Starting School
in Havering
for children starting school in the academic year 2014 – 2015
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Contents
High achievement in primary schools
3
Location of Havering primary schools
4
List of primary schools in Havering
6
Key dates for parents/carers
9
Questions and answers to help you decide
10
In year admissions and
Infant to Junior transfers
34
Specialist units and nurseries
35
School meals
36
Special educational needs
37
Grants and awards
38
Further guidance for parents/carers on the
application of the admission criteria for
Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
13
Admissions criteria for Voluntary Aided
Denominational Faith and Foundation Schools
15
Oasis Academy Romford
27
Useful pointers for parents
31
Registering a child with a
GP practice
42
Appeals and waiting lists
32
Contact details
43
Whistleblowing42
Introduction
Dear parent,
Starting primary school is one of the most important and exciting events in your child’s life. It will develop their
academic and creative abilities, enhance their social skills and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and achievement.
You will want a school that will enable your child to reach their potential in all areas of the curriculum in an environment
where they can be happy and confident. This booklet contains information on each of the primary schools and on how
to go about applying for a place. You can now apply online and this is explained on page 10.
We are very proud of the achievements of Havering’s primary schools and your child will benefit from high quality
teaching whichever school they attend.
Cllr Paul Rochford
Cabinet Member for Children and Learning
Page 2 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
High achievement in
Havering primary schools
Havering primary schools provide high educational
standards for some 18,000 pupils of all abilities from a
broad range of ethnic backgrounds. What stands out
about primary schools in Havering is that they achieve
high standards and that those standards are rising.
Results from across the country show that standards in
Havering are above average for our 7 and 11 year olds.
higher standards of achievement for the future and all
primary schools are committed to ensuring that children
in Havering:
The proportion of children reaching the national
expectation of level 4 in English and Maths is high and
above the national average. Havering primary schools also
succeed in other important areas:
All primary schools are committed to:
. they have a higher inclusion rate than average, in that
they cater for a broader range of pupils’ needs within
mainstream schools than is average across the
country
. they provide a wide range of high quality artistic,
musical, dramatic and sporting activities
. they, in partnership with the Local Authority, are
committed to continued improvement in the quality of
education for all children.
In short, Havering schools are doing a very good job
compared to all schools nationally and compared to
schools in similar areas. This reflects the hard work of all
staff, pupils and governors.
All primary schools have set challenging targets for even
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
. have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe,
enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and
achieve economic well being.
. making learning vivid and real
. making learning an enjoyable and challenging
experience
. enriching the learning experience of children
in Havering.
Making decisions about schooling is always a difficult
task. This brochure provides brief details on all primary
schools. The best way to gain further details and
information is to look at a school’s prospectus and to
visit the school. If you have any further questions, staff
will be very happy to help you.
For more information on teaching and learning in
Havering, including an index of all schools, please
access the www.havering.gov.uk website.
Mary Pattinson
Head of Learning and Achievement
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 3
Where are the Primary Schools in Havering?
1
Ardleigh Green Junior/Infant
36 St. Edward’s C of E Primary*
2 Benhurst Primary
37 St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary
3 Brady Primary
38 St. Mary’s Catholic Primary
4 Branfil Primary
39 St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary
5 Broadford Primary*
40 St. Peter’s Catholic Primary
6 Brookside Junior/Infant*
41 St. Ursula’s RC Junior/Infant*
7 Clockhouse Primary*
42
8 Crowlands Primary*
43 The Mawney School
9 Crownfield Junior/Infant
44 The R J Mitchell Primary
10
Dame Tipping C of E Primary
45 Towers Junior/Infant
11
Elm Park Primary
46 Upminster Junior/Infant
The James Oglethorpe Primary
12 Engayne Primary
47
Whybridge Junior/Infant
13 Gidea Park Primary
48
Wykeham Primary
14 Hacton Primary*
15 Harold Court Primary
16 Harold Wood Primary
17 Hilldene Primary*
18 Hylands Primary*
19
La Salette Catholic Primary
Special Schools
49 Corbets Tey
50Dycorts
51Ravensbourne
20 Langtons Infant
Langtons Junior Academy
21
Mead Primary*
22 Nelmes Primary
23
Newtons Primary*
24
Oasis Academy Romford*º
25 Parklands Junior/Infant*
26 Parsonage Farm Primary
27 Pinewood Primary*
28 Pyrgo Priory School*
29 Rainham Village Primary*
30 Rise Park Junior/Infant
31 Scargill Junior/Infant
32
Scotts Primary
33
Squirrels Heath Junior/Infant
34 Suttons Primary
35 St. Alban’s Catholic Primary
Page 4 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
* Schools with nursery units
° Union Road, Romford RM7
Details of the building are being finalised for
the proposed site in Union Road. If the
development of the new building is not
complete by September 2014 there will be
temporary accommodation within walking
distance of the permanent site until the new
build is complete. The temporary
accommodation if required will be a high quality
existing building adapted for this initial period.
Station
Motorway
Railway Line
M
25
HAROLD HILL
10
COLLIER ROW
27*
41*
17*
7*
A12
30
45
9
25*
5*
15
Harold Wood
16
33
Romford
8*
A12
Gidea Park
37
A118
49
28*
21*
1
13
36*
6*
51
ROMFORD
40
A12
Major Road
HORNCHURCH
18*
24
24
A1
48
A127
22
39
20
38
Elm Park
12
CRANHAM
Upminster
43
Hornchurch
2
34
11
42
46
14*
4
32
31
A13
44
35
47
23*
49
SOUTH HORNCHURCH
26
19
29*
M25
3
Rainham
RAINHAM
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
A13
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 5
Primary Schools in Havering
Ardleigh Green Junior
Ardleigh Green Road
Hornchurch, RM11 2SP
Tel: 01708 443014
Admission no. 90
Crowlands Primary
London Road
Romford RM7 9EJ
Tel: 01708 743402
Admission no. 75
Ardleigh Green Infant
Ardleigh Green Road
Hornchurch, RM11 2SP
Tel: 01708 449362
Admission no. 90
Crownfield Junior
White Hart Lane, Collier Row,
Romford RM7 8JD
Tel: 01708 747070
Admission no. 90
Benhurst Primary
Benhurst Avenue
Elm Park, Hornchurch RM12 4QS
Tel: 01708 450807
Admission no. 45
Crownfield Infant
White Hart Lane
Collier Row,
Romford RM7 8JD
Tel: 01708 741826
Admission no. 90
Brady Primary
Wennington Road
Rainham RM13 9XA
Tel: 01708 555025
Admission no. 30
Branfil Primary
Cedar Avenue
Upminster RM14 2LW
Tel: 01708 225186
Admission no. 90
Broadford Primary
Faringdon Avenue
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8JS
Tel: 01708 342880
Admission no. 45
Brookside Junior
Dagnam Park Drive
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9DJ
Tel: 01708 343074
Admission no. 60
Brookside Infant
Dagnam Park Drive
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9DJ
Tel: 01708 343066
Admission no. 60
Clockhouse Primary
Clockhouse Lane
Collier Row, Romford RM5 3QR
Tel: 01708 741696/745972
Admission no. 90
Page 6 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Dame Tipping C of E Primary
North Road
Romford RM4 1PS
Tel: 01708 745409
Admission no. 15
Elm Park Primary
South End Road, Elm Park
Hornchurch RM12 5UA
Tel: 01708 451570
Admission no. 60
Engayne Primary
Severn Drive
Cranham, Upminster RM14 1SW
Tel: 01708 223492
Admission no. 90
Gidea Park Primary
Lodge Avenue
Gidea Park, Romford RM2 5AJ
Tel: 01708 743801
Admission no. 60
Hacton Primary School
Chepstow Avenue
Hornchurch RM12 6AU
Tel: 01708 443991
Admission no. 50
Harold Court Primary
Church Road,
Harold Wood,
Romford RM3 0SH
Tel: 01708 342275
Admission no. 60
Harold Wood Primary#
Recreation Avenue
Harold Wood, Romford RM3 0TH
Tel: 01708 345473
Admission no. 90
Hilldene Primary
Grange Road
Romford RM3 7DU
Tel: 01708 342453
Admission no. 90
Hylands Primary
Granger Way
Romford RM1 2RU
Tel: 01708 743704
Admission no. 60
Langtons Junior Academy
Westland Avenue
Hornchurch RM11 3SD
Tel: 01708 442013
Admission no. 90
Langtons Infant
Westland Avenue
Hornchurch RM11 3SD
Tel: 01708 447866
Admission no. 90
La Salette Catholic Primary**
Dovers Corner,
New Road, Rainham RM13 8SP
Tel: 01708 555554
Admission no. 30
The Mawney School***
Mawney Road
Romford RM7 7HR
Tel: 01708 741612
Admission no. 60
Primary Schools in Havering
Mead Primary School
Amersham Road
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9JD
Tel: 01708 343616
Admission no. 90
Parsonage Farm Primary
Farm Road
Rainham RM13 9JU
Tel: 01708 555186
Admission no. 90
The RJ Mitchell Primary
Tangmere Crescent,
Off Airfield Way, Hornchurch RM12 5PP
Tel: 01708 551684
Admission no. 30
Pinewood Primary
Thistledene Avenue
Collier Row, Romford RM5 2TX
Tel: 01708 743000
Admission no. 60
Nelmes Primary
Wingletye Lane
Hornchurch RM11 3BX
Tel: 01708 447676
Admission no. 60
Pyrgo Priory School
Settle Road
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9RT
Tel: 01708 342165
Admission no. 60
Newtons Primary
Lowen Road
Rainham RM13 8QR
Tel: 01708 558613
Admission no. 45
Rainham Village Primary
Upminster Road South
Rainham RM13 9AA
Tel: 01708 552482
Admission no. 60
Oasis Academy Romford
Union Road
Romford
RM7 0BE
Tel: 020 7921 4655
Admission no. 90
Rise Park Junior
Annan Way, Rise Park,
Romford RM1 4UD
Tel: 01708 761935
Admission no. 60
The James Oglethorpe Primary
Ashvale Gardens,
Cranham, Upminster RM14 3NB
Tel: 01708 225202
Admission no. 45
Parklands Junior
Havering Road
Romford RM1 4QX
Tel: 01708 743404
Admission no. 120
Parklands Infant
Havering Road
Romford RM1 4QX
Tel: 01708 746806
Admission no. 120
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Rise Park Infant
Annan Way, Rise Park,
Romford RM1 4UD
Tel: 01708 749135
Admission no. 90
St. Alban’s Catholic Primary**
Heron Flight Avenue
Hornchurch RM12 5LN
Tel: 01708 555644
Admission no. 30
St. Edward’s C of E Primary**
Havering Drive
Romford RM1 4BD
Tel: 01708 745971
Admission no. 90
St. Joseph’s Catholic
Primary School**
St. Mary’s Lane
Upminster RM14 2QB
Tel: 01708 220277
Admission no. 60
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary
School**
Hornchurch Road,
Hornchurch RM12 4TL
Tel: 01708 448430
Admission no. 60
St. Patrick’s Catholic#
Primary School**
Lowshoe Lane
Collier Row, Romford RM5 2AP
Tel: 01708 745655
Admission no. 60
St. Peter’s Catholic Primary
School**
Dorset Avenue,
Romford RM1 4JA
Tel: 01708 745506
Admission no. 30
St. Ursula’s Catholic
Junior School**
Straight Road
Romford RM3 7JS
Tel: 01708 343170
Admission no. 60
St. Ursula’s Catholic
Infant School**
Straight Road
Romford RM3 7JS
Tel: 01708 345200
Admission no. 60
Scargill Junior School
Mungo Park Road
Rainham RM13 7PL
Tel: 01708 555677
Admission no. 75
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 7
Primary Schools in Havering
Scargill Infant School
Mungo Park Road
Rainham RM13 7PL
Tel: 01708 555707
Admission no. 90
Upminster Infant School
St. Mary’s Lane
Upminster RM14 3BS
Tel: 01708 227320
Admission no. 90
Scotts Primary
Bonington Road
Hornchurch RM12 6TH
Tel: 01708 457019
Admission no. 30
Whybridge Junior School
Blacksmiths Lane
Rainham RM13 7AH
Tel: 01708 552870
Admission no. 60
Squirrels Heath Junior School
Salisbury Road
Romford RM2 5TP
Tel: 01708 446472
Admission no. 90
Whybridge Infant School
Ford Lane
Rainham RM13 7AR
Tel: 01708 551712
Admission no. 60
Squirrels Heath Infant School
Salisbury Road
Romford RM2 5TP
Tel: 01708 446476
Admission no. 90
Wykeham Primary
Rainsford Way
Hornchurch RM12 4BP
Tel: 01708 448187
Admission no. 90
Suttons Primary
Suttons Lane
Hornchurch RM12 6RP
Tel: 01708 443393
Admission no. 30
Towers Junior School
Windsor Road
Hornchurch RM11 1PD
Tel: 01708 449872
Admission no. 60
Towers Infant School
Osborne Road
Hornchurch RM11 1HP
Tel: 01708 447407
Admission no. 90
Upminster Junior School
St. Mary’s Lane
Upminster RM14 3BS
Tel: 01708 220453
Admission no. 90
Page 8 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
* Voluntary controlled school
** Voluntary aided denominational
faith schools
***Foundation school
All other schools are
community schools.
