our lady of lourdeswelcome to our lady of lourdes primary school. many see our school as ‘one big,...
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OUR LADY OF LOURDES R.C.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
SHOTTON
SCHOOL BROCHURE
Welcome to our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. Many see our school as ‘one big,
happy family’, where our aim is to live out the Gospel values of love and respect for
one another. Most importantly, we believe that all children are individual and unique,
consequently our mission statement is at the heart of everything we do in school.
We pride ourselves on the equal importance placed on the education of all children, as
well as developing their pastoral and emotional well-being. All staff work to create a
stimulating and creative curriculum which exposes children to real-life learning and
allows all children to ‘Let their Light Shine’.
We hope you find this brochure useful, but if there is anything else you would like to
know about the school, please ask or visit our school website at
http://www.ourladyoflourdes.durham.sch.uk/
Mrs L. Ashton
Headteacher
Address
Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Primary School
Fleming Field
Shotton Colliery
Durham
DH6 2 JQ
Telephone (0191) 5261531
Fax (0191) 5261531
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ourladyoflourdes.durham.sch.uk/
Headteacher
Mrs L. Ashton
Chair of Governors
Mrs D Malcolm
Local Authority
Children and Young People Services
Durham County Council
County Hall,
Durham,
DH1 5UJ
Telephone (0191) 3833000
Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
St. Vincent’s Diocesan Offices
St. Cuthbert’s House,
West Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 7PY Telephone: (0191)2433310
School Mission Statement Let your light shine (Matthew 5:14-16)
We are a partnership between school, home and parish. We recognise through the respect we have for each other that every one of us is unique, with special talents. By letting our light shine we reflect the love God has for each one of us. In our school we try to live out the Gospel message. We do this by showing our love and respect for God, our love and respect for each other and our love and respect for all of creation.
We are ‘the light that gives light to the world’.
AIMS
At Our Lady of Lourdes we aim to;
Develop in all children a love of God and an awareness of the Gospel teachings, having a respect for religious and moral values and a tolerance of the diverse races and religions of our world.
Maintain and raise educational standards through quality planning, quality teaching and assessment of a broad, balanced and creative curriculum matched to meet the personalised needs of each individual.
Develop resilience, confidence and independence and a desire to learn.
Enable all pupils to acquire skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to a fast changing, technological world.
Encourage parental support in their children’s learning at school and at home and to make school an attractive and welcoming place where all feel comfortable and able to participate.
Foster strong links with the local and global community through visits and visitors, competitions and fund-raising, communication and participation to become an essential and valued member of the community.
The Governing Body
Chair of Governing Body Mrs D Malcolm
Vice Chair Miss L Coxon
Foundation Governors
Fr F McCullagh
Mrs S Lamb
Mrs C Ferguson
Miss K Briggs
LA Governor Mr I Cochrane
Parent Governors Mrs H Hood
Mr C Roberts
Staff Governors Mrs L Ashton
Mrs G Wright
The governors are a group of people who have ultimate responsibility for all matters relating to the school. They have delegated the day to day running, administration and management to the Head Teacher.
The full governing body meets once a term. They also set up a number of smaller committees that meet throughout the year e.g. Premises, Finance and Appointments. These members report back to full governors. All of our governors are dedicated people, who always put the interest of the children as their priority.
