Admissions

School Admissions

To all our new prospective parents Mr Spooner, our Headteacher, would be delighted to show you our school so please contact the school office on 01235 520456 if you would like to arrange a tour.

You can also explore our school by viewing our 'virtual tour' which you will find under the 'About Us' tab within the welcome message. 

The formal process for admissions to the school from reception to Year 6 is managed by the Local Authority's Admissions team. For more information, please visit the Oxfordshire County Website. Our Admissions policy also provides some relevant information.

Here are some common questions parents sometimes ask in connection with admissions.

Would it be possible for us to come and look round St Nicolas C.E. Primary School before we apply for a place for our child?

 Mr Spooner, our Headteacher, would be delighted to show you our school so please contact the school office if you would like to arrange a tour.  You are about to make a most important family decision, and we believe it essential that you learn as much about our school. Please phone the School Office on 01235 520456 to book an appointment with the Head teacher if you would like to learn more.

If you live outside the catchment area, you are still welcome to contact us. We do, however, advise you to visit your own catchment area school as well. This is in line with the policy agreed by all Abingdon Town Primary Head teachers.

How do I enter my child for admission to St Nicolas C.E. Primary School?

There are specific application forms from the Local Education Authority (LEA) which must be completed for this process to be completed. There are different forms for families applying for Reception or for other year group transfers. Most families apply online but you can get a hard copy of the relevant form sent to you or download it from the county council website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place/reception-applications.

What happens if I move into the area and I would like my child to attend St Nicolas C.E. Primary School?

We are very happy to admit children into the school at any stage in their primary education if a place is available. Please contact the School Office on 01235 520456 to make an appointment to speak with the Head teacher.

How are places at the school decided?

In agreement with the School Governors, the Local Education Authority (LEA) have decided that St Nicolas C.E. Primary School may admit up to 60 pupils across the two Reception classes during the current academic year. We have 60 pupils per year group in the infants and up to 64 in years 3 to 6, across 2 classes.

You can apply for a school place on-line at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place.  Please remember that it is the responsibility of parents/carers to apply for a school place. You have the opportunity to list five different preferences for a school place and it is strongly advised that you use more than one preference. If you complete an application online, the County will confirm receipt by email however, If you complete a paper copy, please return it to the school office. If you are unable to return it to your school please post the completed form to: Admissions Team, Children, Education and Families, County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND

What happens if there are too many applications?

There are specific criteria published by the LEA which apply to the allocation of places in an over-subscribed school. You will find these online at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place.

More information or advice can be given during a visit to the school.

What dates should I be aware of?
For entry to Reception 2023:

• 1st November 2022, On-line applications open.
• 15th January 2023, Deadline for receipt of on-time applications for Reception for September 2023
• 17th April 2023, The Admissions Team will send you a letter by second class post or via email to let you know which school can be offered to your child. If you applied on-line you will receive your offer via email.
• September 2023, Your child will start their primary school. As each school in our county may vary, your school will inform you of their starting date. At St Nicolas C.E. Primary we do 'home visits' & staggered visits’ during the first 2/3 weeks to help your child settle into school.

As this is only a guide, we highly recommend you read through the admissions details on the County Council website.

Can I appeal if my child is not offered a place?

Yes - you have the right of appeal to a local appeals committee if your application for a place for your child is refused by the LEA. Details of how to do this will be sent at the time of notification of places by the LEA.

OCC Appeal Process: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place/school-appeals

When will my child start school?
Children are offered full time places in the September of the school year of their fifth birthday. At St Nicolas part time places are available for 5 mornings for the younger children (Spring and Summer born). A child should be in school full time from the term after they turn 5 yrs.

Can I defer my child's entry to school?

Children are usually offered a place from the September after their fourth birthday. All children have to be in full time education by the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday. Parents of summer born children (April- August birthday), gifted and talented children, or those who have experienced problems or missed part of the year, for example due to ill health can seek places outside their normal age group. In this case, parents need to complete an application to defer their child’s entry to school. More details about the process and how to apply for a deferral can be found on the county website at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place/defer-reception-application.

Any decision will be made on the basis of the circumstances of each case.

What happens before my child starts school?
Our aim is to make your child's entry to the school as happy and confident as possible. We invite parents to a meeting in June to give more details about the September entry to school. We do ‘home’ visits at the beginning of September and have staggered entry during the first two weeks of September.

Any children joining in other year groups will be offered the opportunity to join our ‘icebreaker’ session to familiarise them with their new school.