School Admissions
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is part of the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and our Admissions Policy gives a list of criteria for admissions. Although preference is given to children baptised Catholic, Looked After Children or to children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or an Education, Health and Care Plan naming our school, we welcome admission applications from children of all faiths or none. We do ask however that anyone applying to our school is supportive of our Catholic Christian ethos. Further information can be found in the Admissions Policy in the School Policies section of our website.
Nursery Admissions
Our Nursery Unit is open to children in the term following their 3rd birthday up to a maximum of 5 terms. We offer both 30 hour and 15 hour places and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis Please note that a place at the nursery unit does not guarantee your child a Reception place in school. For further information and to register your child’s details please contact the school office on 01207 232624.
Starting School In Reception Class
Please visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals. In line with our published Catholic schools admissions policy for Reception children we would like to draw parents attention to the fact that we DO NOT hold a waiting list of pupils details after the end of the academic year that that child is in Reception.
In Year Admission Applications
You may wish to transfer your child from one school to another during the school year. This may be due to a house move or another reason. A child can only transfer to another school/academy if places are available. We advise parents/carers not to withdraw their child from one school/academy before admission to another has been agreed. It is expected that your child will continue to attend their current school/academy during the transfer process.
Both parents must agree to the transfer regardless of who the child lives with.
If a parent would like to request a transfer into St Joseph’s for any year group, including after the Reception intake, then a parent/carer MUST complete an ‘In-Year’ transfer form available from and returned to Durham Local Authority.
You should be prepared to take up a place as soon as it is offered and specifically within two weeks of the offer of a place.
If we are not able to offer a place, parents have the option to have their child’s name put on our waiting list or to appeal the decision. Please contact school or the Appeal Officers on 03000 265896 to discuss the appeals process. As with the Reception Class intake, names are only kept on the waiting list for the remainder of the academic year in which the application is made. If you move house whilst your child’s name is on the waiting list for any year group you must let us know in writing immediately. Proof of address will be required.
In line with the Governing Body and Local Authority Admissions arrangements parents/carers MUST complete an in-year transfer form each and every year that they want the school to consider an application as the school DOES NOT hold a waiting list beyond the end of an academic year.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents/carers to discuss the identified needs with us prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure we can meet any needs appropriately.
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
