Consultation on Admission Arrangements for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle 2024/2025
Where changes to admission arrangements are intended, all schools are required to consult before these are determined and published.
The policy for consultation for 2024-25 is available by clicking the link below:-
The consultation will run from 5 December 2022 to 27 January 2023.
Response forms should be returned to the school by 27 January 2023.
The Local Governing Committee will consider all comments received before they determine the arrangements for 2024-25.
Mrs Lesley Box
Headteacher
Admission Policy and Response Form
St Mary’s Barnard Castle Admissions Policy 2024-25
Response Form – Admissions Policy 2024-25
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure any the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Full details of the admission arrangements can be found in the Primary and Secondary Admissions brochure produced by Durham County Council and further information can be found in the schools admission policies – see below.
Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals.
You can view or download our Admission Policies here:
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.
The majority of Children with Special Educational Needs can be supported at any school. Provision is also available in certain Special Schools. Support for individual pupils is determined by Durham Local Authority through Education, Health and Care Assessment. Our Admissions Policy (see link above) details admission ranking, with children who are Looked after and are in the care of the local authority and children baptised in the Roman Catholic faith ranking before other applicants. If a child has a SEND and the school is named on their Health and Care plan they rank higher up the admissions.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
In Year Applications
An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round and the child will be admitted where there are available places. For information on making an in-year application, parents should contact the local authority admission team at School Places and Admissions, Children and Young People’s Services, County Hall, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5UJ on 03000 265 896 or by email at schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk
Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements for that academic year will be applied
View Changing Schools during the School Year
Parents are advised to read the admission arrangements carefully before making their application.
If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list. Please see the admission arrangements for more details.
You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible. Applicants must be informed of the outcome of their application within 15 school days of receipt, but the aim is to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 school days of receipt.
You have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if your application is unsuccessful.
If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions please contact the school by telephoning 01833 637029 or emailing office@stmarysbc.bhcet.org.uk
You may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority School Places and Admissions, Children and Young People’s Services, County Hall, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5UJ on 03000 265 896 or by email at schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk .
