starting school in havering€¦ · experience. enriching the learning experience of children in...

for children starting school in the academic year 2014 – 2015

www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

Starting School in Havering

>> Starting School 2014 – 2015

High achievement in primary schools 3

Location of Havering primary schools 4

List of primary schools in Havering 6

Key dates for parents/carers 9

Questions and answers to help you decide 10

Further guidance for parents/carers on the application of the admission criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 13

Admissions criteria for Voluntary Aided Denominational Faith and Foundation Schools 15

Oasis Academy Romford 27

Useful pointers for parents 31

Appeals and waiting lists 32

In year admissions and Infant to Junior transfers 34 Specialist units and nurseries 35

School meals 36

Special educational needs 37

Grants and awards 38

Whistleblowing 42

Registering a child with a GP practice 42

Contact details 43

Dear parent,Starting primary school is one of the most important and exciting events in your child’s life. It will develop their academic and creative abilities, enhance their social skills and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

You will want a school that will enable your child to reach their potential in all areas of the curriculum in an environment where they can be happy and confident. This booklet contains information on each of the primary schools and on how to go about applying for a place. You can now apply online and this is explained on page 10.

We are very proud of the achievements of Havering’s primary schools and your child will benefit from high quality teaching whichever school they attend.

Cllr Paul RochfordCabinet Member for Children and Learning

Introduction

Contents

Starting School 2014 – 2015 >> www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

High achievement in Havering primary schools

Havering primary schools provide high educational standards for some 18,000 pupils of all abilities from a broad range of ethnic backgrounds. What stands out about primary schools in Havering is that they achieve high standards and that those standards are rising. Results from across the country show that standards in Havering are above average for our 7 and 11 year olds.

The proportion of children reaching the national expectation of level 4 in English and Maths is high and above the national average. Havering primary schools also succeed in other important areas:

. they have a higher inclusion rate than average, in that they cater for a broader range of pupils’ needs within mainstream schools than is average across the country

. they provide a wide range of high quality artistic, musical, dramatic and sporting activities

. they, in partnership with the Local Authority, are committed to continued improvement in the quality of education for all children.

In short, Havering schools are doing a very good job compared to all schools nationally and compared to schools in similar areas. This reflects the hard work of all staff, pupils and governors.

All primary schools have set challenging targets for even

higher standards of achievement for the future and all primary schools are committed to ensuring that children in Havering:

. have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

All primary schools are committed to:

. making learning vivid and real

. making learning an enjoyable and challenging experience

. enriching the learning experience of children in Havering.

Making decisions about schooling is always a difficult task. This brochure provides brief details on all primary schools. The best way to gain further details and information is to look at a school’s prospectus and to visit the school. If you have any further questions, staff will be very happy to help you.

For more information on teaching and learning in Havering, including an index of all schools, please access the www.havering.gov.uk website.

Mary PattinsonHead of Learning and Achievement


Where are the Primary Schools in Havering?

* Schools with nursery units

1 Ardleigh Green Junior/Infant

2 Benhurst Primary

3 Brady Primary

4 Branfil Primary

5 Broadford Primary*

6 Brookside Junior/Infant*

7 Clockhouse Primary*

8 Crowlands Primary*

9 Crownfield Junior/Infant

10 Dame Tipping C of E Primary

11 Elm Park Primary

12 Engayne Primary

13 Gidea Park Primary

14 Hacton Primary*

15 Harold Court Primary

16 Harold Wood Primary

17 Hilldene Primary*

18 Hylands Primary*

19 La Salette Catholic Primary

20 Langtons Infant Langtons Junior Academy

21 Mead Primary*

22 Nelmes Primary

23 Newtons Primary*

24 Oasis Academy Romford*º

25 Parklands Junior/Infant*

26 Parsonage Farm Primary

27 Pinewood Primary*

28 Pyrgo Priory School*

29 Rainham Village Primary*

30 Rise Park Junior/Infant

31 Scargill Junior/Infant

32 Scotts Primary

33 Squirrels Heath Junior/Infant

34 Suttons Primary

35 St. Alban’s Catholic Primary

36 St. Edward’s C of E Primary*

37 St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary

38 St. Mary’s Catholic Primary

39 St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary

40 St. Peter’s Catholic Primary

41 St. Ursula’s RC Junior/Infant*

42 The James Oglethorpe Primary

43 The Mawney School

44 The R J Mitchell Primary

45 Towers Junior/Infant

46 Upminster Junior/Infant

47 Whybridge Junior/Infant

48 Wykeham Primary

Special Schools

49 Corbets Tey

50 Dycorts

51 Ravensbourne

° Union Road, Romford RM7 Details of the building are being finalised for

the proposed site in Union Road. If the development of the new building is not complete by September 2014 there will be temporary accommodation within walking distance of the permanent site until the new build is complete. The temporary accommodation if required will be a high quality existing building adapted for this initial period.


10

27*

7*

45

9

30

25*

36*

37

18*39

3848

2

20

43

4614*3411

31

4723*

19 26

29*3

35

44

324

49

42

33

13 1

22

8*

40

496* 28*

41*

17* 5*

21*

51 15

16

Gidea Park

Harold Wood

Motorway

Station

Railway Line

Major Road

Elm Park

Hornchurch

Upminster

Rainham M25

M25

A12

A12

A12

A127

A118

A124

A13

A13

1224

Romford

HORNCHURCH

CRANHAM

SOUTH HORNCHURCH

RAINHAM

HAROLD HILL

COLLIER ROW

ROMFORD


Primary Schools in Havering

Ardleigh Green JuniorArdleigh Green Road Hornchurch, RM11 2SP Tel: 01708 443014 Admission no. 90

Ardleigh Green InfantArdleigh Green Road Hornchurch, RM11 2SP Tel: 01708 449362 Admission no. 90

Benhurst PrimaryBenhurst Avenue Elm Park, Hornchurch RM12 4QS Tel: 01708 450807 Admission no. 45

Brady PrimaryWennington Road Rainham RM13 9XA Tel: 01708 555025 Admission no. 30

Branfil PrimaryCedar Avenue Upminster RM14 2LW Tel: 01708 225186 Admission no. 90

Broadford PrimaryFaringdon Avenue Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8JS Tel: 01708 342880 Admission no. 45

Brookside Junior Dagnam Park Drive Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9DJ Tel: 01708 343074 Admission no. 60

Brookside InfantDagnam Park Drive Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9DJ Tel: 01708 343066 Admission no. 60

Clockhouse PrimaryClockhouse Lane Collier Row, Romford RM5 3QR Tel: 01708 741696/745972 Admission no. 90

Crowlands PrimaryLondon Road Romford RM7 9EJ Tel: 01708 743402 Admission no. 75

Crownfield JuniorWhite Hart Lane, Collier Row, Romford RM7 8JD Tel: 01708 747070 Admission no. 90

Crownfield InfantWhite Hart Lane Collier Row, Romford RM7 8JD Tel: 01708 741826 Admission no. 90

Dame Tipping C of E Primary North Road Romford RM4 1PS Tel: 01708 745409 Admission no. 15

Elm Park Primary South End Road, Elm Park Hornchurch RM12 5UA Tel: 01708 451570 Admission no. 60

Engayne PrimarySevern Drive Cranham, Upminster RM14 1SW Tel: 01708 223492 Admission no. 90

Gidea Park PrimaryLodge Avenue Gidea Park, Romford RM2 5AJ Tel: 01708 743801 Admission no. 60

Hacton Primary School Chepstow Avenue Hornchurch RM12 6AU Tel: 01708 443991 Admission no. 50

Harold Court PrimaryChurch Road, Harold Wood, Romford RM3 0SH Tel: 01708 342275 Admission no. 60

Harold Wood Primary#Recreation Avenue Harold Wood, Romford RM3 0TH Tel: 01708 345473 Admission no. 90

Hilldene PrimaryGrange Road Romford RM3 7DU Tel: 01708 342453 Admission no. 90

Hylands PrimaryGranger Way Romford RM1 2RU Tel: 01708 743704 Admission no. 60

Langtons Junior AcademyWestland Avenue Hornchurch RM11 3SD Tel: 01708 442013 Admission no. 90

Langtons InfantWestland Avenue Hornchurch RM11 3SD Tel: 01708 447866 Admission no. 90

La Salette Catholic Primary**Dovers Corner, New Road, Rainham RM13 8SP Tel: 01708 555554 Admission no. 30

The Mawney School***Mawney Road Romford RM7 7HR Tel: 01708 741612 Admission no. 60



Mead Primary SchoolAmersham Road Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9JD Tel: 01708 343616 Admission no. 90

The RJ Mitchell PrimaryTangmere Crescent, Off Airfield Way, Hornchurch RM12 5PP Tel: 01708 551684 Admission no. 30

Nelmes PrimaryWingletye Lane Hornchurch RM11 3BX Tel: 01708 447676 Admission no. 60

Newtons PrimaryLowen Road Rainham RM13 8QR Tel: 01708 558613 Admission no. 45

Oasis Academy RomfordUnion RoadRomfordRM7 0BETel: 020 7921 4655 Admission no. 90

The James Oglethorpe PrimaryAshvale Gardens, Cranham, Upminster RM14 3NB Tel: 01708 225202 Admission no. 45

Parklands JuniorHavering Road Romford RM1 4QX Tel: 01708 743404 Admission no. 120

Parklands InfantHavering Road Romford RM1 4QX Tel: 01708 746806 Admission no. 120

Parsonage Farm PrimaryFarm Road Rainham RM13 9JU Tel: 01708 555186 Admission no. 90

Pinewood PrimaryThistledene Avenue Collier Row, Romford RM5 2TX Tel: 01708 743000 Admission no. 60

Pyrgo Priory SchoolSettle Road Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9RT Tel: 01708 342165 Admission no. 60

Rainham Village PrimaryUpminster Road South Rainham RM13 9AA Tel: 01708 552482 Admission no. 60

Rise Park JuniorAnnan Way, Rise Park, Romford RM1 4UD Tel: 01708 761935 Admission no. 60

Rise Park InfantAnnan Way, Rise Park, Romford RM1 4UD Tel: 01708 749135 Admission no. 90

St. Alban’s Catholic Primary**Heron Flight Avenue Hornchurch RM12 5LN Tel: 01708 555644 Admission no. 30

St. Edward’s C of E Primary**Havering Drive Romford RM1 4BD Tel: 01708 745971 Admission no. 90

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School**St. Mary’s Lane Upminster RM14 2QB Tel: 01708 220277 Admission no. 60

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School**Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch RM12 4TL Tel: 01708 448430 Admission no. 60

St. Patrick’s Catholic# Primary School** Lowshoe Lane Collier Row, Romford RM5 2AP Tel: 01708 745655 Admission no. 60

St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School**Dorset Avenue, Romford RM1 4JA Tel: 01708 745506 Admission no. 30

St. Ursula’s Catholic Junior School**Straight Road Romford RM3 7JS Tel: 01708 343170 Admission no. 60

St. Ursula’s Catholic Infant School**Straight Road Romford RM3 7JS Tel: 01708 345200 Admission no. 60

Scargill Junior SchoolMungo Park Road Rainham RM13 7PL Tel: 01708 555677 Admission no. 75


Scargill Infant SchoolMungo Park Road Rainham RM13 7PL Tel: 01708 555707 Admission no. 90

Scotts PrimaryBonington Road Hornchurch RM12 6TH Tel: 01708 457019 Admission no. 30Squirrels Heath Junior SchoolSalisbury Road Romford RM2 5TP Tel: 01708 446472 Admission no. 90

Squirrels Heath Infant SchoolSalisbury Road Romford RM2 5TP Tel: 01708 446476 Admission no. 90

Suttons PrimarySuttons Lane Hornchurch RM12 6RP Tel: 01708 443393 Admission no. 30

Towers Junior SchoolWindsor Road Hornchurch RM11 1PD Tel: 01708 449872 Admission no. 60

Towers Infant SchoolOsborne Road Hornchurch RM11 1HP Tel: 01708 447407 Admission no. 90

Upminster Junior SchoolSt. Mary’s Lane Upminster RM14 3BS Tel: 01708 220453 Admission no. 90

Upminster Infant SchoolSt. Mary’s Lane Upminster RM14 3BS Tel: 01708 227320 Admission no. 90

Whybridge Junior SchoolBlacksmiths Lane Rainham RM13 7AH Tel: 01708 552870 Admission no. 60Whybridge Infant SchoolFord Lane Rainham RM13 7AR Tel: 01708 551712 Admission no. 60

Wykeham PrimaryRainsford Way Hornchurch RM12 4BP Tel: 01708 448187 Admission no. 90

* Voluntary controlled school** Voluntary aided denominational

faith schools*** Foundation school All other schools are

community schools. Schools names are correct at

the time of print and maybe subject to change.

Special Schools

Corbet Tey SchoolHarwood Hall Lane Corbets Tey, Upminster RM14 2YQDycorts SchoolSettle Road, Harold Hill Romford RM3 9YARavensbourne SchoolNeave Crescent Farringdon Avenue Harold Hill, Romford RM3 0AB


www.havering.gov.uk/admissions Starting School 2014 – 2015 >>

Key dates leading to September 2014 admissionsOctober 2013Admission information sent to parents/carers who have registered their child at a Havering School.

1 September 2013Online application facility opens.

15 January 2014Closing date for applications. Applications received after this date will generally be treated as late.

17 April 2014Letters will be sent to parents/carers by first class post notifying them of the outcomes of their applications.

An email will also be sent to those who applied online confirming the outcome of their application.

Please note letters will not be received until after the 18 April 2014.

Parents who have not been allocated their first preference school will be given details about the appeal process.

30 April 2014Parents/carers must return their reply slips accepting or declining the offer of a school place by the 30 April 2014 or within two weeks of any subsequent offer. If an acceptance slip has not been received by the 30 April the offer of a school place may withdrawn.

June 2014 onwardsAppeal sessions held. Waiting lists are maintained for all oversubscribed schools and any places that become available are filled until 2 September.


Questions and answers to help you decide

E-Admissions You can complete your application form online from 1 September 2013. Simply access Havering’s website www.havering.gov.uk/eadmissions You will be guided to the on-line facility. Once completed your application will be stored in a facility that will enable you to return to it and amend it if you change your mind about anything or to add further preferences (up to the maximum allowed of 6). Be aware though, you will not be able to change anything after the closing date of 15 January 2014 when the forms will be sent electronically to our admissions database to automatically update our records!

You can apply online OR using the paper form. Please do not do both.

When can my child start school?Three full years of infant education are available in Havering in maintained primary schools for all parents who wish it for their children.

Deferred entry to infant and primary schools/ part-time attendance at schoolChildren are normally admitted to schools in the September following their fourth birthday. However, the School Admissions Code allows the parents/ carers of children who are offered a place at a school before they are of statutory school age to request that the date their child is admitted to school is deferred until later in the school year or until the term in which the child reaches compulsory school age. Where entry is deferred, schools must hold the place for that child and not offer it to another child. Parents/carers cannot defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after their child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which the original application was accepted. The normal points of entry to a school are September, January or April.

Parents/ carers can also request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches statutory school age. (A child reaches compulsory school age in the term following their fifth birthday).

Parents/ carers should apply, in writing, to the school concerned if they wish to request deferred entry or part-time attendance at school.

What types of schools are available?There are 60 schools for primary aged children in Havering. Of these, 45 are community schools, nine are voluntary aided denominational faith schools, one is a foundation school and one is a voluntary controlled primary school and four are Academies. Community and voluntary controlled schools share a common admission policy. Voluntary aided and foundation schools have their own admissions criteria as detailed on pages 14 – 30.

For a quick link to the admissions page: www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

For online admissions Once you have registered to apply online via www.havering.gov.uk/eadmissions, note down your username and password here:

Username:

Password:

Application ref:

311-2014-09-E- __ __ __ __ __ __


Admission arrangements

How will admissions be decided?The Local Authority is required by law to co-ordinate admissions to all infant, junior and primary schools and academies (except private or special schools) in the borough.

Parents/carers residing in Havering must complete and submit the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The CAF can either be completed electronically and submitted on line; completed by filling in a paper form and submitting it direct to the School Admissions Team, or, if the child lives in Havering by filling in the paper form and handing it in to one of their preferred schools who will send it in on their behalf. If any of the preferred schools listed on the CAF are not located in Havering, the Local Authority will liaise with other local authorities as part of the co-ordination process.

Parents/carers may list up to 6 maintained infant/ primary schools or Academies, within and/ or outside the borough, they wish their child to be considered for on the Common Application Form. Should parents/ carers wish their children to be considered for any voluntary aided denominational or foundation schools, such schools must also be included on the Form.

Voluntary aided denominational schools, foundation schools and academies may also require parents/ carers to complete their Supplementary Information Forms which must be returned direct to the schools concerned by 15 January 2014.

A child’s attendance at a nursery class attached to an infant or primary school does not guarantee admission to that school. Parents/Carers must apply for a place if they wish their child to attend the main school.

Applications from out-borough residents will be considered using the same admissions criteria. The law requires that no distinction be made between applicants resident in Havering and those resident outside the Borough when these criteria are applied.

The School Admissions Team will consider all the applications for community and voluntary controlled schools and prepare proposed offer lists for these schools. Voluntary aided and foundation schools, who

are responsible for their own admissions, will do the same and send their proposed offer lists to The School Admissions Team. Havering will be notified of the outcome of applications made by parents/carers for schools in another LA’s area by the LA in whose area the school is located.

The School Admissions Team will check all the lists to see if any child is on more than one. The intention here is to ensure that no child receives more than one offer. The offer to be made will be the highest preferred school that the child qualifies for under the various admission criteria. It is important therefore that you list your preferences in your true priority order.

On 16 April 2014 parents/carers will be notified of both successful and unsuccessful applications.

If your child has a disabilityIt is unlawful for a school in relation to certain activities to treat a disabled child less favourably than a non-disabled child, without justification. These activities include admissions and a school must make reasonable adjustments, as necessary, to ensure that this is the case. Such adjustments do not extend to physical adaptations or the provision of equipment.

Admissions criteria – Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary SchoolsThe criteria outlined below apply to all of the borough’s community and voluntary controlled schools.

When the demand exceeds the number of places available in a school, places are allocated to community and voluntary controlled schools infant, junior and primary schools by applying the following criteria in descending order of priority to applicants who have expressed any preference for the school.

i. Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order)


ii. Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds (supporting medical or other evidence must be provided at the time of application)

iii. The attendance in September 2014 at the school of an older brother or sister. This will include children in partner junior schools

iv. The distance of the home address from the school, as measured by a straight line from the school, those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority.

If, because of oversubscription in any of the categories i) to iii) above, it is necessary to distinguish between applicants, the distance of the applicant’s home address from the school, as measured by a straight line from the school, will be used with those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority.

Please see overleaf the guidance on the application of the admission criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools.


Looked after childrenA looked after child, as defined by Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority. Priority is also given under this criterion for looked after children who ceased to be so because they:

a. were adopted under Section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002

b. became subject to a residence order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989, which settles the arrangements to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live

c. became subject to a special guardianship order under Section 14A of the Children Act 1989, which is an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian(s).

(Applications under categories i to iii, as outlined above, can only be considered if supporting documents, in the form of a copy of the adoption order, residence order or special guardianship order, together with a letter from the local authority that last looked after the child confirming that (s)he was looked after immediately prior to the order being made, is submitted with the Common Application Form).

Exceptional medical or exceptional social groundsApplications under this criterion can only be considered if supporting

Further guidance for parents/carers on the application of the admission criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

documents in the form of a letter or report from a doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional is submitted with the Common Application Form.

The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set out the reasons why the preferred school is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended and had to travel to another school/ academy. (Please note that under the Disability Discrimination Act the general expectation is that schools will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of individual children with disabilities or medical needs). Consideration will be given to each submission by a panel of Local Authority officers. The panel may seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied and/ or additional information.

Older brother or sisterAn older brother or sister is defined as:

. a brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, or stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household who attends the preferred school in any year group, excluding Year 6 (,the final year of primary education).

. a biological brother or sister who attends the preferred school in any year group, excluding Year 6

(the final year of primary education) irrespective of their place of residence.

Home addressThe home address is a key part of the admissions process. It is the child’s normal place of residence that will take precedence. There have been occasions when parents/ carers have tried to use false addresses to obtain a place at a school. To prevent this occurring the Local Authority undertakes checks on addresses. This will include random checks on addresses.

Applicants who do not currently have a child attending a Havering primary school who will still be on roll at the school in September 2014 should provide proof of their home address. This must be a copy of one of the following:

. Council Tax notification (,alternatively parents/ carers can give their consent to the Local Authority to check the Council Tax Register to verify their address)

. Utility bill dated within the last three months (gas, electricity, water, or landline phone)

. an exchange of contracts letter from a solicitor, or

. a signed tenancy agreement from a letting agent.

If a parent/ carer is found to have used a false address to obtain a place at a school, the offer of a place will be withdrawn. Should


there be doubts about the address to be used parents/ carers may be asked to provide evidence concerning the child’s normal place of residence. This could include a court order stating where the child should live during the course of the week. In all cases the Local Authority would expect that the parent/ carer with whom the child is normally resident receives the child benefit for the child.