TEACHING STAFF
Mrs L Ashton - Headteacher
Mrs G Wright - Deputy Headteacher
Miss J Brack
Mrs L Ferguson
Mrs A Hoggarth
Miss A Jewitt
Mrs K Lackenby
Mrs K Smith
Miss K Wright
Support Staff
Mrs P Armstrong Full time School Secretary
Mrs K Brace Part-time Admin Assistant
Mrs M Wigham Full time Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Mrs J Devonport Full time Teaching Assistant Enhanced
Mrs L Pearn Full time Teaching Assistant Enhanced
Mrs L Weatherill 0.8 Teaching Assistant Enhanced
Miss A Drake Full time Teaching Assistant Enhanced
Miss M Smith 0.7 Teaching Assistant Enhanced/ Breakfast Club Supervisor
Mrs S Lamb 0.5 Teaching Assistant Enhanced / Breakfast Club Supervisor
Mr P Baldasera Caretaker
Mrs J Nattress Cook
Mrs C Iley Assistant Cook
Mrs C Bruce Lunchtime Supervisor and Cleaner
Mrs E Stephenson Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs E Oswald Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs K Dunnett Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs D Hood Breakfast Club Supervisor
Miss M Massey Parent Support Advisor
Mrs C Gash Counsellor
Mrs J Wilson School Chaplain
Mr C Sumby I.C.T. Technician
Mrs M Cummings School Nurse
Mr J Blackwood Guitar/Ukulele Teacher
The School Organisation
The organisation of classes varies from year to year depending on pupil numbers. From
September 2018, there will be 7 classes in the school.
The School Day School starts at 8:55am and ends at 3:15pm. Every morning the doors are opened at 8:45am and
children come into school, and go straight to the classroom.
Breakfast Club Breakfast club is open daily from 8.00 am at a cost of £2.00 per day per child. Food is served from
8.00am – 8.30 am. Payment is made via our online payment system ParentPay.
Curriculum
At Our Lady of Lourdes, we are committed to providing a curriculum, which is broad and balanced,
recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God. Our curriculum is designed
to enable all children to achieve, reach their potential and let their light shine.
Teaching and learning at Our Lady of Lourdes has many creative elements and is primarily taught
through topics. We aim to make learning relevant to the children and their local area.
We follow the R.E. programme ‘Come and See’, supplemented by a variety of materials
that help children grow in faith, understanding and relationship with God. Prayers are
said each day, class liturgies every week and there is a regular programme of class
masses.
Key Stage One 8:55am – 11:55am
1:00pm – 3:15pm
Key Stage Two 8:55am – 12:30pm
1:15pm – 3:15pm
The curriculum presently comprises the following subjects – R.E., English, Maths, Science, Computing,
History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, P.E., Music and PSHE. The Reception class follow the
Foundation Stage Curriculum.
At Our Lady of Lourdes, we recognise, not only the importance of helping our pupils to flourish
academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, so they are fully prepared for life in
British society and for their role as citizens. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of
law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are
respected.
Parents are invited into school throughout the year to learn about the curriculum and how they can
help and support their child’s learning. In the Autumn Term Parents are invited to a Curriculum
Awareness Evening where they are given an overview of their child’s learning. Further information
regarding your child’s learning can be found on our school website
http://www.ourladyoflourdes.durham.sch.uk/ .
Extra-Curricular Activities We provide a vast range of extra-curricular activities, some provided by school staff and others by
external services. Examples of our extra-curricular activities include guitar, multi-sports, traditional
games, sewing + crafts, football, arts + crafts, fitness, Eco-Warriors, music and Mini Vinnies.
Special Educational Needs We differentiate activities to help those children who experience learning difficulties. We work closely with outside agencies and our designated Educational Psychologist if further support is requested. We work with the guidelines and regulations of the Code of Practice (New SEND reforms) for Special Educational Needs in all cases.
School/Class Blogs We regularly update our school and class blogs so please keep checking the website for information
about your child’s learning.
School Uniform Yellow polo shirt
Grey trousers/grey skirt
Grey shorts/blue gingham dress
Royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan
Sensible dark shoes to be worn at all times, no heels or trainers please.
P.E. Kit
Royal blue shadow stripe shorts
Royal blue T-shirt
Plimsolls
Track suit/trainers for outside use only
You can access our uniform supplier at http://www.totstoteams.com. The site is very easy to use,
following the procedures below:
Click on schools icon on the top bar.
Choose O from the alphabet on the right hand side, and you will see the link to Our Lady of Lourdes School.