Schools names are correct at
the time of print and maybe
subject to change.
Special Schools
Corbet Tey School
Harwood Hall Lane
Corbets Tey, Upminster
RM14 2YQ
Dycorts School
Settle Road, Harold Hill
Romford RM3 9YA
Ravensbourne School
Neave Crescent
Farringdon Avenue
Harold Hill, Romford RM3 0AB
Key dates leading
to September
2014 admissions
October 2013
Admission information sent to parents/carers who
have registered their child at a Havering School.
1 September 2013
Online application facility opens.
15 January 2014
Closing date for applications. Applications
received after this date will generally be treated
as late.
17 April 2014
Letters will be sent to parents/carers by first
class post notifying them of the outcomes of
their applications.
An email will also be sent to those who applied
online confirming the outcome of their application.
Please note letters will not be received
until after the 18 April 2014.
Parents who have not been allocated their first
preference school will be given details about the
appeal process.
30 April 2014
Parents/carers must return their reply slips
accepting or declining the offer of a school place
by the 30 April 2014 or within two weeks of any
subsequent offer. If an acceptance slip has not
been received by the 30 April the offer of a school
place may withdrawn.
June 2014 onwards
Appeal sessions held. Waiting lists are maintained
for all oversubscribed schools and any places
that become available are filled until 2 September.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 9
Questions and answers to help
you decide
When can my child start school?
Three full years of infant education are available in
Havering in maintained primary schools for all parents
who wish it for their children.
Deferred entry to infant and primary schools/
part-time attendance at school
Children are normally admitted to schools in the
September following their fourth birthday. However, the
School Admissions Code allows the parents/ carers of
children who are offered a place at a school before they
are of statutory school age to request that the date their
child is admitted to school is deferred until later in the
school year or until the term in which the child reaches
compulsory school age. Where entry is deferred,
schools must hold the place for that child and not offer it
to another child. Parents/carers cannot defer entry
beyond the beginning of the term after their child’s fifth
birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which the
original application was accepted. The normal points of
entry to a school are September, January or April.
E-Admissions
You can complete your application form online
from 1 September 2013. Simply access
Havering’s website www.havering.gov.uk/
eadmissions You will be guided to the on-line
facility. Once completed your application will be
stored in a facility that will enable you to return to
it and amend it if you change your mind about
anything or to add further preferences (up to the
maximum allowed of 6). Be aware though, you will
not be able to change anything after the closing
date of 15 January 2014 when the forms will be
sent electronically to our admissions database to
automatically update our records!
You can apply online OR using the paper form.
Please do not do both.
Parents/ carers can also request that their child attends
part-time until the child reaches statutory school age.
(A child reaches compulsory school age in the term
following their fifth birthday).
Parents/ carers should apply, in writing, to the school
concerned if they wish to request deferred entry or
part-time attendance at school.
What types of schools are available?
There are 60 schools for primary aged children in
Havering. Of these, 45 are community schools, nine are
voluntary aided denominational faith schools, one is a
foundation school and one is a voluntary controlled
primary school and four are Academies. Community and
voluntary controlled schools share a common admission
policy. Voluntary aided and foundation schools have
their own admissions criteria as detailed on pages
14 – 30.
For a quick link to the admissions page:
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Page 10 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
For online admissions
Once you have registered to apply online via
www.havering.gov.uk/eadmissions, note down
your username and password here:
Username:
Password:
Application ref:
311-2014-09-E- __ __ __ __ __ __
Admission arrangements
How will admissions be decided?
The Local Authority is required by law to co-ordinate
admissions to all infant, junior and primary schools and
academies (except private or special schools) in the
borough.
Parents/carers residing in Havering must complete and
submit the Local Authority’s Common Application Form
(CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The CAF can either be
completed electronically and submitted on line;
completed by filling in a paper form and submitting it
direct to the School Admissions Team, or, if the child
lives in Havering by filling in the paper form and handing
it in to one of their preferred schools who will send it in
on their behalf. If any of the preferred schools listed on
the CAF are not located in Havering, the Local Authority
will liaise with other local authorities as part of the
co-ordination process.
Parents/carers may list up to 6 maintained infant/
primary schools or Academies, within and/ or outside
the borough, they wish their child to be considered for
on the Common Application Form. Should parents/
carers wish their children to be considered for any
voluntary aided denominational or foundation schools,
such schools must also be included on the Form.
Voluntary aided denominational schools, foundation
schools and academies may also require parents/ carers
to complete their Supplementary Information Forms
which must be returned direct to the schools concerned
by 15 January 2014.
A child’s attendance at a nursery class attached to an
infant or primary school does not guarantee admission
to that school. Parents/Carers must apply for a place if
they wish their child to attend the main school.
Applications from out-borough residents will be
considered using the same admissions criteria. The law
requires that no distinction be made between applicants
resident in Havering and those resident outside the
Borough when these criteria are applied.
The School Admissions Team will consider all the
applications for community and voluntary controlled
schools and prepare proposed offer lists for these
schools. Voluntary aided and foundation schools, who
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
are responsible for their own admissions, will do the
same and send their proposed offer lists to The School
Admissions Team. Havering will be notified of the
outcome of applications made by parents/carers for
schools in another LA’s area by the LA in whose area the
school is located.
The School Admissions Team will check all the lists to
see if any child is on more than one. The intention here
is to ensure that no child receives more than one offer.
The offer to be made will be the highest preferred school
that the child qualifies for under the various admission
criteria. It is important therefore that you list your
preferences in your true priority order.
On 16 April 2014 parents/carers will be notified of both
successful and unsuccessful applications.
If your child has a disability
It is unlawful for a school in relation to certain activities
to treat a disabled child less favourably than a
non-disabled child, without justification. These activities
include admissions and a school must make reasonable
adjustments, as necessary, to ensure that this is the
case. Such adjustments do not extend to physical
adaptations or the provision of equipment.
Admissions criteria – Community and
Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and
Primary Schools
The criteria outlined below apply to all of the borough’s
community and voluntary controlled schools.
When the demand exceeds the number of places available
in a school, places are allocated to community and
voluntary controlled schools infant, junior and primary
schools by applying the following criteria in descending
order of priority to applicants who have expressed any
preference for the school.
i.
Looked after children and children who were looked
after, but ceased to be so because they were
adopted (or became subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order)
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 11
ii. Exceptional medical or
exceptional social grounds
(supporting medical or other
evidence must be provided at
the time of application)
iii. The attendance in September
2014 at the school of an older
brother or sister. This will
include children in partner junior
schools
iv. The distance of the home
address from the school, as
measured by a straight line from
the school, those pupils living
nearer the school being given
higher priority.
If, because of oversubscription in
any of the categories i) to iii) above,
it is necessary to distinguish
between applicants, the distance of
the applicant’s home address from
the school, as measured by a
straight line from the school, will be
used with those pupils living nearer
the school being given higher
priority.
Please see overleaf the guidance on
the application of the admission
criteria for community and voluntary
controlled schools.
Page 12 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Further guidance for parents/carers on the
application of the admission criteria for
Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
Looked after children
A looked after child, as defined by
Section 22(1) of the Children Act
1989, is a child who is (a) in the care
of a local authority, or (b) being
provided with accommodation by a
local authority. Priority is also given
under this criterion for looked after
children who ceased to be so
because they:
a. were adopted under Section 46
of the Adoption and Children Act
2002
b. became subject to a residence
order under Section 8 of the
Children Act 1989, which settles
the arrangements to be made as
to the person with whom a child
is to live
c. became subject to a special
guardianship order under
Section 14A of the Children Act
1989, which is an order
appointing one or more
individuals to be a child’s special
guardian(s).
(Applications under categories i to
iii, as outlined above, can only be
considered if supporting
documents, in the form of a copy of
the adoption order, residence order
or special guardianship order,
together with a letter from the local
authority that last looked after the
child confirming that (s)he was
looked after immediately prior to the
order being made, is submitted with
the Common Application Form).
Exceptional medical or
exceptional social grounds
Applications under this criterion can
only be considered if supporting
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
documents in the form of a letter or
report from a doctor, social worker
or other appropriate professional is
submitted with the Common
Application Form.
The exceptional medical or social
reasons must relate to the child. The
evidence supplied by the doctor,
social worker or other appropriate
professional must clearly set out the
reasons why the preferred school is
the most suitable and the difficulties
that would be caused if the child
attended and had to travel to
another school/ academy. (Please
note that under the Disability
Discrimination Act the general
expectation is that schools will
make reasonable adjustments to
accommodate the needs of
individual children with disabilities
or medical needs). Consideration
will be given to each submission by
a panel of Local Authority officers.
The panel may seek clarification
regarding the evidence supplied
and/ or additional information.
Older brother or sister
An older brother or sister is
defined as:
. a brother or sister, adopted
brother or sister, or stepbrother or
stepsister living in the same family
unit in the same family household
who attends the preferred school
in any year group, excluding Year
6 (,the final year of primary
education).
. a biological brother or sister who
attends the preferred school in
any year group, excluding Year 6
(the final year of primary
education) irrespective of their
place of residence.
Home address
The home address is a key part of
the admissions process. It is the
child’s normal place of residence
that will take precedence. There
have been occasions when parents/
carers have tried to use false
addresses to obtain a place at a
school. To prevent this occurring the
Local Authority undertakes checks
on addresses. This will include
random checks on addresses.
Applicants who do not currently
have a child attending a Havering
primary school who will still be on
roll at the school in September 2014
should provide proof of their home
address. This must be a copy of one
of the following:
. Council Tax notification
(,alternatively parents/ carers can
give their consent to the Local
Authority to check the Council
Tax Register to verify their
address)
. Utility bill dated within the last
three months (gas, electricity,
water, or landline phone)
. an exchange of contracts letter
from a solicitor, or
. a signed tenancy agreement from
a letting agent.
If a parent/ carer is found to have
used a false address to obtain a
place at a school, the offer of a
place will be withdrawn. Should
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 13
there be doubts about the address
to be used parents/ carers may be
asked to provide evidence
concerning the child’s normal place
of residence. This could include a
court order stating where the child
should live during the course of the
week. In all cases the Local
Authority would expect that the
parent/ carer with whom the child is
normally resident receives the child
benefit for the child.
