Gateshead Local Authority Admission to Primary School (2022) Including general information for parents

Caroline O’Neill Strategic Director Apply online at: Children, Adults & Families www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Apply online for your child’s CLOSING DATE school place 15 January 2022 Applying online for admission to Primary/ Infant/ Junior School is quick & easy...

• Simple instructions help guide you through the form

• You receive email confirmation when we receive your form

• You receive email confirmation of which school your child has been offered

• No risk of your application getting lost in the post

• Internet access is available at your local library and Gateshead Civic Centre

Before you apply - check your child is the right age

www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Tel: 0191 433 2756 / 2757 / 2109 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Contents Page

Introduction...... 4

School organisation in Gateshead...... 5

When to start school...... 5

Linked catchment areas...... 6

Explanation of the terms used in this booklet...... 7

Important admission dates...... 8

How we offer places - Equal Preference ...... 9

Primary schools admission policy 2022/23 ...... 10

Voluntary Aided schools admission policies 2022/23 ...... 12

Frequently Asked Questions...... 70

Section 1 Co-ordinated Admissions...... 72

Section 2 Additional Admissions Information...... 75

Section 3 Admission statistics...... 78

Section 4 Appealing against the refusal of a place...... 84

Section 5 In year transfers...... 85

Section 6 Special educational needs (SEN)...... 87

Section 7 Policy for home to school travel ...... 89

Section 8 General school information...... 92

School contact details and information ...... 95

The information in this booklet relates to the academic year 2022 to 2023, which begins in September 2022. The contents of this booklet are correct at the time of printing but there may be changes before the start of or during the academic year. These changes could be the result of changes in the law or in our policy.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 3 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Introduction

This booklet is intended to provide you with all the information you will need to apply for a school place for your child. Gateshead Council, recognises that your child’s education is one of the most important aspects of their life. It influences their formative years and their future. We know how important it is that you receive as much information as possible about the school admissions process. We hope that this booklet provides you with the information you need to know in order to apply for a school place for your child. We recommend that you apply for a school place using Gateshead Councils online school admissions system where you can also access all the information within this booklet. You can apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/ schooladmissions You can also access more information about a school by visiting the schools website or council website at: www.gateshead.gov.uk. You can access school performance tables at: www.gov.uk/performancetables and school Ofsted inspection reports at: www.ofsted.gov.uk If required you can also contact the school(s) to arrange a visit before you apply. The academic year operates from: 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023.

Applying online If you have any problems applying online contact The School Admissions Team below.

Different Formats If you require a copy of this booklet in large print, Braille, audio tape or another language contact The School Admissions Team below.

The School Admissions Team Dryden Centre Evistones Road Low Fell, Gateshead NE9 5UR Email [email protected] Telephone 0191 433 2756, 433 2757, 433 2109, 433 8589

4 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents School organisation in Gateshead Gateshead has a two-tier school system, with children Before you apply progressing from primary and junior schools to secondary school. There are three infant schools in Gateshead and each • Read the information in this booklet very carefully before has a linked junior school. completing your application form. Below is a breakdown of the organisation of Gateshead • Do not assume that you live in a particular schools schools proposed for September 2022. catchment area as some streets are split. You can check your catchment school on the Council’s website. We have • Sometimes living near to a school, in the school’s 1 nursery school for children aged 3 to 4 catchment area or having a sibling already at the school 3 infant schools for children aged 4 to 7 you apply to is not enough to be offered a place. 3 junior schools for children aged 7 to 11 • It is possible that your child will not be offered a place at 61 primary schools for children aged 4 to 11 any of your preferred schools especially if you apply for very popular schools and don’t have a high priority under Consisting of: the over-subscription criteria. 47 community schools • Academies and Voluntary Aided Schools have different 14 Roman Catholic schools admission policies to community schools in Gateshead. 3 Roman Catholic Academies You must read the admission policy for each school you 2 Church of England schools apply to in order to assess which school you stand the best 2 Primary academies chance of being offered. • Look at the statistics for previous years in Section 3 of There are: this booklet. This will show you which schools were 8 secondary schools oversubscribed and the number of appeals that were heard. However you must be aware that these figures can Consisting of: change significantly from year to year. 1 community school • Use all three preferences on your application form – doing 7 academies (2 Roman Catholic academies) so does not reduce your chance of gaining a place at your first preference school. There are six special schools in Gateshead for children whose special educational needs cannot be met in a mainstream • Do not repeat the name of a school more than once on school. A list of these schools and all others in Gateshead your application, as this does not increase your chance of can be found at the back of this booklet. being offered a place and is a waste of preferences. • If your child is eligible for an offer at more than one school, your highest ranked preference will be offered and any When to start school lower ranked offers will be disregarded. • Your child’s attendance at a school nursery does not Reception - Children born between 1 September 2017 guarantee your child a place in the reception class of this to 31 August 2018 will be eligible to start school Reception school. Your application form will be considered against in September 2022 and must apply for a school place by the schools admissions criteria with no regard to the 15 January 2022. nursery your child attends. Junior – Children born between 1 September 2014 to 31 • Your child will not automatically be given a place at your August 2015 that currently attend an infant school (Oakfield catchment school, it is essential that you apply. Infant, Ryton Infant or Birtley St Joseph’s Infants) are due to transfer to junior school (Year 3) in September and must • You must inform us immediately if you change address apply for a school place by January. after the submission of your application form. • Remember it is your responsibility to ensure your application is submitted by 15 January 2022.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 5 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Linked catchment areas for September 2022

Secondary School The catchment areas of the following primary and junior schools in Gateshead form the combined catchment area for the Gateshead secondary school identified. We recommend you find out what school catchment area you live in prior to completing your application. School catchment maps are available to view on the council’s website at: www.gateshead.gov.uk We do not operate any school ‘feeder’ arrangements to our secondary schools or academies. There is no guarantee of a place at a secondary school or academy as a result of attending one of its linked primary or junior schools.

Grace College Carr Hill, Glynwood, Harlow Green, Kells Lane, Larkspur, Oakfield Junior, South Street

Heworth Grange School Bede, Bill Quay, Brandling, Colegate, Falla Park, Lingey House, Roman Road, The Drive, Wardley, White Mere, Windy Nook

Kingsmeadow Community School Brighton Avenue, Caedmon, Dunston Hill, Kelvin Grove, Lobley Hill, Riverside Primary Academy

Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy Barley Mow, Birtley East, Fell Dyke, Kibblesworth Academy, Portobello, Ravensworth Terrace

Thorp Academy Blaydon West, Chopwell, Crookhill, Emmaville, Greenside, Highfield, High Spen, Parkhead, Rowlands Gill, Ryton Junior, Winlaton West Lane

Whickham School and Sports College Clover Hill, Fellside, Front Street, Swalwell, Washingwell, Whickham (Academy Trust) Parochial Church of England

If you would like to know if your address falls within the Parish boundary for a particular voluntary aided (church) school, please contact the school direct.

6 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Explanations of the terms used in this booklet

Academy – a school where the governing body set the Oversubscribed – where there are more requests for criteria and is responsible for the school admissions. admission to a year group in a school, than there are places available.

Acceptance form – the form to be completed and returned by parents by April 2022 to let us know if they Parent/guardian/carer – a person who can exercise wish to accept the school place their child has been legal parental responsibility as defined under the 1989 offered. Children’s Act.

Admission authority – the body responsible for setting Planned admission number (PAN) – the maximum and applying a schools admission arrangements and number of pupils to be admitted into a particular year criteria. The local authority (council) is the admissions group at a school. authority for community and voluntary controlled schools. The schools governing body is the admission authority for voluntary aided schools. Preference – the legal right of parents to state the school they would prefer their child to attend.

Admission criteria – the conditions of admissions agreed by the local authority (in the case of community and Previously looked after children – Previously looked voluntary controlled schools) or by the governing body (in after children are children who were looked after, the case of voluntary aided schools and academies). but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a child arrangement order or special guardianship order. Adoption order – an order made under Section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. Sibling link – an older brother/sister or step brother/sister that shares the same parent/guardian and lives at the Appeal – any parent whose child is refused a place at one same address as the child applying and will be attending of their preferred schools has the right to appeal to an the preferred school at the time of admission, or adopted independent appeal panel. brothers and sisters living at the same address and to children who are fostered and have other children from the host family attending the school in question. Child arrangements order – an order to decide where the child lives and when the child spends time with each parent. Single offer of a school place – The one offer for a place at a school which is made to a parent on 18 April 2022.

Community school – a school where the council is responsible for the admissions and setting the criteria. Special guardianship order – an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian or guardians as described under Section 14A of the Children DfE – The Department for Education (central government Act 1989. for education).

Voluntary aided school (VA) – a school where the Home local authority – A child’s home local authority is governing body set the criteria and is responsible for the the authority in which they reside. school admissions.

Infant class size limit – Section 1 of the SSFA 1998 limits Voluntary controlled school – a school where the council the size of an infant class to 30 pupils per school teacher. set the criteria and is responsible for admissions.

Looked after children – Children who are in the care of a local authority and as defined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 (see also previously looked after children).

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 7 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Important admission dates September 2022

The closing date for returning applications is 15 January 2022. Any paper application form received by the School Admissions Team after this date will be classed as late. Parents that apply online will have until midnight on 15 January 2022 to submit their application after which time the system will close.

Reception and Junior Admissions Process

10 September 2021 Online application system goes live

15 January 2022 Closing date for submitting application forms

18 April 2022 Offer letters and emails sent to parents

29 April 2022 Parents must accept places

20 May 2022 Any vacancies will be offered from the school waiting list

June/July 2022

Appeals heard

8 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents How we offer Places - Equal Preference

The School Admissions Code requires that applications are processed under an ‘equal preference system’. This means that all applications received for a school are raked against the school’s oversubscription criteria in their admissions policy.

How it works Application Example 1 • You can name up to three schools on your application, in order of preference (we strongly recommend you You apply for three schools in the following use all three preferences). preference order: • Your child is added to a list for each of the schools 1st preference School A you have named. Each application on the schools 2nd preference School B list is then ranked in accordance with the published 3rd preference School C admission criteria in the school’s admission policy and this determines where you on the list and whether they All three of your preferred schools can offer a place. can offer you a place. You are therefore allocated a place at School A. Your second and third preferences are discarded on the • If only of your preferred schools can offer a place, you basis that you were allocated your highest preference will be offered a place at that school. school. • If more than one school can offer you a place, you will be offered the school that you ranked highest on your application. Application Example 2 • If none of the schools can offer you a place, you will be offered a place at your catchment school or nearest You apply for three schools in the following school, depending upon the availaity of places. preference order: In most cases you will be offered a place at one of your 1st preference School A preferred schools but there are circumstances where this 2nd preference School B may not be possible as this will depend on the number of 3rd preference School C applications received for a school. School A is unable to offer a place, but School B and You must read the admissions policy for all schools you School C can offer. You are therefore allocated a place apply to, in order to fully understand the admission criteria at School B. School C is discarded because you were and how it will be applied to your application. offered one of your higher preference schools. You are refused a place at School A and advised of the arrangements for placing your child on the waiting list and your right of appeal.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 9 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Gateshead Council Primary School Admission Policy 2022/23

We allocate places at Gateshead Primary, Infant and Junior Schools using this policy and co-ordinate admissions to Gateshead schools using the coordinated admission scheme. The policy is as follows: • Children start school at the beginning of the academic year in which they will reach the age of five. (An academic year lasts from 1 September in one year to 31 August the following year). Children are entitled to a full-time place as soon as they start school, however in most schools, the first term will include an induction period, (a period for children to get used to school life gradually, generally from September to October). Although, you may request that your child attends school part-time until later in the school year, but not beyond the point that your child reaches compulsory school age. In addition, parents may request that their child is admitted to school later in the school year following September 2022, but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, and not beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year. • We will accept pupils up to the schools agreed Planned Admission Number for the year group unless we feel there are lawful grounds not to do so. Over-subscription Criteria We will consider applications from parents who have named the school as any ranked preference on their application form this is called the equal preference system. If there are more applications for the number of places available at a school, we will than allocate places by using the following order of priority:

Order of Priority Over-subscription Criteria

Criteria 1 Children in Public Care (and as deemed under Section 22 of the Children Act 1989) includ- ing a child who was previously “looked after” but immediately after being “looked after” became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order (see definition*). Children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.

Criteria 2 Children who live in the school’s catchment area and who will have a brother or sister at the school, or at the feeder junior school during the coming academic year. (see definition*).

Criteria 3 Other children who live in the school’s catchment area.

Criteria 4 Other children who will have a brother or sister at the school or at the feeder junior school during the coming academic year (see definition*).

Criteria 5 Other children who have exceptional medical or social grounds see point 1 below.

Criteria 6 All other children.

(*see definitions of our criteria in priority 1, 2 and 4 above in our parent’s information booklet and at www.gateshead.gov.uk)

Point 1 We can consider exceptional individual applications, particularly in cases involving medical or social needs. If you wish to apply on medical or social grounds you must provide written evidence from relevant registered health professionals i.e. a doctor or social worker. The evidence must demonstrate why the chosen school is more appropriate and what difficulties would be caused if they were to travel to and attend alternative schools. We will not consider such applications if the relevant professional evidence is not provided. The evidence will be presented to the Primary Fair Access Panel for consideration. No assumption should be made that submission of the relevant evidence will be, in itself, sufficient to allocate a place.

10 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Whickham Parochial Church of England the distance using a geographical information system (GIS). Where two or more applicants share the exact same Controlled Primary School distance, a random allocation process will be used to This school has the same oversubscription criteria as determine the ranked order of the applications in question. priorities 1 - 6 above except that criteria 3 and 4 above are reversed. Priority 1, 2, 5 and 6 remain in the same order Waiting list however for this particular school their oversubscription criteria places priority 4 children above those children in If places become available, we will consider all relevant priority 3. applications based on a waiting list. The waiting list will be maintained by the council from the start of the academic year and be kept for the rest of the academic year. All Oakfield Junior School applicants on the waiting list are placed according to the The school has the same oversubscription criteria as admission criteria and priorities set out above. However, priorities 1 - 5 above, however, they have an additional children who are the subject of a direction to admit by the criterion (7 in total). Criteria 6 is also different to that above. LA or who have been referred for admission and have been Please see below; allocated a place through the Fair Access Protocol will take precedence over any child on the waiting list. Criteria 1 to 5 same as criteria 1 to 5 above. Criteria 6 children that attend Oakfield Infant School. Application Dates Criteria 7 all other children. From 10 September 2021 Gateshead residents can apply on-line at: www.gateshead.gov.uk Admission of children outside their On-line applications must be submitted by 15 January normal age group 2022. Alternatively, parents can request a paper application Parents may request a place for their child outside their from The School Admissions Team on 0191 433 2757. Paper normal age group, for example gifted and talented children, applications must be returned to The School Admissions children that have suffered ill health or parents of summer Team, Dryden Centre, Evistones Road, Gateshead NE9 5UR born children (children born from 1 April 2018 to 31 August by 15 January 2022. 2018). If you live outside Gateshead and want to apply to a All cases of admission of children outside their normal age Gateshead school, you must obtain an application form group must be discussed with the Council and relevant from your home Council and return it to them by their school Head Teacher prior to the application being made. closing date, even if the schools you want to apply to are in Gateshead. However, you must still consider the Such requests must be made on the Common Application information in Gateshead Council’s ‘Admission to Primary Form which is available from 10 September 2021. Parents School’ booklet so that you know what the admission must detail the circumstances of their request and include arrangements are to Gateshead schools. This information is any supporting information from relevant professionals. available at www.gateshead.gov.uk . Your own Council will send us notification of your application and they will let you The Council will consider each case individually and parents know the final allocation of a school place for your child. will be notified of the outcome of their request before 18 April 2022. (Please refer to the ‘Admission to Primary School booklet for further information regarding deferred entry and Offer Date – 18 April 2022 admission of children outside their normal age group). A letter will be sent to parent’s resident in Gateshead on or around 18 April 2022 informing them of the school they Address have been offered for their child. Gateshead residents who apply on-line are also informed by email on 18 April 2022. For the purposes of deciding whether a child lives in the catchment area of a school we will use the parent or legal guardian’s address or the address of a relevant adult who General Information and definitions has parental responsibility, as defined under the 1989 For information on our admission arrangements and Children’s Act, for the child. definitions of the terms used in this policy please refer to our “Admission to Primary School” booklet for 2022 available Tie breaker at www.gateshead.gov.uk If, within any of the above criteria, there are more applicants Gateshead’s co-ordinated admission scheme and than places available priority will be given to those children catchment areas referred to in this policy can also be viewed based on the distance they live from the school, measured online or at The Dryden Centre. ‘as the crow flies’ i.e. in a straight line from the centre of the home residence to the school’s main entrance. Children living nearest to the school will have priority. We measure

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 11 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Voluntary Aided School Admission Policies 2022/2023 Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School was founded by application on 16 April or the next working day, by the the Catholic Church to provide education for children of local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked than places available, priority will be given to Catholic higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the listed below. The school is conducted by its governing right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all If the parent is required to provide supplemental times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. evidence to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this evidence should be provided at the time As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic of application. If not provided, evidence may be sought education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic by the governing body following the closing date for doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the applications. This information must have been correct at school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character the date of closing for applications. of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give All applications which are submitted on time will be their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims considered at the same time and after the closing date for and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right admissions which is 15 January 2022. of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the Pupils with an Education, Health and admission arrangements. Care Plan (see note 1) The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal The admission of pupils with an Education, Health preference basis. and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care The governing body is the admissions authority and has Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where responsibility for admissions to this school. The local this takes place before the allocation of places under authority undertakes the coordination of admission these arrangements this will reduce the number of places arrangements during the normal admission round for available to other children. reception year admission in September. Late Applications Parishes served by the school Late applications will be administered in accordance The school serves the parishes of Corpus Christi and Holy with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Rosary, Gateshead. Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that Published Admission Number the application is submitted before the closing date. The governing body has set its published admission Admission of Children below number (PAN) at 29 pupils to be admitted to the reception Compulsory School Age and Deferred year in the school year which begins in September 2022. Entry Application Procedures and Timetable A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may round (not in-year applications), a Common Application defer the date at which their child, below compulsory Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the local authority in which the child lives. school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the The parent will be advised of the outcome of the final term of the school year for which an offer was made.

12 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

A child may take up a part-time place until later in the One admission authority cannot be required to honour school year, but not beyond the point at which the child a decision made by another admission authority on reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, of a place a parent should notify the school in writing, as should consider whether to request admission out of the soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s normal year group at all their preference schools, rather entry to the school or take up a part-time place. than just their first preference schools. Admission of Children outside their Waiting Lists Normal Age Group In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting of their normal age group, for example, if the child is list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the ill health. order in which applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the Any such request should be made in writing to the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last headteacher of the school. The governing body will day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting make its decision about the request based on the list does not mean that a place will eventually become circumstances of each case and in the best interests of available. the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for Infant Class Size Regulations the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the education professionals. provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance Summer Born Children with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of reception class in the September following their fifth the children is the last child ranked within the school’s birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as PAN. they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body that will make its decision the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the taking into account the views of the headteacher, who outcome of their application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Where there are places available but more applications management and control of the school, the governing than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set body will take into account the views of the parents and out above, will be applied. of appropriate medical and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request the child is added to the waiting list (see above). before primary national offer day. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent If the request is agreed by the governing body, the appeal panel if refused a place. application for the normal age group may be withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the Right of Appeal parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make Where a parent has been notified that a place is not an in year application for admission to year one for the available for a child, every effort will be made by the local September following the child’s fifth birthday. authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals new application as part of the main admissions round the process are available by writing to the chair of governors following year. at the school address.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 13 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Fair Access Protocol Tie Breaker The school is committed to taking its fair share of children Where there are places available for some, but not all who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in applicants within a particular criterion priority will be locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal given to children living closest to the school determined admission round the governing body is empowered by the shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the to give absolute priority to a child where admission is crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home requested under any local protocol that has been agreed residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the by both the diocese and the governing body for the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). current school year. The governing body has this power, even when admitting the child would mean exceeding In the event of distances being the same for two or more the published admission number (subject to the infant children where this would determine the last place to be class size exceptions). allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public place and supervised by a person independent of the Nursery school. For children attending the school’s nursery, application to the reception class of the school must be made in the This policy should be read in conjunction with normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee the local authority’s admission guidance for that a place will be offered at the school. parents. Please see notes and definitions on page 69. False evidence The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception. 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. First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parishes of Corpus Christi and Holy Rosary. (see note 3) 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

14 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School was founded by evidence should be provided at the time of application. If the Catholic Church to provide education for children of not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications body following the closing date for applications. This than places available, priority will be given to Catholic information must have been correct at the date of closing children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria for applications. listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its All applications which are submitted on time will be trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all considered at the same time and after the closing date for times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. admissions which is 15 January 2022. As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic Pupils with an Education, Health and education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic Care Plan (see note 1) doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character The admission of pupils with an Education, Health of the school’s education be fully supported by all families and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right of an this takes place before the allocation of places under applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted these arrangements this will reduce the number of places to a place at the school in accordance with the admission available to other children. arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late applications will be administered in accordance with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is the Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application admissions authority and is responsible for determining is submitted before the closing date. the admission policy. The local authority coordinates the admissions process on behalf of the Trust. The Admission of Children below Compulsory administration and operation of the admission policy is delegated by the Trust to the Local Governing Committee. School Age and Deferred Entry A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Parishes served by the school following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer The school serves the parishes of Sacred Heart, Byermoor. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term The governing body has set its published admission of the school year for which an offer was made. A child number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to the reception may take up a part-time place until later in the school year in the school year which begins in September 2022. year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a Application Procedures and Timetable place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry round (not in-year applications), a Common Application to the school or take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked and talented or has experienced problems such as ill higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related health. to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Any such request should be made in writing to the headteacher of the school. The governing body will If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence make its decision about the request based on the to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this circumstances of each case and in the best interests of

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 15 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

the child. In addition to taking into account the views Infant Class Size Regulations of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 the school, the governing body will take into account pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted education professionals. children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is Summer Born Children oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born The governing body will, where logistically possible, between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the admit twins and all siblings from multiple births where child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the one of the children is the last child ranked within the reception class in the September following their fifth school’s PAN. birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an An application can be made for a place for a child at any application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time outside the admission round and the child will be time. The application to the local authority should include admitted where there are available places. For information this request and in addition it should be made in writing on making an in-year application, parents should contact to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden liaise with the governing body that will make its decision Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 about the request based on the circumstances of each 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to outcome of their application in writing. taking into account the views of the headteacher, who Where there are places available but more applications has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set management and control of the school, the governing out above, will be applied. body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that the child is added to the waiting list (see above). Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request before primary national offer day. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel if refused a place. If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn Right of Appeal before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a Where a parent has been notified that a place is not place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make available for a child, every effort will be made by the local an in year application for admission to year one for the authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable September following the child’s fifth birthday. alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a process are available by writing to the chair of governors new application as part of the main admissions round the at the school address. following year. One admission authority cannot be required to honour Fair Access Protocol a decision made by another admission authority on The school is committed to taking its fair share of children admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in should consider whether to request admission out of the locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal normal year group at all their preference schools, rather admission round the governing body is empowered than just their first preference schools. to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol that has been agreed Waiting Lists by both the diocese and the governing body for the In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be current school year. The governing body has this power, offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting even when admitting the child would mean exceeding list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the the published admission number (subject to the infant oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the class size exceptions). order in which applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the Nursery school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last For children attending the school’s nursery, application day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting to the reception class of the school must be made in the list does not mean that a place will eventually become normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at available.

