Admissions

Below is an outline of our school admissions criteria.  Please refer to Derbyshire County Councils "How to Apply for a Place at a Primary School" guide which is available from their website www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/school_places or by phoning  01629 533190.

We have our own onsite nursery which has 26 places (am) and 26 places (pm) (or equivalent due to 30 hours funding).  Registering on the nursery waiting list can be made as soon as you wish to do so.  Where the number of requests for placement exceeds the number of places available, places are allocated according to the following criteria which are in priority order.  The criteria are intended to ensure that those children in greatest need have access to nursery places: - 

1. Children who are on the Child Abuse ‘at risk’ register.

2. Children who are, or are likely to be the subject of a statement of Special Educational Needs under the 1981 Education Act.

3. Children whose families are experiencing severe social and psychological stress, leading to significant impairment in the child’s development.

4. Other children from the normal area of the school.

5. Other children from outside the normal area of the school who have brothers or sisters at the school.

6. Other children from outside the normal area.

There is a pattern of admission September, January and Easter,  to the Nursery Class as and when vacancies occur, in age order.  Children can be admitted in the term in which they are 3 years old.  All places are part-time, morning or afternoon, unless parents are accessing the 30 hours funding – currently there are 8 places available.  Where possible parents are invited to visit the Nursery prior to the start date for the child to meet the staff and familiarise the child with the environment.

You may find it useful to look at the DCC 'Ready for School' page which gives great hints and tips on getting children off to the best start.  

Primary School

Admission to our Nursery Unit does not guarantee natural transfer to the reception class. Parents wishing their child to attend the Reception Class should complete an application form that will be sent out to each family at the beginning of November.  This can also be carried out online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions. All applications should be submitted by the second week in January, applications should be sent to Admissions Team, County Hall, Matlock.  Places will be allocated and advised to parents by Derbyshire County Council.

If parents are unhappy with their offer they have the right to appeal.   The authority’s proposed admission number is currently 40 places.  Derbyshire County Councils admission information ibe published in – How to apply for a place at Primary School – A guide to parents. 

Admissions Criteria

Community and voluntary controlled schools  Individual pupils who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs which can best be met in the school will be given priority where so determined by the county council in consultation with the governing body.  In deciding on admissions to our school, the following order of priority will be adopted.

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. Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission.
3. Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission.
4. Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission.
5. Other children whose parents have requested a place. When in the case of 2, 3, 4 or, 5 above, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by the nearest available route) will be given preference.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 

Children will be in the Early Years Foundation Stage from the beginning of Nursery Class to the end of Reception.  Children will be offered a place to start in September of the year in which they are 5; all children will be offered to start full time school in the Autumn term. By law, you must arrange for your child to start school full time at the beginning of the term (in this context, a term is as detained in legislation, see below) after his or her fifth birthday – unless you make arrangements to educate your child otherwise than at school.  All children are eligible for a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday.  On the offer of a place you have the right to defer admission until your child reaches statutory school age, provided the place is taken up within the same academic year.  You can also request that your child attends part-time until they reach compulsory school age.  If your child is summer born (i.e. born between the beginning of April and end of August) and you do not take up a reception place in the academic year and choose to make an application or the following September, the application will normally be considered for admission into year 1.  Exceptionally, if your child is summer born and you do not feel they are ready for school you can request that they enter reception class in the September after their fifth birthday.  If you are considering this option you should in the first instance discuss it with your child’s pre-school provider, prospective future headteacher and any other professionals involved as soon as possible.  If after discussion you then wish to make a formal request you should contact the Admissions and Appeals Team for a copy of the Council’s policy on the admission of children outside of their normal age group by emailing  admissions@derbyshire.gov.uk  or call 01629 537479.

*In this context “term” relates to one third of the academic year i.e.  Autumn, Spring and Summer. Parents should note that Derbyshire County Council operates a six term year, for example, Derbyshire’s Autumn Term 1 and 2 are equivalent to one term as defined in legislation. 

Key Stage 1 begins at Year 1 and continues to the end of Year 2. Key Stage 2 begins at Year 3 and continues to the end of Year 6. 

In Term Admissions/Inter School Admissions

If you want to apply for a place at a school in Derbyshire you can do this online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions  If you can't access the internet you can apply by phone by ringing Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190.  Internet access is available at all Derbyshire libraries, Children’s Centres and we will allow you to use a computer or telephone facilities to make an application.  You may also complete a paper application form.  To obtain a paper form ask at the school office, email admissions@derbyshire.gov.uk   or phone the Admissions and Appeals Team on 01629 537479 and ask for an in-year application form.   For children with statements of special educational need parents should contact the SEN Section at County Hall on 01629 536539 or email sen.admin@derbyshire.gov.uk