St. Michael’s C of E Primary School is part of the Durham and Newcastle Diocese and our Admissions Policy gives a list of criteria for admissions. Although, preference is given to Looked After Children or to children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or an Education, Health and Care Plan naming our school, we welcome admission applications from children of all faiths or none. We do ask however that anyone applying to our school is supportive of our Anglican Christian ethos.
Our School Admissions Policy is available to view or downloaded in the School Policies section of our website.
In summary the Admissions Criteria is:
- Looked after children
- Children who reside within Bishop Middleham or Mainsforth.
- Children who have an older sibling attending the school.
- Faith criteria
- Other children
Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit:School admissions-appeals.
If your child is due to start school in Reception, applications forms (either on-line or paper versions) are available from the October prior to the school year they are due to start. The Admissions section at County Hall, administer our applications for us and so any application should be returned to them – although we do welcome visits and are happy to answer any questions prior to any application.
If your child is already at school, and you wish them to transfer to St. Michael’s, please contact Admissions at County Hall and they will send you the necessary forms to complete. If there are no places available, please contact school for further information regarding appeals.
Waiting Lists
If St. Michael’s is full parents may ask the school to add their child’s name to the waiting list. Names can be added to the waiting list at any time. When pupil numbers fall below the admission limit, children will be admitted from the list according to the priority order set out in the published criteria and not the length of time on the waiting list. Vacancies may arise at short notice and families on the waiting list should be prepared to take up a place as soon as it arises.
Appeals
If it has not been possible for St. Michael’s C of E School to offer a family a place for their child then the parents have the right to appeal against the decision. If you wish to appeal please contact the school office for further details.
Parents can also visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEND
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure any the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.
The majority of Children with Special Educational Needs can be supported at any primary school.
Primary provision is also available in Special Schools. Support for individual pupils is determined by Durham Local Authority through Education, Health and Care Assessment. Our Admissions Policy gives the criteria by which the children are offered a place. However, children identified with Special Educational Needs who have Statement, or a new Education, Health and Care Plan, naming our school are given priority. If you feel that your child has additional needs that we need to consider and that may entitle them to be given priority during the admission process, please let us know when you submit their application form. Our School Admissions Policy is available to view or downloaded in the School Policies section of our website.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.