16 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that Tie Breaker a place will be offered at the school. Where there are places available for some, but not all False evidence applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given to children living closest to the school determined The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the by the shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the place was obtained by deception. Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). Oversubscription Criteria In the event of distances being the same for two or more children where this would determine the last place to be Where there are more applications for places than allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public the number of places available, places will be offered place and supervised by a person independent of the according to the following order of priority. school. First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. This policy should be read in conjunction with 1. Looked after children and previously looked after the local authority’s admission guidance for children. (see note 2) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 2. Catholic children whose home address is within the page 69. catchment area served by the school. (see note 3) 3. Catholic children whose home address is outside of the catchment area served by the school. (see note 3) 4. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church (see notes 4&5) 5. Children who have an older sibling in the school at the time of admission. (see note 9) 6. Children who are practising members of another Christian denomination and whose home address is within the catchment area served by the school. (see note 6) 7. Children of another Christian denomination and whose home address is outside the catchment area served by the school. (see note 6) 8. All other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 17 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School was founded by the higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related Catholic Church to provide education for children of to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. than places available, priority will be given to Catholic children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence listed below. The school is conducted by its governing to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its evidence should be provided at the time of application. If trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. body following the closing date for applications. This information must have been correct at the date of closing As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic for applications. education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the All applications which are submitted on time will be school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character considered at the same time and after the closing date for of the school’s education be fully supported by all families admissions which is 15 January 2022. in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims Pupils with an Education, Health and and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right of an Care Plan (see note 1) applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted The admission of pupils with an Education, Health to a place at the school in accordance with the admission and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate arrangements. procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where preference basis. this takes place before the allocation of places under these arrangements this will reduce the number of places The governing body is the admissions authority and has available to other children. responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Late Applications arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. Late applications will be administered in accordance with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Parishes served by the school Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is submitted before the closing date. The school serves the parish of St Agnes’, Crawcrook. Admission of Children below Compulsory Published Admission Number School Age and Deferred Entry The governing body has set its published admission number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to the Reception A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September class in the school year which begins in September 2022. following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer the date at which their child, below compulsory school Children with an Education, Health and age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory Care plan school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term Children who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) of the school year for which an offer was made. A child plan where the school is named as the most appropriate may take up a part-time place until later in the school educational setting for the child will be admitted. year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a Application Procedures and Timetable place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission to the school or take up a part-time place. round (not in-year applications), a Common Application Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the Admission of Children outside their local authority in which the child lives. Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health.

18 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Any such request should be made in writing to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the headteacher of the school. The governing body will school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last make its decision about the request based on the day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting circumstances of each case and in the best interests of list does not mean that a place will eventually become the child. In addition to taking into account the views available. of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of Infant Class Size Regulations the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions education professionals. in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Summer Born Children Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born and their child is refused a place. between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit reception class in the September following their fifth twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as the children is the last child ranked within the school’s they progress through school. PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body who will make its decision the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the taking into account the views of the headteacher, who outcome of their application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing Where there are places available but more applications body will take into account the views of the parents and of than places, the published oversubscription criteria will be appropriate medical and education professionals. applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn Right of Appeal before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the Where a parent has been notified that a place is not parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a available for a child, every effort will be made by the local place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable an in year application for admission to year one for the alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have September following the child’s fifth birthday. a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are available by writing to the chair of governors Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a at the school address. new application as part of the main admissions round the following year. Fair Access Protocol One admission authority cannot be required to honour The school is committed to taking its fair share of children a decision made by another admission authority on who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal should consider whether to request admission out of the admission round the governing body is empowered normal year group at all their preference schools, rather to give absolute priority to a child where admission is than just their first preference schools. requested under any local protocol that has been agreed Waiting Lists by both the diocese and the governing body for the current school year. The governing body has this power, In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting published admission number (subject to the infant class list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the size exceptions). oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the order in which applications are received or added to the

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 19 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False Evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the Where there are places available for some, but not all offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the applicants within a particular criterion priority will be school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or given to children living closest to the school determined place was obtained by deception. by the shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home Oversubscription Criteria residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered In the event of distances being the same for two or more according to the following order of priority. children where this would determine the last place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public First priority in each category will be given to children who place and supervised by a person independent of the will have an older sibling attending the school in September school. 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St the local authority’s admission guidance for Agnes’, Crawcrook. (see note 3) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) page 69. 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children who have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022 (see note 9) 7. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 8. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 9. Any other children.

20 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Aidan’s Church of England Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

The Governing Body of St Aidan’s Church of England after the closing date places will be allocated from those Primary School is the Admissions Authority for the school, applicants on the waiting list. The waiting list will be and they intend to admit up to 30 pupils to the Reception maintained according to the admission criteria above up year group in September 2022. This arrangement to the end of the Autumn Term in the relevant academic follows consultation between the Governing Body, the year. LA, all other schools in the area and all other Admission Authorities in the area. Other Information In the event of the number of applications exceeding We reserve the right to seek proof of address where the number of places available priority will be given to relevant. applications in the order of priority indicated below. Children who have a statement of Special Educational Over-Subscription Criteria Need or Education Health and Care Plan which names our school will be admitted to the school. 1. Looked-after children and children who were previously looked after, but ceased to be so because, Admission of children below compulsory school age immediately after being looked after, they became and deferred entry to school subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special The School Admissions Code requires school admission guardianship order (see definitions below). authorities to provide for the admission of all children in 2. Children with at least one parent who worships in the September following their fourth birthday. However, a a Church of England congregation in the Parish of child is not required to start school until they have reached Bensham and Teams who will have a brother or sister compulsory school age following their fifth birthday. For at the school at the time of admission (see definitions summer born children (those born after 1 April) this can below) sometimes be almost a full school year after the point at which they could first be admitted. 3. Other Children with a brother or sister at the school at the time of admission Some parents may feel that their child is not ready to start school in the September following their fourth birthday. 4. Children with at least one parent who worships in Parents are entitled to request in writing that: - a Church of England congregation in the Parish of Bensham and Teams (see definitions below) • their child attends part-time until they reach compulsory school age, or 5. Children with at least one parent who worships in another faith community in the Parish of Bensham and • that the date their child is admitted to school is Teams (see definitions below) deferred until later in the same academic year or until the term in which the child reaches compulsory school 6. Children who have exceptional medical or social needs age (see definitions below) • The school will hold any deferred place for the 7. Children of parents living within the Parish of Bensham child, although, in the majority of cases, we find and Teams. that children benefit from starting at the beginning of the school year, rather than part way through it. 8. Other children • that the date their child is admitted to school is Tie Breaker deferred until the term after the child reaches compulsory school age. Where there are places available for some but not all applicants within a particular priority, distance from The child must, however, start school full-time in the term the home to school will be the deciding factor, with after their fifth birthday. preference given to those applicants who live nearest the school when measured in a straight line (i.e., as the crow If parents of summer born children wish to defer entry flies) from the centre of the home residence to the school’s as outlined above and wish them to be admitted to the main entrance. Gateshead Local Authority support the Reception Year in the term following their fifth birthday, school in the use of their computerised measuring system rather than year 1, then parents should apply at the usual if necessary. time for a place in September of the current academic year together with a written request that the child is Waiting List admitted outside of his or her normal age group to the Reception Year in September the following year providing A waiting list will be maintained if the school is supporting reasons for seeking a place outside of the oversubscribed. If places subsequently become available normal age group. This should be discussed with the Head

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 21 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Teacher as soon as possible. If their request is agreed, and A map showing the parish boundaries can be inspected this should be clear before the national offer day, their in the school office and on the school website – www. application for the normal age group may be withdrawn staidansprimary.co.uk before any place is offered and they should reapply in the normal way for a Reception place in the following year. If Nursery admissions are entirely separate, and parents are their request is refused, the parents must decide whether asked to note that attendance at the school’s Nursery does to wait for any offer of a place in the current academic not guarantee a place in the Reception Class. year (NB it will still be subject to the over-subscription Parents who are refused a place have a statutory right of criteria in this policy) or to withdraw their application and appeal. Further details of the appeals process are available apply for a year 1 place the following year. Parents should from the school. An appeals timetable is available on the be aware that the Year 1 group may have no vacancies school website www.staidansprimary.co.uk. as it could be full with children transferring from the previous Reception Year group Requests from parents The Admissions Policy Criteria will be applied on an Equal for places outside a normal age group will be considered Preference basis. This means that the Admission Policy carefully e.g. for those who have missed education due Criteria will be applied to every child who makes an to ill health. Each case will be considered on its own application to attend our school. merits and circumstances. However, such admissions will If relevant where an application was originally considered not normally be agreed without a consensus that to do on the basis of false information provided by the parent so would be in the pupil’s interests. It is recommended (e.g. fraudulent information about address or church that parents discuss their wishes with the head teacher attendance) then the Governing Body reserves the right in advance of applying for a place. The governors may to place the child in a much lower category based on the ask relevant professionals for their opinion on the case. It established facts. Where a parent fails to provide evidence should be noted that if a place in the requested age group requested by the Governing Body then the application will is refused, but one in the normal age group is offered then be considered and placed in the relevant criteria based there is no right of appeal. only on the information provided. An offer of a place Further information and advice on the admission provided on the basis of fraudulent evidence may be of summer born children is available from School subsequently withdrawn if found to have denied a place Admissions, Education Support Team, Dryden Centre, to a child who was more eligible for the place under the Gateshead. NE9 5UR. admission criteria.

Notes and definitions • ‘Looked After Child’ is a child who is in the care of • If applicants are seeking admission under the the local authority in accordance with Section 22 criterion of special medical needs or other special of the Children Act 1989 at the time the application circumstances, they will be asked to provide for admission to school is made and whom the local appropriate evidence, eg a letter from a doctor or authority has confirmed will still be ‘looked after’ at the specialist. The evidence must clearly demonstrate why date of admission. the school is the only school that can meet the child’s needs. It should explain the difficulties that would • An ‘adoption order’ is an order made under section 46 arise if the child has to attend an alternative school. of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. This evidence must be submitted with the application • A ‘residence order’ is an order outlining the on or before the closing date. The governors must be arrangements as to the person with whom the child satisfied that there is a specified medical reason which will live under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. makes attendance at this school essential. • A ‘special guardianship order’ is an order appointing • Multiple Births – Where there are more applications one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian than places, children from multiple births will be given or guardians. priority within each criterion. If a further tie beak is necessary, distance between home and school will be • If applicants are seeking admission under the used to prioritise applications. criterion of worshipping regularly at a Parish Church or other Christian church, they will be asked to provide evidence that they worship regularly, eg a letter from the incumbent. (Regularly and frequently is defined as attendance at least once per month over the last twelve months. It is sufficient for one parent/ carer to attend).

22 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St. Alban’s Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St. Alban’s Catholic Primary School was founded by the evidence should be provided at the time of application. If Catholic Church to provide education for children of not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications body following the closing date for applications. This than places available, priority will be given to Catholic information must have been correct at the date of closing children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria for applications. listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its All applications which are submitted on time will be trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all considered at the same time and after the closing date for times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. admissions which is 15 January 2022. As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic Pupils with an Education, Health and education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic Care Plan (see note 1) doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character The admission of pupils with an Education, Health of the school’s education be fully supported by all families and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give procedure. their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right of an that names the school must be admitted. Where this applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted takes place before the allocation of places under these to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements this will reduce the number of places arrangements. available to other children. The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late Applications The governing body is the admissions authority and has Late applications will be administered in accordance with responsibility for admissions to this school. The local the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions authority undertakes the coordination of admission Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application arrangements during the normal admission round for is submitted before the closing date. reception year admission in September. Admission of Children below Compulsory Parishes served by the school School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the parishes of St. Alban’s, Pelaw and St. A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Patrick’s, Felling following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer the date at which their child, below compulsory school Published Admission Number age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year The governing body has set its published admission but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to Reception in school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term the school year which begins in September 2022. of the school year for which an offer was made. A child may take up a part-time place until later in the school Application Procedures and Timetable year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon round (not in-year applications), a Common Application as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the to the school or take up a part-time place. local authority in which the child lives. The parent will be advised of the outcome of the Admission of Children outside their application on 16 April or the next working day, by the Normal Age Group local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the and talented or has experienced problems such as ill right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. health. If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence Any such request should be made in writing to the to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this headteacher of the school. The governing body will

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 23 Gateshead Council Information for Parents make its decision about the request based on the list does not mean that a place will eventually become circumstances of each case and in the best interests of available. the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for Infant Class Size Regulations the internal organisation, management and control of Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the school, the governing body will take into account with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). education professionals. Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the Summer Born Children infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of reception class in the September following their fifth the children is the last child ranked within the school’s birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as PAN. they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an An application can be made for a place for a child at any application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time outside the admission round and the child will be time. The application to the local authority should include admitted where there are available places. For information this request and in addition it should be made in writing on making an in-year application, parents should contact to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden liaise with the governing body that will make its decision Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 about the request based on the circumstances of each 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to outcome of their application in writing. taking into account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Where there are places available but more applications management and control of the school, the governing than places, the published oversubscription criteria will be body will take into account the views of the parents and of applied. appropriate medical and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request the child is added to the waiting list (see above). before primary national offer day. If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal Right of Appeal age group may be withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether Where a parent has been notified that a place is not to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or available for a child, every effort will be made by the local to refuse it and make an in year application for admission authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable to year one for the September following the child’s fifth alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have birthday. a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are available by writing to the chair of governors Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a at the school address. new application as part of the main admissions round the following year. Fair Access Protocol One admission authority cannot be required to honour The school is committed to taking its fair share of children a decision made by another admission authority on who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal should consider whether to request admission out of the admission round the governing body is empowered normal year group at all their preference schools, rather to give absolute priority to a child where admission is than just their first preference schools. requested under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the diocese and the governing body for the Waiting Lists current school year. The governing body has this power, even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be published admission number (subject to the infant class offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting size exceptions). 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 Nursery list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the For children attending the school’s nursery, application school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last to the reception class of the school must be made in the day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at

24 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that 4. Other Catholic children. a place will be offered at the school. 5. Other looked after and previously looked after False evidence children. (see note 2) The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the 6. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the Church. (see notes 5&6) school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or 7. Any other children. place was obtained by deception. Tie Breaker Oversubscription Criteria Where there are places available for some, but not all Where there are more applications for places than applicants within a particular criterion priority will be the number of places available, places will be offered given to children living closest to the school determined according to the following order of priority. by the shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the First priority in each category will be given to children who crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home will have an older sibling attending the school in September residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the 2022. Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after In the event of distances being the same for two or more children. (see notes 2&3) children where this would determine the last place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public 2. Catholic Children with a Certificate of Catholic Practice place and supervised by a person independent of the who are resident in the parishes of St. Alban’s, Pelaw school. and St. Patrick’s, Felling (see notes 3&4) 3. Other Catholic children who are resident in the parishes of St. Alban’s, Pelaw and St. Patrick’s, Felling (see note 3)

Notes and definitions 1. An Education, Health and Care Plan is a plan required. Those who have difficulty obtaining written made by the local authority under section 37 of the evidence of baptism should contact their Parish Priest Children and Families Act 2014, specifying the special who, after consulting with the Diocese, will decide educational provision required for a child. how the question of baptism is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be produced in accordance with 2. A looked after child has the same meaning as in the law of the Church. section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any child who is (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) 4. Certificate of Catholic Practice means a certificate being provided with accommodation by them in the issued by the family’s parish priest (or the priest in exercise of their social services functions (e.g. children charge of the church where the family attends Mass) with foster parents) at the time of making application in the form laid down by the Bishops’ Conference to the school. of England and Wales. It will be issued if the priest is satisfied that at least one Catholic parent or carer A previously looked after child is a child who (along with the child, if he or she is over seven years was looked after, but ceased to be so because he old) have (except when it was impossible to do so) or she was adopted, or became subject to a child attended Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation arrangements order or special guardianship order. for at least five years (or, in the case of a child, since 3. ‘Catholic’ means a member of a Church in full the age of seven, if shorter). It will also be issued when communion with the See of Rome. This includes the practice has been continuous since being received the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be into the Church if that occurred less than five years evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic ago. It is expected that most Certificates will be issued Church or a certificate of reception into the full on the basis of attendance. A Certificate may also be communion of the Catholic Church. For the purposes issued by the priest when attendance is interrupted of this policy, it includes a looked after child living with by exceptional circumstances which excuse from the a family where at least one of the parents is Catholic. obligation to attend on that occasion or occasions. Further details of these circumstances can be found in For a child to be treated as Catholic, evidence of the guidance issued to priests. This can found at Catholic baptism or reception into the Church will be www.edurcdhn.org.uk

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 25 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

5. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate 8. Sibling includes: of a Catholic Church. For the purposes of admissions this refers to the child on whose behalf the application (i) all natural brothers or sisters, half brothers or is being made. This will normally be evidenced by a sisters, adopted brothers or sisters, stepbrothers certificate of reception into the order of catechumens. or sisters, foster brothers or sisters, whether or not they are living at the same address; and 6. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox Churches, and is normally evidenced by a certificate (ii) The child of a parent’s partner where that child lives of baptism or reception from the authorities of that for at least part of the week in the same family unit Church. Those who have difficulty obtaining written at the same home address as the child who is the evidence of baptism or reception should contact subject of the application. the Diocese who will decide how the question of 9. A parent means all natural parents, any person who is baptism or reception is to be resolved and how written not a parent but has parental responsibility for a child, evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law and any person who has care of a child (having care of the Church. of a child means that the child lives with and is looked 7. A child’s “home address” refers to the address where after by that person). the child usually lives with a parent or carer, and will be This policy should be read in conjunction with the local the address provided in the Common Application Form authority’s admission guidance for parents. (“CAF”). Where parents have shared responsibility for a child, and the child lives for part of the week with each parent, the home address will be the address given in the CAF, provided that the child resides at that address for any part of the school week.

26 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Gateshead Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Anne’s Catholic Primary School was founded by the If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence Catholic Church to provide education for children of to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications evidence should be provided at the time of application. If than places available, priority will be given to Catholic not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria body following the closing date for applications. This listed below. The school is conducted by its governing information must have been correct at the date of closing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its for applications. trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. All applications which are submitted on time will be considered at the same time and after the closing date for As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic admissions which is 15 January 2022. education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the Pupils with an Education, Health and school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character Care Plan (see note 1) of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give The admission of pupils with an Education, Health their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right of an procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where to a place at the school in accordance with the admission this takes place before the allocation of places under arrangements. these arrangements this will reduce the number of places available to other children. The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late Applications Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is the Late applications will be administered in accordance with admissions authority and is responsible for determining the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions the admission policy. The local authority coordinates Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application the admissions process on behalf of the Trust. The is submitted before the closing date. administration and operation of the admission policy is delegated by the Trust to the Local Governing Committee. Admission of Children below Compulsory Parishes served by the school School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the parish of St Anne’s Catholic Church, A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Harlow Green, Gateshead. following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer the date at which their child, below compulsory school Published Admission Number age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory The governing body has set its published admission school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to [the of the school year for which an offer was made. A child reception year] in the school year which begins in may take up a part-time place until later in the school September 2022. year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a Application Procedures and Timetable place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry round (not in-year applications), a Common Application to the school or take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked and talented or has experienced problems such as ill higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related health. to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Any such request should be made in writing to the headteacher of the school. The governing body will

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 27 Gateshead Council Information for Parents make its decision about the request based on the day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting circumstances of each case and in the best interests of list does not mean that a place will eventually become the child. In addition to taking into account the views available. of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of Infant Class Size Regulations the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions education professionals. in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Summer Born Children Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born and their child is refused a place. between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit reception class in the September following their fifth twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as the children is the last child ranked within the school’s they progress through school. PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body that will make its decision the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the taking into account the views of the headteacher, who outcome of their application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing Where there are places available but more applications body will take into account the views of the parents and of than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set appropriate medical and education professionals. out above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent application for the normal age group may be withdrawn appeal panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a Right of Appeal place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the Where a parent has been notified that a place is not September following the child’s fifth birthday. available for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have new application as part of the main admissions round the a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals following year. process are available by writing to the chair of governors at the school address. 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, Fair Access Protocol should consider whether to request admission out of the The school is committed to taking its fair share of children normal year group at all their preference schools, rather who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in than just their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered Waiting Lists to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol that has been agreed In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be by both the diocese and the governing body for the offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting current school year. The governing body has this power, list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the published admission number (subject to the infant class order in which applications are received or added to the size exceptions). list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last

28 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the Where there are places available for some, but not all offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the applicants within a particular criterion priority will be school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or given to children living closest to the school measured place was obtained by deception. as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using Oversubscription Criteria the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than In the event of distances being the same for two or more the number of places available, places will be offered children where this would determine the last place to be according to the following order of priority. allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public place and supervised by a person independent of the First priority in each category will be given to children who school. will have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after This policy should be read in conjunction with children. (see notes 2&3) the local authority’s admission guidance for 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St parents. Please see notes and definitions on Anne’s Catholic Church. (see note 3) page 69. 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 29 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School was founded by If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence the Catholic Church to provide education for children of to support the application, e.g. a baptismal certificate, this Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications evidence should be provided at the time of application. If than places available, priority will be given to Catholic not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria body following the closing date for applications. This listed below. The school is conducted by its governing information must have been correct at the date of closing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its for applications. trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. All applications which are submitted on time will be considered at the same time and after the closing date for As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic admissions which is 15 January 2022. education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the Pupils with an Education, Health and school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character Care Plan (see note 1) of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give The admission of pupils with an Education, Health their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the this takes place before the allocation of places under admission arrangements. these arrangements this will reduce the number of places available to other children. The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late Applications The governing body is the admissions authority and has Late applications will be administered in accordance responsibility for admissions to this school. The local with the home local authority Primary Coordinated authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that arrangements during the normal admission round for the application is submitted before the closing date. reception year admission in September. Admission of Children below Compulsory Parishes served by the school School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the parish of St Augustine, Leam Lane, Gateshead. A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may Published Admission Number defer the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the The governing body has set its published admission school year but not beyond the point at which they reach number (PAN) at 45 pupils to be admitted to [the compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the reception year] in the school year which begins in final term of the school year for which an offer was made. September 2022. A child may take up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not beyond the point at which the child Application Procedures and Timetable reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission of a place a parent should notify the school in writing, as round (not in-year applications), a Common Application soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the entry to the school or take up a part-time place. local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their The parent will be advised of the outcome of the Normal Age Group application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked of their normal age group, for example, if the child is higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the ill health. right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.

