Admissions

Thank you for your interest in Rufford Church of England Primary School

Admissions September 2023

The deadline to apply for a primary school place for September 2022 was 15 January 2023. Any applications received after the deadline will be classed as late.

If you’ve missed this deadline the advice is to fill in a late application as soon as possible.

For more information regarding Admission to Reception Septmeber 2023 please see our Admissions Policy for 2023 below

Admissions September 2024

For prospective parents, or indeed anyone who is interested in life at Rufford C.E. Priamry School, we have an Open Day in the Autumn term 2023, ploease contact school to be added to our mailing list for an invitation to this event, (01704 821300)

Our Admissions Policy for September 2024 can now be published in readiness for the academic year 2024/2025, please see plicy document below.

If you have a child who has a 4^th birthday between 1^st September 2023 and 31^st August 2024, then for Lancashire resident families you need to start thinking about applying for a school place, even if an older brother or sister is already attending your preferred school/academy.

The means of application is via Lancashire’s on-line system at:-

www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools (then click on “School Admissions” then “Apply for a school place”)

The application process will go live on 1st September 2023. It is quick and easy to use and offers an e-mail receipt of all submitted applications. Please ensure that you hit the “submit” button when you are ready to send in your completed on-line application. If you live in Lancashire you can include out of area preferences on your on-line application.

The closing date for primary school applications for September 2023 is at 11-59 pm on:- 15th January 2024

Primary offers will be confirmed with you by 16th April 2024.

For prospective parents, we hold an Open Day in the second half of the autumn term 2023.

We will confirm this date when we have further information. Please keep an eye on our website and school Facebook page or contact school for further information.

We welcome visits throughout the year, please contact us to arrange. Email bursar@rufford.lancs.sch.uk or telephone 01704 821300

For more information you can read our Admissions Policy for 2024 below.

Applying for place at our school during the school year (In-Year Admissions)

In Year Admissions are admissions to school that take place outside the normal admissions rounds (ie Reception and Year 7)

If you are new to the area and require a school place or if you already reside in the area and you want to move your child from their current local school to our school, your application should be made directly to our school and the child will be admitted where there are available places.

To apply for a place, complete our In-Year Admissions form, available below or by contacting school, and return to bursar@rufford.lancs.sch.uk

If you would like your application to be considered under our faith criteria, in addition to the In Year Admissions form, please also complete a church reference form (Supplementary Information Form)

Copies of both forms are available in the Admissions section of our website or from the school office.

If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions, please contact us either by email bursar@rufford.lancs.sch.uk or by phone on 01704 821300

Your application will be acknowledged upon receipt and we will advise you of the outcome within a maximum of 15 school days.

Where places are available, but we have more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria will be applied, to ensure the correct child/children are offered the places.

If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list and you have the right of appeal. Please see below for appeal information. Please note, that the waiting list does NOT guarantee a place at our school and if your child is currently not in education you should either make an appeal to our school and/or apply for a place at an alternative school.

Appeals

The school's admission appeals are supported by Lancashire County Council. If the Governing body cannot offer a school place, parents have the right to make an appeal. This appeal should be submitted using the link below within twenty days of refusal of admission.

The appeal provides you with an opportunity to explain why you wish to register your child at our school.

The appeal forms and advice on how to complete them is available on the Lancashire County Council website:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/appeal-against-an-admission-decision/

Lancashire County Council will contact you in respect of your appeal application and inform you of the arrangements. The outcome of the appeal will be notified to you in writing. The decision of the Independent Appeal Panel is binding to all parties, ie the family and the school.

Please note that this right of appeal against the Governors’ decision does not prevent you from making an appeal in respect of any other school.

Further information on how to apply for a local school can be found on the Lancashire County Council website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/apply-for-a-school-place/changing-schools-during-the-school-year

Please click on the pdf files below for the School's Admission Policy and Supplementary Information Form (SIF).

Please note parents should refer to the admissions policy for the school year their child started in Reception Class..

If you require further information regarding the admissions procedure please do not hesitate to contact Mrs R Elleray, Headteacher.