If parents/ carers move address during the admissions process they must notify the School Admissions Team immediately of their new address, and any change to their preferred schools they must also provide verification of the new address. This should be supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the date of exchange of contracts if parents/ carers are purchasing a new home or the signed tenancy agreement if they are renting a property. The length of a tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be sufficient to cover the date on which their child would start attending their preferred school.

The last day that the Local Authority can change an address is the 14 February 2014, in all cases an on time application must have been submitted.

If parents/carers have more than one property they may be required to provide proof of the normal place of residence of the child.

Distance of the home address from the schoolThe distance between the home address and the preferred school is determined using address points and is measured in a straight line, not by the shortest walking or bus route, between the address point for the preferred school and the address point of the child’s normal place of residence. (Address points are points marked in the centre of the child’s home address, or in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s home address is located, and in the centre of the main building of the preferred school).

In the event that two, or more, applicants applying for a single place at a preferred school live at addresses that are located at exactly the same distance from the preferred school, or live in the same block of flats, the place will be offered on the basis of lots drawn by an officer of the Local Authority who is not involved in the admissions process.

Twins and multiple birthsIf, in the normal admission round, the last child to be offered a place is a twin, and their sibling cannot be offered a place, the Local Authority will ensure that both twins are offered a place. In the case of other multiple births, if the majority of children can be offered a place, the Local Authority will offer places to the remaining children. For example if two triplets can be offered a place, the remaining child will also receive an offer of a place.


Nursery and Reception – Year 6The school offers 90 places in Nursery and Reception each year.

The Governors will consider all applications. If the school is oversubscribed places will be allocated according to the following criteria in descending order of priority. Places will be offered to applicants involved in the worship and work of churches which are members of Churches Together in England and/or Free Churches Group. (see attached list).

a. Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order). See definition below

b. In pursuance of their policy of inclusion, Governors will offer places where there are special social, pastoral or medical circumstances for the admission of the child to this school. Applicants under this criterion may, in exceptional cases, not be members of a church, but all applications must be accompanied by supporting evidence from an appropriate professional, for example, a doctor, social worker, church minister or head teacher

c. Those families at the heart of the church, where the child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend church once a week or more frequently, and have done so for a period of two years or more

d. Those families committed to the church, where the child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend church once a fortnight, and have done so for a period of two years or more

e. Those families attached to the church, where the child and/or the parent(s) or guardian(s) attend church once a month, and have done so for a period of two years or more

f. Those families known to the church, where the child and/or the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attend church less frequently than once a month

g. All others wishing to attend the school.

Under criteria 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 if the number of applications meeting any of these criteria exceeds the number of places available, the following tie-breakers will be applied in descending order of priority:

a) siblings of children attending the school on the date when the child is enrolled

b) attendance at an Anglican church (except criterion 7).

With reference to criterion 7a – ‘Siblings of children attending the school on the date when the child is enrolled’ - ‘Sibling’ refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling and who will still be in attendance at the date of the applicant’s admission.

If the number of applicants meeting the requirement of any of these tie-breakers exceeds the number of places remaining to be allocated, the final places will be awarded to those families who live closest to St Edward’s Church of England Primary School as measured by a straight line from home to school. The measuring is undertaken by the Local Authority’s computerised system as detailed in its composite prospectus “Starting School in Havering” under the heading “Distance of the home address from the school”.

Looked after children – definition

A looked after child, as defined by Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority. Priority is also given under this criterion for looked after children who ceased to be so because they:




St Edward’s CE Primary School

Admission arrangementsAdmission Criteria for Voluntary Aided Denominational Faith Schools


Catholic Primary Schools Whenever there are more applications than places available, priority will always be given to Catholic applicants, in accordance with the over subscription criteria listed below, except in the case of looked after children and children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order) at specified schools. Practising Catholics will be preferred. Applications where both parents are Catholic receive no greater preference over applications where only one parent is Catholic.

All applicants are requested to complete the school Supplementary Information Form and to provide the appropriate evidence. Completion of this Supplementary Information Form assists governors in the case of over-subscription.

Applicants must also complete the Local Authority Common Application Form, stating a clear preference, and return it to the Local Authority by the 15 January 2014.

Over-subscription criteriaWhere there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered according to the following order of priority.

1. Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order)*

2. Baptized children of practising Catholic families who are resident in the parish of ……+

3. Baptized children of other practising Catholic families

4. Children of practising Catholic families

5. Children of Catholic families

6. Children of Catechumens, resident in the parish of ……+

7. Children of Catechumens, resident in the Deanery of Havering

8. Baptized children of practising members of an Eastern Christian Church

9. Children of practising members of an Eastern Christian Church

10. Children of members of an Eastern Christian Church

11. Christian children of other denominations, whose application is supported by a minister of religion

12. Children of other faiths, whose application is supported by their religious leader

13. Any other applicants.

*Please note that St Alban’s and St Ursula’s Infant and Junior Schools restrict criterion 1 to Catholic looked after children and Catholic children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order), with a lower priority being given to all other looked after and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order).

Where the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the categories listed above would lead to over-subscription, the following provisions will be applied:

• The attendance of a sibling (brother or sister) at the school, at the time of enrolment, will increase the priority of an application within each category.

Tie breakWhere the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the sub-categories listed above would still lead to over-subscription, the places up to the published admission number will be offered to those living nearest to the school, measured in a straight line, using the agreed Local Authority measurement system.

Application procedures and timetableThe standard, Local Authority, Common Application Form must be completed and returned to the Local Authority in whose area you live by 15 January 2014.


The Supplementary Information Form (if completed) should be returned to the Chair of Governors, at the school address, by the same date.

Parents will be advised of the outcome of their applications by their Local Authority on the 16 April 2014. Unsuccessful applicants will be given reasons related to the over-subscription criteria listed above and advised of their right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.

Applications received after the published deadline, will be dealt with AFTER all the other applications have been determined.

Waiting listsIn addition to their right of appeal, unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. Should a vacancy arise, all relevant applications on the waiting list will be considered, along with any other applications received, according to the over-subscription criteria. Waiting lists will be held for one academic year and updated during the summer term.

Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational NeedsThe admission of pupils with a statement of Special Educational Need is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. This procedure is integral to the making and maintaining of statements by the pupil’s home Local Authority. Details of this separate procedure are set out in the Special Educational Needs – Code of Practice.

Twins and multiple birthsIf, in the normal admission round, the last child to be offered a place is a twin, and their sibling cannot be offered a place, the governing body will ensure that both twins are offered a place. In the case of other multiple births, if the majority of children can be offered a place, the governing body will offer places to the remaining children. For example of two triplets can be offered a place, the remaining child will also receive an offer of a place.

Explanatory Notes (these notes form part of the over-subscription criteria)

“Appropriate evidence” is:

Copy of birth certificate.

• Copy of certificate of baptism, reception, membership.

• Reference from a priest or minister of religion.

• Statement and supporting evidence of residence (Council Tax notification, utility bill dated within the last 3 months (gas, electricity, water or landline phone).

• Evidence of exchange of contracts / rental / tenancy agreement (for families moving into the area).

Please note original documents must be seen.

(If you move address during the admissions process you must notify School Support and Pupil Services immediately of your new address, together with verification of the new address. This should be supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the date of exchange of contracts if you are purchasing a new home or the signed tenancy agreement from the letting agent if you are renting a property. The length of the tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be sufficient to cover the date on which your child would start attending school. If you have more than one property you may be required to provide proof of the normal place of residence of your child).

“looked after children” A looked after child. As defined by Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of the local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority. Priority is also given under this criterion for looked after children who ceased to be so because they:

(i) were adopted under Section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002

(ii) became subject to a residence order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989, which settles the arrangements to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live

(iii) became subject to a special guardianship order under Section 14A of the Children Act 1989, which is an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian(s)

Admission arrangementsAdmission criteria for Voluntary Aided Denominational Faith Schools


(Applications under categories i) to iii), as outlined above, can only be considered if supporting documents, in the form of a copy of the adoption order, residence order or special guardianship order, together with a letter from the local authority that last looked after the child confirming that (s)he was looked after immediately prior to the order being made, is submitted with the Common Application Form).

“Catholic” means a member of a Church in communion with the See of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches. This will normally be evidenced by a certificate of baptism in a Catholic Church or a certificate of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

“practising Catholic” It is the role of a priest to determine whether applicants meet the criteria for qualification as practising Catholic families. By practising, we mean regular attendance at Sunday mass (including those on Saturday evenings). It is up to the applicant to identify and approach a priest who will complete the standard diocesan Priest’s Reference Form.

“parish” means the area defined as such by the diocesan authority and served by a particular church. (If you are in any doubt about which parish you reside in, please enquire at the church or the school or on the Local Authority’s website).

“catechumen” means one who is being initiated into the Catholic Church, taking part in a program of preparation for Baptism. This will normally be evidenced by a certificate of reception into the order of catechumens.

“Eastern Christian Church” includes Orthodox Churches and is normally evidenced by a certificate of baptism or reception from the authorities of that Church.

“Catholic families” are families where at least one parent is a baptized Catholic.

“parents” are those who have parental responsibility for the child, including carers or guardians.

“sibling” refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit, at the same address as that sibling.

“time of enrolment” is the first day of entry in the year of admission.

“Deanery of Havering” is defined by the diocesan authority and comprises the parishes of: St. Dominic, Most Holy Redeemer, Christ the Eternal High Priest, St. Edward the Confessor, Corpus Christi, St. Joseph, English Martyrs, St. Mary Mother of God, St. Alban, Our Lady of La Salette. (Diocesan Directory).

+ Parishes relevant to the criteria:La Salette: Our Lady of Salette

St Alban’s: St Alban’s/ English Martyrs

St Joseph’s: St Joseph’s/ English Martyrs

St Mary’s: St Mary, Mother of God

St Patrick’s: Corpus Christi

St Peter’s: St Edward the Confessor

St Ursula’s: St Dominic/ Most Holy Redeemer/ Christ the Eternal High Priest

Maps of the parishes listed above are published on the Local Authority’s website: www.havering.gov.uk/admissions

Admission arrangements to St Ursula’s Catholic Junior SchoolSt Ursula’s Catholic Junior School accepts all pupils due to transfer from St Ursula’s Catholic Infant School. After offering places to all those children attending St Ursula’s Infant School whose parents/ carers have applied, any remaining places will be offered in accordance with the school’s published admission arrangements. Parents whose children do not attend St Ursula’s Infant School may apply by completing the standard Local Authority Common Application Form and returning it to the Local Authority in whose area you live by 15th January 2014. A Supplementary Information Form, obtainable from the school (if completed) should be returned to the Chair of Governors at the school address, by the same date.