If parents/ carers move address
during the admissions process they
must notify the School Admissions
Team immediately of their new
address, and any change to their
preferred schools they must also
provide verification of the new
address. This should be supported
by evidence from a solicitor
regarding the date of exchange of
contracts if parents/ carers are
purchasing a new home or the
signed tenancy agreement if they
are renting a property. The length of
a tenancy agreement from the
letting agent should be sufficient to
cover the date on which their child
would start attending their preferred
school.
The last day that the Local Authority
can change an address is the 14
February 2014, in all cases an on
time application must have been
submitted.
If parents/carers have more than
one property they may be required
to provide proof of the normal place
of residence of the child.
Page 14 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Distance of the home address
from the school
The distance between the home
address and the preferred school is
determined using address points
and is measured in a straight line,
not by the shortest walking or bus
route, between the address point for
the preferred school and the
address point of the child’s normal
place of residence. (Address points
are points marked in the centre of
the child’s home address, or in the
centre of the block of flats in which
the child’s home address is located,
and in the centre of the main
building of the preferred school).
In the event that two, or more,
applicants applying for a single
place at a preferred school live at
addresses that are located at
exactly the same distance from the
preferred school, or live in the same
block of flats, the place will be
offered on the basis of lots drawn
by an officer of the Local Authority
who is not involved in the
admissions process.
Twins and multiple births
If, in the normal admission round,
the last child to be offered a place is
a twin, and their sibling cannot be
offered a place, the Local Authority
will ensure that both twins are
offered a place. In the case of other
multiple births, if the majority of
children can be offered a place, the
Local Authority will offer places to
the remaining children. For example
if two triplets can be offered a place,
the remaining child will also receive
an offer of a place.
Admission arrangements
Admission Criteria for Voluntary Aided Denominational Faith Schools
St Edward’s CE Primary School
Nursery and Reception – Year 6
The school offers 90 places in Nursery and Reception
each year.
The Governors will consider all applications. If the school is
oversubscribed places will be allocated according to the
following criteria in descending order of priority. Places will
be offered to applicants involved in the worship and work
of churches which are members of Churches Together in
England and/or Free Churches Group. (see attached list).
a. Looked after children and children who were looked
after, but ceased to be so because they were
adopted (or became subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order). See definition below
b. In pursuance of their policy of inclusion, Governors
will offer places where there are special social,
pastoral or medical circumstances for the admission
of the child to this school. Applicants under this
criterion may, in exceptional cases, not be members
of a church, but all applications must be
accompanied by supporting evidence from an
appropriate professional, for example, a doctor,
social worker, church minister or head teacher
c. Those families at the heart of the church, where the
child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend
church once a week or more frequently, and have
done so for a period of two years or more
d. Those families committed to the church, where the
child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend
church once a fortnight, and have done so for a
period of two years or more
e. Those families attached to the church, where the
child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend
church once a month, and have done so for a period
of two years or more
f. Those families known to the church, where the child
and/or the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attend church
less frequently than once a month
g. All others wishing to attend the school.
a) siblings of children attending the school on the date
when the child is enrolled
b) attendance at an Anglican church (except
criterion 7).
With reference to criterion 7a – ‘Siblings of children
attending the school on the date when the child is enrolled’
- ‘Sibling’ refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister,
adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child
of parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the
school place is sought is living in the same family unit at
the same address as that sibling and who will still be in
attendance at the date of the applicant’s admission.
If the number of applicants meeting the requirement of any
of these tie-breakers exceeds the number of places
remaining to be allocated, the final places will be awarded
to those families who live closest to St Edward’s Church of
England Primary School as measured by a straight line
from home to school. The measuring is undertaken by the
Local Authority’s computerised system as detailed in its
composite prospectus “Starting School in Havering” under
the heading “Distance of the home address from the
school”.
Looked after children – definition
A looked after child, as defined by Section 22(1) of the
Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of a local
authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a
local authority. Priority is also given under this criterion for
looked after children who ceased to be so because they:
a. were adopted under Section 46 of the Adoption and
Children Act 2002
b. became subject to a residence order under Section 8 of
the Children Act 1989, which settles the arrangements to
be made as to the person with whom a child is to live
c. became subject to a special guardianship order under
Section 14A of the Children Act 1989, which is an order
appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special
guardian(s).
Under criteria 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 if the number of applications
meeting any of these criteria exceeds the number of
places available, the following tie-breakers will be
applied in descending order of priority:
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 15
Catholic Primary Schools
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, except in the case of looked after
children and children who were looked after but ceased
to be so because they were adopted (or became subject
to a residence order or special guardianship order) at
specified schools. Practising Catholics will be preferred.
Applications where both parents are Catholic receive no
greater preference over applications where only one
parent is Catholic.
All applicants are requested to complete the school
Supplementary Information Form and to provide the
appropriate evidence. Completion of this Supplementary
Information Form assists governors in the case of
over-subscription.
Applicants must also complete the Local Authority
Common Application Form, stating a clear
preference, and return it to the Local Authority by
the 15 January 2014.
Over-subscription 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 children and children who were looked
after, but ceased to be so because they were
adopted (or became subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order)*
2. Baptized children of practising Catholic families who
are resident in the parish of ……+
3. Baptized children of other practising Catholic
families
4. Children of practising Catholic families
5. Children of Catholic families
6. Children of Catechumens, resident in the parish of
……+
7. Children of Catechumens, resident in the Deanery
of Havering
Page 16 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
8. Baptized children of practising members of an
Eastern Christian Church
9. Children of practising members of an Eastern
Christian Church
10. Children of members of an Eastern Christian Church
11. Christian children of other denominations, whose
application is supported by a minister of religion
12. Children of other faiths, whose application is
supported by their religious leader
13. Any other applicants.
*Please note that St Alban’s and St Ursula’s Infant and
Junior Schools restrict criterion 1 to Catholic looked
after children and Catholic children who were looked
after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted
(or became subject to a residence order or special
guardianship order), with a lower priority being given to
all other looked after and children who were looked after,
but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or
became subject to a residence order or special
guardianship order).
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 sibling (brother or sister) at the
school, at the time of enrolment, will increase the
priority of an application within each category.
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 published
admission number will be offered to those living nearest
to the school, measured in a straight line, using the
agreed Local Authority measurement system.
Application procedures and timetable
The standard, Local Authority, Common Application
Form must be completed and returned to the Local
Authority in whose area you live by 15 January 2014.
Admission arrangements
Admission criteria for Voluntary Aided Denominational Faith Schools
The Supplementary Information Form (if completed)
should be returned to the Chair of Governors, at the
school address, by the same date.
“Appropriate evidence” is:
Parents will be advised of the outcome of their
applications by their Local Authority on the 16 April
2014. Unsuccessful applicants will be given reasons
related to the over-subscription criteria listed above and
advised of their right of appeal to an independent appeal
panel.
•
Copy of certificate of baptism, reception,
membership.
•
Reference from a priest or minister of religion.
•
Applications received after the published deadline, will
be dealt with AFTER all the other applications have been
determined.
Statement and supporting evidence of residence
(Council Tax notification, utility bill dated within the
last 3 months (gas, electricity, water or landline
phone).
•
Evidence of exchange of contracts / rental / tenancy
agreement (for families moving into the area).
Waiting lists
Please note original documents must be seen.
In addition to their right of appeal, unsuccessful
applicants will be offered the opportunity to be placed
on a waiting list. Should a vacancy arise, all relevant
applications on the waiting list will be considered, along
with any other applications received, according to the
over-subscription criteria. Waiting lists will be held
for one academic year and updated during the
summer term.
Pupils with a Statement of Special
Educational Needs
The admission of pupils with a statement of Special
Educational Need is dealt with by a completely separate
procedure. This procedure is integral to the making and
maintaining of statements by the pupil’s home Local
Authority. Details of this separate procedure are set out
in the Special Educational Needs – Code of Practice.
Twins and multiple births
If, in the normal admission round, the last child to be
offered a place is a twin, and their sibling cannot be
offered a place, the governing body will ensure that both
twins are offered a place. In the case of other multiple
births, if the majority of children can be offered a place,
the governing body will offer places to the remaining
children. For example of two triplets can be offered a
place, the remaining child will also receive an offer of a
place.
Explanatory Notes (these notes form part of the
over-subscription criteria)
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Copy of birth certificate.
(If you move address during the admissions process you
must notify School Support and Pupil Services
immediately of your new address, together with
verification of the new address. This should be
supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the
date of exchange of contracts if you are purchasing a
new home or the signed tenancy agreement from the
letting agent if you are renting a property. The length of
the tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be
sufficient to cover the date on which your child would
start attending school. If you have more than one
property you may be required to provide proof of the
normal place of residence of your child).
“looked after children” A looked after child. As defined
by Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, is a child who
is (a) in the care of the local authority, or (b) being
provided with accommodation by a local authority.
Priority is also given under this criterion for looked after
children who ceased to be so because they:
(i) were adopted under Section 46 of the Adoption and
Children Act 2002
(ii) became subject to a residence order under Section 8
of the Children Act 1989, which settles the arrangements
to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live
(iii) became subject to a special guardianship order
under Section 14A of the Children Act 1989, which is an
order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s
special guardian(s)
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 17
(Applications under categories i) to iii), as outlined above,
can only be considered if supporting documents, in the
form of a copy of the adoption order, residence order or
special guardianship order, together with a letter from
the local authority that last looked after the child
confirming that (s)he was looked after immediately prior
to the order being made, is submitted with the Common
Application Form).
“Catholic” means a member of a Church in communion
with the See of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic
Churches. This will normally be evidenced by a
certificate of baptism in a Catholic Church or a certificate
of reception into the full communion of the Catholic
Church.
“practising Catholic” It is the role of a priest to determine
whether applicants meet the criteria for qualification as
practising Catholic families. By practising, we mean
regular attendance at Sunday mass (including those on
Saturday evenings). It is up to the applicant to identify
and approach a priest who will complete the standard
diocesan Priest’s Reference Form.
“parish” means the area defined as such by the
diocesan authority and served by a particular church. (If
you are in any doubt about which parish you reside in,
please enquire at the church or the school or on the
Local Authority’s website).
“catechumen” means one who is being initiated into the
Catholic Church, taking part in a program of preparation
for Baptism. This will normally be evidenced by a
certificate of reception into the order of catechumens.
“Eastern Christian Church” includes Orthodox Churches
and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism or
reception from the authorities of that Church.
“Catholic families” are families where at least one parent
is a baptized Catholic.
“parents” are those who have parental responsibility for
the child, including carers or guardians.
“sibling” refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister,
adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the
child of the parent/carer’s partner where the child for
whom the school place is sought is living in the same
family unit, at the same address as that sibling.
Page 18 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
“time of enrolment” is the first day of entry in the year of
admission.
“Deanery of Havering” is defined by the diocesan
authority and comprises the parishes of: St. Dominic,
Most Holy Redeemer, Christ the Eternal High Priest, St.
Edward the Confessor, Corpus Christi, St. Joseph,
English Martyrs, St. Mary Mother of God, St. Alban, Our
Lady of La Salette. (Diocesan Directory).
+ Parishes relevant to the criteria:
La Salette: Our Lady of Salette
St Alban’s: St Alban’s/ English Martyrs
St Joseph’s: St Joseph’s/ English Martyrs
St Mary’s: St Mary, Mother of God
St Patrick’s: Corpus Christi
St Peter’s: St Edward the Confessor
St Ursula’s: St Dominic/ Most Holy Redeemer/ Christ the
Eternal High Priest
Maps of the parishes listed above are published on the
Local Authority’s website: www.havering.gov.uk/
admissions
Admission arrangements to St Ursula’s
Catholic Junior School
St Ursula’s Catholic Junior School accepts all pupils due
to transfer from St Ursula’s Catholic Infant School. After
offering places to all those children attending St Ursula’s
Infant School whose parents/ carers have applied, any
remaining places will be offered in accordance with the
school’s published admission arrangements. Parents
whose children do not attend St Ursula’s Infant School
may apply by completing the standard Local Authority
Common Application Form and returning it to the Local
Authority in whose area you live by 15th January 2014.