30 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Any such request should be made in writing to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the headteacher of the school. The governing body will school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last make its decision about the request based on the day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting circumstances of each case and in the best interests of list does not mean that a place will eventually become the child. In addition to taking into account the views available. of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of Infant Class Size Regulations the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions education professionals. in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Summer Born Children Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born and their child is refused a place. between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit reception class in the September following their fifth twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as the children is the last child ranked within the school’s they progress through school. PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body that will make its decision the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the taking into account the views of the headteacher, who outcome of their application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing Where there are places available but more applications body will take into account the views of the parents and of than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set appropriate medical and education professionals. out above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent application for the normal age group may be withdrawn appeal panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a Right of Appeal place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the Where a parent has been notified that a place is not September following the child’s fifth birthday. available for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have new application as part of the main admissions round the a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals following year. process are available by writing to the chair of governors at the school address. 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, Fair Access Protocol should consider whether to request admission out of the The school is committed to taking its fair share of children normal year group at all their preference schools, rather who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in than just their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered Waiting Lists to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol that has been agreed In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be by both the diocese and the governing body for the offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting current school year. The governing body has this power, list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the published admission number (subject to the infant class order in which applications are received or added to the size exceptions).

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 31 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Nursery Tie Breaker For children attending the school’s nursery, application Where there are places available for some, but not all to the reception class of the school must be made in the applicants within a particular criterion priority will be normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at given to children living closest to the school measured the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the a place will be offered at the school. home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). False evidence In the event of distances being the same for two or more The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the children where this would determine the last place to be offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place and supervised by a person independent of the place was obtained by deception. school. Oversubscription Criteria Where there are more applications for places than This policy should be read in conjunction with the number of places available, places will be offered the local authority’s admission guidance for according to the following order of priority. parents. Please see notes and definitions on First priority in each category will be given to children who page 69. will have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Augustine, Leam Lane, Gateshead. (see note 3) 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

32 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Joseph’s Catholic Infant School, Birtley Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Joseph’s Catholic Infant School was founded by the not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic body following the closing date for applications. This families. Whenever there are more applications than places information must have been correct at the date of closing for available, priority will be given to Catholic children in applications. accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of All applications which are submitted on time will be the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed and considered at the same time and after the closing date for instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a admissions which is 15 January 2022. witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education Care Plan (see note 1) for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. education be fully supported by all families in the school. We Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved the school must be admitted. Where this takes place before and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. the allocation of places under these arrangements this will This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not reduce the number of places available to other children. Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Late applications will be administered in accordance with preference basis. the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is The governing body is the admissions authority and submitted before the closing date. has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admission of Children below Compulsory arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Parishes served by the school following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer The school serves the parish of St Joseph’s Birtley. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to [the reception year] in up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not the school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation,

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 33 Gateshead Council Information for Parents management and control of the school, the governing Infant Class Size Regulations body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in Summer Born Children the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child child is refused a place. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the school. children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parent who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time. The application to the local authority should include An application can be made for a place for a child at any this request and in addition it should be made in writing to time outside the admission round and the child will be the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise admitted where there are available places. For information with the governing body that will make its decision about on making an in-year application, parents should contact the the request based on the circumstances of each case and local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their responsibility for the internal organisation, management application in writing. and control of the school, the governing body will take into Where there are places available but more applications than account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out and education professionals. above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal application for the normal age group may be withdrawn panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for Right of Appeal the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the September Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available following the child’s fifth birthday. for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory new application as part of the main admissions round the right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are following year. available by writing to the chair of governors at the school One admission authority cannot be required to honour a address. decision made by another admission authority on admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should Fair Access Protocol consider whether to request admission out of the normal The school is committed to taking its fair share of children year group at all their preference schools, rather than just who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered to give Waiting Lists absolute priority to a child where admission is requested In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting diocese and the governing body for the current school year. list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription The governing body has this power, even when admitting criteria set out below and not in the order in which the child would mean exceeding the published admission applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). for admission will operate throughout the school year. The For children attending the school’s nursery, application waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer to the reception class of the school must be made in the term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at the that a place will eventually become available. school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that a place will be offered at the school.

34 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False evidence 6. Children of a member of school staff who has been employed at the school for two or more years at the The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer time at which application for admission to the school is of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, made (see note 9) the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception. 7. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. Oversubscription Criteria (see note 6) Where there are more applications for places than the 8. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced number of places available, places will be offered according by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) to the following order of priority. 9. Any other children. First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending Birtley St Joseph’s Infant school Tie Breaker or at St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School in September 2022. Where there are places available for some, but not all 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given children. (see notes 2&3) to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Joseph’s Birtley (see note 3) Authority’s computerised measuring system). 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) In the event of distances being the same for two or more children where this would determine the last place to be 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public (see note 2) place and supervised by a person independent of the school. 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5)

Notes and definitions after consulting with the Diocese, will decide how the question of baptism is to be resolved and how written 1. An Education, Health and Care Plan is a plan made by evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law the local authority under section 37 of the Children and of the Church. Families Act 2014, specifying the special educational provision required for a child. 4. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate of a Catholic Church. For the purposes of admissions 2. A looked after child has the same meaning as in this refers to the child on whose behalf the application section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any is being made. This will normally be evidenced by a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) certificate of reception into the order of catechumens. being provided with accommodation by them in the exercise of their social services functions (e.g. children 5. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox Churches, with foster parents) at the time of making application to and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism the school. or reception from the authorities of that Church. Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of A previously looked after child is a child who was baptism or reception should contact the Diocese who looked after, but ceased to be so because he or she was will decide how the question of baptism or reception adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be order or special guardianship order. produced in accordance with the law of the Church. 3. ‘Catholic’ means a member of a Church in full 6. Children of other Christian denominations means communion with the See of Rome. This includes children who belong to other churches and ecclesial the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be communities which, acknowledge God’s revelation evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic in Christ, confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Church or a certificate of reception into the full Saviour according to the Scriptures, and, in obedience communion of the Catholic Church. For the purposes of to God’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit commit this policy, it includes a looked after child living with a themselves: to seek a deepening of their communion family where at least one of the parents is Catholic. with Christ and with one another in the Church, which is his body; and to fulfil their mission to proclaim the For a child to be treated as Catholic, evidence of Catholic Gospel by common witness and service in the world to baptism or reception into the Church will be required. the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence ecclesial community which on principle has no credal of baptism should contact their Parish Priest who,

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 35 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

statements in its tradition, is included if it manifests 8. A child’s “home address” refers to the address where faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and is the child usually lives with a parent or carer, and will be committed to working in the spirit of the above. the address provided in the Common Application Form (“CAF”). Where parents have shared responsibility for a All members of Churches Together in England and child, and the child lives for part of the week with each CYTÛN are deemed to be included in the above parent, the home address will be the address given in definition, as are all other churches and ecclesial the CAF, provided that the child resides at that address communities that are in membership of any local for any part of the school week. Churches Together Group (by whatever title) on the above basis. 9. Sibling includes: Applicants must provide a baptismal certificate or where (i) all natural brothers or sisters, half brothers or sisters, child baptism is not practised, a letter confirming their adopted brothers or sisters, stepbrothers or sisters, church membership from their minister or faith leader. foster brothers or sisters, whether or not they are living at the same address; and 7. Children of other faiths means children who are members of a religious community that does not fall (ii) The child of a parent’s partner where that child lives within the definition of ‘other Christian denominations’ for at least part of the week in the same family unit at 6 above and which falls within the definition of a at the same home address as the child who is the religion for the purposes of charity law. The Charities Act subject of the application. 2011 defines religion to include: 10. A parent means all natural parents, any person who is • A religion which involves belief in more than one not a parent but has parental responsibility for a child, God, and and any person who has care of a child (having care of a • A religion which does not involve belief in a God. child means that the child lives with and is looked after by that person). Case law has identified certain characteristics which describe the meaning of religion for the purposes 11. A member of staff includes all school staff who are of charity law, which are characterised by a belief in under the direct employment of the governing body of a supreme being and an expression of belief in that the school. supreme being through worship. This policy should be read in conjunction with the local Applicants must provide a letter of support to confirm authority’s admission guidance for parents. their faith membership from their minister or faith leader.

36 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, Birtley Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School was founded by the of application. If not provided, evidence may be sought Catholic Church to provide education for children of by the governing body following the closing date for Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications applications. This information must have been correct at than places available, priority will be given to Catholic the date of closing for applications. children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is conducted by its governing All applications which are submitted on time will be body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its considered at the same time and after the closing date for trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all admissions which is 15 January 2022. times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic Care Plan (see note 1) education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the The admission of pupils with an Education, Health school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate of the school’s education be fully supported by all families procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims this takes place before the allocation of places under and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right these arrangements this will reduce the number of places of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be available to other children. admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Late applications will be administered in accordance preference basis. with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that The governing body is the admissions authority and has the application is submitted before the closing date. responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admission of Children below Compulsory arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Parishes served by the school following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may The school serves the parish of St Joseph’s, Birtley. defer the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the Published Admission Number school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the The governing body has set its published admission final term of the school year for which an offer was made. number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to Year 3 in the A child may take up a part-time place until later in the school year which begins in September 2022. school year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer Application Procedures and Timetable of a place a parent should notify the school in writing, as To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s round (not in-year applications), a Common Application entry to the school or take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless of their normal age group, for example, if the child is the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related ill health. to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Any such request should be made in writing to the headteacher of the school. The governing body will If the parent is required to provide supplemental make its decision about the request based on the evidence to support the application (e.g. a baptismal circumstances of each case and in the best interests of certificate), this evidence should be provided at the time the child. In addition to taking into account the views

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 37 Gateshead Council Information for Parents of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for Infant Class Size Regulations the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the education professionals. provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance Summer Born Children with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of reception class in the September following their fifth the children is the last child ranked within the school’s birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as PAN. they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body that will make its decision the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the taking into account the views of the headteacher, who outcome of their application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Where there are places available but more applications management and control of the school, the governing than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set body will take into account the views of the parents and out above, will be applied. of appropriate medical and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request the child is added to the waiting list (see above). before primary national offer day. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent If the request is agreed by the governing body, the appeal panel if refused a place. application for the normal age group may be withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the Right of Appeal parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make Where a parent has been notified that a place is not an in year application for admission to year one for the available for a child, every effort will be made by the local September following the child’s fifth birthday. authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals new application as part of the main admissions round the process are available by writing to the chair of governors following year. at the school address. One admission authority cannot be required to honour a decision made by another admission authority on Fair Access Protocol admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, The school is committed to taking its fair share of children should consider whether to request admission out of the who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in normal year group at all their preference schools, rather locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal than just their first preference schools. admission round the governing body is empowered to give absolute priority to a child where admission is Waiting Lists requested under any local protocol that has been agreed In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be by both the diocese and the governing body for the offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting current school year. The governing body has this power, list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the even when admitting the child would mean exceeding oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the the published admission number (subject to the infant order in which applications are received or added to the class size exceptions). list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last False evidence day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the list does not mean that a place will eventually become offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the available. school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception.

38 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Oversubscription Criteria Tie Breaker Where there are more applications for places than Where there are places available for some, but not all the number of places available, places will be offered applicants within a particular criterion priority will be according to the following order of priority. given to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the First priority in each category will be given to children who home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using will have an older sibling attending the school in September the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). 2022. In the event of distances being the same for two or more 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children where this would determine the last place to be children. (see notes 2&3) allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish(es) of place and supervised by a person independent of the St Joseph’s, Birtley. (see note 3) school. 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3)

4. Other looked after and previously looked after This policy should be read in conjunction with children. (see note 2) the local authority’s admission guidance for 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian parents. Please see notes and definitions on Church. (see notes 4&5) page 69. 6. Children who attend St Joseph’s Catholic Infant School, Birtley. 7. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 8. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 9. Any other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 39 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blaydon Admission Policy 2022/2023

All are welcome in St Joseph’s where everyone is special, cared for and challenged to be the best they can be in our safe and happy school. We strive to love justice, show mercy and walk wisely and humbly with God. We will love one another in Christ knowing that Jesus loves us very much.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School was founded by the The parent will be advised of the outcome of the Catholic Church to provide education for children of application on 16 April or the next working day, by the Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless than places available, priority will be given to Catholic the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related listed below. The school is conducted by its governing to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence to support the application (e.g. a baptismal As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic certificate), this evidence should be provided at the time education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic of application. If not provided, evidence may be sought doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the by the governing body following the closing date for school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character applications. This information must have been correct at of the school’s education be fully supported by all families the date of closing for applications. in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims All applications which are submitted on time will be and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right considered at the same time and after the closing date for of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admissions which is 15 January 2022. admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (see note 1) The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate The governing body is the admissions authority and has procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care responsibility for admissions to this school. The local Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where authority undertakes the coordination of admission this takes place before the allocation of places under arrangements during the normal admission round for these arrangements this will reduce the number of places reception year admission in September. available to other children. Parishes served by the school Late Applications The school serves the parishes of St Anne’s, Winlaton and Late applications will be administered in accordance St Joseph’s, Blaydon. with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that Published Admission Number the application is submitted before the closing date. The governing body has set its published admission number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to the reception Admission of Children below Compulsory year in the school year which begins in September 2022. School Age and Deferred Entry Application Procedures and Timetable A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission the date at which their child, below compulsory school round (not in-year applications), a Common Application age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory local authority in which the child lives. school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year for which an offer was made. A child

40 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents may take up a part-time place until later in the school One admission authority cannot be required to honour year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches a decision made by another admission authority on compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon should consider whether to request admission out of the as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s entry normal year group at all their preference schools, rather to the school or take up a part-time place. than just their first preference schools. Admission of Children outside their Waiting Lists Normal Age Group In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the and talented or has experienced problems such as ill oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the health. order in which applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the Any such request should be made in writing to the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last headteacher of the school. The governing body will day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting make its decision about the request based on the list does not mean that a place will eventually become circumstances of each case and in the best interests of available. the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for Infant Class Size Regulations the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing body will take into account Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions education professionals. in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the Summer Born Children infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of reception class in the September following their fifth the children is the last child ranked within the school’s birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as PAN. they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing admitted where there are available places. For information to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will on making an in-year application, parents should contact liaise with the governing body that will make its decision the local authority, Education Support Service, Dryden about the request based on the circumstances of each Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to 8589. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their taking into account the views of the headteacher, who application in writing. has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Where there are places available but more applications management and control of the school, the governing than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set body will take into account the views of the parents and of out above, will be applied. appropriate medical and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request the child is added to the waiting list (see above). before primary national offer day. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent If the request is agreed by the governing body, the appeal panel if refused a place. application for the normal age group may be withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the Right of Appeal parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make Where a parent has been notified that a place is not an in year application for admission to year one for the available for a child, every effort will be made by the local September following the child’s fifth birthday. authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals new application as part of the main admissions round the process are available by writing to the chair of governors following year. at the school address.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 41 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Fair Access Protocol 3. Other Catholic children who are resident in the parishes of St Anne’s, Winlaton and St Joseph’s, The school is committed to taking its fair share of children Blaydon. (see note 3) who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal 4. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) admission round the governing body is empowered 5. Other looked after and previously looked after to give absolute priority to a child where admission is children. (see note 2) requested under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the diocese and the governing body for the 6. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian current school year. The governing body has this power, Church. (see notes 5&6) even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the 7. Children of other Christian denominations whose published admission number (subject to the infant class membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. size exceptions). (see note 7) False evidence 8. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 8) The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the 9. Any other children. school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception. Tie Breaker Oversubscription Criteria Where there are places available for some, but not all applicants within a particular criterion priority will be Where there are more applications for places than given to children living closest to the school measured the number of places available, places will be offered as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the according to the following order of priority. home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending the school in September In the event of distances being the same for two or more 2022. children where this would determine the last place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after place and supervised by a person independent of the children. (see notes 2&3) school. 2 Catholic Children with a Certificate of Catholic Practice who are resident in the parishes of St Anne’s, Winlaton and St Joseph’s, Blaydon. (see notes 3 & 4)

Notes and definitions 1. An Education, Health and Care Plan is a plan communion of the Catholic Church. For the purposes made by the local authority under section 37 of the of this policy, it includes a looked after child who Children and Families Act 2014, specifying the special is part of a Catholic family where a letter from a educational provision required for a child. priest demonstrates that the child would have been baptised or received if it were not for their status as 2. A looked after child has the same meaning as in a looked after child (e.g. a looked after child in the section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any process of adoption by a Catholic family). child who is (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) being provided with accommodation by them in the For a child to be treated as Catholic, evidence of exercise of their social services functions (e.g. children Catholic baptism or reception into the Church will be with foster parents) at the time of making application required. Those who have difficulty obtaining written to the school. evidence of baptism should contact their parish priest who, after consulting with the diocese, will decide A previously looked after child is a child who how the question of baptism is to be resolved and was looked after, but ceased to be so because he how written evidence is to be produced in accordance or she was adopted, or became subject to a child with the law of the Church. arrangements order or special guardianship order. 4. Certificate of Catholic Practice means a certificate 3. Catholic means a member of a Church in full issued by the family’s parish priest (or the priest in communion with the See of Rome. This includes charge of the church where the family attends Mass) the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be in the form laid down by the Bishops’ Conference evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic of England and Wales. It will be issued if the priest Church or a certificate of reception into the full

42 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

is satisfied that at least one Catholic parent or carer 8. Children of other faiths means children who (along with the child, if he or she is over seven are members of a religious community that does years old) have (except when it was impossible not fall within the definition of ‘other Christian to do so) attended Mass on Sundays and holy denominations’ at 7 above and which falls within the days of obligation for at least five years (or, in the definition of a religion for the purposes of charity law. case of a child, since the age of seven, if shorter). The Charities Act 2011 defines religion to include: It will also be issued when the practice has been continuous since being received into the Church if • A religion which involves belief in more than one that occurred less than five years ago. It is expected God, and that most Certificates will be issued on the basis of • A religion which does not involve belief in a God. attendance. A Certificate may also be issued by the Case law has identified certain characteristics which priest when attendance is interrupted by exceptional describe the meaning of religion for the purposes circumstances which excuse from the obligation to of charity law, which are characterised by a belief in attend on that occasion or occasions. Further details a supreme being and an expression of belief in that of these circumstances can be found in the guidance supreme being through worship. issued to priests. This can found at www.edurcdhn. org.uk pplicants must provide a letter of support to confirm their faith membership from their minister or faith 5. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate leader. of a Catholic Church. For the purposes of admissions this refers to the child on whose behalf the 9. Home address is the primary parental address which application is being made. This will normally be will be used in applying the admission criteria. This evidenced by a certificate of reception into the order means that, when stating the choice of school, the of catechumens. parental address at the time of application should be given. The address of childminders or other family 6. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox members who may share in the care of the child Churches, and is normally evidenced by a certificate must not be used as the home address. Documentary of baptism or reception from the authorities of that evidence may be requested. Church. Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of baptism or reception should contact the 10. Sibling includes: Diocese who will decide how the question of baptism or reception is to be resolved and how written (i) all natural brothers or sisters, half brothers or evidence is to be produced in accordance with the sisters, adopted brothers or sisters, stepbrothers law of the Church. or sisters, foster brothers or sisters, whether or not they are living at the same address; and 7. Children of other Christian denominations means children who belong to other churches and ecclesial (ii) the child of a parent’s partner where that child communities which, acknowledge God’s revelation lives for at least part of the week in the same in Christ, confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and family unit at the same address as the applicant. Saviour according to the Scriptures, and, in obedience 11. A parent means all natural parents, any person who is to God’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit not a parent but has parental responsibility for a child, commit themselves: to seek a deepening of their and any person who has care of a child (having care communion with Christ and with one another in the of a child means that the child lives with and is looked Church, which is his body; and to fulfil their mission to after by that person). proclaim the Gospel by common witness and service in the world to the glory of the one God, Father, Son This policy should be read in conjunction with the and Holy Spirit. An ecclesial community which on local authority’s admission guidance for parents. principle has no credal statements in its tradition, is included if it manifests faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and is committed to working in the spirit of the above. All members of Churches Together in England and CYTÛN are deemed to be included in the above definition, as are all other churches and ecclesial communities that are in membership of any local Churches Together Group (by whatever title) on the above basis. 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.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 43 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St. Joseph’s RC VA Primary School, Gateshead Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Joseph’s RC VA Primary School was founded by the body following the closing date for applications. This Catholic Church to provide education for children of information must have been correct at the date of closing Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications for applications. than places available, priority will be given to Catholic children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria All applications which are submitted on time will be listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body considered at the same time and after the closing date for as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust admissions which is 15 January 2022. deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (see note 1) As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that education be fully supported by all families in the school. We names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved before the allocation of places under these arrangements and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. this will reduce the number of places available to other This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not children. Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Late applications will be administered in accordance with preference basis. the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is The governing body is the admissions authority and submitted before the closing date. has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admission of Children below Compulsory arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Parishes served by the school following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer The school serves the parish of St Joseph’s, Gateshead. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to the reception year in the up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing management and control of the school, the governing

44 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents body will take into account the views of the parents and of Infant Class Size Regulations appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils Summer Born Children with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception child is refused a place. class in the September following their fifth birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit school. twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at the usual In-Year Applications time. The application to the local authority should include this request and in addition it should be made in writing to An application can be made for a place for a child at any the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise time outside the admission round and the child will be with the governing body that will make its decision about admitted where there are available places. For information the request based on the circumstances of each case and on making an in-year application, parents should contact the in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 responsibility for the internal organisation, management 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their and control of the school, the governing body will take into application in writing. account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical Where there are places available but more applications than and education professionals. places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request above, will be applied. before primary national offer day. If there are no places available, a request can be made that If the request is agreed by the governing body, the the child is added to the waiting list (see above). application for the normal age group may be withdrawn The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent panel if refused a place. must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year Right of Appeal application for admission to year one for the September following the child’s fifth birthday. Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative new application as part of the main admissions round the school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory following year. right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are One admission authority cannot be required to honour a available by writing to the chair of governors at the school decision made by another admission authority on admission address. out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should consider whether to request admission out of the normal Fair Access Protocol year group at all their preference schools, rather than just The school is committed to taking its fair share of children their first preference schools. who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal Waiting Lists admission round the governing body is empowered to give In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered absolute priority to a child where admission is requested the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription diocese and the governing body for the current school year. criteria set out below and not in the order in which The governing body has this power, even when admitting applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists the child would mean exceeding the published admission for admission will operate throughout the school year. The number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean False evidence that a place will eventually become available. The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 45 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Oversubscription Criteria Tie Breaker Where there are more applications for places than the Where there are places available for some, but not all number of places available, places will be offered according applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given to the following order of priority. to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence First priority in each category will be given to children who will to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. Authority’s computerised measuring system). 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after In the event of distances being the same for two or more children. (see notes 2&3) children where this would determine the last place to be 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public Joseph’s, Gateshead. (see note 3) place and supervised by a person independent of the school. 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3)

4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. This policy should be read in conjunction with (see note 2) the local authority’s admission guidance for 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian parents. Please see notes and definitions on Church. (see notes 4&5) page 69.

