Admissions to School

Applications are invited from parents of children for admission in the September prior to the child reaching five years of age.  Nursery accommodates the equivalent of 26 full-time places which are offered on a part-time basis (am and pm).  The Standard Admission Number for all other year group is 60.  Parents are requested to complete a choice form stating three schools in order of preference.  If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available at a particular school, then priority will be given to the following:-

1. Children in Care to the Local Education Authority
   (Looked After Children)
   
   

   Priority can be claimed under this criteria if:

   • A child is living in a residential home under the care of Rochdale MBC
   • A child is living with foster parents in the Borough of Rochdale
   • A child is living with his/her parents in the Borough of Rochdale and is subject to a care order.
   
   
   
2. Medical/Psychological Grounds
   
   

   If you consider that there are strong medical/psychological reasons for your child to attend a particular school you must attach a medical certificate/letter from the child’s own Doctor to the Common Application Form at the time of application. 

   When this is received the case will be referred to either the Consultant Community Paediatrician or the Principal Educational Psychologist for professional advice. This is because evidence is required to show that admission to the particular school is essential.

   Following receipt pf the professional advice, a place will only be allocated under this criterion if there is firm evidence to show that the child’s needs can only be met at the school to which the parent is applying.

   You should note that providing evidence does not automatically mean that a place will be allocated under this criterion.

   You should provide any appropriate evidence at the time of application.  If medical grounds are claimed after the allocations procedure has been completed, it might not be possible to allocate a place using this priority.

   
   
   
3. Sibling Priority
   
   

   A sibling is either a brother or sister or a step-brother or step-sister living at the same address, but not a cousin or other relative. 

   You may claim this priority if your child has an older brother or sister who will be in attendance at the school in September 2007.
   
   
4. Proximity and Ease of Access
   
   

   Once places have been allocated using criteria 1, 2, and 3, any remaining places are allocated to pupils on the basis of their relative proximity and ease of access to the school but also to other schools nearby.
   Proximity is not deemed to be a simple measurement of distance radiating out from the school either as the crow flies or as a walking route.  It is moderated by the principle of ease of access, which takes account of relative distance to schools as a whole and means those living furthest from an alternative school will have priority.
   Inevitably, a decision can come down to a distance of a few metres, but it is this kind of measurement, which is required to make an objective decision.
   It should be noted that in looking at ease of access bus routes are not used.  Nationally, walking distance for primary aged pupils is deemed to be up to two miles, so there is an assumption that up to this distance the journey can be on foot.  Walking routes are deemed to be along recognised lit, paved routes which, in general, are overlooked by houses and as such are not likely to be relatively safe to walk.   Unlit, unmade-up short cuts are not taken into account in calculating walking distances.
   Walking distances are measured using SCANA, which is a computerised application that utilises Mapinto Professional to calculate walking distances based on Ordnance Survey Maps.

Arrangements for Visits to the School

When your child starts school at 4+ years, we arrange for them to have initial visits prior to starting to get him/her familiar with the building and the people in it.  There is a meeting for parents during July to discuss arrangements for the start in September.  The children come in part-time for the first week and then begin full-time the following week.

We always welcome visits by parents to see the school in action prior to your child starting school.  This gives you the opportunity to discuss with us any queries or concerns.  Please give the office a ring to make an appointment.

Informal visits can be made to the Nursery during the summer term when induction procedures will be explained.  You will be invited to meetings in the summer term when you will meet the Foundation Stage Team and discuss all the arrangements to ensure a smooth and happy transition into school.