Admissions Policy 2010-11

There is one intake for children starting school for the first time. Those whose 5th birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August are admitted in September. Children remain at the school until they have completed the academic year in which they reach the age of 11. Parents who are considering sending their children to the school are invited to make an appointment to meet the Headteacher and visit the school while it is in session. Children starting school for the first time will be invited to spend time in the Reception class in the term preceding their admission.

Governors hope that parents who are considering sending their child to the school would want their child to take part fully in the Christian education provided by the school.

Any child with a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) naming the school will be given priority for admission. If numbers in the admission year group exceed the ‘standard number’ of 26, the Governors have the right to restrict admission. In this situation, the Governors would employ the following criteria in the order given:

a) Looked after children:-
a child for whom the Local Authority provides accommodation by agreement with their parents/carers (Section 22 of the Children Act 1989) or who is subject of a care order under Part IV of the Act.
b) Children who already have a brother or sister in the school at the time of entry. In this context brother or sister means children who live as brother or sister in the same house, including natural brothers and sisters, adopted siblings, stepbrothers or sisters and foster brothers and sisters.
c) Children whose parents live in the parishes of St Mary’s Platt and Addington (see map in the school office defining the area).
d) Children in Platt School Nursery.
e) Children whose parents are committed to the life and work of St Mary’s Parish Church, Platt or St Margaret’s Parish Church, Addington as confirmed by the Church minister.
f) Children whose parents are committed to the life and work of another Christian church as confirmed by the Church minister.
g) Children whose parents particularly wish them to be educated in a Christian school.

Should the ‘standard number’ of 26 fall within one of the above categories and it becomes necessary to decide who within that category can and cannot be accepted, those who live closest to the school as measured ‘as the crow flies’ will be accepted and those who live farther away will be refused admission The school follows the admission procedure established by the Local Authority (LA). In addition to the admission form required by the LA, the school asks prospective parents to complete a supplementary information form, available from the school.

Casual Admissions
Children may also be admitted during the school year if a place is available. Admissions are now managed by the LEA, however we can provide an application form.

Appeals
If a child is refused admission parents may appeal in the first instance to the Governors. Further appeals would be considered by an independent panel established by the LA