6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

46 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Highfield Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School was founded by the not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic body following the closing date for applications. This families. Whenever there are more applications than places information must have been correct at the date of closing available, priority will be given to Catholic children in for applications. accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of All applications which are submitted on time will be the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed and considered at the same time and after the closing date for instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a admissions which is 15 January 2022. witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education Care Plan (see note 1) for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. education be fully supported by all families in the school. We Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. before the allocation of places under these arrangements This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not this will reduce the number of places available to other Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the children. school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late applications will be administered in accordance with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions The governing body is the admissions authority and Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local submitted before the closing date. authority undertakes the coordination of admission arrangements during the normal admission round for Admission of Children below Compulsory reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry Parishes served by the school A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September The school serves the parishes of St Joseph’s, Highfield and following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer Our Lady of Lourdes, Chopwell. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 15 pupils to be admitted to the reception year in the up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation,

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 47 Gateshead Council Information for Parents management and control of the school, the governing Infant Class Size Regulations body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in Summer Born Children the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child child is refused a place. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the school. children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time. The application to the local authority should include An application can be made for a place for a child at any this request and in addition it should be made in writing to time outside the admission round and the child will be the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise admitted where there are available places. For information with the governing body that will make its decision about on making an in-year application, parents should contact the the request based on the circumstances of each case and local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their responsibility for the internal organisation, management application in writing. and control of the school, the governing body will take into Where there are places available but more applications than account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out and education professionals. above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal application for the normal age group may be withdrawn panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for Right of Appeal the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the September Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available following the child’s fifth birthday. for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory new application as part of the main admissions round the right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are following year. available by writing to the chair of governors at the school One admission authority cannot be required to honour a address. decision made by another admission authority on admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should Fair Access Protocol consider whether to request admission out of the normal The school is committed to taking its fair share of children year group at all their preference schools, rather than just who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered to give Waiting Lists absolute priority to a child where admission is requested In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting diocese and the governing body for the current school year. list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription The governing body has this power, even when admitting criteria set out below and not in the order in which the child would mean exceeding the published admission applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). for admission will operate throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer False evidence term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer that a place will eventually become available. of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception.

48 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Oversubscription Criteria Tie Breaker Where there are more applications for places than the Where there are places available for some, but not all number of places available, places will be offered according applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given to the following order of priority. to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence First priority in each category will be given to children who will to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. Authority’s computerised measuring system). 1. Looked after and previously looked after children. (see In the event of distances being the same for two or more notes 2&3) children where this would determine the last place to be 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parishes of St. allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public Joseph’s Highfield and Our Lady of Lourdes Chopwell. place and supervised by a person independent of the school. (see note 3) 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 4. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian the local authority’s admission guidance for Church. (see notes 4&5) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 5. Children of other Christian denominations whose page 69. membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 6. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 7. Any other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 49 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Mary and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Mary and St Thomas was founded by the Catholic Church Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the to provide education for children of Catholic families. local authority in which the child lives. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. be a witness to Jesus Christ. Whenever there are more If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a applications than places available, priority will be given to place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will Catholic children in accordance with the oversubscription be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed below. criteria listed below, and has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s evidence should be provided at the time of application. If education be fully supported by all families in the school. We not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved body following the closing date for applications. This and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. information must have been correct at the date of closing This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not for applications. Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the All applications which are submitted on time will be school in accordance with the admission arrangements. considered at the same time and after the closing date for The governing body is the admissions authority and admissions which is 15 January 2022. has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Late Applications arrangements during the normal admission round for Late applications will be administered in accordance with reception year admission in September. the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal submitted before the closing date. preference basis. Parishes served by the school Admission of Children below Compulsory School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the parish of St Mary & St Thomas Aquinas, Stella. A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer Published Admission Number the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year The governing body has set its published admission number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory at 30 pupils to be admitted to the reception class in the school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year which begins in September 2022. school year for which an offer was made. A child may take up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not Children with an Education, Health and beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory Care plan school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. take up a part-time place. Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place Admission of Children outside their before the allocation of places under these arrangements this will reduce the number of places available to other Normal Age Group children. 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 Application Procedures and Timetable talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission Any such request should be made in writing to the round (not in-year applications), a Common Application headteacher of the school. The governing body will make

50 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents its decision about the request based on the circumstances Infant Class Size Regulations of each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher who Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in management and control of the school, the governing the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents body will take into account the views of the parents and of do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class appropriate medical and education professionals. size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. Summer Born Children The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that In-Year Applications the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through An application can be made for a place for a child at any school. time outside the admission round and the child will be Parents who want to make this request should make an admitted where there are available places. For information application for their child’s normal age group at the usual on making an in-year application, parents should contact the time. The application to the local authority should include local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, this request and in addition it should be made in writing to Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their with the governing body that will make its decision about application in writing. the request based on the circumstances of each case and Where there are places available but more applications than in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory below, will be applied. responsibility for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, the governing body will take into If there are no places available, a request can be made that account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical the child is added to the waiting list (see above). and education professionals. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request panel if refused a place. before primary national offer day. Right of Appeal If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory application for admission to year one for the September right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are following the child’s fifth birthday. available by writing to the chair of governors at the school address. Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a new application as part of the main admissions round the Fair Access Protocol following year. The school is committed to taking its fair share of children One admission authority cannot be required to honour a who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in decision made by another admission authority on admission locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should admission round the governing body is empowered to give consider whether to request admission out of the normal absolute priority to a child where admission is requested year group at all their preference schools, rather than just under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the their first preference schools. diocese and the governing body for the current school year. The governing body has this power, even when admitting Waiting Lists the child would mean exceeding the published admission In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription Nursery criteria set out below and not in the order in which For children attending the school’s nursery, application to applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists the reception class of the school should be made in the for admission will operate throughout the school year. The normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at the waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that a term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean place will be offered at the school. that a place will eventually become available.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 51 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False Evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer Where there are places available for some, but not all of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was to children living closest to the school measured as the crow obtained by deception. flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Oversubscription Criteria Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than the In the event of distances being the same for two or more number of places available, places will be offered according children where this would determine the last place to be to the following order of priority. allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public place and supervised by a person independent of the school. First priority in each category will be given to children who will have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2 & 3) 2. Catholic Children who are resident in the parish of St. Mary & St. Thomas Aquinas. (see note 3) 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4 & 5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

Notes And Definitions 1. A Statement of Special Educational Needs is a Church or a certificate of reception into the full statement made by the local authority under section communion of the Catholic Church. For the purposes of 324 of the Education Act 1996, specifying the special this policy, it includes a looked after child living with a educational provision for a child. family where at least one of the parents is Catholic. 2. A looked after child has the same meaning as in section For a child to be treated as Catholic, evidence of Catholic 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any child who baptism or reception into the Church will be required. is Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) being provided of baptism should contact their Parish Priest who, with accommodation by them in the exercise of after consulting with the Diocese, will decide how the their social services functions (e.g. children with question of baptism is to be resolved and how written foster parents) at the time of making application to evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law the school. of the Church. A previously looked after child is a child who was 4. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate looked after, but ceased to be so because he or she was of a Catholic Church. For the purposes of admissions adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements this refers to the child on whose behalf the application order or special guardianship order. is being made. This will normally be evidenced by a certificate of reception into the order of catechumens. 3. ‘Catholic’ means a member of a Church in full communion with the See of Rome. This includes 5. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic or reception from the authorities of that Church. Those

52 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of 8. A child’s “home address” refers to the address where baptism or reception should contact the Diocese who the child usually lives with a parent or carer, and will be will decide how the question of baptism or reception the address provided in the Common Application Form is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be (“CAF”). Where parents have shared responsibility for a produced in accordance with the law of the Church. child, and the child lives for part of the week with each parent, the home address will be the address given in 6. Children of other Christian denominations means the CAF, provided that the child resides at that address children who belong to other churches and ecclesial for any part of the school week. communities which, acknowledge God’s revelation in Christ, confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and 9. Sibling includes: Saviour according to the Scriptures, and, in obedience to God’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit commit (i) all natural brothers or sisters, half brothers or sisters, themselves: to seek a deepening of their communion adopted brothers or sisters, step brothers or sisters, with Christ and with one another in the Church, which foster brothers or sisters, whether or not they are is his body; and to fulfil their mission to proclaim the living at the same address; and Gospel by common witness and service in the world to (ii) The child of a parent’s partner where that child lives the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An for at least part of the week in the same family unit ecclesial community which on principle has no credal at the same home address as the child who is the statements in its tradition, is included if it manifests subject of the application. faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and is committed to working in the spirit of the above. 10. Parent means all natural parents, any person who is not a parent but has parental responsibility for a child, All members of Churches Together in England and and any person who has care of a child (having care of a CYTÛN are deemed to be included in the above child means that the child lives with and is looked after definition, as are all other churches and ecclesial by that person). communities that are in membership of any local Churches Together Group (by whatever title) on the This policy should be read in conjunction with the local above basis. authority’s admission guidance for parents. 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. 7. Children of other faiths means children who are members of a religious community that does not fall within the definition of ‘other Christian denominations’ at 6 above and which falls within the definition of a religion for the purposes of charity law. The Charities Act 2011 defines religion to include: • A religion which involves belief in more than one God, and • A religion which does not involve belief in a God. Case law has identified certain characteristics which describe the meaning of religion for the purposes of charity law, which are characterised by a belief in a supreme being and an expression of belief in that supreme being through worship. Applicants must provide a letter of support to confirm their faith membership from their minister or faith leader.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 53 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Mary’s RC Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Mary’s RC Primary School, Whickham was founded by evidence should be provided at the time of application. If the Catholic Church to provide education for children of not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications body following the closing date for applications. This than places available, priority will be given to Catholic information must have been correct at the date of closing children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria for applications. listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust All applications which are submitted on time will be deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times considered at the same time and after the closing date for to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. admissions which is 15 January 2022. As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education Pupils with an Education, Health and for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine Care Plan (see note 1) and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and education be fully supported by all families in the school. We Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not before the allocation of places under these arrangements Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the this will reduce the number of places available to other school in accordance with the admission arrangements. children. The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Late Applications preference basis. Late applications will be administered in accordance with The governing body is the admissions authority and the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is authority undertakes the coordination of admission submitted before the closing date. arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. Admission of Children below Compulsory Parishes served by the school School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the former parishes of St Mary’s, A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Whickham and Immaculate Heart, Lobley Hill (which are following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer now part of the parish of Our Lady and St Philip Neri). the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to [the reception year] in up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not the school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who

54 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Infant Class Size Regulations management and control of the school, the governing body will take into account the views of the parents and of Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils appropriate medical and education professionals. with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents Summer Born Children do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born child is refused a place. between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit class in the September following their fifth birthday and that twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an application for their child’s normal age group at the usual An application can be made for a place for a child at any time. The application to the local authority should include time outside the admission round and the child will be this request and in addition it should be made in writing to admitted where there are available places. For information the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise on making an in-year application, parents should contact the with the governing body that will make its decision about local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, the request based on the circumstances of each case and Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory application in writing. responsibility for the internal organisation, management Where there are places available but more applications than and control of the school, the governing body will take into places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical above, will be applied. and education professionals. If there are no places available, a request can be made that Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request the child is added to the waiting list (see above). before primary national offer day. The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal If the request is agreed by the governing body, the panel if refused a place. application for the normal age group may be withdrawn before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent Right of Appeal must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available application for admission to year one for the September for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority following the child’s fifth birthday. to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are new application as part of the main admissions round the available by writing to the chair of governors at the school following year. address. One admission authority cannot be required to honour a decision made by another admission authority on admission Fair Access Protocol out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should The school is committed to taking its fair share of children consider whether to request admission out of the normal who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in year group at all their preference schools, rather than just locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal their first preference schools. admission round the governing body is empowered to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested Waiting Lists under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered diocese and the governing body for the current school year. the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting The governing body has this power, even when admitting list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription the child would mean exceeding the published admission criteria set out below and not in the order in which number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the school year. The False evidence waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, that a place will eventually become available. the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 55 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Oversubscription Criteria Tie Breaker Where there are more applications for places than the Where there are places available for some, but not all number of places available, places will be offered according applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given to the following order of priority. to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence First priority in each category will be given to children who will to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. Authority’s computerised measuring system). 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after In the event of distances being the same for two or more children. (see notes 2&3) children where this would determine the last place to be 2. Catholic children who are resident in the former allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public parishes of St Mary’s, Whickham or Immaculate Heart, place and supervised by a person independent of the Lobley Hill (which are now part of the parish of Our Lady school. and St Philip Neri). (see note 3) 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. the local authority’s admission guidance for (see note 2) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian page 69. Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

56 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Oswald’s RC Primary School, Wrekenton Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Oswald’s RC Primary School was founded by the Catholic not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. body following the closing date for applications. This Whenever there are more applications than places available, information must have been correct at the date of closing priority will be given to Catholic children in accordance for applications. with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic All applications which are submitted on time will be Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of considered at the same time and after the closing date for government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our admissions which is 15 January 2022. Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education Care Plan (see note 1) for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. education be fully supported by all families in the school. We Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. before the allocation of places under these arrangements This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not this will reduce the number of places available to other Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the children. school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late applications will be administered in accordance with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions The governing body is the admissions authority and Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local submitted before the closing date. authority undertakes the coordination of admission arrangements during the normal admission round for Admission of Children below Compulsory reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry Parishes served by the school A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September The school serves the parish of St Oswald’s RC Church, following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer Wrekenton, Gateshead. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to the reception class in up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not the school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation,

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 57 Gateshead Council Information for Parents management and control of the school, the governing Infant Class Size Regulations body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in Summer Born Children the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child child is refused a place. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the school. children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time. The application to the local authority should include An application can be made for a place for a child at any this request and in addition it should be made in writing to time outside the admission round and the child will be the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise admitted where there are available places. For information with the governing body that will make its decision about on making an in-year application, parents should contact the the request based on the circumstances of each case and local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their responsibility for the internal organisation, management application in writing. and control of the school, the governing body will take into Where there are places available but more applications account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical than places, the published oversubscription criteria will be and education professionals. applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn Right of Appeal before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative application for admission to year one for the September school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory following the child’s fifth birthday. right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a available by writing to the chair of governors at the school new application as part of the main admissions round the address. following year. Fair Access Protocol One admission authority cannot be required to honour a decision made by another admission authority on admission The school is committed to taking its fair share of children out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in consider whether to request admission out of the normal locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal year group at all their preference schools, rather than just admission round the governing body is empowered to give their first preference schools. absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the Waiting Lists diocese and the governing body for the current school year. The governing body has this power, even when admitting In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered the child would mean exceeding the published admission the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the order in which Nursery applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists for admission will operate throughout the school year. The For children attending the school’s nursery, application waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer to the reception class of the school must be made in the term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at the that a place will eventually become available. school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that a place will be offered at the school.

58 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer Where there are places available for some, but not all of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was to children living closest to the school determined by the obtained by deception. shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home residence to Oversubscription Criteria the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered according In the event of distances being the same for two or more to the following order of priority. children where this would determine the last place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public First priority in each category will be given to children who will place and supervised by a person independent of the school. have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St the local authority’s admission guidance for Oswald’s RC Church, Wrekenton. (see note 3) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) page 69. 4. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 5. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 6. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 7. Any other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 59 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Peter’s RC Primary School, Low Fell Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Peter’s RC Primary School was founded by the Catholic not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. body following the closing date for applications. This Whenever there are more applications than places available, information must have been correct at the date of closing priority will be given to Catholic children in accordance for applications. with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic All applications which are submitted on time will be Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of considered at the same time and after the closing date for government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our admissions which is 15 January 2022. Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education Care Plan (see note 1) for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. education be fully supported by all families in the school. We Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. before the allocation of places under these arrangements This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not this will reduce the number of places available to other Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the children. school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late applications will be administered in accordance with the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions The governing body is the admissions authority and Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local submitted before the closing date. authority undertakes the coordination of admission arrangements during the normal admission round for Admission of Children below Compulsory reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry Parishes served by the school A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September The school serves the parish of St Peter’s, Low Fell, following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer Gateshead. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to [the reception year] in up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not the school year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation,

60 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents management and control of the school, the governing Infant Class Size Regulations body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in Summer Born Children the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child child is refused a place. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the school. children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time. The application to the local authority should include An application can be made for a place for a child at any this request and in addition it should be made in writing to time outside the admission round and the child will be the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise admitted where there are available places. For information with the governing body that will make its decision about on making an in-year application, parents should contact the request based on the circumstances of each case and the local authority, Education Support Service, Dryden in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 8589. account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory Parents will be advised of the outcome of their application responsibility for the internal organisation, management in writing. and control of the school, the governing body will take into Where there are places available but more applications than account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out and education professionals. above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal application for the normal age group may be withdrawn panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for Right of Appeal the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the September Where a parent has been notified that a place is not following the child’s fifth birthday. available for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have new application as part of the main admissions round the a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals following year. process are available by writing to the chair of governors at One admission authority cannot be required to honour a the school address. decision made by another admission authority on admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should Fair Access Protocol consider whether to request admission out of the normal The school is committed to taking its fair share of children year group at all their preference schools, rather than just who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered to give Waiting Lists absolute priority to a child where admission is requested In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting diocese and the governing body for the current school year. list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription The governing body has this power, even when admitting criteria set out below and not in the order in which the child would mean exceeding the published admission applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). for admission will operate throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last day of the False evidence summer term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer mean that a place will eventually become available. of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place was obtained by deception.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 61 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Oversubscription Criteria Tie Breaker Where there are more applications for places than the Where there are places available for some, but not all number of places available, places will be offered according applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given to the following order of priority. to children living closest to the school measured as the crow flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence First priority in each category will be given to children who will to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. Authority’s computerised measuring system). 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after In the event of distances being the same for two or more children. (see notes 2&3) children where this would determine the last place to be 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public Peter’s. (see note 3) place and supervised by a person independent of the school. 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) This policy should be read in conjunction with the local authority’s admission guidance for 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian parents. Please see notes and definitions on Church. (see notes 4&5) page 69. 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

62 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents St Philip Neri RC Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Philip Neri RC Primary School, Dunston was founded by If the parent is required to provide supplemental the Catholic Church to provide education for children of evidence to support the application (e.g. a baptismal Catholic families. Whenever there are more applications certificate), this evidence should be provided at the time than places available, priority will be given to Catholic of application. If not provided, evidence may be sought children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria by the governing body following the closing date for listed below. The school is conducted by its governing applications. This information must have been correct at body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its the date of closing for applications. trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. All applications which are submitted on time will be considered at the same time and after the closing date for As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic admissions which is 15 January 2022. education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the Pupils with an Education, Health and school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character Care Plan (see note 1) of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school. We therefore hope that all parents will give The admission of pupils with an Education, Health their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate and ethos of the school. This does not affect the right procedure. Children with an Education, Health and Care of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be Plan that names the school must be admitted. Where admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the this takes place before the allocation of places under admission arrangements. these arrangements this will reduce the number of places available to other children. The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal preference basis. Late Applications The governing body is the admissions authority and has Late applications will be administered in accordance responsibility for admissions to this school. The local with the home local authority Primary Coordinated authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that arrangements during the normal admission round for the application is submitted before the closing date. reception year admission in September. Admission of Children below Compulsory Parishes served by the school School Age and Deferred Entry The school serves the former parishes of St Philip Neri, Dunston and Immaculate Heart, Lobley Hill (which are A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September now part of the parish of Our Lady and St Philip Neri). following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer the date at which their child, below compulsory Published Admission Number school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach The governing body has set its published admission compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the number (PAN) at 30 pupils to be admitted to [the final term of the school year for which an offer was made. reception year] in the school year which begins in A child may take up a part-time place until later in the September 2022. school year, but not beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer Application Procedures and Timetable of a place a parent should notify the school in writing, as To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission soon as possible, that they wish to either defer their child’s round (not in-year applications), a Common Application entry to the school or take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside local authority. If the application is unsuccessful (unless of their normal age group, for example, if the child is the child gained a place at a school the parent ranked gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as higher) the parent will be informed of the decision, related ill health. to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Any such request should be made in writing to the headteacher of the school. The governing body will