A Supplementary Information Form, obtainable from the
school (if completed) should be returned to the Chair of
Governors at the school address, by the same date.
Admission arrangements
Admission criteria for Foundation Schools
The Mawney Foundation School
Section 1 General principles
The Mawney Foundation School has an admission
number of 60 to comply with the statutory class size
limit for KS1 within The Mawney Foundation School.
We are an inclusive school and welcome all applications.
Although we give priority to children with siblings
attending The Mawney Foundation School, and children
attending the Mawney Pre-School, there is no guarantee
of a place for such children and you must make an
application to attend The Mawney Foundation School.
Admission to our school is not dependent on any ability
test or voluntary financial contribution.
The Mawney Foundation School participates in the
Local Authority co-ordinated scheme and all dates
within that scheme must be adhered to. You must
complete one Common Application Form and ensure it
is returned to School Support and Pupil Services by the
allocated date for that year. Alternatively, you may hand
the completed form in to The Mawney Foundation
School (before the allocated date) who will send it on
your behalf. You should use the opportunity to express a
preference for more than one school. Proof of residence
will be required.
As defined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989, The
Mawney Foundation School will give top priority to
applications on behalf of children in public care (Children
in Care) and previously looked after children. A looked
after child is a child who is in the care of a local
authority, or provided with accommodation by a local
authority. Previously looked after children are children
who were looked after, but ceased to be so because
they were adopted (or became subject to a residence
order or special guardianship order). Children with
statements of special educational needs naming The
Mawney Foundation School will also be admitted.
Section 2 Definitions and details
Admission
Children are usually admitted in September in the
academic year in which they have their fifth birthday.
Children attend the first 3-4 weeks part time, before
commencing full time in October.
As required by legislation Children in Care and
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
previously looked after children will be admitted as first
priority. Children with statements of special educational
needs naming The Mawney Foundation School will also
be admitted as first priority.
Sibling
By sibling we mean:
. Children living at the same address who have one or
both natural parents in common
. Children living at the same address who are related by
a parent’s marriage
. Children living at the same address who are related
though adoption
. Children living at the same address whose parents are
living as partners at this address
. We do not include ‘cousins’ within our definition
of sibling .
Home address
The home address is a key part of the admissions
process. It is the child’s normal place of residence that
will take precedence. There have been occasions when
parents/carers have tried to use false addresses to
obtain a place at a school. To prevent this occurring
Local Authority undertakes checks on addresses.
Applicants who do not currently have a child attending
The Mawney Foundation School who will still be on roll
at the school in September 2014 should provide proof of
their home address.
This must be a copy of one of the following:
. Council Tax notification
. Utility bill dated within the last six months
(gas, electricity, water, or landline phone)
. an exchange of contracts letter from a solicitor
. a signed tenancy agreement from a letting agent.
If a parent/carer is found to have used a false address to
obtain a place at The Mawney Foundation School, the
offer of a place will be withdrawn. Should there be
doubts about the address to be used parents/ carers
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 19
may be asked to provide evidence concerning the child’s
normal place of residence. This could include a court
order stating where the child should live during the
course of the week. In all cases the Governing Body of
The Mawney Foundation School would expect that the
parent/ carer with whom the child is normally resident
receives the child benefit for the child. If you move
address during the admissions process you must notify
the school immediately of your new address, together
with verification of the new address. This should be
supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the
date of exchange of contracts if you are purchasing your
new home or the signed tenancy agreement if you are
renting a property. The length of a tenancy agreement
from the letting agent should be sufficient to cover the
date on which your child would start attending the
school. If you have more than one property you may be
required to provide proof of the normal place of
residence for your child.
Ethos
The ethos of The Mawney Foundation School is based
on mutual trust and respect where the views of others
are listened to and valued. We regard good behaviour,
good manners and respect for others, sharing and caring
for each other as important attributes and expect our
children to try their best in all that they undertake.
Oversubscription
After children with statements of special educational
needs naming The Mawney Foundation School have
been accommodated Children in Care previously looked
after children will be admitted as first priority.
In the event of oversubscription places will be offered
using the following criteria:
a. Children in Care, previously looked after children and
those children with statements of special educational
needs naming The Mawney Foundation School
b. Children who have a sibling attending the school at
the time of application and who will still be on roll in
the school in September 2014
c. All other applications.
Page 20 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Tie-breaker
The distance between the home address and The
Mawney Foundation School is determined using address
points supplied by the Ordnance Survey and is
measured in a straight line distance, not by the shortest
walking or bus route, between the data points for The
Mawney Foundation School and the address of the
child’s normal place of residence. (Address points are
points marked in the centre of the child’s home address,
or in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s
home address is located, and in the centre of the main
building of the preferred school).
Apartments in the same block will be treated equally
with the measurement taken to the main entrance to the
block. If after applying the distance tie-breaker there are
more applications than places available from the
apartment block furthest away, a further tie-breaker of
Random Allocation will be used for the applications from
this block.
Appeals
If you are not offered a place at The Mawney Foundation
School you have the right to appeal to an independent
panel and should contact the school for the relevant
papers if they are not available from the LA. Please
ensure that the school, rather than the Local Authority,
Admission Appeal Form is used.
Waiting lists
The Local Authority will automatically place children on a
waiting list for higher preference schools for the first
term in the normal year of entry. Parents/carers can still
directly contact The Mawney Foundation School to
request that their child’s name be added to the school’s
waiting list.
Late applications
Applications for places received after the published
deadline will not be considered by the Governing Body
until all of the applications received by that date have
been dealt with unless: the parent/ carer has just arrived
in the borough; the delay has been created by factors
outside of their control, or there are other exceptional
circumstances.
Applications under exceptional circumstances can only
be considered if supporting documents in the form of a
letter or report from a doctor, social worker or other
appropriate professional is submitted with the Common
Application Form.
The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to
the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social
worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set
out the reasons why the preferred school is the most
suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the
child attended and had to travel to another school.
(Please note that under the Disability Discrimination Act
the general expectation is that schools will make
reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of
individual children with disabilities or medical needs).
Consideration will be given to each submission by a
panel made up of Governing Body members. The panel
may seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied
and/ or additional information.
In Year Admissions
The Mawney Foundation School participates in the PAN
London Coordinated Admissionsscheme. Parents/carers
wishing to apply for an in year admission should contact
School Support and Pupil Services, completing a
Common Application Form. Parents/carers will also
need to complete a school supplementary form, which
are available from the school.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 21
Admission arrangements
Admission criteria for Upminster Infant School and Junior Upminster School
Upminster Infant School (Upminster Junior School) is a
4-7 (7-11) co-educational Academy with a planned
admission number of 90 pupils for entry in Reception
(Year 3).
Applying for a place in reception.
Parents/ carers residing in Havering must complete and
submit the Local Authority’s Common Application Form
(CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The Local Authority’s
CAF is obtainable from: the “apply for a school place”
section of its website; by emailing schooladmissions@
havering.gov.uk to request a form, or by contacting the
School Admissions Team direct on 01708 434600. The
CAF can either be completed electronically and
submitted on line; completed by filling in a paper form
and submitting it direct to the Local Authority’s School
Admissions Team, or, if the child lives in the borough by
filling in the paper form and handing it in to Upminster
Infant School office, who will send it in on their behalf.
Applying for a place in Year 3
Unless the child is already attending Upminster Infant
School, parents/ carers residing in Havering must
complete and submit the Local Authority’s Common
Application Form (CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The
Local Authority’s CAF is obtainable from: the “apply for
a school place” section of its website; by emailing
[email protected] to request a form, or
by contacting the School Admissions Team direct on
01708 434600. The CAF can either be completed
electronically and submitted on line; completed by filling
in a paper form and submitting it direct to the School
Admissions Team, or, if the child lives in the borough by
filling in the paper form and handing it in to Upminster
Junior School office, who will send it in on their behalf.
Transfer from Infant to junior school
When a child attending Upminster Infant school is due
to transfer to Year 3 there is an automatic entitlement to
transfer to Upminster Junior School. The parents/carers
of children attending Upminster Infant School who wish
their children to be admitted to year 3 at Upminster
Junior School, will be required to confirm this in writing,
by means of the Transfer Form supplied to them, by 3
February 2014.
Page 22 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
For all other applicants places will only be allocated,
using the published admission over-subscription criteria,
once demand has been met by pupils transferring from
Upminster Infant School. The Local Authority will
co-ordinate the application; unsuccessful applicants will
be advised of this fact and of their right of appeal
against the decision not to offer their child a place.
Out-borough residents
Applications from out-borough residents must be made
using the Common Application Form provided by their
Local Authority, these will be considered using the same
admissions criteria. The law requires that no distinction
be made between applicants resident in Havering and
those residents outside the Borough when these criteria
are applied.
Admissions criteria
When the demand exceeds the number of places
available at the school, places are allocated by applying
the following criteria in descending order of priority to
applicants who have expressed any preference for the
school.
a. Looked after children and children who were looked
after, but ceased to be so because they were
adopted (or became subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order)
b. Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds
(supporting medical or other evidence must be
provided at the time of application)
c. The attendance in September 2014, at the school of
an older (younger) brother or sister. This will include
children in Upminster Junior School (Upminster
Infant School)
d. The children of staff (full time, part time and both
teaching and non-teaching), where the member of
staff has been employed by the Trust for two or more
years at the time at which the application of
admission to the school is made, and /or the member
of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which
there is a demonstrable skill shortage
e. The distance of the home address from the school,
as measured by a straight line from the school, those
pupils living nearer the school being given higher
priority.
If, because of over-subscription in any of the categories
i) to iv) above, it is necessary to distinguish between
applicants, the distance of the applicant’s home address
from the school, as measured by a straight line from the
school, will be used with those pupils living nearer the
school being given higher priority.
Looked after children
A looked after child, as defined by Section 22(1) of the
Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of a
local authority, or (b) being provided with
accommodation by a local authority. Priority is also
given under this criterion for looked after children who
ceased to be so because they:
a. were adopted under Section 46 of the Adoption and
Children Act 2002
b. became subject to a residence order under Section 8 of
the Children Act 1989, which settles the arrangements
to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live
c. became subject to a special guardianship order under
Section 14A of the Children Act 1989, which is an
order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s
special guardian(s).
(Applications under categories i) to iii), as outlined
above, can only be considered if supporting documents,
in the form of a copy of the adoption order, residence
order or special guardianship order, together with a letter
from the local authority that last looked after the child
confirming that (s)he was looked after immediately prior
to the order being made, is submitted with the Common
Application Form).
Exceptional medical or exceptional
social grounds
Applications under this criterion can only be considered
if supporting documents in the form of a letter or report
from a doctor, social worker or other appropriate
professional is submitted with the Common Application
Form.
The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to
the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social
worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set
out the reasons why this school is the most suitable and
the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended
and had to travel to another school/ academy. (Please
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
note that under the Disability Discrimination Act the
general expectation is that schools will make reasonable
adjustments to accommodate the needs of individual
children with disabilities or medical needs).
Consideration will be given to each submission by a
panel of the school’s Admissions Committee(Governing
Body). The panel may seek clarification regarding the
evidence supplied and/ or additional information.
Older brother or sister
An older brother or sister is defined as:
a. a brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, or
stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in
the same family household who attends the preferred
school in any year group, excluding Year 6 (the final year
of primary education).
b. a biological brother or sister who attends the preferred
school in any year group, excluding Year 6 (, the final
year of primary education,) irrespective of their place of
residence.