School
Uniform
Cost Optional items Cost
Sweatshirts
Cardigans
PE t-shirt
PE shorts
PE bag
£8.95
£10.45
£4.45/£5.45
£3.50/£4.50
£3.60
Polo shirt
Fleece
Showerproof coat
Waterproof parka jacket
Book bag
£7.45
£10.45
£15.45
£16.50
£6.00
Please note, polo shirts and coats are optional extras to our school uniform. There are a few samples
in school if anyone wishes to see the sizes.
When placing your order, you can choose to have your order delivered direct to school for free. If
you wish to have your order delivered to your home address, there will be a charge of £3.50 + vat and
someone must be in to sign for the order. Deliveries will usually take around 2 weeks, but please
allow for longer during the busy times of the year e.g. school holidays. It is recommended that you
order your autumn term uniform by the middle of June, if you want your order delivered to the
school.
If you have any problems ordering, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you do not have the internet please
contact school and we will be happy to make the order for you.
Jewellery For safety reasons, children must not wear any jewellery in school.
School Meals School meals are cooked on the premises and are available to all our pupils. From September 2018, the
price of a school meal is £2.05 per day. As part of a government initiative Reception, Year 1 and Year
2 children will be entitled to receive free school meals. Some children may prefer to bring packed
lunches. These should be in line with our Packed Lunch Policy. No chocolate bars, sweets, nuts or fizzy
drinks should be sent in packed lunches.
If your child has an allergy to any food, written confirmation must be supplied from a doctor together
with a photograph of your child. Also, you must complete a ‘Provision of a Special Diet’ form from the
school office.
Eligibility for Free School Meals Some families will be eligible to receive a free school meal. To meet the criteria, the person with
parental responsibility must be in receipt of any of the follow benefits:
Universal Credit with an earnings threshold that does not exceed £7,400 as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods
Income Support
Income - based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190
The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment someone receives for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Durham County Council now operate an online ‘Free School Meals Verification Check’. The person
receiving the benefit is to complete the FSM entitlement verification check form. Please ask Mrs
Armstrong for further details in the main office.
Charging and Remission Policy The school encourages visits out of school and visitors to school to support and enhance the work
children are doing in school. From time to time parents/carers will be asked to make a voluntary
contribution to cover the cost of these activities and transport costs. However, no child will be
excluded through an inability to contribute. If the school does not receive enough money through
voluntary contributions, some visits/visitors may have to be cancelled.
Attendance It is closely important that children attend every day and they are punctual. Attendance and punctuality
are monitored. If your child’s attendance falls below 95%, letters will be sent home, and in some cases,
welfare officers involved.
Absence from School If your child is absent from school, we require a phone call by 10am on the first day of absence,
informing us of the reason why. We would ask that where possible, medical/dentist appointments are
made out of school hours or during school holidays.
Leave of Absence (holidays) Your child’s education is extremely important and we ask you to seriously consider booking a holiday
in term time.
An application for leave of absence during term time must be made in advance to the Head Teacher
who must be satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which warrant the leave. The Head
Teacher will consider each request individually taking into account the circumstances. Only in
exceptional circumstances will holidays be authorised.
Following changes in legislation, the Local Authority’s Threshold for issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice for
unauthorised holidays during term time is as follows:
Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued on 7 days or more unauthorised absence
o FPN is issued for each child per parent
Leave of absence forms can be obtained from the school office.
Medical Information If your child has a serious or recurring medical problem e.g. ailments such as asthma, allergies, eczema,
epilepsy or any worry regarding hearing or sight, it is necessary and advisable for parents/ carers to
make this information known to the Head Teacher. A care plan will then be set up for the sake of safety
and well-being.
Medicines in School In order to comply with Health and Safety at Work Act, schools are advised not to administer medicines
to children unless written permission is granted by the parents/carers. If your child does need to take
prescribed medicine this should be delivered by an adult to the school office in its original packaging
from the pharmacy. You will be asked to sign a consent form explaining dosage. Mrs Armstrong, Mrs
Wigham and Mrs Ashton are the designated people to administer medicines. After medicine has been
given, the designated person will record and sign the medication register. Medicines are kept in a
locked cabinet or in a fridge in the staff room.
