Admission Policy 2008/2009
Should the number of applications for Reception places exceed 45, the places will be allocated using the following criteria:
- Firstly to looked after children (as defined by Section 22 of the 1989 Children Act).
- Secondly to children whose families regularly worship as part of a Christian Church. (Applications must be supported by a letter of confirmation from the Minister of attendance over the last two years and sent directly to the school).
Christian church means:
- The Church of England or other Anglican Church, or
- A Christian church which is in membership of Churches Together in England (or its partner bodies in Scotland, Wales & Ireland), or
- Church or a congregation, which can provide evidence of the Evangelical Alliance.
- Thirdly to children who already have a sibling in the school:
- Children are siblings if they are half or full brother/sister;
- They are adoptive brother/sister;
- They are children of the same household.
- Fourthly to other children who live in the ecumenical Parish of Yate who have placed St Mary’s as first choice, beginning with those who live closest to the school and/or furthest from an alternative school with places available, as measured by the nearest available walking route. Distances from home to the nearest school gate are measured using the South Gloucestershire Council Routes to School Gazetteer dated 1 September 2007.
Remaining places may be given to children who live outside of the Parish of Yate, if their parents wish them to receive education at a Church school beginning with those who live closest to the school.
The closing date for on-time applications is 4.30pm on Friday 19 October 2007. Applications received after the closing date are ‘late applications’ and will not normally be considered for the initial allocation of places. However, the reason why the application is late will be considered before deciding whether or not to consider it along with the on-time applications.
If places become available following the initial allocation of places for the Reception year, the same criteria will be applied to late applications, formal appeals or applications for children whose parents have indicated in writing that they still wish to be considered for a place.
Deferred Admissions will be in line with South Gloucestershire Local Authority arrangements, as set out in its Admission to Primary Schools booklet.
For admission during the school year the number of children in any single year group will not exceed 45. If places become available in any particular year group during the year they will be allocated to new children of the appropriate age on the basis of the above criteria.
Right to Appeal
If the school is full in the relevant year group and a place is not offered there is a right of appeal against this decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. Where the child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs the appeal is to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
Children with Statements of Special Educational Needs
There is a different procedure for the admissions to school for children with statements of Special Educational Needs: it is administered by the Local Authority in whose area the family lives. The Local Authority is responsible for issuing the Statement and consulting parents and the Governing Body of St Mary’s, if a preference has been made for the school, before the school is named in the statement.