Distance of the home address from the school
The distance between the home address and the school
is determined using address points and is measured in a
straight line, not by the shortest walking or bus route,
between the address point for the school and the
address point of the child’s normal place of residence.
(Address points are points marked in the centre of the
child’s home address, or in the centre of the block of
flats in which the child’s home address is located, and in
the centre of the main building of the school).
In the event that two, or more, applicants applying for a
single place at the school live at addresses that are
located at exactly the same distance from the school, or
live in the same block of flats, the place will be offered
on the basis of lots drawn by representatives of the
school’s Governing Body who are not involved in the
admissions process.
Home address
The home address is a key part of the admissions
process. It is the child’s normal place of residence that
will take precedence. There have been occasions when
parents/ carers have tried to use false addresses to
obtain a place at a school. To prevent this occurring the
Local Authority undertakes checks on addresses. This
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 23
will include random checks on addresses. Parents/
carers must not use the address of a relative, a
child-minder or business address which is not the child’s
normal place of residence on the application form.
Applicants who do not currently have a child attending
either Upminster Infant School or a child at Upminster
Junior School who will still be on roll September 2014,
should provide proof of their home address.
This must be a copy of one of the following:
a. Council Tax notification (alternatively parents/ carers
can give their consent to the
b. Local Authority to check the Council Tax Register to
verify their address);
c. Utility bill dated within the last 3 months (gas, electricity,
water, or landline phone);
d. an exchange of contracts letter from a solicitor, or
e. a signed tenancy agreement from a letting agent
Once places have been offered, the parents/carers will
be invited to a meeting and will be asked to bring with
them,
a. a short form birth certificate;
b. any original document from any U.K. Government
Department e.g., a child benefit letter, or from the
National Health Service (N.H.S) e.g., an N.H.S.
Registration Card, which verifies the address given on
the application form.
If for any reason the parent/carer is unable attend, the
documents must be brought to the school office prior to
the child starting at the school. The school reserves the
right to investigate, so far as it considers necessary, the
information provided in support of a home address.
If a parent/ carer is found to have used a false address
to obtain a place at the school, the offer of a place will
be withdrawn. Should there be doubts about the
address to be used parents/ carers may be asked to
provide further evidence concerning the child’s normal
place of residence. This could include a court order
stating where the child should live during the course of
the week. In all cases the Local Authority /school would
expect that the parent/ carer with whom the child is
normally resident receives the child benefit for the child.
If parents/carers move address during the admissions
process they must notify the School Admissions Team
immediately of their new address, and provide
Page 24 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
verification of the new address. This should be
supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the
date of exchange of contracts if parents/ carers are
purchasing a new home or the signed tenancy
agreement if they are renting a property. The length of a
tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be
sufficient to cover the date on which their child would
start attending the school.
If parents/ carers have more than one property they may
be required to provide proof of the normal place of
residence of the child.
Infant class size
Infant classes, (those where the majority of children will
reach the age of 5, 6, or 7 during the school year) must
not contain more than 30 pupils with a single teacher.
Additional children may be admitted under very limited
exceptional circumstances. These children will remain
an “excepted pupil” for the time they are in an infant
class or until the class numbers fall back to the current
infant class size limit. The excepted children are:
a. children with statements of special educational needs
admitted outside the normal admission round;
b. looked after children and previously looked after children
admitted outside the
c. normal admission round;
d. children admitted, after initial allocation of places,
because of a procedural error made by the admission
authority or local authority in the original application
process;
e. children admitted after an independent appeals panel
upholds an appeal;
f. children who move into the area outside the normal
admission round for whom there is no other available
school within reasonable distance;
g. children of UK service personnel admitted outside the
normal admission round;
h. twins and children from multiple births when one of the
siblings is the 30th child admitted;
Special Education Needs
Children whose statement of special educational needs
names a specific school will be admitted to the school.
If your child has a disability
It is unlawful for a school in relation to certain activities
to treat a disabled child less favourably than a
non-disabled child, without justification. These activities
include admissions and a school must make reasonable
adjustments, as necessary, to ensure that this is
the case.
Twins and multiple births
If, in the normal admission round, the last child to be
offered a place is a twin, and their sibling cannot be
offered a place, the school will ensure that both twins
are offered a place. In the case of other multiple births,
if the majority of children can be offered a place, the
school will offer places to the remaining children. For
example if two triplets can be offered a place, the
remaining child will also receive an offer of a place.
Admission of children outside their normal
age group
Parents/carers of gifted and talented children, or those
who have experienced problems or missed part of a
year, for example due to ill health, can seek places
outside their normal age group. The school will make
decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each
case. Advice will normally be sought from appropriate
professionals, such as an educational psychologist, in
order to make a decision
Children of UK service personnel (UK
Armed Forces)
The school will accept applications in advance of a
service family residing in the borough, if the application
is accompanied by an official government letter
declaring a relocation date and a Unit postal address or
quartering area address for the parents/ carers of the
child concerned.
Late applications
Applications for places received after 15 January 2014
will not be considered until all of the applications
received by that date have been dealt with unless the
parents/ carers have just arrived in the borough; the
delay has been created by factors outside of their
control; there are other exceptional circumstances
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
involved. It is crucial, therefore, for parents/ carers to
adhere to the deadline to stand a realistic chance of a
place at the school.
Where a parent/carer moves from one London Borough
to another after submitting an on time application under
the terms of their former home authority’s scheme,
Havering will accept the application as on-time up to 14
February 2014 on the basis that an on-time application
already exists within the Pan-London system
Offers
The Local Authority will, on 16 April 2014, send by first
class post notification of the outcome to applicants
residing within the borough. Out of borough residents
will receive notification of the outcome from their home
Local Authority.
Accepting offers
The Local Authority will request that resident applicants
accept or decline the offer of a place by 30 April 2014,
or within two weeks of the date of any subsequent offer.
Waiting lists
Where the school is oversubscribed the Governing Body
will, at a parent’s written request to the Headteacher,
hold unsuccessful applications on file and allocate
places should they become available on the basis of the
over-subscription criteria set out above. The waiting list
will remain open at all times.
Priority cannot be given to children based on the date
their application was received or their name added to
the waiting list. Waiting lists will be re-ranked in
accordance with the school’s published admission
criteria each time a child’s name is added to the waiting
list. This means that a child’s position on the waiting list
can move down as well as up. Looked after children and
previously looked after children, and those allocated a
place at the school in accordance with the Local
Authority’s Fair Access Protocol, will take precedence
over those children on the waiting list.
Appealing against admission decisions
Parents/carers of children who fail to gain places may
appeal to an independent panel. Unsuccessful
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 25
applicants will be advised of the process for appeal to
the independent Appeal Panel.
In-Year admissions
The Local Authority’s School Admissions Team will
administer applications for in-year admissions to the
school,(subject to the agreement of the Governing Body
of a Service Level Agreement). In-year Common
Application Forms can be obtained from the School
Admissions Team by emailing schooladmissions@
havering.gov.uk or by contacting them by telephone
on 01708 434600.
Deferred entry to infant and primary schools/
part-time attendance at school
Children are normally admitted to schools in the
September following their fourth birthday.
However, the School Admissions Code allows the
parents/ carers of children who are offered a place at a
school before they are of statutory school age to request
that the date their child is admitted to school is deferred
until later in the school year or until the term in which the
child reaches compulsory school age. Where entry is
deferred, schools must hold the place for that child and
not offer it to another child. Parents/carers cannot defer
entry beyond the beginning of the term after their child’s
fifth birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which
the original application was accepted. The normal points
of entry to a school are September, January or April.
Parents/ carers can also request that their child attends
part-time until the child reaches statutory school age.
(A child reaches compulsory school age in the term
following their fifth birthday).
Parents/carers should apply, in writing, to the
Headteacher if they wish to request deferred entry or
part-time attendance at school.
Changes to the admission arrangements
The only changes that have been made to the admission
arrangements from those published for the academic
year 2013-2014 relate to:
Page 26 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
a. consideration being given, under the oversubscription criteria, to the children of staff, where
the member of staff has been employed by the Trust
for two or more years at the time at which the
application of admission to the school is made, and /
or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant
post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage;
b. a request by the school to see, post offer,
documentary confirmation of the child’s home
address and date of birth. (Where none has been
previously supplied to Upminster Infant School).
Welcome from Oasis Founder
Steve Chalke
Welcome to Oasis Academy Romford, a brand new primary
school opening in the heart of Romford in 2014. Opening
with an initial intake of 90 Year R pupils, the new school will
be a three Form of Entry, inclusive, non-selective,
co-educational school. It will be a school that local children
can walk to, and where every child and their family will be
known by name. Oasis Community Learning currently runs
more than 30 academies nationwide and is continuing to
grow. The Academies Annual Report 2011 notes Oasis “to
have made the highest level of improvement than any other
academy chain”. We are proud that Oasis Academy
Brightstowe in Bristol is the most improved academy in the
country. One of our primary academies – Oasis Academy
Limeside - is a National Teaching School and rated
“Outstanding” by OFSTED. We work in partnership with
Partners in Excellence, Teach First and Future Leaders to
ensure that the opportunities we offer our pupils are second
to none.
Our curriculum
Oasis Academy Romford will teach an exciting and creative
curriculum that takes into account the latest research on how
our children think and learn. We will encourage our learners
to achieve their very best and to ensure they develop their
skills and talents in all aspects of intellectual, social and
physical development. We will ensure there is a rigorous
focus on literacy and numeracy so that all children exceed
national expectations.
In time, the Academy will be divided into the following stages:
Early Years Foundation Stage – Reception (4-5 years)
Key Stage 1 – Year 1 (5-6 years) and Year 2 (6-7 years)
Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (8-11 years)
At Oasis Academy Romford we will:
• Ignite young people’s curiosity and thirst for learning
• Cover the National Curriculum for the Foundation Stage,
KS1 and KS2 as well as developing a unique set of
community partnerships to offer increased, tailor-made,
personalised learning
At Oasis Academy Romford we are creating an outstanding
centre of educational excellence for all. It will be a healthy,
safe, caring environment where community is paramount and
where every child can reach their full potential. We will offer a
holistic approach to pastoral care and each child will have a
personalised learning plan. We will work closely with families,
so our team can help to provide the nurturing care and
support that each child needs from the moment they start
primary school to when they make the transition to
secondary school.
• Offer additional enrichment activities including music
drama, and the visual arts
Creativity will be the engine to achievement and the joy of
learning will be evident. Our ethos and curriculum will reflect
the diversity and vibrancy of the surrounding area; an
enriching learning environment offering excellent educational
opportunities.
• Personal, social and emotional development
Oasis’ vision is to create a new academy based on the belief
that all pupils, regardless of background or ability, should be
able to fulfil their potential as they develop aspirations,
self-belief, justice and respect for community and one
another. We hope our new primary school will inspire
responsible and empowered citizens of the future – to see
pupils, parents and staff working alongside other people in
the Romford community to make our neighbourhood and our
town a more just and beautiful place. We will support all
pupils, including those with special educational needs,
through creative teaching methods and the effective use
of technology.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
• Train teachers to identify and adapt teaching styles to the
needs of pupils who have specific learning difficulties
• Serve local children, and accept pupils irrespective of faith
or ability
• Create extended educational opportunities for the whole
community.
The curriculum will be divided into six areas of learning and
development:
• Communication, language and literacy
• Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Creative development
• Physical development.
The learning environment will be carefully planned to support
the learning and teaching in the core curriculum areas so that
children can become independent and motivated learners
who fulfil their true potential.