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 63 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

make its decision about the request based on the list does not mean that a place will eventually become circumstances of each case and in the best interests of available. the child. In addition to taking into account the views of the headteacher who has statutory responsibility for Infant Class Size Regulations the internal organisation, management and control of Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils the school, the governing body will take into account with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and in the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). education professionals. Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the Summer Born Children infant class size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their child is refused a place. The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit child be admitted out of their normal age group, to the twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of reception class in the September following their fifth the children is the last child ranked within the school’s birthday and that the child will remain in this cohort as PAN. they progress through school. In-Year Applications Parents who want to make this request should make an An application can be made for a place for a child at any application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time outside the admission round and the child will be time. The application to the local authority should include admitted where there are available places. For information this request and in addition it should be made in writing on making an in-year application, parents should contact to the headteacher of the school. The local authority will the local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden liaise with the governing body that will make its decision Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 about the request based on the circumstances of each 2757 or 0191 4332756. Parents will be advised of the case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to outcome of their application in writing. taking into account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation, Where there are places available but more applications management and control of the school, the governing than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set body will take into account the views of the parents and of out above, will be applied. appropriate medical and education professionals. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request before If there are no places available, a request can be made that primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the The parent has the right of appeal to an independent application for the normal age group may be withdrawn appeal panel if refused a place. before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent must decide whether to accept the offer of a Right of Appeal place for the normal age group, or to refuse it and make Where a parent has been notified that a place is not an in year application for admission to year one for the available for a child, every effort will be made by the local September following the child’s fifth birthday. authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a alternative school. Parents who are refused a place have new application as part of the main admissions round the a statutory right of appeal. Further details of the appeals following year. process are available by writing to the chair of governors at the school address. One admission authority cannot be required to honour a decision made by another admission authority on Fair Access Protocol admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should consider whether to request admission out of the The school is committed to taking its fair share of children normal year group at all their preference schools, rather who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in than just their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered Waiting Lists to give absolute priority to a child where admission is requested under any local protocol that has been agreed In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be by both the diocese and the governing body for the offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting current school year. The governing body has this power, list. This waiting list will be maintained in order of the even when admitting the child would mean exceeding the oversubscription criteria set out below and not in the published admission number (subject to the infant class order in which applications are received or added to the size exceptions). 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

64 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the Where there are places available for some, but not all offer of a place or, where a child is already attending the applicants within a particular criterion priority will be school, the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or given to children living closest to the school determined place was obtained by deception. by the shortest distance. Distance will be measured as the crow flies in a straight line from the centre of the home Oversubscription Criteria residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered In the event of distances being the same for two or more according to the following order of priority. children where this would determine the last place to be allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public First priority in each category will be given to children who place and supervised by a person independent of the will have an older sibling attending the school in September school. 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 2. Catholic children who are resident in the former the local authority’s admission guidance for parishes of St Philip Neri and Immaculate Heart (which are now part of the parish of Our Lady and St parents. Please see notes and definitions on Philip Neri). (see note 3) page 69. 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 65 Gateshead Council Information for Parents St. Wilfrid’s R C Primary School Admission Policy 2022/2023

St Wilfrid’s RC Catholic Primary School, Gateshead was not provided, evidence may be sought by the governing founded by the Catholic Church to provide education body following the closing date for applications. This for children of Catholic families. Whenever there are information must have been correct at the date of closing more applications than places available, priority will for applications. be given to Catholic children in accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below. The school is All applications which are submitted on time will be conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic considered at the same time and after the closing date for Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of admissions which is 15 January 2022. government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (see note 1) As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine The admission of pupils with an Education, Health and and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. Care Plan is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that education be fully supported by all families in the school. We names the school must be admitted. Where this takes place therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved before the allocation of places under these arrangements and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school. this will reduce the number of places available to other This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not children. Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements. Late Applications The admission policy criteria will be dealt with on an equal Late applications will be administered in accordance with preference basis. the home local authority Primary Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents are advised to ensure that the application is The governing body is the admissions authority and submitted before the closing date. has responsibility for admissions to this school. The local authority undertakes the coordination of admission Admission of Children below Compulsory arrangements during the normal admission round for reception year admission in September. School Age and Deferred Entry A child is entitled to a full-time place in the September Parishes served by the school following their fourth birthday. A child’s parents may defer The school serves the parish of St Wilfrid. the date at which their child, below compulsory school age, is admitted to the school, until later in the school year Published Admission Number but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the beginning of the final term of the The governing body has set its published admission number school year for which an offer was made. A child may take (PAN) at 20 pupils to be admitted to Reception in the school up a part-time place until later in the school year, but not year which begins in September 2022. beyond the point at which the child reaches compulsory school age. Upon receipt of the offer of a place a parent Application Procedures and Timetable should notify the school in writing, as soon as possible, that To apply for a place at this school in the normal admission they wish to either defer their child’s entry to the school or round (not in-year applications), a Common Application take up a part-time place. Form (CAF) must be completed. This is available from the local authority in which the child lives. Admission of Children outside their Normal Age Group The parent will be advised of the outcome of the application on 16 April or the next working day, by the local authority. A request may be made for a child to be admitted outside of If the application is unsuccessful (unless the child gained a their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and place at a school the parent ranked higher) the parent will talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. be informed of the decision, related to the oversubscription criteria listed above, and has the right of appeal to an Any such request should be made in writing to the independent appeal panel. headteacher of the school. The governing body will make its decision about the request based on the circumstances of If the parent is required to provide supplemental evidence each case and in the best interests of the child. In addition to support the application (e.g. a baptismal certificate), this to taking into account the views of the headteacher who evidence should be provided at the time of application. If has statutory responsibility for the internal organisation,

66 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents management and control of the school, the governing Infant Class Size Regulations body will take into account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical and education professionals. Infant classes may not, by law, contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher (subject to the provisions in Summer Born Children the School Admissions Code for ‘excepted children’). Parents do have a right of appeal in accordance with the infant class The parents of a summer born child, i.e. a child born size regulations if the school is oversubscribed and their between 1 April and 31 August, may request that the child child is refused a place. be admitted out of their normal age group, to the reception class in the September following their fifth birthday and that The governing body will, where logistically possible, admit the child will remain in this cohort as they progress through twins and all siblings from multiple births where one of the school. children is the last child ranked within the school’s PAN. Parents who want to make this request should make an In-Year Applications application for their child’s normal age group at the usual time. The application to the local authority should include An application can be made for a place for a child at any this request and in addition it should be made in writing to time outside the admission round and the child will be the headteacher of the school. The local authority will liaise admitted where there are available places. For information with the governing body that will make its decision about on making an in-year application, parents should contact the the request based on the circumstances of each case and local authority, The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, in the best interests of the child. In addition to taking into Evistones Road, Low Fell, NE9 5UR on 0191 433 2757 or 0191 account the views of the headteacher, who has statutory 4332756. Parents will be advised of the outcome of their responsibility for the internal organisation, management application in writing. and control of the school, the governing body will take into Where there are places available but more applications than account the views of the parents and of appropriate medical places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out and education professionals. above, will be applied. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the request If there are no places available, a request can be made that before primary national offer day. the child is added to the waiting list (see above). If the request is agreed by the governing body, the application for the normal age group may be withdrawn Right of Appeal before a place is offered. If the request is refused, the parent The parent has the right of appeal to an independent appeal must decide whether to accept the offer of a place for panel if refused a place. the normal age group, or to refuse it and make an in year application for admission to year one for the September Where a parent has been notified that a place is not available following the child’s fifth birthday. for a child, every effort will be made by the local authority to help the parent to find a place in a suitable alternative Where a parent’s request is agreed, they must make a school. Parents who are refused a place have a statutory new application as part of the main admissions round the right of appeal. Further details of the appeals process are following year. available by writing to the chair of governors at the school One admission authority cannot be required to honour a address. decision made by another admission authority on admission out of the normal age group. Parents, therefore, should Fair Access Protocol consider whether to request admission out of the normal The school is committed to taking its fair share of children year group at all their preference schools, rather than just who are vulnerable and/or hard to place, as set out in their first preference schools. locally agreed protocols. Accordingly, outside the normal admission round the governing body is empowered to give Waiting Lists absolute priority to a child where admission is requested In addition to their right of appeal, applicants will be offered under any local protocol that has been agreed by both the the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. This waiting diocese and the governing body for the current school year. list will be maintained in order of the oversubscription The governing body has this power, even when admitting criteria set out below and not in the order in which the child would mean exceeding the published admission applications are received or added to the list. Waiting lists number (subject to the infant class size exceptions). for admission will operate throughout the school year. The waiting list will be held open until the last day of the summer Nursery term. Inclusion on the school’s waiting list does not mean For children attending the school’s nursery, application that a place will eventually become available. to the reception class of the school must be made in the normal way, to the home local authority. Attendance at the school’s nursery does not automatically guarantee that a place will be offered at the school.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 67 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

False Evidence Tie Breaker The governing body reserves the right to withdraw the offer Where there are places available for some, but not all of a place or, where a child is already attending the school, applicants within a particular criterion priority will be given the place itself, where it is satisfied that the offer or place to children living closest to the school measured as the crow was obtained by deception. flies, in a straight line from the centre of the home residence to the main entrance of the school, (using the Local Oversubscription Criteria Authority’s computerised measuring system). Where there are more applications for places than the In the event of distances being the same for two or more number of places available, places will be offered according children where this would determine the last place to be to the following order of priority. allocated, random allocation will be carried out in a public place and supervised by a person independent of the First priority in each category will be given to children who will school. have an older sibling attending the school in September 2022. 1. Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (see notes 2&3) This policy should be read in conjunction with 2. Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St the local authority’s admission guidance for Wilfrid (see note 3) parents. Please see notes and definitions on 3. Other Catholic children. (see note 3) page 69. 4. Other looked after and previously looked after children. (see note 2) 5. Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (see notes 4&5) 6. Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 6) 7. Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a minister or faith leader. (see note 7) 8. Any other children.

68 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Notes and Definitions 1. An Education, Health and Care Plan is a plan made by statements in its tradition, is included if it manifests the local authority under section 37 of the Children and faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures and is Families Act 2014, specifying the special educational committed to working in the spirit of the above. provision required for a child. All members of Churches Together in England and 2. A looked after child has the same meaning as in CYTÛN are deemed to be included in the above section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any definition, as are all other churches and ecclesial child who is (a) in the care of a local authority or (b) communities that are in membership of any local being provided with accommodation by them in the Churches Together Group (by whatever title) on the exercise of their social services functions (e.g. children above basis. with foster parents) at the time of making application to Applicants must provide a baptismal certificate or the school. where child baptism is not practised, a letter confirming A previously looked after child is a child who was their church membership from their minister or faith looked after, but ceased to be so because he or she was leader. adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements 7. Children of other faiths means children who are order or special guardianship order. members of a religious community that does not fall 3. ‘Catholic’ means a member of a Church in full within the definition of ‘other Christian denominations’ communion with the See of Rome. This includes at 6 above and which falls within the definition of a the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be religion for the purposes of charity law. The Charities Act evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic 2011 defines religion to include: Church or a certificate of reception into the full • A religion which involves belief in more than one communion of the Catholic Church. For the purposes of God, and this policy, it includes a looked after child living with a • A religion which does not involve belief in a God. family where at least one of the parents is Catholic. Case law has identified certain characteristics which For a child to be treated as Catholic, evidence of Catholic describe the meaning of religion for the purposes baptism or reception into the Church will be required. of charity law, which are characterised by a belief in Those who have difficulty obtaining written evidence a supreme being and an expression of belief in that of baptism should contact their Parish Priest who, supreme being through worship. after consulting with the Diocese, will decide how the Applicants must provide a letter of support to confirm question of baptism is to be resolved and how written their faith membership from their minister or faith evidence is to be produced in accordance with the law leader. of the Church. 8. A child’s “home address” refers to the address where 4. Catechumen means a member of the catechumenate the child usually lives with a parent or carer, and will be of a Catholic Church. For the purposes of admissions the address provided in the Common Application Form this refers to the child on whose behalf the application (“CAF”). Where parents have shared responsibility for a is being made. This will normally be evidenced by a child, and the child lives for part of the week with each certificate of reception into the order of catechumens. parent, the home address will be the address given in 5. Eastern Christian Church includes Orthodox Churches, the CAF, provided that the child resides at that address and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism for any part of the school week. or reception from the authorities of that Church. Those 9. Sibling includes: who have difficulty obtaining written evidence of baptism or reception should contact the Diocese who (i) all natural brothers or sisters, half brothers or sisters, will decide how the question of baptism or reception adopted brothers or sisters, stepbrothers or sisters, is to be resolved and how written evidence is to be foster brothers or sisters, whether or not they are produced in accordance with the law of the Church. living at the same address; and (ii) the child of a parent’s partner where that child lives 6. Children of other Christian denominations means for at least part of the week in the same family unit children who belong to other churches and ecclesial at the same home address as the child who is the communities which, acknowledge God’s revelation subject of the application. in Christ, confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures, and, in obedience 10. A parent means all natural parents, any person who is to God’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit commit not a parent but has parental responsibility for a child, themselves: to seek a deepening of their communion and any person who has care of a child (having care of a with Christ and with one another in the Church, which child means that the child lives with and is looked after is his body; and to fulfil their mission to proclaim the by that person). Gospel by common witness and service in the world to This policy should be read in conjunction with the local the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An authority’s admission guidance for parents. ecclesial community which on principle has no credal

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 69 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Frequently Asked Questions

I do not live in Gateshead, how do I My child has Special Educational Needs. apply to Gateshead schools? Should I still complete an application You must apply direct to your home local authority. They form? will forward a copy of your application form to Gateshead. If your child is being assessed for an Education, Health and If you are not offered a Gateshead School your home local Care Plan (EHCP), you should still complete an application authority will ensure your child is offered a school place in form. However, if your child already has an EHCP, do not your area. complete an application form as the EHCP will name the school that your child will attend. How can I assess the likelihood of there being a place for my child at the school I What happens if I miss the closing date want? of 15 January 2022? Look at the school admission policy to see how high up Your application will be classed as late and you will reduce the admission criteria your child will be. You can also look your chances of gaining a place at your chosen schools. at the statistical information for the school in section 3 of You must give a reason as to why your application was this booklet. This information will give you an idea of the submitted late. For applications received after 15 January number of applications, offers and appeals received for 2022 but on or before 18 February 2022 we may be able the last two academic years. However, these figures can to consider your application for exceptional reasons. For change significantly from year to year. example, you may have just moved into the area. In such circumstances proof of ownership or tenancy of your Why should I apply to more than one address will be required. school? Each late application will be decided on its own merits. You need to be aware that if we agree to consider a late If you only list one school on your application form you application as on-time for exceptional reasons this does cannot be certain that your child will be offered a place not in itself mean that we can offer your child a place. It there. If you do not let us know about other schools on simply means that your application will be considered in your application form that you might have considered as accordance with the admission criteria along with all other a second or third preference then you may run the risk of applications that were received on time. leaving it too late to obtain a place at these schools if your application for a first preference school is unsuccessful. We Late applications received after 18 February 2022 will strongly recommend you use all three preferences, doing so not be processed until after 18 April 2022, however an does not reduce your chance of gaining a place at your first offer will be made at an alternative school if there are still preference school. Please remember we cannot guarantee places available. that your child will be offered a place at one of your chosen If you submit a late application, you must explain the schools, even if you live in the catchment area or already reasons on your form as to why it is late. have another child attending the school, as this will depend on the number of applications the school receives. What happens if I change my I share custody of my child with my preferences after the closing date of ex-partner, what address should I use on 15 January 2022? the application form? Change of preferences will only be considered if you can You must contact The School Admissions Team on 0191 demonstrate that there are exceptional circumstances 433 2756 or 433 2757 before completing your application relating to the reasons for the change. You need to think form and you will be given individual advice on this carefully about the initial preferences you rank on your issue. It is expected that where there is shared parental application form as the majority of change of preference responsibility for a child, that parents will agree which requests for oversubscribed schools are not considered to parent has the main responsibility before completing be exceptional. their application form. Documentary evidence will be If we cannot consider your change of preference we will requested. If you are unable to provide evidence of shared proceed with the preferences you gave on your original responsibility the local authority will use the address of the application form for determining the offer of places on parent/carer who receives the child benefit. 18 April 2022. Any change of preference request received after 18 February 2022 will not be processed until after 18 April 2022.

70 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

What happens if I move house after the What happens if my child’s preferred closing date of 15 January 2022? school(s) receive more applications than Please refer to page 74 of this booklet for information the number of places available? on how your application will be considered if you move If a school/academy has too many applications for the house after the closing date. places available they are known as an over-subscribed school. Places will be allocated using the schools What happens if I do not complete an admission criteria set out in their admission policy. The application form? admission criteria for Gateshead schools can be found from page 10 of this booklet. You must read the admission If you are a Gateshead resident a place will still be offered policy for every school you apply to, even if it is outside to your child, at your catchment school or next nearest Gateshead. school with places available. However, this offer may be made after 18 April 2022.

What happens if my child is not offered a place at any of my preferred schools? Your child will be offered a place at your catchment school or next nearest school depending upon the availability of places. If you are refused a place you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel and request that your child’s name is placed on the schools waiting list. Waiting lists are maintained according to the schools admission criteria with no regard to the ranking the school was given on the application form. A child’s position on a waiting list may change due to additions or deletions of children on the list. In general fewer than half of appeals are decided in the parents favour for years 3,4,5 and 6. In respect of infant class sizes, reception and years 1 and 2 very few appeals are successful due to the legislation relating to statutory class size limitations in key stage 1. Further information regarding statutory class size legislation is available on pages 76-77 of this booklet.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 71 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 1

Co-ordinated Admissions – September 2022

School admissions in Gateshead are co-ordinated with How to Apply neighbouring local authorities. Gateshead will check the applications they receive against those submitted to their If you live in Gateshead neighbouring authorities, ensuring only one application form for each child is processed. You can apply online from 10 September 2021 at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions All schools you want to apply to must be ranked on your application form. If you include a voluntary aided school If you are unable to apply online you can request a paper on your application, Gateshead will forward a copy of your application form from The School Admissions Team. application to them so they can consider your request in Applications must be submitted by 15 January 2022. If you line with their school admission policy. do not submit your form by this date you will reduce your Gateshead local authority will ensure each child resident chances of gaining a place at one of your chosen schools. in Gateshead receives one offer of a school place. They If you live outside Gateshead will do this by applying the ranking information in the following way: You must apply direct to your home local authority and they will forward a copy of your application to Gateshead. • If a child is eligible for a place at only one of the schools/ Your home local authority will notify you of the outcome academies ranked on the application, a place at that of your request. school/academy will be offered to the child. If you apply to a Gateshead school it is important that you • If a child is eligible for a place at more than one school/ read the information contained in this booklet including academy ranked on the application, the child will be the school’s admission policy in order to fully understand offered a place at the school/academy which was the admission criteria for the school you apply to. ranked the highest. • If a child is not eligible for a place at any school/ Equal Preference academy ranked on the application, Gateshead LA will All local authorities use an equal preference system, offer an alternative place, for example your community which means all first, second and third preferences for a catchment school/academy or next nearest school/ particular school/academy will be looked at together and academy depending upon the availably of places. the over-subscription criteria for each school/academy You must make sure you read and understand the impact will be applied to all applications received. Please refer to of each admission policy for all schools you apply to page 9 of this booklet for further information on the equal before your submit your application. preference system. Preferences for schools outside Late applications Gateshead The closing date for submitting your application is 15 January 2022. If you return your form after this date If you rank a school outside of Gateshead on your you will severely reduce your chances of gaining a place application form, Gateshead will liaise with the relevant at your chosen schools. In exceptional circumstances local authority regarding the request. (for example if you have just moved into the area) Gateshead local authority may be able to consider late Admission Policies applications if they are received by 18 February 2022. In Gateshead local authority determines the admission such circumstances proof of ownership or tenancy will be policy and admission arrangements for community required. schools in Gateshead. Gateshead’s community school Each late application will be determined on its own merits. admission policy is set out on page 10 of this booklet. If Gateshead agree to consider a late application for The governing body of voluntary aided schools in exceptional reasons your application will be considered Gateshead determine the admission policy and admission along with all other applications that were received on arrangements to their school. The admission policies for time. all voluntary aided schools in Gateshead are set out from page 12 of this booklet. Change of preferences received after 15 January 2022 must be submitted in writing and will only be considered if exceptional circumstances apply.

