Christ is the centre of our faith. Our relationship with all individuals and groups should bear witness to that faith. This is the unifying force which integrates the life and curriculum of the school and inspires and shapes every aspect of school life.

St William’s Catholic Primary School was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for baptised Catholic children. 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 criteria listed below. In expressing a preference for St William’s Catholic Primary School parents are declaring their support for the aims and ethos of the school.

The governing body has responsibility for admissions to this school and intends to admit 30 pupils to Reception in the school year which begins in September 2009.

Admission Criteria:

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

• Looked after children from Catholic Families.
• Baptised Catholic children who live in the defined area.  (Supported by a Baptismal certificate).
• Other baptised Catholic children.  (Supported by a Baptismal certificate).

• Other looked after children.
• Children of other Christian denominations, or of other Faiths, whose parents or carers are I sympathy with the aims and ethos of the school and whose application is supported in writing by a minister of religion or an appropriate religious leader.
• Other children.

Catechumens are to be given priority next after baptised Catholics in each of the above categories (see notes)..

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

Tie Break:

Where the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the categories listed above would still lead to oversubscription, the available places will be offered to those living nearest to the school.  ‘straight line distance’ will be used as the measure (see notes).

Application Procedures and Timetable:

Failure to provide a Common Preference Form (CPF) would mean that the application is not valid and failure to provide a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) would mean that the application is placed in the last criteria.

Applications must be submitted by 12 January 2009 to the school St. William’s on the Supplementary Information Form attached to this policy.  A standard application form, known as the Common Preference Form must also be completed and also returned to St. William’s by 12 January 2009.

Parents or carers will be advised of the outcome of their applications by 10 April 2009.  Unsuccessful applicants will be given reasons related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and advised of their right to an independent appeal panel.

Waiting Lists:

As well as their right of appeal, unsuccessful applicants can apply to be placed on a waiting list.  This waiting list will follow the order of the oversubscription criteria set out above.  Names are normally taken off 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 set out in the 1996 Education Act.  Details of this separate procedure are 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.  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.  This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Catechumens are those children who have given an explicit desire to be baptised into the Roman Catholic Church and who are currently preparing to receive the same by regular participation in Sunday worship and a recognised programme of preparation.  A letter from the Catholic priest preparing the child is required.

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).

Brothers or Sisters includes children with brothers and sisters (including step-brothers or sisters residing at the same address) of statutory school age, living at the same address, in attendance at the same school, or a school on the same site, on the date of admission.

Defined area a map of St. William’s parish boundaries is available for inspection in school, parents can contact the diocese to confirm which parish their home address is part of.

Twins or Triplets where a family of twins or triplets request admission and there is only one school place available, it will be left to the family to decide whether or not they wish to take up the place for one of the children, and appeal for the second or third child in the same year group, or to decline the place.

Home address the place where you permanently reside.

Straight Line Distance will be measured from the main entrance of the school to the home.