within a given category exceed the published admissions number, then places will be filled in accordance to the proximity of the school that is the shortest maintained walking route to school from the pupil’s door to the main entrance to the school.

Maps illustrating Parish Boundaries are available to view at the school.

Waiting lists: Waiting lists are administered by the Local Authority. Should a place become available within a year group, the waiting list will be prioritised using the admissions criteria specified above. If you would like to register your interest for a reception place, please contact the school office.

The school has an Open Day annually where prospective parents can look round the school; this is normally held in the October before admissions. Dates are always publicised on the school website and on the School Notice Board section of the Rochdale Observer.

For admissions outside of this window please contact the school for an appointment once the relevant applications have been completed with the Local Authority.

Admission Authorities

Admission authorities must set a timetable for organising and hearing appeals that:

a) includes a deadline for lodging appeals which allows appellants at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and lodge their written appeal;

b) ensures that appellants receive at least 10 school days’ notice of their appeal hearing;

c) includes reasonable deadlines for appellants to submit additional evidence, for admission authorities to submit their evidence, and for the clerk to send appeal papers to the panel and parties;

d) ensures that decision letters are sent within five school days of the hearing wherever possible.

School Admission Appeals Timetable 2024

In-Year Transfer Appeals

Appeals resulting from in-year transfer school admission applications will be heard within the timescales set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.

Appeals for September 2024 Entry

Appeals resulting from year of entry (Reception) or transfer applications (Year 7 entry) for admission in September 2024 will be heard according to the following timetable:

Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within the timescales set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.

Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing along with a copy of the school’s case at least 14 days in advance of the hearing.

Further Information about School Admission Appeals can be found here:

Rochdale Council Website

Department for Education Website

Further information about School Admission Appeals can be found below: