Admission Policy 2008/2009
The admissions level for Reception Year is 20. Previous year groups entering school prior to 2008 will remain with a standard number of 30 other than the year groups entering the school prior to 2002 who will remain with a standard number of 35 until they leave school.
Should the school be over-subscribed (i.e. if there are more applications than places available), initial allocation will be made according to the following criteria; these are listed in order of priority.
1. Children in Public Care (Looked After Children) (as defined by Section 22 of the Children’s Act 1989) for whom a place is requested by the relevant person/authority.
2. Special Educational Needs - where the child has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities and this requires admission to St Mary’s C of E Primary School.
3. Siblings* of children who live within the parish boundary (a map is available for inspection at the school) of Thornbury and are attending the school at the time of their admission.
4 Children of a worshipping member of St Mary’s Church and St Paul’s Church. (Completion of the Church Reference Form will be required and countersigned by the vicar).
5 Children of a worshipping member of other churches who live within the parish boundary of Thornbury. (Completion of the Church Reference Form will be required and countersigned by the vicar/minister).
6 Any remaining places or in the event of over-subscription in any of the above criteria places will be offered on the basis of those living closest to the school. Distances from home to the nearest school gate are measured using the South Gloucestershire Council Gazetteer which represents the entire South Gloucestershire Council highway network 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 Statements of Special Educational Needs
Admission procedures for children with Statements is different and these children take priority over all the above. The Local Authority is responsible for issuing the statement and consulting parents and the Governors of St Mary’s, if a preference has been made for the school, before the school is named in the statement.
Deferred Admissions
Children are admitted to the school in September if they have reached their fourth birthday on or before 31 August of that year. Deferred Admissions will be in line with South Gloucestershire Council arrangements, as set out in its Admissions to Primary School booklet.
Appeal Procedure
Parents whose applications for places have been unsuccessful have the right to appeal against the decision of the Governing Body. Appeals will be arranged by the Local Authority, and will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under Section 84 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Information on the Appeal Procedure can be obtained from the Head Teacher.