72 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Late applications and late change of preferences Address and fraudulent address claims received after 18 February 2022 will not be processed until after 18 April 2022, however in the case of late When deciding whether a child lives within a catchment applications, an offer will be made for your catchment area for a Gateshead school only the address of the school/ academy or nearest community school/academy parent/legal guardian with whom the child resides will be depending upon the availability of places. In the case of taken into account. late change of preferences Gateshead LA will continue to Addresses of childminders, relatives or friends who process the original on time application received. may help look after your child must not be used on the The majority of late applications are refused a place and application form. Gateshead LA reserve the right to seek places are not kept back for any late applicants. proof of address and to withdraw an offer of a place in the event of an inaccurate address being provided on the Offer of a School Place application form. Unfortunately places are withdrawn every year because some parents use a false address on The national offer date is 18 April 2022. A letter will be their application form. This includes cases where parents posted to all Gateshead residents that apply for a school take out a short term lease, temporarily move in with place, informing them of the school they have been relatives or buy a property solely to use its address on offered, on or around this date. If you applied online you the application form without any intention of taking up will also receive an email on 18 April 2022 confirming permanent residence there. which school your child has been offered. Gateshead local authority do all they can to make sure Acceptance of a school place this does not happen and in fairness to all parents will investigate all allegations of fraudulent practice brought An acceptance form will be enclosed with your offer letter. to their attention and this may lead to a place being You must complete and return the acceptance form by withdrawn. Children must be resident in the country 29 April 2022 to let Gateshead local authority know if you before we consider an application form for a school place, wish to accept the place offered. however there are exceptions for children of UK service personnel and other Crown Servants, if the request for Refusal of a school place waiting lists admission is accompanied by an official government letter and appeals process declaring a relocation date and intended address. Gateshead local authority will maintain waiting lists for Temporary address all oversubscribed schools. If you are refused a place at a Gateshead school your child’s name will automatically be We cannot accept your residence at a temporary address, placed on the school’s waiting list. unless exceptional circumstances apply, for example you are moving into the area or have been housed The offer of places from the waiting list will start on in emergency accommodation by the council. If you 20 May 2022 and places will be offered on a weekly basis are currently living at a temporary address you must thereafter, if vacancies arise. Waiting lists are maintained contact The School Admissions Team for advice prior to according to the admission criteria set out in the schools completing your application form. admission policy without reference to the preference ranking given on the application form or the length of Shared responsibility for a child time a child has been on the list Parents of children who reside at two different addresses A child’s position on a waiting list may change due to due to parental responsibility, are advised to seek advice additions or deletions of children on the list. about the completion of their application form before its If you are refused a school place, you also have the right submission from the School Admissions Team on: 0191 to appeal to an independent panel. You will receive an 433 2756 or 433 2757. appeal form with your refusal letter on or around 18 April It is expected that where there is shared parental 2022. If you wish to appeal you must complete and return responsibility for a child, that parents will agree who is the the appeal form by the date indicated in your refusal letter. parent with the main responsibility before completing Appeals are generally heard in June/July 2022. the application form. Documentary evidence will be Please note that in general fewer than half of appeals are requested. If you are unable to provide evidence of shared decided in the parents’ favour for years 3, 4, 5 and 6. In responsibility, the local authority will use the address of respect of infant classes, reception, year 1 and year 2, very the parent/carer who receives the child benefit. few appeals are successful due to the legislation relating to statutory class size limitations in these early years classes.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 73 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Change of address Additional Information – Voluntary Change of address after the closing date (moving into Aided Schools a particular school’s catchment area for the school you Governing bodies of Roman Catholic and Church of applied to) It is your responsibility to notify us immediately England voluntary aided schools determine the eligibility of any change of address after submitting your application of applicants to their schools using their own admission form. We cannot reserve places for families expecting to policy. If you include a voluntary aided school on your move into a particular school’s catchment area. application, Gateshead will forward a copy of your If you have not exchanged contracts or have not signed a application to the relevant school so they can consider tenancy agreement to support your new address we will be your request in line with their school admission policy. unable to use this address for the purpose of offering places The school will then provide Gateshead local authority on 18 April 2022. If you can provide us with the above with a ranked list of applicants. evidence by 18 February 2022, we will be able use your new It is important that you read the admission policy for address for the purpose of offering places on 18 April 2022. any school/academy you apply to as voluntary aided However, please note that if you move into a particular policies differ from one another, and are different from the schools catchment area after the submission of your community school admission policy. application form and do not provide us with proof of your If you apply online for a Voluntary Aided school you will new address by 18 February 2022, your new address will not be prompted to complete the ‘Faith Details’ section of be taken into consideration when offering places. the online form. Please ensure you complete all details Change of address after the closing date (moving out requested including the religion of your child. If you of a particular schools catchment area or further away complete a paper application form you must complete from the school you applied to) It is your responsibility to Section F of the form in full. notify us immediately of any change of address or change in circumstance after submitting your application form that Verifying Application Forms may affect how your application is considered. For example, In February 2022, Voluntary Aided schools will receive If you move out of the catchment area for the school details of all applications for their school from Gateshead you applied to after the submission of your application LA, and they may write to you to request further form, this may affect the category in which your child was documentation in order for the Governing Body to considered. consider your application. If it is determined that your child would not have been You must provide all the evidence requested by the eligible for a place at the school offered based on your new school, by the date they indicate. Failure to do so may address, your child’s school place could be withdrawn. If result in your application being placed in a much lower necessary, we will withdraw places for change of addresses category for admission than it may actually be and this that take place up to and including 18 April 2022. However, may reduce your chances of receiving an offer of a place at we will still continue to investigate any change of addresses this school. following this date up until 31 August 2022 and will withdraw places if a school place has been obtained at any If you have ranked more than one voluntary aided school stage using a temporary address, relatives address or if we on your application form you may receive more than one feel a property has been purchased or leased solely to use request for information. It is important that you respond its address to obtain a place at a particular school, without to each school individually to ensure they each have the any intention of ever taking up permanent residence there. information requested. You can find out what school catchment area you live in Further information by contacting the School Admissions Team on telephone 0191 433 2757. Alternatively School catchment maps are Additional information about Roman Catholic Schools in available to view on the Council’s website at: the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle can be obtained www.gateshead.gov.uk from: Gateshead Council will investigate all allegations of Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle fraudulent practice brought to their attention and this St. Vincent’s Diocesan Offices may lead to a place being withdrawn. You must notify St Cuthbert’s House, West Road us immediately if you change your address after the Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 7PY submission of your application form up to and including 31 August 2022. Tel: 0191 228 0111 If you move address and your child is no longer eligible for the school place offered up until 29 April 2022, the school offer will be withdrawn by the local authority.

74 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 2

Additional Admissions Information – September 2022

Admission of children below 2022. You must include with your application the reasons for your request and include any supporting information compulsory school age from relevant professions. A child reaches compulsory school age on the prescribed All requests for admission of children outside their normal day following their fifth birthday (or on their fifth birthday age group must be discussed with the LA and relevant if it falls on a prescribed day). The prescribed days are 31 school head teacher prior to the application being made. December, 31 March and 31 August. You will be notified of the outcome of your request before Children are entitled to start school full time the 18 April 2022. In reaching a decision, the local authority September after their fourth birthday. However, you may will consider the parents views, information about the request that your child attends school part-time until later child’s academic, social and emotional development, in the school year, but not beyond the point that your where relevant medical history and views of medical child reaches compulsory school age (five years old). professionals and they will also consider whether the child In addition you may request that your child is admitted to may naturally have fallen into a lower age group if they school later in the school year following September 2022, were not born prematurely. We will also take into account but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory the views of the head teacher of the school for which the school age and not beyond the start of the final term of request is being made. that school year. Any parent who successfully requests that their summer If you wish to make a request for your child to attend born child starts reception class a year later than their school part time or start school later in the school year, normal age group must reapply for admission in you must contact the local authority and school following September 2022 and their application will be considered receipt of your offer letter on 18 April 2022. against the relevant schools admission policy along with all other applications received on time for this year group. Admission of children outside their Any parent that is refused a place has the right of appeal, normal age group including summer however the right of appeal does not apply if a place at born children the school is offered but it is not the preferred age group. Please note that Governing Bodies of Voluntary Aided Parents may request a place for their child outside their schools consider requests for deferred entry to their normal age group, for example if the child is gifted and school. Please refer to the relevant school admissions talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. policy for further information. In addition parents of children born in the summer term, You must request deferred entry by the application 1 April 2018 to 31 August 2018 may request that they closing date of 15 January 2022. However, requests are admitted outside of their normal age group and start received after this date will still be considered by the reception class a year later (in September 2023). local authority if they are received before 18 April While the majority of parents are happy for their child 2022. Any deferred entry request for a summer born to start school in the September following their fourth child, received on or after 18 April 2022, (once a child birthday, some parents will have concerns about whether has already been allocated a school place) will not be their child will be ready for school at this point. considered and you will be unable to defer your child’s entry to school after this date. Before deciding to delay a child’s entry to school, the LA would recommend that parents visit the schools they If your request is agreed please note that when you are thinking of applying for. The teachers will be able to come to reapply, if you decide to change any of explain the provision on offer to children in the reception the schools you originally requested, the relevant class, how it is tailored to meet the needs of the youngest admission authority for those schools will need to pupils and how the needs of these pupils will continue make a decision on which year group your child should to be met as they move up through the school. They may be admitted to in September 2023 i.e. reception or also be able to allay any concerns parents may have about year 1, as one admission authority cannot be required their child’s readiness for school. to honour the decision made by another admission authority. Parents wishing to request deferred entry must apply using the application form for the child’s normal year of entry, which is available from 10 September 2021 and return it to the local authority by no later than 15 January

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 75 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Special circumstances – social/medical Reserving places reasons We cannot reserve places in our primary, infant or junior Gateshead local authority can consider exceptional schools in the expectation of further applications from applications particularly in cases involving social or families moving into the area. medical needs. Exceptions to the duty to offer a If you wish to apply on social or medical grounds your application must be supported in writing by relevant community primary school place registered health professionals i.e. a doctor or social worker. If there are more places available at a school than there Please send your application and supporting information are applicants, the admissions authority must accept all to The School Admissions Team, Dryden Centre, Evistones the applications except in the circumstances described Road, Gateshead NE9 5UR by 15 January 2022. opposite. The evidence must demonstrate why the child’s needs require placement at the particular school chosen and Twice excluded pupils what difficulties would be caused if the child had to travel Unless a child has been permanently excluded on two or to and attend an alternative school. We will not consider more occasions, applications for places must be considered such applications if the relevant professional evidence is not on the same basis as all other applications and in line with provided. the school admissions code. In the case of twice excluded Usually common childhood ailments such as asthma, giving children, the admission authority (the council in the case a child’s nervousness at starting school or difficulties with of community and voluntary controlled schools and childminding arrangements would not be sufficient to offer the governing body in the case of voluntary aided and a place. Appropriate examples may involve applications for foundation schools) is not under a duty to comply with the children for whom there are exceptional medical factors preference of parents. However this does not affect a child’s directly related to the school placement. However, no right to education. assumption should be made that the submission of the relevant evidence will, in itself guarantee the offer of a place Class size restrictions in Key Stage 1 at your chosen school. (infant years) Any evidence received after 18 April 2022 supporting Key stage 1 refers to reception, year 1 and year 2 in infant an application on social/medical grounds will not be and primary schools. All schools must follow class size considered. legislation in Key Stage 1 (ages 4 to 7). Schools are not allowed to have more than 30 children to one qualified Looked after children and previously teacher in any Key Stage 1 class, including reception. looked after children You should be aware that once the limit of 30 children to one Looked after children are children who are in the care of a teacher is reached and your child is refused admission then local authority, as defined under section 22 of the Children there are only very restricted reasons for appeal. You do have Act 1989. Previously looked after children are children who the right of appeal but an appeal panel can only uphold your were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were appeal if they are satisfied that either: adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order • The decision to refuse admission was not one which or special guardianship order). Looked after children and a reasonable admission authority would make in the previously looked after children have top priority in our circumstances of the case; community school admission policy for September 2022. • The child would have been offered a place if the admission Special educational needs arrangements had been properly implemented; If your child is being assessed for an Education, Health and • The child would have been offered a place if the Care Plan (EHCP), you should still complete an application arrangements had not been contrary to mandatory form. However, if your child already has an EHCP, there is no provisions in the School Admissions Code and the SSFA need to complete an application form as the EHCP will name 1998. The appeal panel members must consider whether the school that your child will attend and your child will or not the council has satisfied them that their decision automatically be offered a place at that school. to refuse admission was reasonable in accordance with admission legislation and that the admission procedures If your child has special educational needs but not an EHCP, were properly implemented. If this is shown to be the case, your application for a school place will be considered on the the panel are obliged to dismiss the appeal. basis of the school’s published admission criteria. All schools in Gateshead can provide for pupils with special educational Your child may be refused a place at a school on the grounds needs. that the admission would cause class size prejudice. Class size prejudice means that a school would not be able to

76 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents keep the 30 pupils to one teacher class size limit unless extra Other admission authorities measures were taken, such as the need to provide an extra teacher or classroom or even a reorganisation of classes. Additional information about Church of England Schools in the Diocese of Newcastle can be obtained from: Factors relevant to the admission authority’s decision could be: Diocesan Education Board Church House • Where the introduction of an extra pupil would lead St John’s Terrace to the introduction of mixed aged teaching in a school Percy Main previously operating in single year groups North Shields • Whether the admission of the child would lead to a breach NE29 6HS of the limit further up the system – some schools decide Tel: 0191 270 4100 to have a small reception class with larger year 1 and year 2 classes (e.g. admission number of 45 with two reception Durham Diocesan Board of Education classes of 22 and 23 and three mixed year 1 and year 2 Carter House classes of 30). Admitting extra pupils to the reception class Pelaw Leazes Lane would not breach the limit in that year but could do so in Durham future years. DH1 1TB Exception to Key Stage 1 class size Tel: 0191 374 6017 legislation Exception to class size legislation is only possible in very limited circumstances. Additional children may be admitted under limited circumstances. The excepted children are: a) children admitted outside the normal admissions round with statements of special educational needs specifying a school; b) looked after children and previously looked after children admitted outside the normal admissions round; c) 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; d) children admitted after an independent appeals panel upholds an appeal; e) children who move into the area outside the normal admissions round for whom there is no other available school within reasonable distance; f) children of UK service personnel admitted outside the normal admissions round; g) children whose twin or sibling from a multiple birth is admitted otherwise than as an excepted pupil; and h) children with special educational needs who are normally taught in a special educational needs unit attached to the school, or registered at a special school, who attend some infant classes within the mainstream school.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 77 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Section 3 Admission Statistics

In this section you will find statistics for the academic years 2020 and 2021.

The information includes the: • schools planned admission number (PAN) • number of applications received • number of places offered • number of offers made within each category according to the school’s admission policy • the number of appeals heard for oversubscribed schools and the number of appeals that were successful.

The information also highlights which schools were oversubscribed for 2020 and 2021.

Community School Admissions - September 2020 & 2021 Admission Criteria Breakdown

School

3rd Preference 3rd 2nd Preference Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category Year 1st preference 7 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals PAN Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

Barley Mow 2021 30 16 5 11 19 0 0 5 12 0 2 0 0 0 2020 30 19 3 8 19 1 0 7 7 2 0 2 0 0 Bede 2021 30 31 15 7 30 0 0 9 15 2 0 4 424.17m 1 0 2020 30 23 22 4 24 1 0 4 9 4 0 6 0 0 Bill Quay 2021 30 43 12 8 31 0 0 10 13 2 0 6 671.67m 3 0 2020 30 31 22 12 30 0 0 4 9 6 0 11 1727.24m 4 1 Birtley East 2021 30 29 14 8 30 1 0 12 16 1 0 0 0 0 2020 30 23 7 11 23 0 0 5 13 3 0 2 0 0 Blaydon West 2021 30 20 18 25 22 0 0 7 5 4 0 6 0 0 2020 30 19 17 20 22 0 0 2 12 3 0 5 0 0 Brandling 2021 30 37 26 7 30 1 0 6 16 5 0 2 265.45m 1 0 2020 30 26 13 10 28 0 0 4 8 5 0 11 0 0 Brighton Avenue 2021 45 65 27 19 45 0 0 7 18 11 0 9 550.00m 5 5 2020 45 40 20 22 44 1 0 9 16 8 0 10 0 0 Caedmon 2021 30 29 16 18 31 0 0 4 4 8 0 15 0 0 2020 30 32 13 12 30 0 0 4 5 4 0 17 0 0 Carr Hill 2021 45 44 11 17 45 4 0 12 16 7 0 6 0 0 2020 45 48 16 11 46 1 0 17 20 4 0 4 0 0 Chopwell 2021 45 23 2 2 24 0 0 7 13 2 0 2 0 0 2020 45 31 2 1 31 2 0 11 13 2 0 3 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed that year.

78 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

School

3rd Preference 3rd 2nd Preference Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category 1st preference Year 7 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals PAN Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

Clover Hill 2021 30 36 53 39 30 1 0 14 15 0 0 0 1104.09m 2 0 2020 30 35 37 36 30 1 0 9 20 0 0 0 1491.63m 0 0 Colegate 2021 45 11 11 18 12 0 0 2 3 5 0 2 0 0 2020 45 17 6 18 17 1 0 3 1 7 0 5 0 0 Crookhill 2021 30 25 8 14 25 1 0 6 11 4 0 3 0 0 2020 30 27 15 22 27 0 0 7 18 0 0 2 0 0 Dunston Hill 2021 60 50 23 14 49 1 0 12 13 13 0 10 0 0 2020 60 64 27 17 60 1 0 8 23 16 0 12 2118.11m 0 0 Emmaville 2021 60 58 44 22 59 1 0 14 22 8 0 14 0 0 2020 60 58 41 23 59 1 0 15 16 10 0 17 0 0 Falla Park 2021 30 22 16 18 27 0 0 3 10 9 0 5 0 0 2020 30 27 18 13 28 1 0 11 6 7 0 3 0 0 Fell Dyke 2021 45 31 12 7 31 2 0 12 13 2 0 4 0 0 2020 45 37 5 4 38 0 0 12 19 5 0 2 0 0 Fellside 2021 30 40 40 65 30 2 0 6 16 6 0 0 853.73m 2 0 2020 30 39 43 48 30 2 0 10 7 1 0 10 2045.38m 3 1 Front Street 2021 60 59 30 31 60 1 0 4 10 14 0 31 2317.58m 2 0 2020 60 44 28 18 51 0 0 2 6 17 0 26 0 0 Glynwood 2021 60 69 38 43 60 1 0 6 11 20 0 22 1391.82m 1 0 2020 60 64 38 50 60 0 0 4 17 18 0 21 1402.34m 0 0 Greenside 2021 30 30 15 20 30 0 0 5 18 4 0 3 0 0 2020 30 24 17 20 25 0 0 9 10 3 0 3 0 0 Harlow Green 2021 60 40 31 35 41 0 0 10 17 8 0 6 0 0 2020 60 46 34 41 46 3 0 15 15 8 0 5 0 0 Highfield 2021 17 17 17 7 17 0 0 6 8 2 0 1 0 0 2020 17 23 7 9 17 1 0 5 11 0 0 0 757.37m 0 0 High Spen 2021 29 20 13 12 20 0 0 2 9 4 0 5 0 0 2020 29 29 17 8 29 2 0 3 12 1 0 11 2731.44m 0 0 Kells Lane 2021 60 75 77 41 61 2 0 23 31 3 0 2 694.77m 1 0 2020 60 69 78 33 60 5 0 19 29 3 0 4 1022.06m 0 0 Kelvin Grove 2021 60 24 20 23 31 0 0 2 16 6 0 7 0 0 2020 60 29 14 12 33 1 0 9 14 5 0 4 0 0 Kibblesworth 2021 29 12 2 3 14 0 0 5 6 1 0 2 0 0 2020 29 23 2 1 23 0 0 9 11 3 0 0 0 0 Larkspur 2021 29 7 9 7 9 0 0 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 2020 29 16 5 6 16 0 0 6 7 2 0 1 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed that year.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 79 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

School

3rd Preference 3rd 2nd Preference Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category Year 1st preference Category 7 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals PAN Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

Lingey House 2021 60 61 39 24 60 1 0 11 10 15 0 23 0 0 2020 60 57 53 17 59 0 0 12 17 14 0 16 0 0 Lobley Hill 2021 60 36 11 11 37 2 0 8 16 4 0 7 0 0 2020 60 46 10 9 46 1 0 11 23 9 0 2 0 0 Oakfield Infant 2021 60 51 65 64 60 4 0 14 16 5 0 21 0 0 2020 60 46 63 59 52 0 0 7 13 8 0 24 0 0 Oakfield Junior 2021 60 62 4 0 62 1 0 6 17 13 0 25 2775.53m 0 0 2020 60 63 2 0 60 4 0 10 30 12 0 4 711.63m 0 0 Parkhead 2021 58 34 21 15 38 3 0 6 13 5 0 11 0 0 2020 58 30 22 11 31 0 0 9 8 6 0 8 0 0 Portobello 2021 30 25 32 19 25 0 0 3 9 3 0 10 0 0 2020 30 30 21 10 30 0 0 4 5 8 0 13 0 0 Ravensworth 2021 60 42 43 22 43 1 0 7 12 10 0 13 0 0 Terrace 2020 60 43 54 18 45 1 0 5 10 11 0 18 0 0 Riverside 2021 60 30 28 17 42 0 0 7 11 4 0 10 0 0 2020 60 35 25 18 35 1 0 6 7 9 0 12 0 0 Roman Road 2021 30 32 31 19 30 0 0 6 11 4 0 9 1308.54m 3 0 2020 30 34 21 15 30 1 0 5 12 7 0 5 961.03m 0 0 Rowlands Gill 2021 60 21 6 12 23 0 0 8 4 4 0 7 0 0 2020 60 16 14 13 20 1 0 4 7 4 0 4 0 0 Ryton Infant 2021 60 25 38 31 25 0 0 7 6 1 0 11 0 0 2020 60 32 28 26 33 1 0 6 10 6 0 10 0 0 Ryton Junior 2021 60 27 0 1 27 0 0 5 10 4 0 8 0 0 2020 60 35 0 3 35 1 0 5 14 7 0 8 0 0 South Street 2021 44 32 12 7 40 1 0 4 2 10 0 23 0 0 2020 44 24 9 9 28 1 0 2 8 8 0 9 0 0 Swalwell 2021 30 15 3 3 17 0 0 4 10 1 0 2 0 0 2020 30 19 1 1 20 1 0 10 4 4 0 1 0 0 The Drive 2021 29 23 10 11 24 0 0 7 5 3 0 9 0 0 2020 29 30 7 15 30 0 0 5 9 10 0 6 1235.65m 0 0 Wardley 2021 45 29 19 15 33 0 0 7 11 6 0 9 0 0 2020 45 26 21 13 27 0 0 3 15 6 0 3 0 0 Washingwell 2021 30 15 12 12 30 1 0 3 3 1 0 22 0 0 2020 30 13 7 19 14 0 0 3 2 3 0 6 0 0 Whickham 2021 30 42 48 26 30 0 0 11 7 12 0 0 794.09m 1 0 Parochial 2020 30 32 50 26 30 0 0 2 4 17 0 7 1687.28m 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed that year.

