Admission Policy 2008/2009
Rationale
It is the intention of the Governors of Horton School to continue the tradition of Christian education in the local community.
The Governors determine the admission policy for the school.
Aims
The Governing Body will offer places using their published criteria, (i.e. points 1 to 6 below). South Gloucestershire Local Authority on behalf of the Governors will undertake the offer of places. The admission number for the Reception Year 2008-09 is 8 pupils. Pupils are normally admitted in the September of the school year in which they reach their fifth birthday. However, they are not required to attend the school until the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday and so, in appropriate cases, admission may be deferred until the beginning of the Spring and Summer Terms. Parents seeking such a deferment should indicate so when accepting the offer of a place.
Where applications for admission exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in the order set out below to decide which children will be offered places at the school:
1. Children in Public Care (Looked After Children).
2. Children resident in the ecclesiastical parishes (see attached map) of Horton and Little Sodbury.
3. Siblings* of children at the school at the time of their admission.
4. Children of whom at least one parent is a baptised member of a Christian Church that is a member of the ‘Churches Together in England’. Proof will be required of this.
5. Any remaining places or in the event of over-subscription in any of the above criteria places would be offered on the basis of those living closest to the school’s front gate based on the nearest available walking route using the South Gloucestershire Council Routes to School Gazetteer adopted by 1 September 2007.
* Children are siblings if:
- they are half or full brother/sister
- they are adoptive brother/sister
- they are children of the same household
Children with a Statement of SEN naming Horton School will be admitted according to SEN legislation.
Casual applications, that is those that fall outside the normal admissions round will be considered by the Governing Bodies Admission Committee against the same criteria where there are more applicants than places available.
Procedures
1. The Admission Number for each year group is 8 children.
2. Applications for a Reception place at the school should be made through South Gloucestershire Local Authority on their application form published in the “Admission to Primary Schools in South Gloucestershire-Information for Parents” booklet. Forms are available from the school.
3. Late applications will be accepted should there be any places remaining in that school year. The above criteria will be applied if there are more applications than places.
4. A parent may appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. Details can be obtained from the school office.
Parents of any child who cannot be allocated a place within the published Admission Number of the school have a formal right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel which is arranged by South Gloucestershire Democratic Services. Where the child has been issued with a proposed or final Statement of Special Educational Needs the appeal is to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, 7th Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NW.