Section 1 General principlesThe Mawney Foundation School has an admission number of 60 to comply with the statutory class size limit for KS1 within The Mawney Foundation School.

We are an inclusive school and welcome all applications. Although we give priority to children with siblings attending The Mawney Foundation School, and children attending the Mawney Pre-School, there is no guarantee of a place for such children and you must make an application to attend The Mawney Foundation School.

Admission to our school is not dependent on any ability test or voluntary financial contribution.

The Mawney Foundation School participates in the Local Authority co-ordinated scheme and all dates within that scheme must be adhered to. You must complete one Common Application Form and ensure it is returned to School Support and Pupil Services by the allocated date for that year. Alternatively, you may hand the completed form in to The Mawney Foundation School (before the allocated date) who will send it on your behalf. You should use the opportunity to express a preference for more than one school. Proof of residence will be required.

As defined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989, The Mawney Foundation School will give top priority to applications on behalf of children in public care (Children in Care) and previously looked after children. A looked after child is a child who is in the care of a local authority, or provided with accommodation by a local authority. Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order). Children with statements of special educational needs naming The Mawney Foundation School will also be admitted.

Section 2 Definitions and details

AdmissionChildren are usually admitted in September in the academic year in which they have their fifth birthday. Children attend the first 3-4 weeks part time, before commencing full time in October.

As required by legislation Children in Care and

Admission arrangementsAdmission criteria for Foundation Schools

previously looked after children will be admitted as first priority. Children with statements of special educational needs naming The Mawney Foundation School will also be admitted as first priority.

SiblingBy sibling we mean:

. Children living at the same address who have one or both natural parents in common

. Children living at the same address who are related by a parent’s marriage

. Children living at the same address who are related though adoption

. Children living at the same address whose parents are living as partners at this address

. We do not include ‘cousins’ within our definition of sibling .

Home addressThe home address is a key part of the admissions process. It is the child’s normal place of residence that will take precedence. There have been occasions when parents/carers have tried to use false addresses to obtain a place at a school. To prevent this occurring Local Authority undertakes checks on addresses. Applicants who do not currently have a child attending The Mawney Foundation School who will still be on roll at the school in September 2014 should provide proof of their home address.

This must be a copy of one of the following:

. Council Tax notification

. Utility bill dated within the last six months (gas, electricity, water, or landline phone)

. an exchange of contracts letter from a solicitor

. a signed tenancy agreement from a letting agent.

If a parent/carer is found to have used a false address to obtain a place at The Mawney Foundation School, the offer of a place will be withdrawn. Should there be doubts about the address to be used parents/ carers

The Mawney Foundation School


may be asked to provide evidence concerning the child’s normal place of residence. This could include a court order stating where the child should live during the course of the week. In all cases the Governing Body of The Mawney Foundation School would expect that the parent/ carer with whom the child is normally resident receives the child benefit for the child. If you move address during the admissions process you must notify the school immediately of your new address, together with verification of the new address. This should be supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the date of exchange of contracts if you are purchasing your new home or the signed tenancy agreement if you are renting a property. The length of a tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be sufficient to cover the date on which your child would start attending the school. If you have more than one property you may be required to provide proof of the normal place of residence for your child.

EthosThe ethos of The Mawney Foundation School is based on mutual trust and respect where the views of others are listened to and valued. We regard good behaviour, good manners and respect for others, sharing and caring for each other as important attributes and expect our children to try their best in all that they undertake.

OversubscriptionAfter children with statements of special educational needs naming The Mawney Foundation School have been accommodated Children in Care previously looked after children will be admitted as first priority.

In the event of oversubscription places will be offered using the following criteria:

a. Children in Care, previously looked after children and those children with statements of special educational needs naming The Mawney Foundation School

b. Children who have a sibling attending the school at the time of application and who will still be on roll in the school in September 2014

c. All other applications.

Tie-breakerThe distance between the home address and The Mawney Foundation School is determined using address points supplied by the Ordnance Survey and is measured in a straight line distance, not by the shortest walking or bus route, between the data points for The Mawney Foundation School and the address of the child’s normal place of residence. (Address points are points marked in the centre of the child’s home address, or in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s home address is located, and in the centre of the main building of the preferred school).

Apartments in the same block will be treated equally with the measurement taken to the main entrance to the block. If after applying the distance tie-breaker there are more applications than places available from the apartment block furthest away, a further tie-breaker of Random Allocation will be used for the applications from this block.

AppealsIf you are not offered a place at The Mawney Foundation School you have the right to appeal to an independent panel and should contact the school for the relevant papers if they are not available from the LA. Please ensure that the school, rather than the Local Authority, Admission Appeal Form is used.

Waiting listsThe Local Authority will automatically place children on a waiting list for higher preference schools for the first term in the normal year of entry. Parents/carers can still directly contact The Mawney Foundation School to request that their child’s name be added to the school’s waiting list.

Late applicationsApplications for places received after the published deadline will not be considered by the Governing Body until all of the applications received by that date have been dealt with unless: the parent/ carer has just arrived in the borough; the delay has been created by factors


outside of their control, or there are other exceptional circumstances.

Applications under exceptional circumstances can only be considered if supporting documents in the form of a letter or report from a doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional is submitted with the Common Application Form.

The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set out the reasons why the preferred school is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended and had to travel to another school. (Please note that under the Disability Discrimination Act the general expectation is that schools will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of individual children with disabilities or medical needs). Consideration will be given to each submission by a panel made up of Governing Body members. The panel may seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied and/ or additional information.

In Year AdmissionsThe Mawney Foundation School participates in the PAN London Coordinated Admissionsscheme. Parents/carers wishing to apply for an in year admission should contact School Support and Pupil Services, completing a Common Application Form. Parents/carers will also need to complete a school supplementary form, which are available from the school.


Upminster Infant School (Upminster Junior School) is a 4-7 (7-11) co-educational Academy with a planned admission number of 90 pupils for entry in Reception (Year 3).

Applying for a place in reception.Parents/ carers residing in Havering must complete and submit the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The Local Authority’s CAF is obtainable from: the “apply for a school place” section of its website; by emailing [email protected] to request a form, or by contacting the School Admissions Team direct on 01708 434600. The CAF can either be completed electronically and submitted on line; completed by filling in a paper form and submitting it direct to the Local Authority’s School Admissions Team, or, if the child lives in the borough by filling in the paper form and handing it in to Upminster Infant School office, who will send it in on their behalf.

Applying for a place in Year 3Unless the child is already attending Upminster Infant School, parents/ carers residing in Havering must complete and submit the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) by the 15 January 2014. The Local Authority’s CAF is obtainable from: the “apply for a school place” section of its website; by emailing [email protected] to request a form, or by contacting the School Admissions Team direct on 01708 434600. The CAF can either be completed electronically and submitted on line; completed by filling in a paper form and submitting it direct to the School Admissions Team, or, if the child lives in the borough by filling in the paper form and handing it in to Upminster Junior School office, who will send it in on their behalf.

Transfer from Infant to junior schoolWhen a child attending Upminster Infant school is due to transfer to Year 3 there is an automatic entitlement to transfer to Upminster Junior School. The parents/carers of children attending Upminster Infant School who wish their children to be admitted to year 3 at Upminster Junior School, will be required to confirm this in writing, by means of the Transfer Form supplied to them, by 3 February 2014.

Admission arrangementsAdmission criteria for Upminster Infant School and Junior Upminster School

For all other applicants places will only be allocated, using the published admission over-subscription criteria, once demand has been met by pupils transferring from Upminster Infant School. The Local Authority will co-ordinate the application; unsuccessful applicants will be advised of this fact and of their right of appeal against the decision not to offer their child a place.

Out-borough residentsApplications from out-borough residents must be made using the Common Application Form provided by their Local Authority, these will be considered using the same admissions criteria. The law requires that no distinction be made between applicants resident in Havering and those residents outside the Borough when these criteria are applied.

Admissions criteriaWhen the demand exceeds the number of places available at the school, places are allocated by applying the following criteria in descending order of priority to applicants who have expressed any preference for the school.

a. Looked after children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order)

b. Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds (supporting medical or other evidence must be provided at the time of application)

c. The attendance in September 2014, at the school of an older (younger) brother or sister. This will include children in Upminster Junior School (Upminster Infant School)

d. The children of staff (full time, part time and both teaching and non-teaching), where the member of staff has been employed by the Trust for two or more years at the time at which the application of admission to the school is made, and /or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage

e. The distance of the home address from the school, as measured by a straight line from the school, those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority.


If, because of over-subscription in any of the categories i) to iv) above, it is necessary to distinguish between applicants, the distance of the applicant’s home address from the school, as measured by a straight line from the school, will be used with those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority.

Looked after childrenA looked after child, as defined by Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority. Priority is also given under this criterion for looked after children who ceased to be so because they:




(Applications under categories i) to iii), as outlined above, can only be considered if supporting documents, in the form of a copy of the adoption order, residence order or special guardianship order, together with a letter from the local authority that last looked after the child confirming that (s)he was looked after immediately prior to the order being made, is submitted with the Common Application Form).

Exceptional medical or exceptional social groundsApplications under this criterion can only be considered if supporting documents in the form of a letter or report from a doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional is submitted with the Common Application Form.

The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set out the reasons why this school is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended and had to travel to another school/ academy. (Please

note that under the Disability Discrimination Act the general expectation is that schools will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of individual children with disabilities or medical needs). Consideration will be given to each submission by a panel of the school’s Admissions Committee(Governing Body). The panel may seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied and/ or additional information.

Older brother or sisterAn older brother or sister is defined as:

a. a brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, or stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household who attends the preferred school in any year group, excluding Year 6 (the final year of primary education).

b. a biological brother or sister who attends the preferred school in any year group, excluding Year 6 (, the final year of primary education,) irrespective of their place of residence.

Distance of the home address from the schoolThe distance between the home address and the school is determined using address points and is measured in a straight line, not by the shortest walking or bus route, between the address point for the school and the address point of the child’s normal place of residence. (Address points are points marked in the centre of the child’s home address, or in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s home address is located, and in the centre of the main building of the school).

In the event that two, or more, applicants applying for a single place at the school live at addresses that are located at exactly the same distance from the school, or live in the same block of flats, the place will be offered on the basis of lots drawn by representatives of the school’s Governing Body who are not involved in the admissions process.

Home addressThe home address is a key part of the admissions process. It is the child’s normal place of residence that will take precedence. There have been occasions when parents/ carers have tried to use false addresses to obtain a place at a school. To prevent this occurring the Local Authority undertakes checks on addresses. This


will include random checks on addresses. Parents/carers must not use the address of a relative, a child-minder or business address which is not the child’s normal place of residence on the application form.

