St. Mary's CE Primary School

Church Info

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Applying for a Place

Nursery Class Applicants

Children are eligible for the Nursery class from the school year (1st September – 31st August) after their third birthday. There are eight full time places, eighteen a.m. and eighteen p.m. places allocated according to the St Mary’s School Admissions Policy. (The eight full time places are allocated according to Wandsworth Borough Council guidelines). Acceptance into the Nursery does not guarantee a place in the Reception Class. The cut off date for applications to the Nursery Class to be received at the school is Friday 12th February 2010 at 12 noon.

Reception Class Applicants

Parents may apply for a place by completing the Council’s Application Form available from the Education Department from the end of October 2010.

Parents applying for a Foundation Place should contact the school for a Church Supplementary Form from the Admissions Secretary to complete and return to school before 14th January 2011. An additional Registration of Interest Form must be filled in by the parents (when applying for all categories) and sent to the school, so the school has contact details for the family.
The cut off date for applications for the Reception Class to be received by Wandsworth Council is 14th January 2011. Successful applicants will be asked to sign a declaration that parents will support the school aims and policies. Applications for the Reception Class received after 14th January will be placed on a waiting list by the Council.

Children must be 4 years old by 31st August to be eligible for entry into the Reception Class in September and the places are allocated around Easter of that year.

Parents are sent a letter offering a place and asked to respond within a set period of time. They are also asked to sign the Home School Partnership Agreement.

Year One to Year Six

Parents of children who are older than Reception Class may apply at any time and will be required to complete a common WBC application form available from Mrs Butler in the main school office. If necessary, names will be added to a ranked waiting list.

For all enquiries relating to admissions please call or email Mrs Nikki Butler on 0208 788 9591 or office@st-marys-putney.wandsworth.sch.uk

Annual Open Day 2010

This will be held on Wednesday 20th October 2010 from 4pm - 5.30pm. All prospective parents are encouraged to attend this annual event, to find out more about the school and ask any specific questions. You do not need to register your attendance beforehand, just turn up on the day. Unfortunately, we do ask that you leave all children at home, due to the sheer numbers of people attending. All the relevant forms will be available for you on the day. If you have any further questions regarding the admissions process or the Open Day please contact Mrs Nikki Butler at the school or office@st-marys-putney.wandsworth.sch.uk

The Governors’ Admissions Policy

(for September 2011 intake)

St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Putney, has a distinctive Christian ethos which is at the heart of our school and provides an inclusive, caring and supportive environment where children learn and flourish in a setting shaped by Christian values. We welcome applications from all members of the community and we ask all parents to respect the Christian ethos of our school and its importance to our community.
The governors admit up to 30 pupils to the Reception Class each September. This admission limit has been agreed between the governors and the local education authority. This policy comes into effect for admissions to the Reception Class in September 2011.

Foundation Places:

20 places will be offered to children who themselves or whose parents/carers are active in the work and worship of a Christian church [see Notes (a)] in the following order of priority:

1. Looked After Children [see Note (b)]
2. Children who have been baptised and whose parents/carers worship at, and are
active in the work and worship of either St Mary’s or All Saints’ Churches in the Parish of Putney
3. Children who have been baptised and whose parents/carers worship at, and are
active in the work and worship of other Christian churches [see Notes (a)]

Within each of the Foundation Place criteria (1, 2 & 3 above), and in case of oversubscription at any criteria, priority will be given in the following ranked order to:
i) Children with a sibling in the school on the proposed date of admission [see Note (c)]
ii) Children with an exceptional and appropriately evidenced medical or social need for a place at this school [see Note (d)]
iii) Children living nearest to the school [see Note (e)]

Open Places:

10 places will be offered to children irrespective of their religious background.
Priority will be given in the following order to:

1. Looked After Children [see Note (b)]
2. Children with a sibling in the school on the proposed date of admission [see Note (c)]
3. Children with an exceptional and appropriately evidenced medical or social need for a place at this school [see Note (d)]
4. Children living nearest to the school [see Note (e)]

Within each of the Open Place criteria (1, 2, 3 & 4 above), and in case of oversubscription at any criteria, priority will be given in the following ranked order to:
i) Children with an exceptional and appropriately evidenced medical or social need for a place at this school [see Note (d)]
ii) Children living nearest to the school [see Note (e)]

Notes:

(a) A Christian church is defined as a church which is a full member of “Churches Together in Britain and Ireland”.

“Active in the work and worship” of a Christian church means both 1. and 2. below:

1. Regular attendance at a Christian church’s worship for at least twice a month for two years before the closing date of application is required to be eligible to apply for a Foundation Place.

NB – Parents / carers who have moved into the area within the two years preceding the closing date for application may still apply for Foundation Places if they are able to demonstrate an equivalent active participation in their previous Christian church and if this then brings the total time of active commitment to the required two year period. A letter from a previous priest will be required.

and

2. An active commitment to the life of your church for at least two years before the closing date of application is required to be eligible to apply for a Foundation Place.

This active commitment can be expressed in any one of the following ways :
a.Parish Organisation: Being a member of any church committees. eg PCC, DCC, Maintenance, Activities or Church Action committees.
b.Being an office holder in the church: i.e sacristan, churchwarden etc
c.Music: Being a member of the choir.
d.Worship: Being involved in reading, serving, stewarding, the flowers or intercessions rota.
e.Pastoral Care: Being a member of the church’s visiting scheme.
f.Children: Being a Sunday school or Godly play teacher. Or being a youth club helper.
g.Hospitality: Being part of a team who organise church events or being on the coffee rota.
h.Communications: Being part of the team for either the web or the church magazine.

