Admissions Policy

St Joseph’s is a voluntary aided Roman Catholic Primary School situated in the Parish of St Josephs, Bromley which is part of the Southwark Diocese. It is in the trusteeship of the Diocese. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its Trust Deed and Instrument of Government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.

The school exists primarily to serve the Catholic community and Catholic children always have priority of admission. However, the Governing Body welcomes all applications, particularly from those of other denominations and faiths who support the religious ethos of the school.

The school accepts children between the ages of 4 – 11 years who are for the most part resident in Bromley and Bromley Common. There are two points of entry into the reception class at the school in accordance with Bromley Local Authority guidance. In any academic year these two points will be September (for children whose birthdays lie between September 1st and February 29th) and January (for children whose birthdays lie between March 1st and August 31st)

The Governors of the school have as their objective, the establishment, maintenance and advancement of the Roman Catholic religion.

Admission of Pupils

Admissions to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School are decided by the Governors.
The number of children to be admitted to the reception class each year is 30.

In 2010-2011, St. Joseph’s will be participating in the London Borough of Bromley Coordinated Admissions. This will comply with the Local Government agreed timetable of admissions.
Priority will be given to the following groups of children:

1. Looked after children (children in public care)

2. Baptised children of committed and practising Roman Catholic parent(s)

Where there are more applicants then places the governors will use the following criteria:

a. baptised children of committed and practising Catholic parent(s) who live and worship in the Bromley Parishes of St Joseph and St Swithun
b. baptised children of committed and practising Catholic parent(s) who worship in the Bromley Parishes of St Joseph and St Swithun, but who live outside the parish boundaries
c. other baptised children of committed and practising Catholic parent(s)
d. other children of committed and practising Catholic parent(s) enrolled in the catechumenate
e. children baptised in the Catholic faith whose parents may not be practising at the time of application
f. children of families who are members of other Christian denominations
g. children of families of a non-Christian belief whose parents support the religious ethos of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
h. other children

Where the number of children in any of the above categories exceeds the number of places available, the following rules will be applied to decide which children to admit:

i) children who have a brother or sister, including natural brothers and sisters, adopted siblings, stepbrothers or sisters at the school at the beginning of their first term at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
ii) proximity to the school, the distance being measured in a straight line from the school to the home; the distance will be supplied by the local authority derived from their computerised mapping system.

All applicants will be asked to obtain and return to the school our ‘Supplementary Information Form’ (if Catholic) or evidence of how they meet other criteria. The Governors will require written verification of commitment and practice from the parish priests and this includes a baptismal certificate. Applicants will be ranked using frequency of Mass attendance on the Supplementary Information Form, i.e. weekly, once or twice a month, or less often.

The completion of a Supplementary Form is not mandatory; however, if one is not received the Governors will not be able to apply their admission criteria and the application will be considered under the ‘other children’ category.

Where incorrect information is used to unfairly gain a place then the governors will immediately withdraw any place offered

Casual Admissions
to reception class
The local authority also coordinates casual admissions during reception year.
- other primary year groups during the academic year
A list of parents who have expressed an interest in their children attending St Joseph’s Catholic Primary school is kept on file. If places are available they are offered in strict accordance with our admissions criteria.

Appeals

Parents have the right to appeal against any refusal by the governors to admit their child or children and such appeals will be directed to an appeals panel that will be established within the terms of the Education Act. Details of the appeals procedure can be obtained from the school.

Agreed at Home, School, Parish (Admissions) Committee: 16th October 2008

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Plaistow Lane Bromley BR1 3JQ 020 8460 1976