Applicants who do not currently have a child attending either Upminster Infant School or a child at Upminster Junior School who will still be on roll September 2014, should provide proof of their home address.

This must be a copy of one of the following:

a. Council Tax notification (alternatively parents/ carers can give their consent to the

b. Local Authority to check the Council Tax Register to verify their address);

c. Utility bill dated within the last 3 months (gas, electricity, water, or landline phone);

d. an exchange of contracts letter from a solicitor, or

e. a signed tenancy agreement from a letting agent

Once places have been offered, the parents/carers will be invited to a meeting and will be asked to bring with them,

a. a short form birth certificate;

b. any original document from any U.K. Government Department e.g., a child benefit letter, or from the National Health Service (N.H.S) e.g., an N.H.S. Registration Card, which verifies the address given on the application form.

If for any reason the parent/carer is unable attend, the documents must be brought to the school office prior to the child starting at the school. The school reserves the right to investigate, so far as it considers necessary, the information provided in support of a home address.

If a parent/ carer is found to have used a false address to obtain a place at the school, the offer of a place will be withdrawn. Should there be doubts about the address to be used parents/ carers may be asked to provide further evidence concerning the child’s normal place of residence. This could include a court order stating where the child should live during the course of the week. In all cases the Local Authority /school would expect that the parent/ carer with whom the child is normally resident receives the child benefit for the child.

If parents/carers move address during the admissions process they must notify the School Admissions Team immediately of their new address, and provide

verification of the new address. This should be supported by evidence from a solicitor regarding the date of exchange of contracts if parents/ carers are purchasing a new home or the signed tenancy agreement if they are renting a property. The length of a tenancy agreement from the letting agent should be sufficient to cover the date on which their child would start attending the school.

If parents/ carers have more than one property they may be required to provide proof of the normal place of residence of the child.

Infant class sizeInfant classes, (those where the majority of children will reach the age of 5, 6, or 7 during the school year) must not contain more than 30 pupils with a single teacher. Additional children may be admitted under very limited exceptional circumstances. These children will remain an “excepted pupil” for the time they are in an infant class or until the class numbers fall back to the current infant class size limit. The excepted children are:

a. children with statements of special educational needs admitted outside the normal admission round;

b. looked after children and previously looked after children admitted outside the

c. normal admission round;

d. 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;

e. children admitted after an independent appeals panel upholds an appeal;

f. children who move into the area outside the normal admission round for whom there is no other available school within reasonable distance;

g. children of UK service personnel admitted outside the normal admission round;

h. twins and children from multiple births when one of the siblings is the 30th child admitted;

Special Education NeedsChildren whose statement of special educational needs names a specific school will be admitted to the school.


If your child has a disabilityIt is unlawful for a school in relation to certain activities to treat a disabled child less favourably than a non-disabled child, without justification. These activities include admissions and a school must make reasonable adjustments, as necessary, to ensure that this is the case.

Twins and multiple birthsIf, in the normal admission round, the last child to be offered a place is a twin, and their sibling cannot be offered a place, the school will ensure that both twins are offered a place. In the case of other multiple births, if the majority of children can be offered a place, the school will offer places to the remaining children. For example if two triplets can be offered a place, the remaining child will also receive an offer of a place.

Admission of children outside their normal age groupParents/carers of gifted and talented children, or those who have experienced problems or missed part of a year, for example due to ill health, can seek places outside their normal age group. The school will make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case. Advice will normally be sought from appropriate professionals, such as an educational psychologist, in order to make a decision

Children of UK service personnel (UK Armed Forces)The school will accept applications in advance of a service family residing in the borough, if the application is accompanied by an official government letter declaring a relocation date and a Unit postal address or quartering area address for the parents/ carers of the child concerned.

Late applicationsApplications for places received after 15 January 2014 will not be considered until all of the applications received by that date have been dealt with unless the parents/ carers have just arrived in the borough; the delay has been created by factors outside of their control; there are other exceptional circumstances

involved. It is crucial, therefore, for parents/ carers to adhere to the deadline to stand a realistic chance of a place at the school.

Where a parent/carer moves from one London Borough to another after submitting an on time application under the terms of their former home authority’s scheme, Havering will accept the application as on-time up to 14 February 2014 on the basis that an on-time application already exists within the Pan-London system

OffersThe Local Authority will, on 16 April 2014, send by first class post notification of the outcome to applicants residing within the borough. Out of borough residents will receive notification of the outcome from their home Local Authority.

Accepting offersThe Local Authority will request that resident applicants accept or decline the offer of a place by 30 April 2014, or within two weeks of the date of any subsequent offer.

Waiting listsWhere the school is oversubscribed the Governing Body will, at a parent’s written request to the Headteacher, hold unsuccessful applications on file and allocate places should they become available on the basis of the over-subscription criteria set out above. The waiting list will remain open at all times.

Priority cannot be given to children based on the date their application was received or their name added to the waiting list. Waiting lists will be re-ranked in accordance with the school’s published admission criteria each time a child’s name is added to the waiting list. This means that a child’s position on the waiting list can move down as well as up. Looked after children and previously looked after children, and those allocated a place at the school in accordance with the Local Authority’s Fair Access Protocol, will take precedence over those children on the waiting list.

Appealing against admission decisionsParents/carers of children who fail to gain places may appeal to an independent panel. Unsuccessful


applicants will be advised of the process for appeal to the independent Appeal Panel.

In-Year admissionsThe Local Authority’s School Admissions Team will administer applications for in-year admissions to the school,(subject to the agreement of the Governing Body of a Service Level Agreement). In-year Common Application Forms can be obtained from the School Admissions Team by emailing [email protected] or by contacting them by telephone on 01708 434600.

Deferred entry to infant and primary schools/ part-time attendance at schoolChildren are normally admitted to schools in the September following their fourth birthday.

However, the School Admissions Code allows the parents/ carers of children who are offered a place at a school before they are of statutory school age to request that the date their child is admitted to school is deferred until later in the school year or until the term in which the child reaches compulsory school age. Where entry is deferred, schools must hold the place for that child and not offer it to another child. Parents/carers cannot defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after their child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which the original application was accepted. The normal points of entry to a school are September, January or April. Parents/ carers can also request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches statutory school age. (A child reaches compulsory school age in the term following their fifth birthday).

Parents/carers should apply, in writing, to the Headteacher if they wish to request deferred entry or part-time attendance at school.

Changes to the admission arrangementsThe only changes that have been made to the admission arrangements from those published for the academic year 2013-2014 relate to:

a. consideration being given, under the over-subscription criteria, to the children of staff, where the member of staff has been employed by the Trust for two or more years at the time at which the application of admission to the school is made, and /or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage;

b. a request by the school to see, post offer, documentary confirmation of the child’s home address and date of birth. (Where none has been previously supplied to Upminster Infant School).


Welcome from Oasis Founder Steve Chalke

Welcome to Oasis Academy Romford, a brand new primary school opening in the heart of Romford in 2014. Opening with an initial intake of 90 Year R pupils, the new school will be a three Form of Entry, inclusive, non-selective, co-educational school. It will be a school that local children can walk to, and where every child and their family will be known by name. Oasis Community Learning currently runs more than 30 academies nationwide and is continuing to grow. The Academies Annual Report 2011 notes Oasis “to have made the highest level of improvement than any other academy chain”. We are proud that Oasis Academy Brightstowe in Bristol is the most improved academy in the country. One of our primary academies – Oasis Academy Limeside - is a National Teaching School and rated “Outstanding” by OFSTED. We work in partnership with Partners in Excellence, Teach First and Future Leaders to ensure that the opportunities we offer our pupils are second to none.

At Oasis Academy Romford we are creating an outstanding centre of educational excellence for all. It will be a healthy, safe, caring environment where community is paramount and where every child can reach their full potential. We will offer a holistic approach to pastoral care and each child will have a personalised learning plan. We will work closely with families, so our team can help to provide the nurturing care and support that each child needs from the moment they start primary school to when they make the transition to secondary school.

Creativity will be the engine to achievement and the joy of learning will be evident. Our ethos and curriculum will reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the surrounding area; an enriching learning environment offering excellent educational opportunities.

Oasis’ vision is to create a new academy based on the belief that all pupils, regardless of background or ability, should be able to fulfil their potential as they develop aspirations, self-belief, justice and respect for community and one another. We hope our new primary school will inspire responsible and empowered citizens of the future – to see pupils, parents and staff working alongside other people in the Romford community to make our neighbourhood and our town a more just and beautiful place. We will support all pupils, including those with special educational needs, through creative teaching methods and the effective use of technology.

Our curriculumOasis Academy Romford will teach an exciting and creative curriculum that takes into account the latest research on how our children think and learn. We will encourage our learners to achieve their very best and to ensure they develop their skills and talents in all aspects of intellectual, social and physical development. We will ensure there is a rigorous focus on literacy and numeracy so that all children exceed national expectations.

In time, the Academy will be divided into the following stages:

Early Years Foundation Stage – Reception (4-5 years)

Key Stage 1 – Year 1 (5-6 years) and Year 2 (6-7 years)

Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (8-11 years)

At Oasis Academy Romford we will:

• Ignite young people’s curiosity and thirst for learning

• Cover the National Curriculum for the Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 as well as developing a unique set of community partnerships to offer increased, tailor-made, personalised learning

• Offer additional enrichment activities including music drama, and the visual arts

• Train teachers to identify and adapt teaching styles to the needs of pupils who have specific learning difficulties

• Serve local children, and accept pupils irrespective of faith or ability

• Create extended educational opportunities for the whole community.

The curriculum will be divided into six areas of learning and development:

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication, language and literacy

• Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy

• Knowledge and understanding of the world

• Creative development

• Physical development.

The learning environment will be carefully planned to support the learning and teaching in the core curriculum areas so that children can become independent and motivated learners who fulfil their true potential.

Contact us for further informatione [email protected] 020 7921 4655w www.oasisacademyromford.org


Admission arrangementsAdmission Criteria for Oasis Academy Romford

Oasis Academy Romford is a new three form of entry primary Free School opening in the heart of Romford in September 2014. The school will be a co-educational, non-selective inclusive school for pupils aged 4-11 years, opening with an initial intake of 90 students in 2014. Our new school will be located in central Romford and is intended to be a local school which children can walk to. Oasis Academy Romford will offer both an innovative and inspiring primary education and excellent pastoral care so that children and their families are supported through the crucial early years and are well prepared for the transition to secondary school. In conjunction with local community partners in the borough we will offer our pupil and their families a broad offer of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities to engage them, promoting community cohesion.

