Admissions

If your child was born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008 they are due to start school in September 2012. This year You can apply online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions OR collect a pack from school at the open afternoon. The closing date for primary school admissions is 13th January 2012.

Click here to download the Open Afternoon Flyer

In Rochdale, most children will start school in the September following their fourth birthday. 

For parents of these children, application packs are available from school offices, from the October the year before. 

On the admission form you have the opportunity to state three ranked preferences for any primary school in Rochdale. You do not have a right to choose which school your child will go to. You only have a right to express a preference for a school. 

The form should then be returned to your first preference primary school before the end of November, along with a copy of your child’s birth certificate and proof of address (e.g. family allowance book, Council Tax bill). 

The Local Education Authority will then determine who is allocated places at each Rochdale school, in accordance with its admission policy. Notification letters offering each child one primary school place are then sent out in early March, via second class post. 

Where the number of preferences is equal to or less than the number of places available at each school, all first preferences will be offered a place. Parkfield offers 30 places each year in its reception class. 

If the number of applications is greater than the number of places available, the school is oversubscribed. This means that the number of places has to be limited and the LA uses several admission criteria when offering places: 

1. Children in care to the Local Authority (looked after children) 
2. Medical/psychological reasons 
3. Sibling priority 
4. Proximity and ease of access 
5. No priority is given to children currently attending a nursery school. 

If it is not possible to offer you a place at your first preference school, the Local Education Authority will then consider your other preferences, and where possible, you will be offered a place at your highest ranked preference school. 

If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal against that decision to an independent appeal panel, details of which are included in the letter notifying you of your offer of a place. 

For more information, visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions. (Will open in a new window) 

 

(Information adapted from 'Starting School in 2008/9: A Guide for Parents')