Illness in School and Emergencies If your child becomes ill at school, parents will be contacted by telephone so that they can be collected
and cared for at home. Children will be cared for at school until their parents/carers arrive. Our First
Aiders deal with cuts and grazes. In the case of head injuries, parents/carers will be informed by school
via a telephone call and Bumped Head Note so that they can monitor their child when they get home
and seek further medical advice if necessary.
It is extremely important, that a telephone contact number must be provided for every child, whether
it be home or work, friend or neighbour. Any change of address or telephone number should be
promptly notified. Please make sure if you change your contact numbers you inform school of the
new number. Should it be necessary we will take the child to hospital if the contacts are not available,
however, hospitals may be unwilling to administer treatment if a parent/carer is not present.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Parents/Carers should be aware that the school has a duty to ensure the welfare and safety of our
pupils. Where school staff have cause to be concerned that a pupil may be subject to ill treatment,
neglect or other form of abuse, staff will follow the Durham Child Protection Procedures and inform
Children and Young People’s Services. School may instigate an Early Help Assessment, in order to
access extra support for children and their families. Mrs Ashton is safeguarding lead in school and Mrs
Wright, Mrs Hoggarth and Miss Wright are designated teachers for Child Protection.
If you have any concerns about the welfare or safety of any child, please come in and tell us or ring
school as soon as possible.
Health and Safety Mobile phones should not be used in the school building when children are on site except in the staffroom
or admin office.
Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the school premises. Please do not leave dogs unattended outside of
the school gates.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the school or in the school grounds.
ParentPay We have introduced a more convenient way to pay for school meals, trips, after school clubs and much
more online, using a secure service called ParentPay. We no longer accept cash and cheque payments,
making the school a cash-free environment.
Data Protection Our Parent Privacy Notice explains how we collect, store and use personal data about pupils. We, Our
Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School, are the ‘data controller’ for the purposes of data protection law. Our
data protection officer is Mrs Wright. You can access the full privacy notice on our school website.
Complaints Procedure Any concerns expressed by parents should, so far as possible, be dealt with in informal discussion with
the Head Teacher in the first instance. If there are concerns which cannot be resolved in an informal
way, please access the school’s Complaint Policy which is available on the website.
Winter Weather In the case of extreme weather conditions and unavoidable school closures, parents/carers will be
notified by text as soon as a decision is made. Updates will be posted on the school website.
Community Links The school has very strong links with the Parish and local community.
The following events take place in school on a regular basis:
Parents’ meetings to discuss
Pupil progress
Curriculum awareness overview
How to help your child in specific subjects
Mass, assemblies and liturgies
Family Learning projects
Educational visits and visitors in school e.g. authors
School sport teams take part in competitions and festivals e.g. cricket, football and tennis
Friends of Our Lady of Lourdes School Our Lady of Lourdes has an active group of parents and grandparents who are committed to organising events for children and parents and have also raised money for the school. We appreciate the FOOLLS (Friends of Our Lady of Lourdes School) continued support and are always looking for new members. If you would like to join the FOOLLS or offer support please contact the school office.
School Holidays for the 2018/19 Academic Year
Holiday Closing date Date re-opens
Summer 2018 Friday 20 July 2018 Wednesday 5 September 2018
Autumn half-term 2018 Friday 19 October 2018 Monday 29 October 2018
Christmas 2018 Friday 21 December 2018 Monday 7 January 2019
Spring half-term 2019 Friday 15 February 2019 Tuesday 26 February 2019
Easter 2019 Friday 5 April 2019 Tuesday 23 April 2019
May Day 2019 Friday 3 May 2019 Tuesday 7 May 2019
Summer half-term 2019 Friday 24 May 2019 Monday 3 June 2019
Summer 2019 Friday 19 July 2019
Training days: Monday 3rd September, Tuesday 4th September 2018 and Monday 25th February 2019
We hope that your child will enjoy a happy and successful time at Our Lady of Lourdes. As our school
mission statement states ‘We are a partnership between school, home and parish. We recognise
through the respect we have for each other that every one of us is unique, with special talents’. Your
help and support is greatly appreciated as we work together to develop your child’s talents and allow
them to ‘let their light shine’.