Oasis Academy Romford is committed to straightforward, open, fair and transparent admissions arrangements. The school will act fully in accordance with the School Admissions Code (as revised February 2012), the School Admissions Appeals Code and admissions law as they apply to academies

1. Pupil Numbers. Oasis Academy Romford (“the Academy”) has the

following agreed admission numbers: 2014-15 and subsequent years, 90 Year R (Reception) pupil

. In any specific year, Oasis Academy Romford may admit pupils in excess of the Academy’s agreed admission number for an applicable year group. Before admitting pupils above the agreed admission number, Oasis Academy Romford will notify the local authority.

2. Admissions criteriaOasis Academy Romford will take part in the Local Authority co-ordinated

admissions process for admissions in September 2014 and all future years. This requires parents to complete a common application form (CAF) which is provided by the local authority in which the applicant lives.

Copies of the form are available from the admissions team at the London Borough of Havering or online at: www.havering.gov.uk/admissions. Full details of the

application process are available in the local authority brochure: Starting School in Havering.

In completing the common application form, Oasis Academy Romford must be listed as one of the preferences on the local authority form.

Inaccurate or false information on the form could result in the place being withdrawn.

. Oasis Academy Romford will admit 90 pupils in the first year

. If Oasis Academy Romford is undersubscribed (i.e. there are less than 90 applicants for entry into a year group) the oversubscription criteria will not apply and all applicants will be admitted.

. A child with a statement of special educational needs which names Oasis Academy Romford in the statement will be admitted to the school and will count towards the admission number of 90. If a child has such a statement, parents/ carers should not apply for a place at Oasis Academy Romford under this policy. Instead, they should contact their local authority who will advise them on the procedure to follow.

. Children below compulsory school age: Parents/carers can request that their child attends on a part-time basis until they reach compulsory school age, or that the date that their child is admitted is deferred until later in the academic year, or the year in which the child reaches compulsory school age.

3. Oversubscription criteriaIf the school is oversubscribed, and after the admission of pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs where the school is named in the Statement, priority for admission will be given to those children who meet the criteria set out below, in order:

The words in bold have meanings which are set out in the Definitions section below (section 9):

a Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children. A looked after child is a child in the care of a Local Authority or provided with accommodation by a Local


Authority (as defined in Section 22 of the Children Act 1989) at the time of application.

Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so, because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order.

b Exceptional medical or exceptional social grounds. Applications must be accompanied by supporting submissions from the applicant’s GP and / or consultant, social worker, education welfare officer, or other suitably qualified professional setting out the particular reasons why Oasis Academy Romford is the most suitable school for the child and that the medical or social grounds are such that they cannot be met sufficiently at another school.

The exceptional medical or social reasons must relate to the child. The evidence supplied by the doctor, social worker or other appropriate professional must clearly set out the reasons why the preferred school is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child attended and had to travel to another school/ academy. (Please note that under the Equality Act the general expectation is that schools will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of individual children with disabilities or medical needs). Consideration will be given to each submission by of the Academy. The Academy may seek clarification regarding the evidence supplied and/ or additional information.

c Children who at the time of admission will have a sibling (see below) at Oasis Academy Romford

d The distance of the applicant’s home address from the permanent site of the school as measured by a straight line from the school, those pupils living nearer the school being given higher priority. (as defined in 9b)

4 Tie-Breaking. Where there are more applications satisfying any

category a) to c), places will be offered in order of proximity to Oasis Academy Romford at the date of application. Those living closer will be given higher priority.

. Measurement of those living closer will be calculated using the method defined in clause 9b.

5 In-Year Admissions In Year-Admissions will be coordinated by the London Borough of Havering. Applicants should contact the London Borough of Havering who will advise them on the procedure to follow. Applications for Oasis Academy Romford will be sent by the Local Authority to the Academy to apply the relevant admission arrangements. If more applications are received than there are places available, then applications will be ranked by the Academy in accordance with the agreed oversubscription criteria.

6 Waiting list Oasis Academy Romford will maintain a waiting list for 1 academic term. The Waiting List will be coordinated by the London Borough of Havering on behalf of the Academy. Parents who wish to be placed on the waiting list should contact the local authority. Priority on the list will be in accordance with the oversubscription criteria.

7 Fair access protocol Oasis Academy Romford will participate in the Local Authority’s Fair Access Protocol.

8 Appeals Parents/Carers of children who fail to gain places may appeal to the Independent

Appeals Panel, established by Oasis Academy Romford. All unsuccessful applicants will be advised of the process for appeal to this Appeals Panel which will be heard in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code.

9 Definitions a. Sibling:

For admission purposes this is: Whole siblings, adopted siblings, step-children, half-siblings, children subject of a residence order and foster children (only those “looked after” by any local authority).


Examples of those who will not be considered as siblings:

Cousins, friends, other family members living in the same home, other children living in the same household who are not included in the list above, children who share the same childminder, and children of a childminder.

Sibling priority will only apply to children if they live in the same home as another sibling attending the named school who is reasonably expected to still be in attendance when the child is admitted.

A sibling will only be considered if their details are supplied by the parent/carer on the application form.

b. In order of proximity to the school

Priority to those living closest to Oasis Academy Romford as measured by the distance between the home address and the permanent site of the school as determined using address points and is measured in a straight line, not by the shortest walking or bus route, between the address point for the permanent site of the school and the address point of the child’s normal place of residence. (Address points are points marked in the centre of the child’s home address, or in the centre of the block of flats in which the child’s home address is located, and in the centre of the main building of the preferred school).

Tie Break

In the event that two, or more, applicants applying for a single place at Oasis Academy Romford live at addresses that are located at exactly the same distance from the permanent site of the school, or live in the same block of flats, the place will be offered following a random allocation process which will be independently verified.

Note: to ensure continuity for all applicants only the L.A. council approved system can be used to calculate home to school distance tie breaks.

Other GIS systems such as Google Maps or personal Satellite Navigation Systems will not necessarily calculate the same route as the L.A.-approved system as they may not be able to accommodate our approved routes.

c. Home address

The home address is the child’s main residence at the time of application. Where a child lives for part of the week with each parent, the child’s home address will be the address where he or she lives and sleeps and goes to school from for the majority of school week. Where this remains equal, the address that is registered with the child’s GP will be used as the home address.

An address supplied as the child’s home will not be considered if this is a family

member’s address, where the family member does not have parental responsibility, an address registered with the Council as commercial, the tenant’s address for a property owned by the parent/carer and rented to a third party, a child-minder’s, or a future address. These will not be accepted for allocating school places.

Oasis Academy Romford reserves the right to investigate so far as it considers necessary the evidence provided in support of a home address. Common Application Forms are to be accompanied by two documents providing evidence of address of the child. This can be a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, council tax bill or utility bill. If there is a dispute to where the child’s main residence is, the address that is registered with the child’s GP will be decisive.

Where false or misleading information has been provided on application to gain a place at Oasis Academy Romford, the Admissions Authority may withdraw the offer of that place.

d. Multiple birth applications

Where multiple applications are received from one family, e.g. twins, triplets or other multiple births, for a single remaining place in the oversubscription criteria, the Admissions Authority will admit both/all children even if it means going over the admission number of 90.


Admission arrangementsUseful pointers for parents/carers

Changing preferences

Parents/Carers can change their preferences as long as their request is received by the closing date of 15 January 2014 by emailing The School Admissions Team [email protected] or, if their initial application was made online, by changing them online and resubmitting their application.

Once the closing date of 15 January 2014 has been reached, it will not be possible for parents/carers to change their order of preference without the change being treated as a new and therefore late application (see also Late Applications below).

Late applications

Applications for places received after 15 January 2014 will not be considered until all of the applications received by that date have been dealt with unless the parents/carers have just arrived in the borough; the delay has been created by factors outside of their control; there are other exceptional circumstances involved. It is crucial therefore to adhere to the deadline to stand a realistic chance of any of their preferences being met. Where a parents/carer moves from one London Borough to another after submitting an on-time application under the terms of their former home authority’s scheme, Havering will accept the application as on-time up to 14 Febuary 2014 on the basis that an on-time application already exists within the Pan-London system.

Withdrawal of the allocation of a place

Please not that an allocation of a place may be withdrawn if, after having given a place on the basis of the home address, a family moves further away from the school in question.

Using all your preferences

The Local Authority strongly recommends that parents/carers express more than one preference and include schools local to their home address as one of their preferences. If you express a preference for just one school and a place cannot be offered, you will be allocated a place at the nearest community or foundation school to your home address with a place available after all the other on time applications have been dealt with. This could mean your child being allocated a school several miles away from your home address. A local school must be one of your preferences in order for it to be considered: this will not be done automatically.

School preference order

Parents/carers should put their preferences in their true order. If the parents/carers of a child differ as to the preferences they wish to express for their child, they should resolve that difference before making an application, as the LA will only process one application for each child.

The rank order of parents/carers preferences is confidential to the Local Authority. In accordance with the DfE School Admissions Code schools must not use admissions criteria that require you to put them as first preference to gain a higher priority.

It is important that, Parents/Carers when selecting their preferences for school admission, take into account how their child will get to school.

Offer letters

The Local Authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, that each Havering applicant who cannot be offered a place at one of their prefered schools listed on the Common Application Form, recieves the offer of an alternative school place. Under such circumstances applicants residing within the borough will be allocated a place at the nearest community or foundation school to the applicants home address with a place available.


Appeal procedure and waiting lists

Will my child automatically be admitted to a school of my preference? The law requires that parental preferences should be satisfied wherever possible. However, schools cannot expand indefinitely and the law does not require them to do so. Government requirements limit infant classes to a maximum of 30 pupils per teacher and the local authority has to take measures to ensure this is adhered to throughout the infant phase. It is likely, therefore, that a small number of parental preferences will not be met.

The LA will however, ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, that each applicant resident in Havering who cannot be offered a place at one of their preferred schools receives the offer of an alternative school place. This will be a place at the nearest community or foundation school to the applicants home address with a place available.

Appealing against admission decisions

If parents/ carers are unhappy about not being allocated a place for their child at one of their preferred schools, they may appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. To obtain an appeal form parents/ carers will need to contact the School Admissions Team if the school is a community or voluntary controlled school or the school itself if it is a voluntary aided or foundation school or an academy.

Regulations made under Section 1 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 limit the size of an infant class (a class in which the majority of children will reach the age of 5, 6 or 7 during the school year) to 30 pupils per school teacher. Only in very limited circumstances can admission over the limit be permitted.

The panel may only uphold the appeal at the first stage where:

1. It finds that the admission of additional children would not breach the infant class size limit; or

2. It finds that the admission arrangements did not comply with admissions law or were not correctly and impartially applied and the child would have been offered a place if the arrangements had complied or had been correctly and impartially applied; or

3. It decides that the decision to refuse admission was not one which a reasonable admission authority would have made in the circumstances of the case.