80 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

School

3rd Preference 3rd 2nd Preference Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category Year 1st preference Category 7 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals PAN Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

White Mere 2021 30 16 10 13 16 1 0 1 5 6 0 3 0 0 2020 30 21 14 19 19 0 0 2 5 5 0 7 0 0 Windy Nook 2021 45 37 28 22 42 0 0 6 10 10 0 16 0 0 2020 45 40 35 24 42 1 0 4 11 11 0 15 0 0 Winlaton West 2021 45 50 23 12 49 0 0 5 10 16 0 18 5343.47m 0 0 Lane 2020 45 49 27 16 52 0 0 6 8 18 0 20 1427.03m 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed that year.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 81 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Applications for Voluntary Aided Schools September 2020 and 2021 - Admission Criteria Breakdown

School

Year PAN 1st preference 2nd Preference Preference 3rd Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category Category 7 Category 8 Category 9 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

Corpus Christi 2021 29 17 15 9 19 0 6 5 0 1 4 2 1 - 0 0 2020 29 29 14 8 28 0 9 6 0 1 4 1 7 - 0 0 Sacred Heart 2021 30 27 9 7 27 0 3 7 0 14 1 0 2 - 0 0 2020 30 32 14 5 30 2 1 8 0 10 2 2 5 - 2400.51m 0 0 St Agnes 2021 30 28 23 25 27 0 5 6 0 0 5 5 0 6 0 0 2020 30 26 34 14 27 0 8 3 0 0 6 4 1 5 0 0 St Aidan’s 2021 30 27 16 6 29 0 0 17 0 0 0 11 1 - 0 0 2020 30 31 6 5 30 1 0 17 0 0 0 12 0 - 651.16m 0 0 St Alban’s 2021 30 12 16 4 15 0 0 2 0 0 0 13 - - 0 0 2020 30 24 16 4 24 0 0 12 3 0 0 9 - - 0 0 St Anne’s 2021 30 25 6 10 24 0 4 3 1 0 3 2 11 - 0 0 2020 30 28 7 9 26 0 17 1 0 0 2 0 6 - 0 0 St Augustine’s 2021 45 39 27 18 39 0 10 7 2 0 8 0 12 - 0 0 2020 45 49 29 16 45 0 12 12 0 0 11 0 10 - 266.00m 1 1 Birtley, St Joseph’s 2021 30 25 12 17 25 0 18 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 Infants 2020 30 32 20 8 30 0 16 0 0 1 0 6 1 6 425.02m 0 0 Birtley, St Joseph’s 2021 30 18 2 0 18 0 7 0 1 9 0 0 0 1 0 0 Juniors 2020 30 22 3 0 20 0 9 0 1 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 Blaydon, 2021 30 27 30 22 30 0 4 16 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 0 St Joseph’s 2020 30 36 26 25 30 0 10 16 1 0 1 2 0 0 301.23m 1 1 Gateshead, 2021 30 23 11 3 24 0 3 4 0 0 2 6 9 - 0 0 St Joseph’s 2020 30 27 17 10 27 0 1 5 0 0 8 1 12 - 0 0 Highfield, 2021 15 9 14 5 9 0 2 0 0 2 0 5 - - 0 0 St Joseph’s 2020 15 14 9 5 15 1 7 0 0 3 0 4 - - 1 1 St Mary’s 2021 30 33 18 8 30 1 21 4 0 0 2 0 2 - 315.53m 1 0 2020 30 30 12 16 30 1 15 7 0 1 4 0 2 - 280.06m 0 0 St Mary & 2021 30 34 25 6 30 0 17 11 0 1 1 0 0 - 291.56m 0 0 St Thomas Aquinas 2020 30 31 25 9 30 0 18 8 0 0 4 0 0 - 1609.63m 0 0 St Oswald’s 2021 30 23 15 7 23 3 4 0 0 7 0 9 - - 0 0 2020 30 30 11 9 30 1 10 4 0 6 0 9 - - 0 0 St Peter’s 2021 30 26 38 27 30 0 19 3 0 0 3 0 5 - 0 0 2020 30 25 32 20 25 0 17 3 0 1 1 1 2 - 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed for that year.

82 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

School

Year PAN 1st preference 2nd Preference Preference 3rd Number of places offered 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5 Category 6 Category Category 7 Category 8 Category 9 Category Last distance offered offered Last distance in metres Appeals Heard Appeals Number of Successful Number of Successful Appeals

St Philip Neri 2021 30 29 20 16 29 0 10 2 0 0 5 0 12 - 0 0 2020 30 20 24 9 20 0 4 4 0 0 2 2 8 - 0 0 St Wilfrid’s 2021 20 13 14 5 13 0 2 0 0 0 6 3 2 - 0 0 2020 20 22 6 3 20 2 0 2 0 0 3 5 8 - 417.94m 0 0

The schools highlighted in the above table were oversubscribed for that year.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 83 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 4 Appealing Against the Refusal of a Place

Appealing against admission decisions You may want to attend an appeal for more than one school at which you have been refused a place. The If your child has been refused a place at any school for outcome of one appeal does not prevent you from which you have expressed a preference, you have the right attending another. to appeal against this decision. Information about the appeals procedure for voluntary aided schools is available You will be informed of the date and place of the appeal directly from the school in question. In accordance with hearing. You should be given at least 7 days notice. Seven Department for Education guidance, the appeal procedure days before the hearing, you will be sent copies of the does not apply to nursery admissions. statement of case that will be put before the appeal panel in support of the council’s decision not to offer your child Appeals for community schools a place. The letter informing you that a place cannot be offered to You are advised to attend the appeal hearing, where you your child will advise you how to appeal, if you wish to do will be given the opportunity to put your case forward so. If you decide to appeal, you should contact the School and ask questions. You can take a friend if you wish. If you Admissions Team following receipt of your refusal letter are unable to attend, the case made by you in writing will to request an appeal form. Once completed, you should be considered in your absence. In making your case, you send your appeal form to: will probably want to refer back to your original reasons for choosing the school. If you want the panel to take Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, any additional information into account, you should, if Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HH. possible, submit any supporting documents with your appeal form or provide these to the clerk in good time Please note that the council is required where possible for the members of the panel and council to be able to to arrange and conduct all admission appeal hearings for consider them properly. There will be a representative September 2022 before the end of the current academic from the council and the school at the hearing to explain year (i.e. by July 2022). Accordingly, the council requests to the panel why it was not possible to offer your child a that all parents wishing to make an appeal return their place. completed forms on or before 13 May 2022. If parents submit appeal forms after this date it may result in appeal At the end of the hearing, the clerk should be able to give hearing dates having to be rearranged at short notice with you an idea of how soon you can expect to receive the inconvenience to other parents and panel members. panel’s written decision. The panel’s decision is final. Before deciding whether to appeal, you should think You can only appeal once for admission of your child about the admission policy for admitting pupils, your to a particular school for any given academic year. The reasons for wanting your child to attend the school council will only determine a second application for any and how strong a case you have. You may also want to given academic year where it accepts there has been a consider visiting the school where you have been offered a significant and material change in your circumstances place or alternative schools that still have places available. relevant to the question of admission. Please contact the School Admissions Team on: 0191 433 2756 if you would like information on the availability of places at other schools you may consider. If you decide to appeal, your appeal will be heard by a panel that is independent of the school and Gateshead Council.

84 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 5 In-Year Transfers

Applying for a school transfer • If any of your preferences is for a faith school, they may contact you for further information to verify your child’s Parents with children of statutory school age who move religion. into Gateshead and require a school place, or who are resident in Gateshead and wish to change their child’s • You can complete a school transfer form up to a school, must complete a school transfer application form maximum of six weeks prior to the school place being which is available on the Council’s website. Alternatively, required. paper copies are available from the School Admissions However, if your request is for your child to transfer school Team on telephone number 0191 433 8589. at the start of a new academic year, i.e. September, you can complete a form for a school transfer up to six weeks If you are moving to a new house, the council will require before the start of the summer holidays, i.e. June of that a copy of the exchange of contracts or a rental agreement year. before the new address will be considered. School places cannot be offered on the basis on intended future • We cannot guarantee that your child will be offered a changes of address unless the relevant documentary place at one of your chosen schools as this will depend evidence is provided. on the availably of places at the schools you request. Year groups in some schools may be full and may not • Gateshead Council will notify you of the outcome of have places available when you move house or decide your request. to transfer your child from one school to another. Unfortunately, we cannot hold places back for parents If you are refused a place who decide in the future to move into a particular area. If we cannot offer your child a place at one of your chosen The admission policies contained within this booklet are schools, we will let you know which other schools have used for casual admissions (in-year transfers) and also for places available and will notify you in writing of your right the normal first year of entry intake. The offer of a place at to appeal. Appeal forms are available from the School any school is dependent on the availability of places in the Admissions Team. relevant year group at the time of application. Completed appeal forms must be returned to Democratic Services and Governance, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Application form and process Gateshead, NE8 1HH. Your appeal will be heard within 30 school days following the date of receipt. Vacant places If you require a place in a Gateshead school you must may arise before the date of the appeal hearing. Where complete a school transfer application form. this happens, the school will offer the vacant place to the child that is top of their waiting list using the admission • The application form allows you to express a preference criteria set out within their admission policy. for up to three schools in Gateshead. Appeal forms for Voluntary Aided Schools are available • All persons with parental responsibility for the child directly from the school. must agree to the request before the form is completed. Where year groups are full the school will maintain a • Section A and C of the form must be fully complete waiting list and any vacancies which may arise will be before the form can be processed. offered using this list. If you would like your child’s name • If you are new to the UK from overseas, you must also placed on the waiting list for a school, you must contact complete Section B of the form and attach relevant the school to request this. If a place becomes available documentary evidence, i.e. child’s passport or ID card. which can be offered to your child, you must then complete a school transfer form if you choose to take up • Once you have completed Section A (and Section B if this offer. you are new to the UK), you must send the full form to your child’s current school where possible for them Children with an Education, Health and to complete Section C. They will then forward the completed form to the School Admissions Team to be Care Plan (EHCP) processed. School transfer requests for children with an EHCP will be referred to the Special Educational Needs Team who will • Once the School Admissions Team receive your work with parents to secure a place at a school where the completed form, a copy will be forwarded to the specific needs of the child can be met. relevant schools, who have 10 school days to respond to the request, advising if a place is available.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 85 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Fair Access Protocol Fair Access Protocols exist to ensure that access to education is secured for vulnerable children and young people who are without a school place and where a placement in a mainstream school or alternative provision is appropriate. The fair access process also ensures that all schools admit their fair share of vulnerable children and young people. Our approach reflects a commitment by all our schools/academies to work in partnership with each other and the local authority in the interests of securing the best outcomes for children and young people. Should parents agree to a referral to the fair access process, although parents may state a preferred school, the panel may not offer a place at the parent’s first choice of school as they have to take into account both the number and complexity of the student’s allocated to school’s via this process. This does not however remove the right of a parent to request an independent school appeal for a place at their first preference school, however, participation in the fair access process will be taken into consideration by the appeal panel. Copies of the Fair Access Protocols are available on the Council’s website or from the Education Support Team, telephone number 0191 433 8745.

86 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 6 Special Educational Needs (SEN)

We recognise that some children need special educational A decision about whether to assess your child’s needs will help that cannot be provided in primary and secondary be made within 6 weeks. schools. For this reason we currently maintain six special schools and other schools are designated as additionally Assessment resourced mainstream schools (ARMS). You can find If the assessment is agreed, the SEND team will request details of the facilities at these schools from the school’s information and reports from you, your child’s school, any website, by calling the Special Educational Needs and outside professional who has been involved with your Disabilities Service on telephone number 0191 433 3626 child, the health authority and social services. or in Gateshead’s Local Offer (www.gateshead.gov.uk/local offer). All enquiries are dealt with in complete privacy and A request will also be sent to your child’s school at this confidence. stage to ask them to organise an Action Planning Meeting to take place later in the process. The Children and Families Act came into force in September 2014. Schools must meet a child’s special The information collected will then be considered by the educational needs from their own resources and if they are SEND panel to decide whether it will go ahead and issue not able to do that, they can apply to the Local Authority an EHCP. If the EHCP is agreed it will include a summary of (LA) for an EHCP. your child’s special educational needs and the support we think is required to meet these needs. Details of the assessment process and school’s information can be found in Gateshead’s Local Offer (www.gateshead. You will receive a copy of this draft EHCP, as will those gov.uk/localoffer) people who provided reports. If you have any immediate concerns about the content of this draft you can contact A graduated approach the SEN team to discuss further. If the EHCP is refused, you Children can have different kinds or levels of SEN and learn can appeal to an independent SEN and Disability Tribunal in different ways so a step-by-step or graduated approach (SENDIST). is taken by the school to help with your child’s difficulties. Your child may need help for a short time or for the whole Planning time they are at school depending on their difficulties. If the EHCP goes ahead you will be given the opportunity to discuss the outline EHCP at your child’s Action Planning The school must tell you that they are giving your child Meeting, as well as contribute to the writing of your extra help because of their difficulties and keep you child’s outcomes. At this stage you will also be able to informed of their progress. discuss which school you would like your child to attend. Step 1 This could be your child’s current school, an additionally resourced mainstream school or in exceptional Your child will be given extra help by staff at school; for circumstances, a special school. example, they may work in a small group or be given work that is different from the other children in their class. The notes from the Action Planning Meeting will be sent to the SEN team who will update the EHCP and consult Step 2 (ask for a placement) with the appropriate educational If your child does not make progress with this additional setting. You will be contacted with the results of the support, the school will seek advice from outside discussions and given the opportunity to meet with an professionals, for example, a specialist teacher or SEN Officer if you disagree with the EHCP before it is educational psychologist. finalised. Step 3 We try to work with parents to come to an agreement If your child is still not making enough progress and the about the EHCP but there are times when parents do not school cannot provide the help that they need, the LA may agree with our decision not to assess the child or with the decide to carry out a formal needs assessment. contents of an EHCP. If this happens, you have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Initial Assessment Tribunal. When a request for Needs Assessment has been received a letter will be sent to you and other relevant parties letting them know that an assessment may take place.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 87 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Finding a school for your child Absence from school for medical Sometimes we cannot offer your child a place at a suitable reasons school in Gateshead. When this happens, we do all we can If your child is ill or has had an accident, they may be at to find a suitable place in a school maintained by another home or in hospital for some time. There is a teaching unit authority or an independent organisation. We will make at the RVI Hospital, which aims to provide some continuity arrangements for you and your child to visit the school of education during a hospital stay. If your child is at before you make a final decision. home, home tuition may be suitable. Special Educational Needs Disability Information and Advice Support Service (SENDIASS) SENDIASS is run by Barnardo’s on behalf of Gateshead Council. It offers free independent support and information for parents/carers of children with special educational needs. You can contact SENDIASS on: 0191 478 4667.

88 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 7 Policy for home to school travel

Introduction However, free travel may be available to children where the distance from home to their catchment This policy sets out the local authority’s approach to area school by the shortest available walking route ensuring compliance with its home to school statutory exceeds: duty under the Education Act 1996 to make travel arrangements for eligible children under section 508B. - two miles for primary-school aged children - three miles for pupils in the year 7-11 normal age It also sets out the discretionary travel arrangements group at a secondary school provided under section 508C of the Act by the local authority (LA) to other children who are not eligible to free We will not normally provide any help if parents send travel under section 508B. their child to a school outside of the catchment area or a school which is not their nearest suitable school. It has been developed with due regard to the Department Pupils are not entitled to free home to school travel for Education statutory guidance ‘Home to school travel on the grounds of religion or belief, unless they meet and transport guidance’ (July 2014). the criteria in the second point below. This policy applies to: We may provide free travel for pupils in secondary • children of compulsory school age (aged 5-16 years) schools in receipt of free schools meals or whose household qualifies for the maximum working tax • children normally resident in Gateshead credit and where: • Other children where travel support is provided under - They live more than 2 miles but not more than 6 discretionary arrangements outlined in Section 9. miles from one of their three nearest qualifying 1. Parent/carer responsibilities schools; or - Where they live more than two miles, but not more It is the duty of parents/carers to ensure that their than fifteen miles from their nearest suitable school child attends school regularly, to be responsible for preferred on grounds of religion or belief. their safety on the journey between home and school and to meet any travel costs. It is the responsibility of Qualification for free travel in future subsequent years every parent/carer to help their child to develop the is dependent on continued eligibility for free school skills and confidence for independent and safe travel meals or maximum working tax credit. to and from school. Most school-age pupils do not The provision described in section 2.2 is usually require any help from the Local Authority. provided in the form of a free travel permit for use on public transport following an application made 2. Eligibility under section 508B directly to Gateshead Council’s Benefit Section Tel: Schedule 35B 0191 433 4848 for an application form. 2.1 The LA provides help with home to school travel for 2.3 Eligible children only qualify for free travel to their compulsory school-age children who are unable to catchment area school, or their nearest suitable walk to school: school where they have special educational needs, defined as the nearest publicly-maintained school, - because of their mobility problems or because of with places available, that provides education associated health and safety issues related to their appropriate to the age, ability and aptitude of the special educational needs (SEN) or disability; or child, and any special educational needs that the child - because the nature of the route is deemed unsafe may have. For children with special educational needs, to walk; or if a school is the only school named in a Statement of SEN or Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, this - because they live outside statutory walking means that it is the nearest suitable school for school distance. transport. All children are assessed on an individual 2.2 Parents have a right to express preference for the basis so that their particular travel needs are identified school they wish their child to attend and the relevant and appropriate provision offered if they are deemed admission authority is required to offer a place in eligible. accordance with that preference if a place is available. 2.4 It is the general expectation of the LA that a child Local authorities are not required to provide free will be accompanied to and from school by a parent/ travel if the parent makes a choice to send their child carer where necessary, unless it is unreasonable to to a school that is not their catchment area school. expect the parent to do so. In determining whether

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 89 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

a child cannot be expected to walk for the purposes • a Personal Travel Budget (this is calculated on a of ‘special educational needs, a disability or mobility mileage allowance but can be used to meet the problems eligibility’ or ‘unsafe route eligibility’ the LA costs of a parent/carer who makes their own will consider whether the child could reasonably be transport/personal assistant/escort arrangements) expected to walk if accompanied and if so, whether • a permit to travel on public transport the child’s parent/carer can be reasonably expected to • transport service provided by a school accompany the child. • escort provided by the LA to assist a child to walk to 2.5 It is the general expectation of the LA that where a school child is eligible for Higher Rate Mobility Component • transport service contracted by the LA of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and this is used to cover the cost of leasing a Motability vehicle, that 5. Decisions the vehicle is used to facilitate the child’s travel to and from school. 5.1 The LA will normally process applications made on the basis of a child having special educational needs 3. Assessment within 15 working days of the application being received, subject to the necessary information and 3.1 In assessing whether a pupil is eligible for support advice from other services and agencies being made with home to school travel under section 508B and to available. The LA will aim to inform applicants at the determine the type of provision that will be offered, earliest opportunity if this target is unachievable. the LA takes into account some or all of the following factors: 5.2 If the LA agrees to provide travel support this applies to home to school travel arrangements, and vice • whether a parent/carer can accompany the child to versa only and does not relate to travel between school educational institutions or other destinations during • the statutory walking distance from home to school the school day. Costs of travel over and above the • the nature of the route and the journey time journey to school and the journey to home will be • the age of the pupil paid for by the parent/carer or the school/educational establishment. • whether the pupil is capable of independent travel • the pupil’s special educational needs (if any) 5.3 The LA or travel provider does not provide car seats. • the pupil’s physical disability or mobility problem (if Parents/carers are responsible for providing an any) appropriate car seat for their child and the provider can refuse to transport a child if an appropriate car • the pupil’s medical condition seat is not provided. 3.2 The assessment will be carried out following the receipt of an application form from the parent/carer, 6. Reviewing travel support which can be submitted at any time during the school 6.1 If the LA agrees to provide travel support, the LA may year. The LA will consider such additional information review the provision at any time, but changes to travel about the child as it considers necessary to make an provision will normally take effect at the start of a assessment, including the advice of: new school year (1 September). There will always be a • the pupil’s school review of provision via a re-application when a pupil: • LA educational psychologist or other specialist staff • moves from primary to secondary education • any social worker involved with the child or family • completes secondary education • any other agency providing support for the child or • changes school/school site family • moves house • the local transport authority • has a change in their physical/medical or other • any other person/agency suggested by the parent/ condition carer 6.2 It is the duty of the parent/carer to inform the LA of • Where the LA does not already have such any change in the child’s or the family’s circumstances, information, it is the responsibility of the parent/ providing reasonable notice to facilitate a change carer to obtain such advice and submit it to the LA to travel arrangements within the timescales of the with their application. application process. Failure to do so may result in 4. Provision travel support being withdrawn temporarily. Provision may also be removed if the parent or child refuses Independent travel training and use of public to co-operate with reasonable requests from the LA transport will always be investigated as the first or transport provider or refuses an assessment for option for all pupils applying for support with travel Independent Travel Training. More information about to school, whether on a sole basis or accompanied. parent/carer responsibilities can be found in our Other provision may include: ‘Travel Care Guide for Parents/Carers’ leaflet.

90 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

6.3 Pupils receiving travel support on an interim basis will 8.3 Travel support may be ceased if a young person need to re-apply for travel support when the interim becomes capable of independent traveling or if arrangement ends. the young person or their parent/carer refuses an independent travel training assessment to take place, 6.4 Family circumstances and the development and where the LA believes this is appropriate. independence of young people changes over time. All pupils in Year 9 and above should therefore re- 9. Discretionary arrangements under apply for travel support ahead of them commencing their next academic year in September (by the end section 508C of the Education Act 1996 of April). For pupils with an Education, Health and 9.1 Discretionary travel support provided under section Care Plan (EHCP) receiving travel support, plans for 508C of the Education Act 1996 is outlined below. travelling independently will be discussed annually The need for travel support provided under these during EHCP review meetings, included in the pupil’s discretionary arrangements will be assessed as Year 9 Transition Report and discussed at the review described in section 3 above and will also take into meeting. account family circumstances and any other factors the LA considers relevant. Discretionary support with 7. Appeals travel is provided by the LA over and above their 7.1 If the LA does not agree to provide help, the parent/ statutory duty, however this does not need to free carer will be informed by letter and advised that they of charge and may be subject to a contribution from may appeal against that decision, provided they do so parents/carers where deemed appropriate. in writing within 15 working days. • Children temporarily attending educational 7.2 Appeals will be considered in the first instance by the provision other than their usual school. Pupils Service Director, Early Help or their nominee. receiving travel support on a temporary/interim basis will need to re-apply for travel support when 7.3 The young person’s parent/carer should submit their the interim arrangement ends. appeal, their reasons for the appeal and their case in full to the Service Director, Early Help in writing, • Children temporarily residing at a different address together with any other evidence or supporting (including respite care), travel support will only be information. There is no entitlement to a hearing in maintained if this can be achieved at no additional person. The Service Director will normally consider cost to the LA, unless it is agreed following an appeals within 10 working days of receipt and will assessment of need, prior to the move/stay taking give her/his decision in writing. place. 7.4 If an application/appeal is unsuccessful, a further • Pre-school children attending a Gateshead special appeal can be made in writing, together with any school may be eligible for travel support however a other evidence or supporting information within Personal Travel Budget will always be offered in the 15 working days of receipt of the stage one appeal first instance as opposed to the provision of a taxi decision letter to the Council’s independent Appeals where this is cost effective to the LA. Committee. The committee will consider the appeal within 40 working days of receipt and will give their Sustainable Travel To School decision in writing. Gateshead Council has a Sustainable Modes of Travel 7.5 If the application/appeal is unsuccessful following Strategy which aims to improve accessibility to schools, an appeal to the independent appeal panel, a young promote sustainable travel and increase the numbers of person parent/carer may only apply for a further pupils walking, cycling or using public transport on their assessment after twelve months has elapsed, or if school journey. The full strategy document and a parents’ there is a significant change in circumstances in the summary may be accessed on the council’s website. meantime. Here at Gateshead Council we aim to encourage as many children, parents and staff to travel to school by 8. Changes to travel arrangements sustainable methods wherever possible. 8.1 The LA is able to make changes to the school travel Many local schools participate in our Be Cool campaign contracts it commissions with third party providers which provides lots of suggestions and support to help at any point in time without consulting children, promote active travel. Why not ask your school which young people, parents or carers. Continuity of driver, promotions they are taking part in? escort or vehicle is only granted in exceptional circumstances following a request made in writing For further information on active travel and its many and an assessment of need. benefits please see www.gosmarter.co.uk and [email protected] 8.2 Travel support may be provided for a fixed period to facilitate transition plans or independent travel programmes.