Admissions Policy
2018-2019
Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Primary School was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for
children of Catholic families. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church
in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to
Jesus Christ. Whenever there are more applications than places available, priority will be given to Catholic
children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below.
As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic
doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic
character of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school. We, therefore, hope
that all parents (see note 12) will give their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and ethos
of the school. This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be
admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements.
The governing body is the admissions authority and has responsibility for admissions to this school. The
local authority undertakes the coordination of admission arrangements.
The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis.
Parishes served by the school
The school serves the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Shotton.
Published Admission Number
The governing body has set its admission number at 24 pupils to be admitted to the reception class in the
school year which begins in September 2018.
Children with an Education, Health and Care plan or a statement of Special Educational Need
Children who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or a statement of Special Educational Need
where the school is named as the most appropriate educational setting for the child will be admitted.
Application Procedures and Timetable
To apply for a place at this school, the parent must complete a common application form (CAF) available
from the local authority in which the child lives. The parent will be advised of the outcome of the
application on 16 April or the next working day, initially by a letter or email from the local authority on
behalf of the governing body.
If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence to support the application (e.g. a baptismal
certificate), this evidence should be provided at the time of application. If not provided, evidence may be
sought by the governing body following the closing date for applications. This information must have
been correct at the date of closing for applications.
All applications will be considered at the same time and after the closing date for admissions which is 15
January 2018.
Late Applications
Late applications will be administered in accordance with the local authority primary coordinated
admissions scheme. Parents are encouraged to ensure that their application is received on time.
Admission of Children below Compulsory School Age and Deferred Entry
A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday. A request may be
made for the date at which a child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, to be deferred
to later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond
the beginning of the final term of the school year. A child may take up a part-time place until the child
reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent should notify the school in
writing, as soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or take up a
part-time place.
Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group
A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of their normal age group, for example, if the
child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health.
Any such request should be made in writing to the Head Teacher of the school. The governing body will
make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of
the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the Head Teacher who has statutory responsibility
for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing body will take into
account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals.
Summer Born Children
The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that
the child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following
their fifth birthday and that that the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through school.
Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at
the usual time. The application to the local authority should include this request and in addition it should
be made in writing to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise with the governing
body who will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of each case and in the
best interests of the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher, who has
statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the
governing body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education
professionals.
Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request before primary national offer day.
If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be
withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept
the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission
to year one for the September following the child’s fifth birthday.
Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a new application as part of the main admissions
round the following year.
One admission authority cannot be required to honour a decision made by another admission authority
on admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should consider whether to request
admission out of the normal year group at all their preference schools, rather than just their first
preference schools.
Waiting Lists
In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting
list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription criteria set out below and not in
the order in which applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate
throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer term.
Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean that a place will eventually become available.
Infant Class Size Regulations
Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the
provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in
accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused
a place.
In-Year Applications
An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round and the child
will be admitted where there are available places. For information on making an in-year application,
parents should contact the local authority admission team at School Admissions and Transport, Children
and Adults Services, County Hall, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5UJ on 03000 265 896 or by email at
[email protected]. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their application in writing.
Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription
criteria will be applied.
If there are no places available, a request can be made that the child is added to the waiting list (see
above).
Right of Appeal
Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available for a child, every effort will be made by the
local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative school. Parents who are refused
a place have a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are available by writing to
the chair of governors at the school address.
Fair Access Protocol
The school is committed to taking its fair share of children who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as
set out in locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body
is empowered to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol
that has been agreed by the governing body for the current school year. The governing body has this
power, even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the published admission number.
False Evidence
The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place where false evidence is received.