Waiting list arrangements

After the first round of offers on 16 April 2014, all unsuccessful applications that are a higher preference than the school offered will be held on a waiting list according to the admissions criteria for the school. This applies to both on-time and late applications until December 2014 unless parents/carers indicate on their allocation reply slip that they do not want this to be the case.

Should parents/carers wish their child to be considered for any vacancies arising for particular Havering schools after December 2014 you should make your request by email to The School Admissions Team.

If you have not re-registered your interest to remain on a Havering school’s waiting list after the end December 2014, it will be assumed that you no longer want a place for your child at the school.

Casual vacancies which arise will be allocated strictly in accordance with the published admission criteria

Priority cannot be given to children based on the date their application was received or their name added to the waiting list. Waiting lists will be re-ranked in accordance with the school’s published admission criteria each time a child’s name is added to the waiting list. This means that a child’s position on the waiting list can move down as well as up.

Parents/ carers should note that for community and voluntary controlled schools the sibling criteria will apply to all siblings and not just as defined in iii). on page 12.

Looked after children and previously looked after children, and those allocated a place at the school in accordance with the Local Authority’s Fair Access Protocol, will take precedence over those children on the waiting list.

Change of school at other than a normal transfer timeThere is no requirement for the Local Authority to co-ordinate in-year admission applications to any schools in the borough. However, the Local Authority will continue to co-ordinate in-year admissions to its community and voluntary controlled schools and any


The School Admissions Code requires all LA’s to have In – Year Fair Access Protocols. These describe, for example, how children arriving in the borough are provided with school places should such provision be difficult to access. It also makes clear that children without a school place will take priority over children on a waiting list attending another school. This protocol is available on Havering’s website www.havering.gov.uk/admissions


In year admissions and infant to junior transfers

voluntary-aided or foundation school or academy that that wishes to participate in an in-year co-ordinated scheme.

Parents/ carers requesting the transfer of their child at other than a normal time of transfer to schools/ academies participating in the Local Authority’s co-ordinated in-year admission scheme should submit an application to the School Admissions Team using the In-Year Common Application Form (ICAF). (Up to four schools/ academies can be named on this form). The published admissions criteria for the community and voluntary controlled schools outlined above will be applied by the Local Authority to any preferences expressed for these schools. Where a preference is expressed for a voluntary aided or foundation school or an academy the details will be passed to the school/ academy concerned where their published criteria will be applied. Most voluntary aided schools and some foundation schools and academies require Supplementary Information Forms to be completed and where this is the case these should be sent to the school/ academy direct. The Local Authority will co-ordinate the application and a place will be offered at the highest preference school with a vacancy. If there are no vacancies at any of the preferred schools, then the parent carer will be advised of this fact and of their right of appeal against the decision not to offer their child a place at any of their preferred schools

Parents applying for places at those voluntary aided and foundation schools and academies not participating in the Local Authority’s co-ordinated in-year admission scheme will need to apply to these schools direct. The Local Authority will provide information to parents/ carers about the places still available at these schools and make available an application form that can be used to apply for a place for their child at these schools/ academies.

Transfer from infant to junior schoolsWhen a child attending an infant school in Havering is due to transfer to Year 3 there will be an entitlement to transfer to the partner junior school.

Parents/carers who wish to apply for a Year 3 place at schools other than the partner junior school will need to complete a Common Application Form. These applications will be considered using the published admissions criteria for the preferred school(s). Such applications should be submitted by 15 January 2014.

In terms of applications for community junior schools in Havering, places will only be allocated once demand has been met by pupils transferring from the partner infant school. The Local Authority will co-ordinate the application and a place will be offered at the highest preference school with a vacancy. If there are no vacancies at any of the preferred schools, then the parent carer will be advised of this fact and of their right of appeal against the decision not to offer their child a place at any of their preferred schools.

Parents/carers whose children attend an out-borough infant school and who want their child to transfer to the partner junior school will need to complete and submit a Common Application Form to the School Admissions Team by 15 January 2014. Most voluntary aided schools and some foundation schools and academies require Supplementary Information Forms to be completed and where this is the case these should be sent to the school/ academy direct. The Admissions team will liaise with the local authority in whose area the school is located


Specialist units and nurseries

Children admitted to the Hacton Hearing Impairment UnitThese children are mainly taught in mainstream classes with support. The school’s admission number ensures that class sizes can still be kept to no more than 30 in the infant phase and also in the junior phase in most cases.

Admission to nursery classesA number of community schools and two voluntary aided denominational faith schools have nursery classes. These schools are:

. Broadford Primary . Brookside Infant . Clockhouse Primary

. Crowlands Primary . Hacton Primary . Hilldene Primary

. Hylands Primary . Mead Primary . Newtons Primary

. Parklands Infant . Pinewood Primary . Pyrgo Priory Primary

. Rainham Village Primary . St Edward’s CE Primary . St Ursula’s RC Infant School

Children can be admitted part-time to nursery classes for a maximum of three terms prior to the term they will start main school.

For further information about the admissions arrangements you should contact the head teacher of the school concerned at the address given on pages 6 – 9. Attendance at a nursery class does not mean an automatic transfer to the reception class of the main school. If your child is admitted to a nursery class you must register him/her for admission to the main school in the usual way.


School Meals in Havering

There are many reasons why children benefit from staying for school lunches. Children use up a great deal of energy during a full school day. They need to concentrate during lessons, let off steam at play times and recharge their batteries for the afternoon. Eating a school meal helps to achieve this and provides the following:

• Hot, healthy and nutritionally balanced menus.

• A selection of homemade products and recognised meals that provide choice and variety to suit all tastes.

• Value for money, two course meals.

• Convenience – saving you time preparing packed lunches.

• Enhanced learning abilities – studies have shown that children concentrate better in lessons if they have had a fulfilling lunchtime meal.

• Teaches children the social skills involved with eating with others and how to make choices – learning need not stop when the lunch bell goes.

• Allows a child to relax in a safe, supervised environment with friends.

• By having a school lunch your child can receive two of their 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables.

A school meal represents outstanding value for money when compared with other options available at lunchtime i.e. a packed lunch.

Our new menus contain many of your child’s old favourites such as sausages and burgers, these are fresh and of the highest quality, as well as fish fingers which are accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council, as coming from sustainable stocks. We also offer a number of new exciting dishes to tempt your child to try something different. We try and source our food from local suppliers and provide fresh local ingredients wherever possible.

Havering Catering Services (HCS) are committed to providing the highest standards of service. In achieving this, parents can be assured that:

• All menus comply with, and usually exceed, the Government’s National Nutritional Standards for school lunches.

• Our food purchasing contracts control the sourcing of safe ingredients and ensure the necessary delivery and storage methods to maintain the highest levels of food safety.

• We regard your child as a valued customer and serve all children in a friendly and supportive manner, helping them to expand their eating experience with care.

• We do not knowingly use foods containing genetically modified ingredients and we avoid using artificial additives and colourings wherever possible.

HCS work closely with the Healthy Schools team and help schools meet the criteria so that schools can achieve Healthy Schools status.

Free school Meals Under present government legislation, if you are in receipt of one of the benefits below your child is entitled to receive free school meals.

• Income support

• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

• An income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part vi) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Child Tax Credit, and where annual income does not exceed £16,190

• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

For further information on how to claim free school meals and an application form please contact Havering Student Finance on tel: 01708 433929


Special Educational Needs

A small number of pupils find it much harder to learn and make progress than other children of the same age and may need extra help in school. Other children may have physical disabilities or sensory difficulties and may require some adaptations in school and/or additional support.

The Parents Partnership Service (PiPs) can give impartial advice and information to parent/carers of pupils with special educational needs. They can be contacted on 01708 433885 or email: [email protected]

Most pupils’ special educational needs can be met in mainstream school with the school providing additional support or resources to meet the pupil’s needs. In some cases, the school will ask for additional advice from outside professionals such as the Child and Community Psychology Service, Learning Support Service or Social Communication Service. Schools can refer pupils directly to the speech and language therapy service or occupational therapy service for assessment.

In a very few cases, it may be felt that a child may have severe or complex needs that needs a careful assessment. These pupils may require a range of interventions and help well over and above that which can be expected of schools. If it is agreed that a full assessment would be beneficial in outlining the child’s needs and the best way to meet these needs, then a

statutory assessment can be carried out. This assessment is governed by the Education Act 1996. In addition, there is a Code of Practice giving practical guidance to Local Authorities and to the Governing Bodies of all maintained schools on their responsibilities towards children with special educational needs. The child’s parents are closely involved in every stage of the procedure.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 gives guidance on ensuring that Governing Bodies must take on the responsibility to ensure that where possible disabled pupils are treated as favourably as other children. Before pupils transfer from primary school to secondary school, there is active liaison between primary and secondary schools so that teachers are

aware of the special needs of the children before they arrive. In some cases, additional visits to the secondary school can be made to ensure a smooth transition.

There are three special schools in Havering which are specifically organised to help children who present with a range of needs that are able to be met more appropriately in specialist provision. If pupils complete their primary education in a mainstream school, generally, but not always, it would be expected that these pupils will transfer to mainstream secondary schools. In addition to the three special schools, Havering has resourced some primary and secondary schools that are better able to meet the needs of pupils who are hearing impaired, visually Impaired or have language difficulties.

If a pupil is unable to attend their local mainstream school and attends one of Havering’s special schools then travel assistance may be considered. This could include providing your child with travel training so that they can travel independently. If a child with a disability attends a mainstream school, consideration will be given with regard to travel assistance. However, travel assistance may not be given if a parent states their preference for a school that is not their local school and a local school would be able to meet the pupil’s needs.

When applying for secondary schools, pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs are processed by the Special Educational Needs Team. Parents are asked for their preference and the Special Educational Needs Team will consult with the Governing Body of the school. If the school can meet the child’s needs and the other pupils would not be disadvantaged by the admission of that pupil, then generally parents will be allocated the school of their preference. Part 4 of the pupil’s statement will be amended to name the secondary school, by 15 February of the year of entry.

For further information regarding the assessment of pupils with Special Educational Needs or any information about of Havering’s arrangements and policies for special educational needs, please contact the Special Educational Needs Team on 01708 431885.


Grants and Awards

You may be unaware of the awards and benefits available during your child’s school life. Below are details of the various grants and awards available.

School Meals and MilkUnder the present Government legislation, children whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits qualify for free school meals and milk.

Please see page 28 for details.