Contact us for further information
e [email protected]
t 020 7921 4655
w www.oasisacademyromford.org
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 27
Admission arrangements
Admission Criteria for Oasis Academy Romford
Oasis Academy Romford is a new three form of entry
primary Free School opening in the heart of Romford in
September 2014. The school will be a co-educational,
non-selective inclusive school for pupils aged 4-11
years, opening with an initial intake of 90 students in
2014. Our new school will be located in central Romford
and is intended to be a local school which children can
walk to. Oasis Academy Romford will offer both an
innovative and inspiring primary education and excellent
pastoral care so that children and their families are
supported through the crucial early years and are well
prepared for the transition to secondary school. In
conjunction with local community partners in the
borough we will offer our pupil and their families a broad
offer of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities to
engage them, promoting community cohesion.
Oasis Academy Romford is committed to
straightforward, open, fair and transparent admissions
arrangements. The school will act fully in accordance
with the School Admissions Code (as revised February
2012), the School Admissions Appeals Code and
admissions law as they apply to academies
1. Pupil Numbers
. Oasis Academy Romford (“the Academy”) has the
following agreed admission numbers: 2014-15 and
subsequent years, 90 Year R (Reception) pupil
. In any specific year, Oasis Academy Romford may
admit pupils in excess of the Academy’s agreed
admission number for an applicable year group.
Before admitting pupils above the agreed admission
number, Oasis Academy Romford will notify the local
authority.
2. Admissions criteria
Oasis Academy Romford will take part in the Local
Authority co-ordinated
admissions process for admissions in September 2014
and all future years. This requires parents to complete a
common application form (CAF) which is provided by
the local authority in which the applicant lives.
Copies of the form are available from the admissions
team at the London Borough of Havering or online at:
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions. Full details of the
Page 28 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
application process are available in the local authority
brochure: Starting School in Havering.
In completing the common application form, Oasis
Academy Romford must be listed as one of the
preferences on the local authority form.
Inaccurate or false information on the form could result
in the place being withdrawn.
. Oasis Academy Romford will admit 90 pupils in the
first year
. If Oasis Academy Romford is undersubscribed (i.e.
there are less than 90 applicants for entry into a year
group) the oversubscription criteria will not apply and
all applicants will be admitted.
. A child with a statement of special educational needs
which names Oasis Academy Romford in the
statement will be admitted to the school and will
count towards the admission number of 90. If a child
has such a statement, parents/ carers should not
apply for a place at Oasis Academy Romford under
this policy. Instead, they should contact their local
authority who will advise them on the procedure to
follow.
. Children below compulsory school age: Parents/
carers can request that their child attends on a
part-time basis until they reach compulsory school
age, or that the date that their child is admitted is
deferred until later in the academic year, or the year in
which the child reaches compulsory school age.
3. Oversubscription criteria
If the school is oversubscribed, and after the admission
of pupils with a Statement of Special Educational
Needs where the school is named in the Statement,
priority for admission will be given to those children who
meet the criteria set out below, in order:
The words in bold have meanings which are set out in
the Definitions section below (section 9):
a Looked After Children and Previously Looked
After Children.
A looked after child is a child in the care of a Local
Authority or provided with accommodation by a Local
Authority (as defined in Section 22 of the Children Act
1989) at the time of application.
Previously looked after children are children who were
looked after, but ceased to be so, because they were
adopted (or became subject to a residence order or
special guardianship order.
b Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds.
Applications must be accompanied by supporting
submissions from the applicant’s GP and / or
consultant, social worker, education welfare officer, or
other suitably qualified professional setting out the
particular reasons why Oasis Academy Romford is the
most suitable school for the child and that the medical
or social grounds are such that they cannot be met
sufficiently at another school.
The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate
to the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor,
social worker or other appropriate professional must
clearly set out the reasons why the preferred school is
the most suitable and the difficulties that would be
caused if the child attended and had to travel to
another school/ academy. (Please note that under the
Equality Act the general expectation is that schools
will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate
the needs of individual children with disabilities or
medical needs). Consideration will be given to each
submission by of the Academy. The Academy may
seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied
and/ or additional information.
c Children who at the time of admission will have a
sibling (see below) at Oasis Academy Romford
d The distance of the applicant’s home address from
the permanent site of the school as measured by a
straight line from the school, those pupils living
nearer the school being given higher priority. (as
defined in 9b)
4 Tie-Breaking
. Where there are more applications satisfying any
category a) to c), places will be offered in order of
proximity to Oasis Academy Romford at the date of
application. Those living closer will be given higher
priority.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
. Measurement of those living closer will be calculated
using the method defined in clause 9b.
5 In-Year Admissions
In Year-Admissions will be coordinated by the London
Borough of Havering. Applicants should contact the
London Borough of Havering who will advise them on
the procedure to follow. Applications for Oasis Academy
Romford will be sent by the Local Authority to the
Academy to apply the relevant admission arrangements.
If more applications are received than there are places
available, then applications will be ranked by the
Academy in accordance with the agreed
oversubscription criteria.
6 Waiting list
Oasis Academy Romford will maintain a waiting list for 1
academic term. The Waiting List will be coordinated by
the London Borough of Havering on behalf of the
Academy. Parents who wish to be placed on the waiting
list should contact the local authority. Priority on the list
will be in accordance with the oversubscription criteria.
7 Fair access protocol
Oasis Academy Romford will participate in the Local
Authority’s Fair Access Protocol.
8 Appeals
Parents/Carers of children who fail to gain places may
appeal to the Independent
Appeals Panel, established by Oasis Academy Romford.
All unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the
process for appeal to this Appeals Panel which will be
heard in accordance with the School Admission Appeals
Code.
9 Definitions
a.Sibling:
For admission purposes this is: Whole siblings,
adopted siblings, step-children, half-siblings, children
subject of a residence order and foster children (only
those “looked after” by any local authority).
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 29
Examples of those who will not be considered
as siblings:
Cousins, friends, other family members living in the
same home, other children living in the same
household who are not included in the list above,
children who share the same childminder, and children
of a childminder.
Sibling priority will only apply to children if they live in
the same home as another sibling attending the
named school who is reasonably expected to still be
in attendance when the child is admitted.
A sibling will only be considered if their details are
supplied by the parent/carer on the application form.
b.In order of proximity to the school
Priority to those living closest to Oasis Academy
Romford as measured by the distance between the
home address and the permanent site of the school
as determined using address points and is measured
in a straight line, not by the shortest walking or bus
route, between the address point for the permanent
site of the school and the address point of the child’s
normal place of residence. (Address points are points
marked in the centre of the child’s home address, or
in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s
home address is located, and in the centre of the
main building of the preferred school).
Tie Break
In the event that two, or more, applicants applying for
a single place at Oasis Academy Romford live at
addresses that are located at exactly the same
distance from the permanent site of the school, or live
in the same block of flats, the place will be offered
following a random allocation process which will be
independently verified.
Note: to ensure continuity for all applicants only the
L.A. council approved system can be used to
calculate home to school distance tie breaks.
Other GIS systems such as Google Maps or personal
Satellite Navigation Systems will not necessarily
calculate the same route as the L.A.-approved system
as they may not be able to accommodate our
approved routes.
Page 30 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
c. Home address
The home address is the child’s main residence at the
time of application. Where a child lives for part of the
week with each parent, the child’s home address will be
the address where he or she lives and sleeps and goes
to school from for the majority of school week. Where
this remains equal, the address that is registered with
the child’s GP will be used as the home address.
An address supplied as the child’s home will not be
considered if this is a family
member’s address, where the family member does not
have parental responsibility, an address registered with
the Council as commercial, the tenant’s address for a
property owned by the parent/carer and rented to a third
party, a child-minder’s, or a future address. These will
not be accepted for allocating school places.
Oasis Academy Romford reserves the right to
investigate so far as it considers necessary the evidence
provided in support of a home address. Common
Application Forms are to be accompanied by two
documents providing evidence of address of the child.
This can be a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement,
council tax bill or utility bill. If there is a dispute to where
the child’s main residence is, the address that is
registered with the child’s GP will be decisive.
Where false or misleading information has been
provided on application to gain a place at Oasis
Academy Romford, the Admissions Authority may
withdraw the offer of that place.
d. Multiple birth applications
Where multiple applications are received from one
family, e.g. twins, triplets or other multiple births, for a
single remaining place in the oversubscription criteria,
the Admissions Authority will admit both/all children
even if it means going over the admission number of 90.
Admission arrangements
Useful pointers for parents/carers
Changing preferences
Parents/Carers can change their preferences as long as
their request is received by the closing date of 15
January 2014 by emailing The School Admissions Team
[email protected] or, if their initial
application was made online, by changing them online
and resubmitting their application.
Once the closing date of 15 January 2014 has been
reached, it will not be possible for parents/carers to
change their order of preference without the change
being treated as a new and therefore late application
(see also Late Applications below).
Late applications
Applications for places received after 15 January 2014 will
not be considered until all of the applications received by
that date have been dealt with unless the parents/carers
have just arrived in the borough; the delay has been
created by factors outside of their control; there are
other exceptional circumstances involved. It is crucial
therefore to adhere to the deadline to stand a realistic
chance of any of their preferences being met.
Where a parents/carer moves from one London Borough
to another after submitting an on-time application under
the terms of their former home authority’s scheme,
Havering will accept the application as on-time up to 14
Febuary 2014 on the basis that an on-time application
already exists within the Pan-London system.
Withdrawal of the allocation of a place
Please not that an allocation of a place may be withdrawn
if, after having given a place on the basis of the home
address, a family moves further away from the school
in question.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Using all your preferences
The Local Authority strongly recommends that parents/
carers express more than one preference and include
schools local to their home address as one of their
preferences. If you express a preference for just one
school and a place cannot be offered, you will be
allocated a place at the nearest community or
foundation school to your home address with a place
available after all the other on time applications have
been dealt with. This could mean your child being
allocated a school several miles away from your home
address. A local school must be one of your preferences
in order for it to be considered: this will not be done
automatically.
School preference order
Parents/carers should put their preferences in their true
order. If the parents/carers of a child differ as to the
preferences they wish to express for their child, they
should resolve that difference before making an
application, as the LA will only process one application
for each child.
The rank order of parents/carers preferences is
confidential to the Local Authority. In accordance with
the DfE School Admissions Code schools
must not use admissions criteria that require you to put
them as first preference to gain a higher priority.
It is important that, Parents/Carers when selecting their
preferences for school admission, take into account
how their child will get to school.
Offer letters
The Local Authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably
practical, that each Havering applicant who cannot be
offered a place at one of their prefered schools listed on
the Common Application Form, recieves the offer of an
alternative school place. Under such circumstances
applicants residing within the borough will be allocated
a place at the nearest community or foundation school
to the applicants home address with a place available.
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 31
Appeal procedure and waiting lists
Will my child automatically be admitted to a school of
my preference?
The law requires that parental preferences should be
satisfied wherever possible. However, schools cannot
expand indefinitely and the law does not require them to
do so. Government requirements limit infant classes to a
maximum of 30 pupils per teacher and the local
authority has to take measures to ensure this is adhered
to throughout the infant phase. It is likely, therefore, that
a small number of parental preferences will not be met.
The LA will however, ensure, so far as is reasonably
practical, that each applicant resident in Havering who
cannot be offered a place at one of their preferred
schools receives the offer of an alternative school place.
This will be a place at the nearest community or
foundation school to the applicants home address with
a place available.
Appealing against admission decisions
If parents/ carers are unhappy about not being allocated
a place for their child at one of their preferred schools,
they may appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. To
obtain an appeal form parents/ carers will need to
contact the School Admissions Team if the school is a
community or voluntary controlled school or the school
itself if it is a voluntary aided or foundation school or an
academy.
Regulations made under Section 1 of the School
Standards and Framework Act 1998 limit the size of an
infant class (a class in which the majority of children will
reach the age of 5, 6 or 7 during the school year) to 30
pupils per school teacher. Only in very limited
circumstances can admission over the limit be
permitted.
