Our Admissions policy has been formally adopted by the Governing Body of St Alban’s Catholic primary School, Pelaw. The Governing Body is the Admissions Authority and is responsible for determining the school’s admissions policy. Please read the policy carefully as this clearly outlines our selection process and oversubscription criteria. Our Admission Policies also explain the process for in-year transfers. The Planned Admission Number (PAN) is 30.
An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round and the child will be admitted where there are available places.
Parents with children of statutory school age who either
must complete a school transfer application form. Paper copies are available from the School Admissions Team on telephone number 0191 433 8589.
If you are moving to a new house, a copy of the exchange of contracts or a rental agreement will be needed before the new address is considered.
School places cannot be offered on the basis of intended future changes of address unless the relevant documentary evidence can be provided
Year groups in some schools may be full and may not have places available when you move house or decide to transfer your child from one school to another. Unfortunately, places cannot be held back for parents who decide in the future to move into a particular area.
The offer of a place at any school is dependent on the availability of places in the relevant year group at the time of application.
If you need a place in a Gateshead school you must complete a school transfer application form. The application form allows you to express a preference for up to three schools in Gateshead.
Evidence checklist for in-year school application
As part of the school admission process, you may need to provide supporting evidence with your application form.
Serving members of the UK armed forces or crown servants
If you are currently a serving member of the regular UK Armed Forces with a posting to the area or a Crown Servant returning from overseas, please provide the following:
Looked after children (LAC), previously looked after children and children in state care outside of England who have been adopted
Please provide documents that we can accept as proof of looked after or previously looked after status:
A letter or email from the social worker involved with the child will also be required to say that they are in agreement with the application.
Medical evidence
If you are applying under the social/medical category, you will need to provide independent evidence from a health professional such as a consultant. This should state the school you are applying for is the only school your child can attend and the reason why.
Proof of parental responsibility
Where there is any doubt about parental responsibility we will ask you to provide proof of parental responsibility. In such cases, whatever you choose to provide will be entirely up to you. However, it must indicate that you have parental responsibility.
Examples of documents that prove parental responsibility include:
This should be accompanied with proof that you are the person named e.g. passport.
Refusals and appeals
If place cannot be offered at one of your chosen schools, you will be informed which other schools have places available.
You will be notified in writing of your right to appeal. Appeal forms are available from the School Admissions Team.
Completed appeal forms must be returned to:
Strategic Director
Corporate Services and Governance
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH.
Your appeal will be heard within 30 school days following the date of receipt.
Vacant places may arise before the date of the appeal hearing. Where this happens, the school will offer the vacant place to the child that is top of their waiting list. They will use the admission criteria set out within their admission policy.
Appeal forms for Voluntary Aided Schools are available from the school.
If year groups are full, the school will maintain a waiting list. Any vacancies which may arise will be offered using this list. If you would like your child’s name placed on the waiting list for a school, you must contact the school to request this. If a place becomes available and is offered to your child, you must then complete a school transfer form to take up this offer.
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
School transfer requests for children with an EHCP will be referred to the Special Educational Needs Team. They will work with parents to secure a place at a school where the specific needs of the child can be met.
Fair Access Protocol
Fair Access Protocols exist to ensure that access to education is secured for vulnerable children and young people who are without a school place and where a placement in a mainstream school or alternative provision is appropriate. For further information and to read the protocol and guidance visit fair access process.
The School Admissions Team
Dryden Centre
Evistones Road
Low Fell
NE9 5UR
0191 433 8589
schooladmissions@gateshead.gov.uk
Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements for 2021-22 will be applied. Parents are advised to read the admission arrangements carefully before making their application.
If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list. Please see the admission arrangements for more details.
You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible. Applicants must be informed of the outcome of their application within 15 school days of receipt, but the aim is to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 school days of receipt.
You have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if your application is unsuccessful.
If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions please contact Mrs Bridon 01914693251. You may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority (Laura Simpson, the School organisation and admissions officer at Gateshead Civic Centre. Telephone: 0191 433 2109).
The Admissions Policy Criteria will be applied on an Equal Preference basis.
The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is an exempt charity. It is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 07890590. The registered office address is Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education HQ, Barmston Court, Turbine Business Park, Nissan Way, Washington, SR5 3NY.
We currently have spaces in our school nursery for 15-hour and 30-hour provision. If your child is 3 or 4 years old, please contact us for further information.
For admission into any other year group, please feel free to get in touch too.
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