A school lunch is available in all primary schools, and in the majority of cases is provided by Havering Catering Services, the in-house catering service. HCS also offer a breakfast service, which is currently taken up by a small group of primary schools. The cost of a ‘paid’ meal can vary according to the arrangements made by the school. (Some operate a cash cafeteria system, where a child pays for individually priced items, others operate a set-priced meal system, where a child selects food from different food groups).

Home to School Transport

Primary pupils aged 4 – 11Paragraphs a), b) and c) below set out the Council’s policy in respect of the assistance available to pupils resident in Havering who attend maintained primary schools.

a) Pupils attending community and voluntary controlled schools

The Council will provide assistance between home and school if:

the school is further than the standard walking distance* from the pupil’s home, as measured by the nearest available walking route**, and there is no suitable*** school within the standard walking distance

or

• the Council has been unable to allocate a place at any suitable school within the standard walking distance

or

• in the Council’s view hazards exist on the journey to school, even though the distance is less than the standard walking distance.

b) Pupils attending voluntary aided schoolsThe Council will provide assistance between home and school if:

. the school of the denomination requested is further than the standard walking distance* from the pupil’s home, as measured by the nearest available walking route**, and there is no suitable school*** of the same denomination that could accommodate the child nearer to his/her home, or

. win the Council’s view hazards exist on the journey to school, even though the distance is less than the standard walking distance.

c) Children entitled to free school meals, or whose parents are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit

In those cases where a child attends a Havering primary school further than the standard walking distance* from his/her home and does not qualify under a) or b) for free transport, assistance with travelling expenses will only be given to those children entitled to free school meals or parents in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

*Standard walking distanceThe standard walking distance is defined as follows: 1.5 miles for infant age children, 2 miles for junior age children, as measured by the nearest available walking route.

**Nearest available walking routeA route is available if a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk along it with reasonable safety to school. The Council may take into account whether there are any circumstances that might prevent the child from being accompanied.

***Suitable schoolA ‘suitable school’ is one that offers an efficient full-time education suitable to a pupil’s age, ability and aptitude, and any special educational needs (s) he may have.


How assistance is providedThe parents of children who do not qualify for assistance under the criteria outlined above may still want to apply to the Council for assistance with the costs of home to school transport. Such requests should be made, in writing, and submitted to School Support and Pupil Services at the address provided at the rear of this booklet. Individual applications for assistance will be considered, on their own merits. Now that public transport for under 16s is free across London it is anticipated that such assistance will be made in only limited circumstances.

Transport on medical groundsIf a child is well enough to attend school but cannot, for medical reasons, either walk there or travel there by public transport for a certain period of time or be transported by their parent(s) or another carer, arrangements can be made for the child to be transported to and from school during that period. Supporting medical evidence must be provided before consideration can be given to making any such arrangement.

Pupils with special educational needsIf a child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs meets the criteria for transport, this will be provided by the Local Authority.

Provision of escortsEscorts are provided on all buses and where considered appropriate on taxi journeys.

Assistance in future yearsContinuing assistance with the costs of home to school transport cannot be guaranteed in future years. You should bear this in mind when considering the schools to which you make an application.

Charges for school activitiesThe basic principle is that education provided for pupils during the school day should be provided free of charge, although parents may be invited to make a contribution towards the cost of particular activities such as school visits and journeys. Schools can ask parents to

make a voluntary contribution towards the costs of providing day visits or field study trips. The only exception to the basic principle is that a charge may be made in respect of tuition provided for vocal/instrumental work, either individually, or in groups.

When activities are offered to pupils which are not related to the National Curriculum or religious education and take place outside of normal school time, or are organised by third parties acting independently of schools, then a charge may be made.

Each school has to have a policy on such charges. A copy may be obtained direct from the school.

Havering Music SchoolApproximately 600 pupils attend the Weekday and Saturday Music Centres at Havering Music School. Here they can receive tuition on most instruments and there are bands, choirs, orchestras and ensembles to suit all ages and abilities. Many pupils learn instruments in school, but come to the Centre to play in a larger group and meet other musicians. Most groups perform regularly in concerts in Havering and beyond. Pupils whose parents are in receipt of Income Support, an Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, or whose sole source of income is Incapacity or Widow’s Benefit or whose income does not exceed £16,190 may qualify for assistance.

Applications for assistance for grants and awardsThese should be sent to: PASC The Liberty, Mercury Gardens Romford RM1 3RL

You should give details of the help you are seeking and particulars of your child and the school he/she attends. A stamped, addressed envelope should be enclosed.


Other Services

Child protection in Havering schoolsHavering is promoting a multi agency approach to meeting the needs of individual children and this is particularly relevant in relation to child protection.

The staff in all our schools have a responsibility to promote the welfare of the children in their care and will have received child protection training. The Local Authority also requires that staff safeguard the welfare of children by referring any serious concerns that they might have about any child(ren) to the Head Teacher or a senior member of staff.

To enable staff to monitor the welfare of your child you are asked to keep the school informed of any unusual or serious injuries which your child has suffered, and of any circumstances at home which might cause a change in your child’s behaviour at school. Staff may, on occasion, wish to speak with you to discuss and clarify the cause of a particular injury, to seek a reason for a sudden change in your child’s behaviour or raise other concerns they may have.

In those instances where staff have serious concerns about the welfare of a child, schools are under a duty to make a referral to Children’s Services. If this happens please remember that the staff concerned have a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of the children in their care.

Child employmentNo child under the age of 13 may undertake paid employment. School age children who are employed must have a work permit. Children appearing in stage, television, film and other productions must be licenced by the LA. Work permits and performance licences are issued through the Education Welfare Service. Tel 01708 431777

Child community psychology servicesEvery school has the support of an educational psychologist – a specialist on how children and young people develop and learn. Help may be asked for when a child is experiencing difficulties in learning, emotional disturbance or behaviour problems.

Psychologists make regular visits to schools and normally work closely with each school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. Parents are advised to discuss their concerns with the school in the first instance.

The service can be contacted by telephoning 01708 433955

Child and Family Consultation Service

This is a Health Authority Service for parents and children to approach when there are worries about a child or young person who is unhappy, anxious or showing behavioural difficulties at home and/or at school. Referrals are usually made via a family’s GP. Private fosteringPrivate fostering is when a child or young person aged 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled), is cared for and provided with accommodation for 28 days or more by an adult who is not a close relative. A close relative is an aunt, uncle, step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but not a cousin, grand aunt/uncle or a family friend.

If you are a parent and your child is already placed with a private foster carer, or if you are considering placing your child in a private fostering arrangement in the London Borough of Havering, you need to speak to the Family Placement Service, Fostering Team. You must also speak to the Fostering Team if you are, or will be a private foster carer and live in the London Borough of Havering.

The changes in the law are to protect the child/young person and to ensure that they are well looked after and safe from harm. It is an offence not to let the Local Authority know of a private fostering arrangement. The Fostering Team are able to provide you with advice and guidance and will be at hand to support you.

Private foster carers applying for a school place for a child in their care must make clear the relationship that they have with the child on the application forms. Failure to do so may result in the offer of a school place being withdrawn.

For more information please contact:

London Borough of Havering, Children’s Social Services, Family Placement Service, Fostering Team, Mercury House, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3SL. Tel: 01708 434576


Sustainable modes of travelAll primary schools in Havering are committed to ensuring that children have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe and make a positive contribution. The mode of travel between home and school is relevant to supporting these goals insofar as a move towards more active and sustainable forms of travel can improve the physical health of individuals as well as having impact on the local environment by reducing pollution and traffic congestion across the borough.

The Local Authority is committed to developing sustainable mode of travel by encouraging increasing numbers of children and their parents to walk, cycle or travel by public transport rather than by car between home and school.

School attendance (for pupils registered at a school or unit) It is essential that students attend school regularly so that they can enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum and make the most of their education. It is also a legal requirement. By law, it is an offence if a parent or carer fails to make sure that their child attends regularly at the school where they are registered, especially if an absence from school has not been authorised by that school. The Local Authority can issue fixed penalty notices or prosecute parent/carers in court if this happens.

For the Havering local authority, the Education Welfare Service has this responsibility.

What you can do to help:

a. Check that your child is in school when they should be.

b. If a child is absent from school, confirm it is with your agreement and that it is for a valid and acceptable reason. Let the school know in advance.

c. Do not take your child out of school when your child is taking tests or examinations or preparing for them.

d. Do not let your child take time off without a good reason.

e. Take holidays in school holiday time only.

f. Try to make doctor and dentist appointments outside school time.

g. Get involved with the school, find out about parents’ evenings, open days, school events and try to go to them. This shows you know school is important.

h. Help your child be ready to go to school on time.

For further information contact Education Welfare Service on 01708 431777. This service is legally responsible for making sure that your children attend school. It offers support and advice on all matters affecting the attendance of your child at school.


General Complaints Procedure

All schools are required to have a policy for dealing with complaints, that is those not covered by statutory procedures. Statutory procedures, for example, cover exclusions from school and have tightly defined requirements. School governing bodies must agree policies for general complaints and parents wishing to access them should contact the schools direct.

Whistleblowing The importance of registering a child with a GP practice

If you suspect that anybody has made, or is intending to make, a fraudulent school application the School Admissions Team would like to hear from you. You may be worried about raising such issues or may want to keep concerns to yourself, perhaps feeling that it is none of your business or that it’s only a suspicion, however its important that you inform us as soon as possible to enable us to investigate the matter fully. The information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. You can contact the School Admission Team on 01708 434600 or alternatively you can email your concerns to [email protected] with a subject heading of “whistleblowing”

Making sure that your child gets all of the support and help that they need to be healthy during their school years is very important. One way to look after their health is for your child to be registered with a GP.

When a child is registered with a GP it means that they will get all of their childhood vaccinations, and so be protected from infections like measles, mumps and rubella.

And if your child has any physical problems or difficulties with learning, the school nurse and GP and can work together to help your child get any extra support they may need.

Registering a child is essential as it allows schools and the health service to manage any infectious outbreaks, such as flu.

To find out how you can register with a GP Practice in Havering, please go to the Primary Care Trust website http://www.elc.nhs.uk/health-services/your-local-gp/. Alternatively you can contact the NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) by calling 0800 328 2556.

There are no GP lists closed at present in Havering so it should be simple to register your child.


The School Admissions TeamTown Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD

For more information:

Tel: 01708 434600 email: [email protected]

How to contact us

Designed by London Borough of Havering D3516.2013

PLEASE NOTE:The distribution of this booklet and the subsequent admission of a child to a school shall in no way imply a

commitment on the part of the Council or the school Governors to maintain the arrangements within the school without change for the duration of the child’s stay in the school. The same applies to any policies concerning the

provision of primary education. Although the information contained in this booklet is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, it is possible that changes arising from legislation, Council policy or other causes may occur

either before the start of or during the school year 2014/2015 or in future years.

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