The panel may only uphold the appeal at the first stage
where:
1. It finds that the admission of additional children
would not breach the infant class size limit; or
2. It finds that the admission arrangements did not
comply with admissions law or were not correctly
and impartially applied and the child would have
been offered a place if the arrangements had
complied or had been correctly and impartially
applied; or
Page 32 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
3. It decides that the decision to refuse admission was
not one which a reasonable admission authority
would have made in the circumstances of the case.
Waiting list arrangements
After the first round of offers on 16 April 2014, all
unsuccessful applications that are a higher preference
than the school offered will be held on a waiting list
according to the admissions criteria for the school. This
applies to both on-time and late applications until
December 2014 unless parents/carers indicate on their
allocation reply slip that they do not want this to be
the case.
Should parents/carers wish their child to be considered
for any vacancies arising for particular Havering schools
after December 2014 you should make your request by
email to The School Admissions Team.
If you have not re-registered your interest to remain on a
Havering school’s waiting list after the end December
2014, it will be assumed that you no longer want a place
for your child at the school.
Casual vacancies which arise will be allocated strictly in
accordance with the published admission criteria
Priority cannot be given to children based on the date
their application was received or their name added to
the waiting list. Waiting lists will be re-ranked in
accordance with the school’s published admission
criteria each time a child’s name is added to the waiting
list. This means that a child’s position on the waiting list
can move down as well as up.
Parents/ carers should note that for community and
voluntary controlled schools the sibling criteria will apply
to all siblings and not just as defined in iii). on page 12.
Looked after children and previously looked after
children, and those allocated a place at the school in
accordance with the Local Authority’s Fair Access
Protocol, will take precedence over those children on
the waiting list.
Change of school at other than a normal
transfer time
There is no requirement for the Local Authority to
co-ordinate in-year admission applications to any
schools in the borough. However, the Local Authority
will continue to co-ordinate in-year admissions to its
community and voluntary controlled schools and any
The School Admissions Code requires all LA’s to have In
– Year Fair Access Protocols. These describe, for
example, how children arriving in the borough are
provided with school places should such provision be
difficult to access. It also makes clear that children
without a school place will take priority over children on
a waiting list attending another school. This protocol is
available on Havering’s website www.havering.gov.uk/
admissions
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 33
In year admissions and infant to junior transfers
voluntary-aided or foundation school or academy that
that wishes to participate in an in-year co-ordinated
scheme.
Parents/ carers requesting the transfer of their child at
other than a normal time of transfer to schools/
academies participating in the Local Authority’s
co-ordinated in-year admission scheme should submit
an application to the School Admissions Team using the
In-Year Common Application Form (ICAF). (Up to four
schools/ academies can be named on this form). The
published admissions criteria for the community and
voluntary controlled schools outlined above will be
applied by the Local Authority to any preferences
expressed for these schools. Where a preference is
expressed for a voluntary aided or foundation school or
an academy the details will be passed to the school/
academy concerned where their published criteria will
be applied. Most voluntary aided schools and some
foundation schools and academies require
Supplementary Information Forms to be completed and
where this is the case these should be sent to the
school/ academy direct. The Local Authority will
co-ordinate the application and a place will be offered at
the highest preference school with a vacancy. If there
are no vacancies at any of the preferred schools, then
the parent carer will be advised of this fact and of their
right of appeal against the decision not to offer their
child a place at any of their preferred schools
Parents applying for places at those voluntary aided and
foundation schools and academies not participating in
the Local Authority’s co-ordinated in-year admission
scheme will need to apply to these schools direct. The
Local Authority will provide information to parents/
carers about the places still available at these schools
and make available an application form that can be used
to apply for a place for their child at these schools/
academies.
Page 34 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Transfer from infant to junior schools
When a child attending an infant school in Havering is
due to transfer to Year 3 there will be an entitlement to
transfer to the partner junior school.
Parents/carers who wish to apply for a Year 3 place at
schools other than the partner junior school will need to
complete a Common Application Form. These
applications will be considered using the published
admissions criteria for the preferred school(s). Such
applications should be submitted by 15 January 2014.
In terms of applications for community junior schools in
Havering, places will only be allocated once demand
has been met by pupils transferring from the partner
infant school. The Local Authority will co-ordinate the
application and a place will be offered at the highest
preference school with a vacancy. If there are no
vacancies at any of the preferred schools, then the
parent carer will be advised of this fact and of their right
of appeal against the decision not to offer their child a
place at any of their preferred schools.
Parents/carers whose children attend an out-borough
infant school and who want their child to transfer to the
partner junior school will need to complete and submit a
Common Application Form to the School Admissions
Team by 15 January 2014. Most voluntary aided schools
and some foundation schools and academies require
Supplementary Information Forms to be completed and
where this is the case these should be sent to the
school/ academy direct. The Admissions team will liaise
with the local authority in whose area the school is
located
Specialist units and nurseries
Children admitted to the Hacton Hearing
Impairment Unit
These children are mainly taught in mainstream classes
with support. The school’s admission number ensures
that class sizes can still be kept to no more than 30 in the
infant phase and also in the junior phase in most cases.
Admission to nursery classes
A number of community schools and two voluntary
aided denominational faith schools have nursery
classes. These schools are:
. Broadford Primary
. Brookside Infant
. Clockhouse Primary
. Crowlands Primary
. Hacton Primary
. Hilldene Primary
. Hylands Primary
. Mead Primary
. Newtons Primary
. Parklands Infant
. Pinewood Primary
. Pyrgo Priory Primary
. Rainham Village Primary
. St Edward’s CE Primary
. St Ursula’s RC Infant School
Children can be admitted part-time to nursery
classes for a maximum of three terms prior to
the term they will start main school.
For further information about the admissions
arrangements you should contact the head teacher of
the school concerned at the address given on pages 6
– 9. Attendance at a nursery class does not mean an
automatic transfer to the reception class of the main
school. If your child is admitted to a nursery class you
must register him/her for admission to the main school
in the usual way.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 35
School Meals in Havering
There are many reasons why children benefit from staying
for school lunches. Children use up a great deal of energy
during a full school day. They need to concentrate during
lessons, let off steam at play times and recharge their
batteries for the afternoon. Eating a school meal helps to
achieve this and provides the following:
•
Hot, healthy and nutritionally balanced menus.
•
A selection of homemade products and recognised
meals that provide choice and variety to suit all tastes.
•
Value for money, two course meals.
•
Convenience – saving you time preparing
packed lunches.
•
Enhanced learning abilities – studies have shown
that children concentrate better in lessons if they
have had a fulfilling lunchtime meal.
•
Teaches children the social skills involved with
eating with others and how to make choices –
learning need not stop when the lunch bell goes.
•
Allows a child to relax in a safe, supervised
environment with friends.
•
By having a school lunch your child can receive two
of their 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables.
A school meal represents outstanding value for money
when compared with other options available at
lunchtime i.e. a packed lunch.
Our new menus contain many of your child’s old
favourites such as sausages and burgers, these are
fresh and of the highest quality, as well as fish fingers
which are accredited by the Marine Stewardship
Council, as coming from sustainable stocks. We also
offer a number of new exciting dishes to tempt your
child to try something different. We try and source our
food from local suppliers and provide fresh local
ingredients wherever possible.
Havering Catering Services (HCS) are committed to
providing the highest standards of service. In achieving
this, parents can be assured that:
Page 36 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
•
All menus comply with, and usually exceed, the
Government’s National Nutritional Standards for
school lunches.
•
Our food purchasing contracts control the sourcing
of safe ingredients and ensure the necessary
delivery and storage methods to maintain the
highest levels of food safety.
•
We regard your child as a valued customer and
serve all children in a friendly and supportive
manner, helping them to expand their eating
experience with care.
•
We do not knowingly use foods containing genetically
modified ingredients and we avoid using artificial
additives and colourings wherever possible.
HCS work closely with the Healthy Schools team and
help schools meet the criteria so that schools can
achieve Healthy Schools status.
Free school Meals
Under present government legislation, if you are in
receipt of one of the benefits below your child is entitled
to receive free school meals.
•
Income support
•
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
•
An income-related Employment and Support
Allowance
•
Support under Part vi) of the Immigration and
Asylum Act 1999
•
Child Tax Credit, and where annual income does not
exceed £16,190
•
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
For further information on how to claim free school
meals and an application form please contact Havering
Student Finance on tel: 01708 433929
Special Educational Needs
A small number of pupils find it much harder to learn
and make progress than other children of the same age
and may need extra help in school. Other children may
have physical disabilities or sensory difficulties and may
require some adaptations in school and/or additional
support.
The Parents Partnership Service (PiPs) can give impartial
advice and information to parent/carers of pupils with
special educational needs. They can be contacted on
01708 433885 or email: [email protected]
Most pupils’ special educational needs can be met in
mainstream school with the school providing additional
support or resources to meet the pupil’s needs. In some
cases, the school will ask for additional advice from
outside professionals such as the Child and Community
Psychology Service, Learning Support Service or Social
Communication Service. Schools can refer pupils
directly to the speech and language therapy service or
occupational therapy service for assessment.
In a very few cases, it may be felt that a child may have
severe or complex needs that needs a careful
assessment. These pupils may require a range of
interventions and help well over and above that which
can be expected of schools. If it is agreed that a full
assessment would be beneficial in outlining the child’s
needs and the best way to meet these needs, then a
statutory assessment can be carried out. This
assessment is governed by the Education Act 1996. In
addition, there is a Code of Practice giving practical
guidance to Local Authorities and to the Governing
Bodies of all maintained schools on their responsibilities
towards children with special educational needs. The
child’s parents are closely involved in every stage of
the procedure.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
gives guidance on ensuring that Governing Bodies must
take on the responsibility to ensure that where possible
disabled pupils are treated as favourably as other
children. Before pupils transfer from primary school to
secondary school, there is active liaison between
primary and secondary schools so that teachers are
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
aware of the special needs of the children before they
arrive. In some cases, additional visits to the secondary
school can be made to ensure a smooth transition.
There are three special schools in Havering which are
specifically organised to help children who present with
a range of needs that are able to be met more
appropriately in specialist provision. If pupils complete
their primary education in a mainstream school,
generally, but not always, it would be expected that
these pupils will transfer to mainstream secondary
schools. In addition to the three special schools,
Havering has resourced some primary and secondary
schools that are better able to meet the needs of pupils
who are hearing impaired, visually Impaired or have
language difficulties.
If a pupil is unable to attend their local mainstream
school and attends one of Havering’s special schools
then travel assistance may be considered. This could
include providing your child with travel training so that
they can travel independently. If a child with a disability
attends a mainstream school, consideration will be given
with regard to travel assistance. However, travel
assistance may not be given if a parent states their
preference for a school that is not their local school and
a local school would be able to meet the pupil’s needs.
When applying for secondary schools, pupils with
Statements of Special Educational Needs are processed
by the Special Educational Needs Team. Parents are
asked for their preference and the Special Educational
Needs Team will consult with the Governing Body of the
school. If the school can meet the child’s needs and the
other pupils would not be disadvantaged by the
admission of that pupil, then generally parents will be
allocated the school of their preference. Part 4 of the
pupil’s statement will be amended to name the
secondary school, by 15 February of the year of entry.
For further information regarding the assessment of
pupils with Special Educational Needs or any
information about of Havering’s arrangements and
policies for special educational needs, please contact
the Special Educational Needs Team on 01708 431885.
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 37
Grants and Awards
You may be unaware of the awards and benefits
available during your child’s school life. Below are
details of the various grants and awards available.
School Meals and Milk
Under the present Government legislation, children
whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits qualify
for free school meals and milk.
Please see page 28 for details.
