Admissions Policy for St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School 2006-2007

St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Leeds was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.

Whenever there are more applications than places available, priority will always be given to Catholic applicants in accordance with the over subscription criteria listed below. All applicants are required to declare their positive support for the aims and ethos of the school.

The governing body has sole responsibility for admissions to this school and intends to admit 30 pupils to the reception class in the school year which begins in September 2005.

Oversubscription Criteria
Where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered according to the following order of priority.

1. Looked after baptised Catholic children.
2. Baptised Catholic Children resident in the parish of St. Patrick’s with siblings attending St. Patrick’s school.
3. Baptised Catholic Children who are resident in the parish of St. Patrick’s.
4. Baptised Catholic Children who are resident in the parishes of the City of Leeds for whom St. Patrick’s is the nearest Catholic school.
5. Other baptised Catholic children.
6. Other looked after children.
7. Any other applicants whose parents are in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the school.

Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church are to be given priority next after baptised Catholics in each of the above categories.

Where the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the categories listed above would lead to over-subscription the following provisions will be applied.

The attendance of a brother or sister at the school at the time of enrolment will increase the priority of an application within each category.

The governing body may increase the priority of an application within a category where evidence is provided at the time of application of an exceptional social, medical, pastoral or other need of the child which can be most appropriately be met at this school.

Tie Break
Where the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the sub-categories listed above would still lead to over-subscription, the places up to the admission number will be offered to those living nearest to the school. Walking Distance will be used as the measure.

Application Procedure and Timetable

Applications must be submitted by 21st October 2005 to The Headteacher, St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Torre Road, Leeds LS9 7QL.
There are two forms to submit:

• Schools Supplementary Information Form
• The Primary School Preference Form

Parents will be advised of the outcome of their applications by 1st March 2007.
Unsuccessful applicants will be given reasons related to the oversubscription criteria listed above and advised of their right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.

Applicants are requested to note that applications will be invalid unless BOTH the forms described above have been completed and received at the correct address.

Waiting Lists

In addition to their right of appeal, unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the over-subscription criteria set out above and not in the order in which applications are received or added to the list. Names are normally removed from the list after (six months).

Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs

The admission of pupils with a statement of Special Educational Needs is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. This procedure is integral to the making and maintaining statements by the pupil’s home Local Education Authority. Details of this separate procedure is set out in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.

Notes (these notes form part of the over-subscription criteria)
‘Catholic’ means a member of a Church in communion with the See of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches. A certificate of baptism in a Catholic Church or a certificate of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church will normally evidence this.

‘Catechumen’ means a member of the catechumenate of a Catholic Church. A certificate of reception into the order of catechumens will normally evidence this.

‘Eastern Christian Church’ includes Orthodox Churches, and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism or reception from the authorities of that Church.

‘Looked After Child’ has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Children Act 1989, and means any child in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by them (e.g. children with foster parents).

To demonstrate an exceptional social, medical or pastoral need of the child which can be most appropriately met at this school, the governing body will normally require written evidence from an appropriate professional, such as a priest, social worker, welfare officer or doctor.

For the purposes of this policy, parish boundaries are as shown on a map available for inspection in school.

‘Walking Distance’ will be measured from the main entrance of the school by the shortest walking distance using lit and made up public roads and paths.

It should be noted that admittance to St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School does not guarantee subsequent admission to a Catholic Secondary School.