The points a – h above represent the kinds of participation that are regarded as evidence of being active in a parish. Other forms of participation in other Christian churches may be considered but the parent / carer must clearly exhibit a similar degree of commitment in terms of time and effort.

Parents who wish to apply for a Foundation Place must also complete the school’s Church Supplementary Form and return this to the school. A reference will be sought from the minister or religious leader at the place of worship for applicants for Foundation Places. Failure to return the Church Supplementary Form will mean that the application cannot be considered under the Foundation criteria. In these circumstances the application will be considered by strictly applying the criteria for Open Places.

(b) A Looked After Child

This is defined as a child in the care of a Local Authority or provided with accommodation by that Authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act 1989.

(c) A ‘Sibling’

This is defined in the Wandsworth Council Booklet ‘Choose a Wandsworth Primary School’. A sibling is defined as a full brother or sister, a step / half brother or sister living at the same address, a child who is living at the same address as part of the family, by reason of a court order, or a child who has been placed with foster carers as a result of being looked after by a Local Authority.

(d) Children with an exceptional and appropriately evidenced medical or social need

Applications made on medical grounds must be supported by current written evidence from a specialist health professional. Applications made on exceptional social grounds must be supported by current evidence from a social worker or other care professional working with the family. In addition to providing the professional evidence, all applicants should provide a covering letter that clearly explains the exceptional nature of the need, the reasons why this school is the most suitable school for the applicant and also the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend an alternative school. Applications should be addressed to Committee B of the St Mary’s School Governing Body and should be delivered to the school office.

(e) Children living nearest to the school

As part of the co-ordinated application process, Wandsworth Local Authority determines where an applicant is living (their home address). Wandsworth also measures the distance from home to school by the shortest walking route with street lighting using the Wandsworth Council Geographical Information System. (Please see the Wandsworth Council booklet ‘Choose a Wandsworth Primary School’ for further information).

(f) Unfilled Places

Any unfilled Foundation Places will become additional Open Places and vice versa.

(g) Unsuccessful Foundation Applicants

Foundation applicants who are not awarded a Foundation Place will become applicants for Open Places. These applicants will be processed according to the criteria used to prioritise Open Places.

(h) Application Procedure and Timetable

St Mary’s C.E. Primary School, Putney, participates in the co-ordinated admission scheme of Wandsworth Borough Council, including the use of a Common Application Form (in addition, applicants for Foundation Places must complete a Church Supplementary Form in order to be considered for a Foundation Place). The school also adheres to the common timetable for admissions, including the arrangements for dealing with applications received after the closing date as set out in Wandsworth Borough Council’s scheme.

(i) Register of Continued Interest List

Applicants, who are not offered a place in a higher preference school, will be invited to be placed on the Register of Continued Interest. Applicants are ranked according to their Foundation or Open Admission status in strict adherence to the Admission Policy criteria. Should a Foundation Place become available an offer will be made to the highest ranking Foundation applicant. Should an Open Place become available an offer will be made to the highest ranking Open applicant. If a Foundation Place becomes available and there are no Foundation applicants on the register, the place will be offered to the highest ranking Open applicant and vice-versa.

For classes who entered Reception prior to September 2011, the Register of Continued Interest will be ranked according to the Admissions Policy applicable at that year’s Reception entry.

(j) Access Arrangements

There is a lift to all floors, toilet facilities for disabled pupils and level access on each floor. The school will ensure that as far as possible pupils with disabilities will have access to the same opportunities as other pupils. There is a hearing loop in each class room and the school hall. If you would like to discuss your individual needs before applying please contact the school. The school does not have any specific units for pupils with particular special needs.

(k) Children with Statements of Educational Special Need

It should be noted that the Local Authority can direct the school to admit a child (or children) with Statements of Educational Need. If and when this occurs it affects the number of either Foundation or Open Places available (depending upon the child / children already admitted).

(l) Appeal Arrangements

Applicants refused a place at the school will have the right to appeal against the decision to an independent Admission Appeal Panel established under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

(m) Deferred Entry

In certain circumstances this may be possible. Please see the Wandsworth Council booklet ‘Choose a Wandsworth Primary School’ for further information.

Printable Verson of the Admissions Policy

Click here to download a full copy of the new Admissions Policy 2011 - 2012

Church Supplementary Form

Click here to download the new Church Supplementary Form for 2011 - 2012 entry

Letter from the Chair of Governors on new Admissions Policy

Click here to read the letter

School Prospectus

Click here to download the School Prospectus

Children's Comments

I wouldn’t change anything – it’s brilliant!

Parent's Comments

…there is a genuine desire to ensure that each child fulfils his or her potential irrespective of academic ability...

Ofsted Report

We are very pleased with this report. We plan both to maintain the high standards and to continue the drive for improvement which is part of the ethos of St. Mary’s. The Governors congratulate the pupils and the staff team on achieving such an outstanding environment for learning.

The Governors want all parents to know that their support for the school has been greatly appreciated and truly ‘outstanding’.

Click here to download the Ofsted Report

Watch this space for updated information

Open Evening

This will be held on Wednesday 20th October 2010, at 4pm - 5.30pm. You don't need to register beforehand, just turn up on the day. All the relevant forms will be available and will include a tour of the school and a talk from the Head.

Nursery Applications

Closing date is Friday 12th February 2010. Please make sure all your applications are received by 12 noon in the School Office.

Term Times

A Term Times list is always available on the website or for you to pick up from the School Office by hand.