A school lunch is available in all primary schools, and in
the majority of cases is provided by Havering Catering
Services, the in-house catering service. HCS also offer a
breakfast service, which is currently taken up by a small
group of primary schools. The cost of a ‘paid’ meal can
vary according to the arrangements made by the school.
(Some operate a cash cafeteria system, where a child
pays for individually priced items, others operate a
set-priced meal system, where a child selects food from
different food groups).
Home to School Transport
Primary pupils aged 4 – 11
Paragraphs a), b) and c) below set out the Council’s policy
in respect of the assistance available to pupils resident in
Havering who attend maintained primary schools.
a) Pupils attending community and voluntary
controlled schools
The Council will provide assistance between home and
school if:
the school is further than the standard walking distance*
from the pupil’s home, as measured by the nearest
available walking route**, and there is no suitable***
school within the standard walking distance
or
•
the Council has been unable to allocate a place at any
suitable school within the standard walking distance
or
•
in the Council’s view hazards exist on the journey to
school, even though the distance is less than the
standard walking distance.
Page 38 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
b) Pupils attending voluntary aided schools
The Council will provide assistance between home and
school if:
. the school of the denomination requested is further
than the standard walking distance* from the pupil’s
home, as measured by the nearest available walking
route**, and there is no suitable school*** of the same
denomination that could accommodate the child
nearer to his/her home, or
. win the Council’s view hazards exist on the journey to
school, even though the distance is less than the
standard walking distance.
c) Children entitled to free school meals, or whose
parents are in receipt of their maximum level of
Working Tax Credit
In those cases where a child attends a Havering primary
school further than the standard walking distance* from
his/her home and does not qualify under a) or b) for free
transport, assistance with travelling expenses will only
be given to those children entitled to free school meals
or parents in receipt of their maximum level of Working
Tax Credit.
*Standard walking distance
The standard walking distance is defined as follows: 1.5
miles for infant age children, 2 miles for junior age children,
as measured by the nearest available walking route.
**Nearest available walking route
A route is available if a child, accompanied as
necessary, can walk along it with reasonable safety to
school. The Council may take into account whether
there are any circumstances that might prevent the child
from being accompanied.
***Suitable school
A ‘suitable school’ is one that offers an efficient full-time
education suitable to a pupil’s age, ability and aptitude,
and any special educational needs (s) he may have.
How assistance is provided
The parents of children who do not qualify for assistance
under the criteria outlined above may still want to apply
to the Council for assistance with the costs of home to
school transport. Such requests should be made, in
writing, and submitted to School Support and Pupil
Services at the address provided at the rear of this
booklet. Individual applications for assistance will be
considered, on their own merits. Now that public
transport for under 16s is free across London it is
anticipated that such assistance will be made in only
limited circumstances.
Transport on medical grounds
If a child is well enough to attend school but cannot, for
medical reasons, either walk there or travel there by
public transport for a certain period of time or be
transported by their parent(s) or another carer,
arrangements can be made for the child to be transported
to and from school during that period. Supporting
medical evidence must be provided before consideration
can be given to making any such arrangement.
Pupils with special educational needs
If a child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs
meets the criteria for transport, this will be provided by
the Local Authority.
Provision of escorts
Escorts are provided on all buses and where considered
appropriate on taxi journeys.
Assistance in future years
Continuing assistance with the costs of home to school
transport cannot be guaranteed in future years. You
should bear this in mind when considering the schools
to which you make an application.
make a voluntary contribution towards the costs of
providing day visits or field study trips. The only
exception to the basic principle is that a charge may be
made in respect of tuition provided for vocal/
instrumental work, either individually, or in groups.
When activities are offered to pupils which are not
related to the National Curriculum or religious
education and take place outside of normal school time,
or are organised by third parties acting independently of
schools, then a charge may be made.
Each school has to have a policy on such charges.
A copy may be obtained direct from the school.
Havering Music School
Approximately 600 pupils attend the Weekday and
Saturday Music Centres at Havering Music School. Here
they can receive tuition on most instruments and there
are bands, choirs, orchestras and ensembles to suit all
ages and abilities. Many pupils learn instruments in
school, but come to the Centre to play in a larger group
and meet other musicians. Most groups perform
regularly in concerts in Havering and beyond.
Pupils whose parents are in receipt of Income Support,
an Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, or whose
sole source of income is Incapacity or Widow’s Benefit
or whose income does not exceed £16,190 may qualify
for assistance.
Applications for assistance for grants
and awards
These should be sent to:
PASC
The Liberty, Mercury Gardens
Romford RM1 3RL
You should give details of the help you are seeking and
particulars of your child and the school he/she attends.
A stamped, addressed envelope should be enclosed.
Charges for school activities
The basic principle is that education provided for pupils
during the school day should be provided free of charge,
although parents may be invited to make a contribution
towards the cost of particular activities such as
school visits and journeys. Schools can ask parents to
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 39
Other Services
Child protection in Havering schools
Havering is promoting a multi agency approach to
meeting the needs of individual children and this is
particularly relevant in relation to child protection.
The staff in all our schools have a responsibility to
promote the welfare of the children in their care and will
have received child protection training. The Local
Authority also requires that staff safeguard the welfare of
children by referring any serious concerns that they might
have about any child(ren) to the Head Teacher or a senior
member of staff.
To enable staff to monitor the welfare of your child you are
asked to keep the school informed of any unusual or
serious injuries which your child has suffered, and of any
circumstances at home which might cause a change in
your child’s behaviour at school. Staff may, on occasion,
wish to speak with you to discuss and clarify the cause of a
particular injury, to seek a reason for a sudden change in
your child’s behaviour or raise other concerns they may
have.
In those instances where staff have serious concerns
about the welfare of a child, schools are under a duty to
make a referral to Children’s Services. If this happens
please remember that the staff concerned have a
responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of the
children in their care.
Child employment
No child under the age of 13 may undertake paid
employment. School age children who are employed must
have a work permit. Children appearing in stage,
television, film and other productions must be licenced by
the LA. Work permits and performance licences are issued
through the Education Welfare Service.
Tel 01708 431777
Child community psychology services
Every school has the support of an educational
psychologist – a specialist on how children and young
people develop and learn. Help may be asked for when
a child is experiencing difficulties in learning, emotional
disturbance or behaviour problems.
Page 40 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
Psychologists make regular visits to schools and normally
work closely with each school’s Special Educational
Needs Co-ordinator. Parents are advised to discuss their
concerns with the school in the first instance.
The service can be contacted by telephoning 01708 433955
Child and Family Consultation Service
This is a Health Authority Service for parents and
children to approach when there are worries about a
child or young person who is unhappy, anxious or
showing behavioural difficulties at home and/or at
school. Referrals are usually made via a family’s GP.
Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child or young person aged 16
(or under 18 if they are disabled), is cared for and provided
with accommodation for 28 days or more by an adult who
is not a close relative. A close relative is an aunt, uncle,
step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but not a cousin,
grand aunt/uncle or a family friend.
If you are a parent and your child is already placed with a
private foster carer, or if you are considering placing your
child in a private fostering arrangement in the London
Borough of Havering, you need to speak to the Family
Placement Service, Fostering Team. You must also speak
to the Fostering Team if you are, or will be a private foster
carer and live in the London Borough of Havering.
The changes in the law are to protect the child/young
person and to ensure that they are well looked after and
safe from harm. It is an offence not to let the Local
Authority know of a private fostering arrangement. The
Fostering Team are able to provide you with advice and
guidance and will be at hand to support you.
Private foster carers applying for a school place for a child
in their care must make clear the relationship that they
have with the child on the application forms. Failure to do
so may result in the offer of a school place being
withdrawn.
For more information please contact:
London Borough of Havering, Children’s Social Services,
Family Placement Service, Fostering Team, Mercury
House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3SL.
Tel: 01708 434576
Sustainable modes of travel
All primary schools in Havering are committed to
ensuring that children have the support they need to be
healthy, stay safe and make a positive contribution. The
mode of travel between home and school is relevant to
supporting these goals insofar as a move towards more
active and sustainable forms of travel can improve the
physical health of individuals as well as having impact on
the local environment by reducing pollution and traffic
congestion across the borough.
The Local Authority is committed to developing
sustainable mode of travel by encouraging increasing
numbers of children and their parents to walk, cycle or
travel by public transport rather than by car between
home and school.
School attendance
(for pupils registered at a school or unit)
It is essential that students attend school regularly so
that they can enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum
and make the most of their education. It is also a legal
requirement. By law, it is an offence if a parent or carer
fails to make sure that their child attends regularly at the
school where they are registered, especially if an
absence from school has not been authorised by that
school. The Local Authority can issue fixed penalty
notices or prosecute parent/carers in court if this
happens.
For the Havering local authority, the Education Welfare
Service has this responsibility.
What you can do to help:
a. Check that your child is in school when they should be.
b. If a child is absent from school, confirm it is with your
agreement and that it is for a valid and acceptable
reason. Let the school know in advance.
c. Do not take your child out of school when your child
is taking tests or examinations or preparing for them.
d. Do not let your child take time off without a good
reason.
e. Take holidays in school holiday time only.
f. Try to make doctor and dentist appointments outside
school time.
g. Get involved with the school, find out about parents’
evenings, open days, school events and try to go to
them. This shows you know school is important.
h. Help your child be ready to go to school on time.
For further information contact Education Welfare
Service on 01708 431777. This service is legally
responsible for making sure that your children attend
school. It offers support and advice on all matters
affecting the attendance of your child
at school.
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 41
Whistleblowing
The importance of
registering a child with
a GP practice
If you suspect that anybody has made, or is intending to
make, a fraudulent school application the School
Admissions Team would like to hear from you. You may
be worried about raising such issues or may want to
keep concerns to yourself, perhaps feeling that it is
none of your business or that it’s only a suspicion,
however its important that you inform us as soon as
possible to enable us to investigate the matter fully. The
information you provide will be treated in the strictest of
confidence. You can contact the School Admission
Team on 01708 434600 or alternatively you can email
your concerns to [email protected]
with a subject heading of “whistleblowing”
Making sure that your child gets all of the support and
help that they need to be healthy during their school
years is very important. One way to look after their
health is for your child to be registered with a GP.
When a child is registered with a GP it means that they
will get all of their childhood vaccinations, and so be
protected from infections like measles, mumps and
rubella.
And if your child has any physical problems or
difficulties with learning, the school nurse and GP and
can work together to help your child get any extra
support they may need.
Registering a child is essential as it allows schools and
the health service to manage any infectious outbreaks,
such as flu.
To find out how you can register with a GP Practice in
Havering, please go to the Primary Care Trust website
http://www.elc.nhs.uk/health-services/your-local-gp/.
Alternatively you can contact the NHS Patient Advice
and Liaison Service (PALS) by calling 0800 328 2556.
There are no GP lists closed at present in Havering so it
should be simple to register your child.
General Complaints Procedure
All schools are required to have a policy for dealing with complaints, that is those
not covered by statutory procedures. Statutory procedures, for example, cover
exclusions from school and have tightly defined requirements. School governing
bodies must agree policies for general complaints and parents wishing to access
them should contact the schools direct.
Page 42 >> Starting School 2014 – 2015
How to contact us
The School Admissions Team
Town Hall, Main Road,
Romford RM1 3BD
For more information:
Tel: 01708 434600
email: [email protected]
www.havering.gov.uk/admissions
Starting School 2014 – 2015
>> Page 43
PLEASE NOTE:
The distribution of this booklet and the subsequent admission of a child to a school shall in no way imply a
commitment on the part of the Council or the school Governors to maintain the arrangements within the school
without change for the duration of the child’s stay in the school. The same applies to any policies concerning the
provision of primary education. Although the information contained in this booklet is believed to be accurate at the
time of publication, it is possible that changes arising from legislation, Council policy or other causes may occur
either before the start of or during the school year 2014/2015 or in future years.
Designed by London Borough of Havering D3516.2013