Admissions
The Governors of Voluntary Aided Schools are responsible for the admission arrangements but are required to consult the Local Education Authority and Southwark Diocesan Board of Education before any changes are made.
As a Church of England Primary School, St John’s provides an education based on Christian principles and pupils spend time in Christian Worship and related activities, both in the school and in church. At the same time the school ethos is one of inclusion and we value and respect families of other faiths or no faith, reflecting the needs of our local community.
In year Admissions Policy 2023-2024
In year Supplementary Information Form 2023-2024
Admissions Policy 2024-2025
Supplementary Information Form 2024-25
Determined Admissions Policy 2025-2026
Determined Supplementary Form 2025-2026
Appeals
Parents have the right of appeal to any school that has refused their child a place. The deadline for lodging an appeal is 20 calendar days from National Offer Day.
Appeals against non-admission to St Johns’s will be heard in accordance with the provisions of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the Education Act 2002, together with the School Admissions Appeals Code. Appeals will be heard during the summer term prior to the child’s admission to school.
Parents whose appeal has been unsuccessful will not be able to apply and subsequently appeal again for a place at the same school in the same academic year unless there are significant and material changes to the child or family’s circumstances. Documentary proof of such changes will be required from the appropriate professional(s) working with the family.
Transferring to our school from another school
Sometimes you may want your child to go to a different school during the school year (other than the normal stages of children starting school in Reception). If this is the case, you should first discuss the reasons for the move with the headteacher of your child’s current school. Problems and difficulties can often be resolved without the need to disrupt your child’s education.
If, after having the discussion, you still want your child to transfer to our school then you will need to download and complete an in-year application form, commonly known as an iCAF available from the Lewisham Council website here.
The form must be submitted to Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals Team, 3rd floor Laurence House, Catford SE6 4RU together with a copy of (a) your current year’s council tax bill to verify your child’s home address and (b) a current child benefit letter or child tax credit letter to confirm you have parental responsibility for your child. You will also need to ensure your child’s current headteacher completes Section 9 of the form before you return it to the Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals Team.
If your application is complete and you include the evidence asked for, Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals Team will send you a letter to let you know the outcome of your application. This will involve the Admissions and Appeals Team contacting our school to check is a place is available and that you meet our Admissions Criteria (see Admissions Policy above). This can take up to 20 school days from the date your application is received by Lewisham Council Admissions and Appeals Team.
Please note that in cases of school transfers that do not involve a house move, or where there is no need for an immediate change of school, the school may arrange for the child to transfer at the beginning of a full or half-term to minimise disruption to your own and other children’s education.
SEND Admissions
What are our admission arrangements for children with SEND?
The arrangements for the admission of pupils with Special Needs or disabilities to gain admission as pupils to St John Baptist CE Primary School fall within our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and are the same as those applied to all pupils. Admission is in the first instance are arranged by application to the Local Education Authority. Further considerations are made in the light of need and accessibility. If successful, St John Baptist CE Primary School then receives notification that a child has been allocated a place.
For children with an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) admissions are arranged via consultation with the Local authority in which the child lives. In Lewisham, this is with the Children with Complex Needs service.
https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/special-educational-needs/admissions
St John Baptist CE Primary School will take steps to prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably than other pupils. We will use our best endeavours to ensure that no child is unable to attend St John Baptist CE Primary School because of any special need or disability. In order to promote equality of opportunity for disabled children we will make reasonable adjustments (including the provision of auxiliary aids and services) to prevent them being put under a disadvantage.
In practice we ensure that classroom and extra-curricular activities encourage the participation of all pupils, including those categorised as having Special Educational Needs. Staff organise human and physical resources within the school to increase access to learning and participation by all pupils.
Existing facilities provided to assist access to the school by pupils with disabilities;
- Wheelchair access at the school office, Reception class and Year 1 entrances.
- Disabled toilet located next to the hall on the ground floor.
- Exterior lighting to improve evening access.
Please also see the Accessibility Plan and Admissions Policy:
https://www.sjb.lewisham.sch.uk/School-Policies/