Introduction

The board of trustees at Olive Tree Primary School apply the regulations on admissions fairly and equally to those that wish to attend this school.  The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 introduced a new framework for school admissions as of September 2000.  This policy conforms to the regulations that are set out in that Act and further explained in the statutory School Admissions Code of Practice and the Statutory Appeals Code of Practice.

Aims and objectives

We are an inclusive school that welcomes children from all backgrounds and abilities.

All applications will be treated on merit and in a sensitive manner.

The admissions policy of the school highlights the following important areas:

If the number of children applying for entry exceeds the places available we enforce the procedure set out above in order to determine whether a child is accepted or not.  It is our wish to allow parents the right to have a place at the school of their choice.  However, this is not always possible due to the excess demand on the school places available.

The level of ability of a child or any special needs that s/he may have plays no part in the admissions policy of the school.

How parents can apply to be admitted to our school 

Application forms and the school policy pack can be obtained from the School Secretary and should be completed by the date stipulated on the forms.  The school notifies parents about the school place as soon as all the applications have been considered.

In this area, children enter school in the academic they turn five.  There is one admissions date per year, early in September (i.e. at the start of the school year).  Therefore, parents who would like their child to be admitted during the year their child is five should ensure that they complete the necessary application form by the end of July for that respective year.

Admissions Appeals

If we do not offer a child a place at this school, it is because to do so would prejudice the education of other children by allowing the numbers of children to increase too much.

If parents wish to appeal against a decision for refusal of admission, they can do so by writing to the board of trustees.  An independent appeals panel then meets to consider all appeals by parents who have been refused a place at our school.

An appeals panel’s decision is binding for all parties concerned.  If the appeals panel decides that we should admit a child to our school, then we will accept this and continue to do all we can do to provide the best education for all the children at our school, (Details of appeal arrangements are set out in the Code of Practice on Schools Admissions Appeals, which came into force in September 1999).

Payment of fees/withdrawal and or change of status

Fees are collected in three equal sums before the commencement of each term.  A full terms notice must be given in writing to the school if parents wish to withdraw a child , otherwise a whole terms fee will be payable.

The standard number

The standard number is the number of children the school can accommodate.  The standard number for our school is one hundred for the academic year 2007-2008.  We keep this number under review and the board of trustees will apply to the LEA to change the number if circumstances allow.

Reception class size

We teach Reception children (aged four to five) in classes that have a maximum number of 20 children.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually with the Admissions Authority in the light of any changed circumstances in our school or the local area.