OVERSUBSCRIPTION 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.
i. First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending the
school in September 2018.
ii. Where evidence is provided at the time of application of an exceptional social, medical or pastoral
need of the child which can most appropriately be met at this school, the application will be placed
at the top of the category in which the application is made. (see note 2)
1. Looked after and previously looked after children (see notes 2&3)
2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Shotton (see note 4)
3. Other Catholic children (see note 4)
4. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church (see notes 6&7)
5. Children of other Christian denominations (see note 8)
6. Children of other faiths (see note 9)
7. Any other children
Tie Breaker
Where there are places available for some, but not all applicants within a particular criterion priority will
be given to children living closest to the school determined by the shortest distance. In assessing home
to school distance the LA uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify and measure the
shortest route utilising only the Ordnance Survey Integrated Transport Network (ITN) and Urban Paths
Network (UPN) which are national recognised datasets. The LA will not include any other routes or any
other method of measurement. Routes are measured from the centre point* of the child’s house, or in
the case of a flat from the centre point* of the building, to the nearest school site entrance. In all cases
the GIS identifies the route to be measured by connecting in a straight line the centre point* of the child’s
house to the closest point on the nearest route on the ITN/UPN.
* In accordance with the co-ordinates of the Basic Land and Property Unit on the National Land and
Property Gazetteer.
In the event of distances being the same for two or more children where this would determine the last
place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public place and supervised by a person
independent of the school.
NOTES AND DEFINITIONS
1. An Education, Health and Care Plan is a plan made by the local authority under section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014, specifying the special educational provision required for a child. A Statement of Special Educational Needs is a statement made by the local authority under section 324 of the Education Act 1996, specifying the special educational provision for a child.
2. To demonstrate an exceptional social, medical or pastoral need of the child which can be most appropriately met at this school, the governing body will require compelling written evidence from an appropriate professional, such as a social worker, doctor or priest.
3. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in section 22 (1) of the Children Act 1989):
An adoption order is an order under section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
A child arrangements order is an order outlining the arrangements as to the person with whom the
child will live under the provisions of section 14 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
A special guardianship order is an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special
guardian or guardians.
4. A previously looked after child is a child who immediately moved on from that status after becoming subject to an adoption, child arrangement order or special guardianship order.
5. Catholic means a member of a Church in full communion with the See of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will be evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic Church or a certificate of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of baptism or reception should contact their parish priest who, after consulting with the Diocese, will decide how the question of baptism or reception is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law of the Church.
6. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate of a Catholic Church and is a person who is receiving instruction in preparation for baptism. This must be evidenced by a certificate of reception into the order of catechumens.
7. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox Churches, and must be evidenced by a certificate of baptism or reception from the authorities of that Church. Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of baptism or reception should contact the Diocese who will decide how the question of baptism or reception is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law of the Church.
8. Children of other Christian denominations means children who are members of a Church or religious community that practises Trinitarian baptism recognised by the Catholic Church. Applicants must provide a baptismal certificate or where child baptism is not practised, a letter confirming their church membership from their minister or faith leader.
9. Children of other faiths means children who are members of a religious community that does not fall within the definitions above. Applicants must provide a letter of support to confirm their faith membership from their minister or faith leader.
10. Home address is the primary parental address which will be used in applying the admission criteria. This means that, when stating the choice of school, the parental address at the time of application should be given. The address of childminders or other family members who may share in the care of the child must not be used as the home address. Documentary evidence may be requested.
11. Brother or sister means a child who lives as a brother or sister in the same house, including natural brothers or sisters, adopted brothers or sisters, stepbrothers or sisters, foster brothers or sisters, or the child of a parent’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. It also includes natural brothers or sisters where the child for whom the school place is sought is not living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.
12. Parent means all natural parents, any person who is not a parent but has parental responsibility for the child, or who has care of the child (having care of a child means that the child lives with and is looked after by that person).
This policy should be read in conjunction with the local authority’s admission guidance for parents.