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 91 Gateshead Council Information for Parents Section 8 General School Information

Free School meals All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state funded schools are eligible for free school meals regardless of your School meals are available for all children, however you can income. This scheme is called Universal Infant Free School apply for Means Tested Free School Meals if you are receiving Meals (UIFSM). You do not have to apply to be eligible for one of the following:- this scheme; however, it is still important to apply for the • Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of means tested free school meals if you meet the relevant less than £7,400 criteria shown above as this might provide extra funding (as detailed above) for your child’s school. • Income Support/Guarantee Pension Credit If you would like more information about free school meals • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance please ring Gateshead Council on 433 3729 or 433 4848. • Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) School Catering • Child Tax Credit (but NOT Working Tax Credit) and School lunches in Gateshead’s Primary Schools are provided your income for Tax credit purposes must be less than by Gateshead School Catering, the Council’s award winning £16,190.00 (details are shown on your Tax Credit award in-house service provider. notice) All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state funded • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after schools in England are now eligible for free school meals. you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit. Our fully trained catering staff encourage children to eat • Support under Part IV of the Immigration & Asylum Act healthily in school and make good choices. Our menus are 1999. fully compliant with the National School Food Standards and You can apply in the following ways: all pupils are offered a two course, nutritionally balanced school lunch. Many of the foods we use have been reduced • online via Gateshead Council’s website in fat, sugar and salt, and many of the ingredients we use www.gateshead.gov.uk/free-school-meals are sourced locally. All our meat and poultry are Red Tractor • by telephone - 0191 433 3729 certified which guarantees quality and origin. You will be asked to confirm your identity, provide your Over 75% of our menu is home-made and meals are National Insurance Number, your date of birth and the freshly cooked every day on-site at school. New menus are school details for your child. This will enable us to check your introduced in September and we have a dedicated webpage eligibility. for parents to view what’s on offer each day at their child’s school. In most primary schools pupils choose from 3 main Extra funding for your child’s school choice options which are available every day, as well as a variety of dessert options including fresh fruit and yoghurts For every valid application for free school meals, not only will and a variety of drinks including milk, water and fruit juice. your child receive a healthy, nutritious meal, but your child’s The full menus can also be seen on the council’s website school can claim: along with other information about Gateshead school • £1,345 per pupil in reception to year 6 - primary catering. • £955 per pupil in years 7 to 11 - secondary Please ask your Head Teacher if your child needs a special diet for medical or ethnic reasons. For medical diets, the The school can claim this funding each year for six years, catering management team will require a letter from your which can really help to provide the best environment to child’s doctor, consultant or dietician to provide for your support your child’s learning and development. child’s specific needs and will make arrangements to meet If your child was entitled to receive a free school meal on with you to discuss the requirements. April 1 2018, or became entitled at any time after this date, in If you require further information about school catering or the majority of cases they will be protected to receive their would like to discuss any aspect of the service, please call free meal until Universal Credit has been fully rolled out. Gateshead Council’s Operations Manager (Catering) on: This is estimated not to be until at least March 31 2022. 0191 433 5516, or contact the Unit Manager at the school. Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will then Alternatively, please see our website: continue to receive a free school meal until the end of their www.gateshead.gov.uk current phase of education. Or when they leave school, For school catering at Parkhead, Riverside Academy, The whichever is the earliest. Cedars Academy and Washingwell please contact the school.

92 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

Providing school milk • an admission application to any state funded school - paragraph 1.9 (n) of the ‘School Admissions Code 2014’ Please contact the school directly for information on free rules out requests for financial contributions as any part school milk. of the admissions process; School clothing • education provided during school hours (including the supply of any materials, books, instruments or other Most schools operate a school uniform code however equipment); schools must not act as sole suppliers of school uniform. Details of the uniform are usually contained in the school’s • education provided outside school hours if it is part prospectus that can be obtained from the school. Some of the national curriculum1, or part of a syllabus for a schools may provide their own help and support with prescribed public examination that the pupil is being regards to their school uniform for example for those prepared for at the school, or part of religious education; families who are eligible for free school meals or who are • instrumental or vocal tuition, for pupils learning entitled to the maximum level of working tax credit. Parents individually or in groups, unless the tuition is provided should contact the Head Teacher at the school to ask if they at the request of the pupil’s parent; offer support. • entry for a prescribed public examination, if the pupil Gateshead Council do not have any general arrangements has been prepared for it at the school; and for providing help with buying school uniform or PE kit. Gateshead Council do not provide a uniform grant. • examination re-sit(s) if the pupil is being prepared for the re-sit(s) at the school. Charging for school activities Schools and local authorities can charge for: Under the Education Act 1996 (sections 449-462) each • any materials, books, instruments, or equipment, where school’s governing body must draw up and review their the child’s parent wishes him/her to own them; policy for charging arrangements. Academies (including free • optional extras schools, studio schools) are required through their funding agreements to comply with the law on charging for school • music and vocal tuition, in limited circumstances activities. • certain early years provision; The 1996 Act aims to: • community facilities. • Maintain your child’s right to free education; Residential visits • Make sure that activities offered completely or mainly during normal teaching time are available to all pupils, Schools cannot charge for: whether or not their parents can or want to help meet • education provided on any visit that takes place during the costs; school hours; • Emphasise that there is no legal requirement to charge • education provided on any visit that takes place outside for any form of education or related activity, but to give school hours if it is part of the national curriculum, or LA’s and governing bodies the power to charge for part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination optional activities they provide completely or mainly that the pupil is being prepared for at the school, or part out of school hours; and of religious education; • Confirm the right of LA’s and governing bodies to ask for • supply teachers to cover for those teachers who voluntary contributions for the benefit of the school, or are absent from school accompanying pupils on a to support any activity organised, in or outside, school residential visit. hours. Schools can charge for: The policies determined by individual governing bodies may differ but there is a statutory duty on all governing bodies • board and lodging and the charge must not exceed the to act in accordance with the 1996 education act and all actual cost. policies must adhere to legal requirements. Please contact When a school informs parents about a forthcoming visit, the school’s head teacher for details of the school’s policies. they should make it clear that parents who can prove they The 2018 guidance Charging for school activities clearly are in receipt of the following benefits will be exempt from identifies those activities which school governing bodies paying the cost of board and lodging: and local authorities can and cannot charge for, they include: • Universal Credit in prescribed circumstances; School governing bodies and local authorities, cannot • Income Support (IS); charge for: • Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA);

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 93 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

• support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Board and lodging Act 1999; Schools can charge for: • Child Tax Credit, provided that Working Tax Credit is not also received. • overnight board and lodging providing the charge does not exceed the actual cost; • an income related employment and support allowance. • extended day services offered to day pupils, for example • Working Tax Credit. breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, tea and supervised homework sessions. Any extended day services for day pupils at state boarding schools, and the associated charges, must be optional. Schools cannot make attendance at and the payment of charges for extended day services compulsory.

94 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Estimated DfE Age PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Nursery Number range 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021

2226 Barley Mow Primary Pembroke Ave, Birtley, DH3 2DJ 3-11 Yes 30 146 Mrs N Watson Tel: 0191 410 2758

2039 Bede Community Primary Old fold Road, Gateshead NE10 0DJ 3-11 Yes 30 182 Mr N Anderson Tel: 0191 433 4135 1000 Bensham Grove Nursery Sidney Grove, Gateshead NE8 2XD Mrs D Kilner Tel: 0191 433 4090 2-4 Yes 104 50 2197 Bill Quay Primary Davidson Road, Bill Quay, NE10 0UN Mrs T Hilton Tel: 0191 469 3013 4-11 No 30 211 2163 Birtley East Community Primary Highfield, Birtley, DH3 1QQ Miss A Diggle Tel: 0191 410 2551 3-11 Yes 30 193 2182 Blaydon West Primary Blaydon, Gateshead NE21 4PY Mr S Brown Tel: 0191 414 3286 3-11 Yes 30 171 2200 Brandling Primary Mulberry Street, Gateshead NE10 0JB Mrs A Clennell Tel: 0191 433 4079 3-11 Yes 30 186 2221 Brighton Avenue Primary Brighton Road, Gateshead NE8 1XS Mrs J Allan Tel: 0191 421 8080 3-11 Yes 45 302 2233 Caedmon Community Primary Whitehall Road, Gateshead NE8 4LH Mr C Wisby Tel: 0191 433 4095 3-11 Yes 30 209 2008 Carr Hill Community Primary Carr Hill Road, Gateshead NE9 5NB Mr P Harris Tell: 0191 477 1203 3-11 Yes 45 298 2235 Chopwell Primary Derwent Street, Chopwell NE17 7HS Mrs V Bruce Tel: 01207 561 322 2-11 Yes 45 169 2216 Clover Hill Community Primary Glenhurst Drive, Whickham NE16 5SJ Miss L Hall Tel: 0191 433 4056 4-11 No 30 204 2228 Colegate Community Primary Colegate West, Felling NE10 9AH Executive Head Teacher Mrs H Gladstone Tel: 0191 420 6626 3-11 Yes 30 138 2219 Crookhill Community Primary Hexham Old Road, Crookhill NE40 3ES Miss K McCormack Tel: 0191 433 4066 4-11 No 30 184 2164 Dunston Hill Community Primary Market Lane, Dunston NE11 9NX Mr C Sutherland Tel: 0191 433 4021 3-11 Yes 60 380 2167 Emmaville Primary Main Street,Crawcrook, Ryton NE40 4ND Miss A Armstrong Tel: 0191 413 2460 2-11 Yes 60 410 2198 Falla Park Community Primary Falla Park Road, Felling NE10 9HP Miss V Carr Tel: 0191 433 4011 3-11 Yes 30 179 2232 Fell Dyke Community Primary Springwell Road, Gateshead NE9 7AA Ms K Savage Tel: 0191 433 4111 3-11 Yes 45 255 2231 Fellside Community Primary Fellside Road, Whickham NE16 5AY Mrs K Hood Tel: 0191 488 7486 3-11 Yes 30 210 2184 Front Street Community Primary North View, Whickham NE16 4AY Executive Head Teacher Mrs H Gladstone Tel: 0191 488 1941 3-11 Yes 60 395 2225 Glynwood Community Primary Glynwood Gardens, Gateshead NE9 5SY Mrs V Nellis Tel: 0191 433 4117 3-11 Yes 60 406 2181 Greenside Primary Rockwood Hill Road, Greenside NE40 4AX Miss D Foster Tel: 0191 413 2186 3-11 Yes 30 179 2238 Harlow Green Community Primary Harlow Green Lane, Gateshead NE9 7TB Mr M Malik Tel: 0191 487 6703 3-11 Yes 60 369

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 95 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS continued

Estimated DfE Age PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Nursery Number range 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 2186 Highfield Community Primary Whinfield Way, Highfield, Rowlands Gill Mr S Thompson NE39 2JE - Tel: 01207 549 882 3-11 Yes 17 113 2168 High Spen Primary Hugar Road, High Spen, Rowlands Gill NE39 2BQ Mr A Firth Tel: 01207 542 373 2-11 Yes 29 167 2234 Kells Lane Primary Kells Lane, Gateshead NE9 5HX Mrs A Whistler Tel: 0191 433 4140 3-11 Yes 60 415 2012 Kelvin Grove Community Primary Kelvin Grove, Gateshead NE8 4UN Mrs J Thompson Tel: 0191 477 4186 3-11 Yes 60 327 2058 Kibblesworth Academy Kibblesworth, Gateshead NE11 0XP Mr C Steel Tel: 0191 410 2975 3-11 Yes 29 138 2051 Larkspur Community Primary Beacon Lough East, Gateshead NE9 6SS Mrs M Liddle Tel: 0191 487 5628 3-11 Yes 29 107 2205 Lingey House Primary Millford, Leam Lane Estate, Felling NE10 8DN Mrs C Wilkinson Tel: 0191 438 1287 3-11 Yes 60 395 2222 Lobley Hill Primary Rothbury Gardens, Gateshead NE11 0AT Mrs J James Tel: 0191 433 4080 3-11 Yes 60 330 2049 Oakfield Junior Chowdene Bank, Gateshead NE9 6JH Executive Head Teacher Mrs K Chisholm Tel: 0191 433 4086 7-11 No 60 240 2055 Oakfield Infant Chowdene Bank, Gateshead NE9 6JH Executive Head Teacher Mrs H Hartness Tel: 0191 487 0354 4-7 No 60 167 2236 Parkhead Community Primary Park Lane, Winlaton NE21 6LT Mrs P Bailey Tel: 0191 433 5618 3-11 Yes 58 279 2162 Portobello Primary Tamerton Drive, Birtley DH3 2LY Mrs J Humphrey Tel: 0191 410 4571 4-11 No 30 191 2056 Ravensworth Terrace Primary Mount Pleasant Road, Birtley, DH3 1AY Ms D Thompson Tel: 0191 433 4200 4-11 No 60 361 2220 Riverside Primary Academy Colliery Road, Dunston NE11 9DX Mrs J Goodfellow Tel: 0191 460 1918 3-11 Yes 60 268 2229 Roman Road Primary Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead NE10 8SA Mrs C Jones Tel: 0191 438 0510 3-11 Yes 30 197 2239 Rowlands Gill Primary Dominies Close, Rowlands Gill NE39 2PP Mrs L Clarke Tel: 01207 549 359 3-11 Yes 60 182 2193 Ryton Community Junior Ryton NE40 3AF Executive Head Teacher Mrs D Ashcroft Tel: 0191 413 3573 7-11 No 60 132 2188 Ryton Community Infant Ryton NE40 3AF Executive Head Teacher Mrs D Ashcroft Tel: 0191 413 2776 2-7 Yes 60 93 2036 South Street Community Primary Cramer Street, Gateshead NE8 4BB Mrs J McGrow Tel: 0191 477 3993 3-11 Yes 44 221 2172 Swalwell Primary South View Terrace, Swalwell NE16 3HZ Mrs R Hocking Tel: 433 4000 3-11 Yes 30 119 2213 The Drive Community Primary The Drive, Felling, Gateshead NE10 0PY Mrs R Farren Tel: 0191 421 0390 3-11 Yes 29 186 2224 Wardley Primary Keir Hardie Avenue, Wardley NE10 8TX Mrs N Wallace Tel: 0191 469 3012 3-11 Yes 45 224 2194 Washingwell Community Primary Bucks Hill View, Whickham NE16 4RB Mrs A Hall Tel: 0191 488 4400 3-11 Yes 30 156

96 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS continued

Estimated DfE Age PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Nursery Number range 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 3001 Whickham Parochial C of E Primary Broadway, Whickham NE16 5QW Mrs R Walton Tel: 0191 488 7867 4-11 No 30 207 2214 White Mere Community Primary Sherburn Way, Gateshead NE10 8BA Mrs S Richardson Tel: 0191 438 5008 3-11 Yes 30 143 2227 Windy Nook Primary Albion Street, Gateshead NE10 9BD Mrs L Forrest Tel: 0191 469 4954 3-11 Yes 45 294 2177 Winlaton West Lane Community Primary West Lane, Winlaton NE21 6PH Mrs C Tetley Tel: 0191 414 2557 3-11 Yes 45 353

COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Estimated DfE Age Sixth PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Number range Form 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 Grace College Saltwell Road South, Gateshead NE9 6LE 4003 Mr M Hall Tel: 0191 442 2000 11-18 Yes 210 1150

4002 Heworth Grange School High Lanes, Heworth NE10 0PT Ms A Denholm Tel: 0191 421 2244 11-16 No 240 1088

Kingsmeadow Community Market Lane, Dunston NE11 9NX 4041 Comprehensive School Tel: 0191 460 6004 11-18 Yes 180 882 Mr D Volpe

4027 Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy Birtley Lane, Birtley DH3 2LP Mr A Fowler Tel: 0191 433 4026 11-18 Yes 254 1207

4001 Thorp Academy Main Road, Ryton, NE40 3AH Mrs K Hailes Tel: 0191 413 2113 11-18 Yes 270 1146 Burnthouse Lane, Whickham NE16 5AR 4029 Whickham School & Sports College (Academy) Tel: 0191 496 0026 11-18 Yes 266 1370 Mr F Turnbull

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

Estimated DfE Age Sixth PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Number range Form 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 6900 Emmanuel College Consett Road, Lobley Hill, NE11 0AN Mr M Waterfield Tel: 0191 460 2099 11-18 Yes 240 1480

FREE SCHOOLS

Estimated DfE Age Sixth PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Number range Form 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 4004 XP Gateshead Former Thomas Hepburn Site, Swards Mr M Lovatt Road, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 9UZ 11-12 No 50 50 Tel: 01302 898 792

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 97 Gateshead Council Information for Parents

VOLUNTARY AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Estimated DfE Age PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Nursery Number range 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021 3313 Corpus Christi Catholic Primary Dunsmuir Grove, Gateshead NE8 4QL Mrs C Ingle Tel: 0191 477 2175 3-11 Yes 29 190 3329 Sacred Heart Catholic Primary Byermoor, Burnopfield NE16 6NU Mr S Woods Tel: 01207 270 396 4-11 No 30 238 3326 St Agnes Catholic Primary Rosedale Road, Ryton E40 4UN Ms J Woods Tel: 0191 413 2184 4-11 No 30 195 2237 St Aidan’s C of E Primary Derwentwater Road, Gateshead NE8 2HQ Mrs L Steele Tel: 0191 477 2690 3-11 Yes 30 196 3335 St Alban’s Catholic Primary Rothbury Avenue, Pelaw NE10 0QY Mrs E Bridon Tel: 0191 469 3251 3-11 Yes 30 178 3322 St Anne’s Catholic Primary Off Pickering Green, Harlow Green, Gateshead Mrs S Fraser NE9 7HX - Tel: 0191 433 4053 4-11 No 30 142 3336 St Augustine’s Catholic Primary Colegate, Leam Lane Est, Gateshead NE10 8PP Mrs G Lynch Tel: 0191 469 2949 3-11 Yes 45 298 3325 St Joseph’s Catholic Infant, Birtley Mitchell Street, Birtley DH3 1LU Acting Head Teacher Mrs L Flaherty Tel: 0191 410 2324 4-7 No 30 87 3324 St Joseph’s Catholic Junior, Birtley School Street, Birtley DH3 2PN Mrs R Nutton Tel: 0191 410 2231 7-11 No 30 98 3331 St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Blaydon Croftdale Road, Blaydon NE21 4BG Mr A Ramanandi Tel: 0191 414 3108 4-11 No 30 211 3317 St Joseph’s RC VA Primary, Gateshead Prince Consort Rd, Gateshead NE8 1LR Mr J Hattam Tel: 0191 490 1517 4-11 No 30 188 3327 St Joseph’s RC VA Primary, Highfield Whinfield Way, Highfield, Rowlands Gill Ms J Bircham NE39 2JE - Tel: 01207 545 972 4-11 No 15 101 3328 St Mary & St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Stella Lane, Blaydon NE21 4NE Primary - Miss E White Tel: 0191 414 3116 3-11 Yes 30 211 3333 St Mary’s RC Primary Duckpool Lane, Whickham NE16 4HB Mr J Wheatley Tel: 0191 420 5828 4-11 No 30 201 3318 St Oswald’s Catholic Primary Wrekenton, Gateshead NE9 7LH Mrs T Musgrove Tel: 0191 487 8641 3-11 Yes 30 190 3319 St Peter’s RC VA Primary Dryden Road, Gateshead NE9 5TU Mrs L Stokoe Tel: 0191 487 8233 4-11 No 30 206 3330 St Philip Neri RC Primary Ellison Road, Gateshead NE8 2QU Mrs V Douglass Tel: 0191 460 4378 4-11 No 30 173 3339 St Wilfrid’s RC VA Primary Old Fold Road, Gateshead NE10 0DJ Mr J Philips Tel: 0191 477 1909 3-11 Yes 20 124

98 Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions Gateshead Council Information for Parents

VOLUNTARY AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Estimated DfE Age Sixth PAN Number School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Number range Form 2022 on Roll in Sept 2021

4605 Cardinal Hume Catholic School Old Durham Road, Gateshead NE9 6RZ 11-18 Yes 225 1295 Acting Head Teacher Mr B Robson Tel: 0191 487 7638 4606 St Thomas More Catholic School Croftdale Road, Blaydon NE21 4BQ Mr J Parkinson Tel: 0191 499 0111 11-18 Yes 235 1235

SPECIALIST SCHOOLS

DfE School / Head Teacher Address and Phone Number Age Range Number

7009 Dryden School (SLD/PMLD) Shotley Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead NE9 5UR 11 – 19 Mrs E Johnson Tel: 0191 420 3811 / 0191 420 3812 7010 Eslington Primary School (SEMH) Hazel Road, Gateshead NE8 2EP Executive Head Teacher – Mrs M Richards Tel: 0191 433 4131 4 – 11 Head of School – Mrs H Stokes Rose Street, Gateshead, NE8 2LS Tel: 0191 433 5151 7006 Furrowfield School (SEMH) Whitehills Drive, Felling, Gateshead NE10 9RZ Executive Head Teacher – Mrs M Richards Tel: 0191 495 4700 11 – 16 Head of School – Miss R Jukes 7007 Gibside School (LD) Shipcote Lane, Gateshead, NE8 4JA Mrs J Donovan Tel: 0191 433 6900 3 – 11 7008 Hill Top School (MLD/ASD) Wealcroft, Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead NE10 8LT Mrs A Bell Tel: 0191 469 2462 11 – 18 7002 Cedars Academy Cedars School: Ivy Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 6QD (Cognition & Learning/ASD/SEMH) Tel: 0191 487 4595 Chief Executive – Mr M Flowers 3 – 19 Head of School – Mrs M O’Reilly Cedars College: Walker Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1EB Head of College – Mrs J Vincent

KEY Schools Catering for Children with SEMH Social, Emotional and Mental Health MLD Moderate Learning Difficulties PD Physical Difficulties LD Learning Difficulties SLD Severe Learning Difficulties PMLD Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties ASD Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Apply online at: www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions 99 3603-JH-June21