Primary school admissions 2012

Primary school admissions 2012

Included on this page:

» When and how to apply for a place at a H&F primary school

» When to start school

» A step-by-step guide to applying for primary school in H&F

» How places are allocated

» What if my child has special educational needs?

» Key dates for primary school admissions

When and how to apply for a place at a H&F primary school

If your child’s birthday falls between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 then they are eligible to apply for a reception place in a primary school. You must submit a primary school application by no later than 15 January 2012.  Admissions for the 2012 reception intake are coordinated on a London-wide basis, therefore you supply one application to the local authority in which you live. The application is not restricted to Hammersmith & Fulham schools – you can make preferences for schools in other boroughs on your application.

The online application facility opens on 1 September 2011 and whilst we strongly encourage parents and carers to apply online, we understand that some of our residents prefer to apply on a paper form. You can download the form here, or pick up our Starting School booklet, which includes the paper application form, from any of our nurseries, primary schools or libraries. Alternatively, contact the school admissions team.

For information or advice:
T: 020 8753 3643 or 2627 or 3628 or 3664
E: school.admissions@lbhf.gov.uk

When to start school

By law your child should start school in the school term after his or her fifth birthday. In Hammersmith & Fulham, children can start school in the reception class in either September (autumn term) or January (spring term). All children within the reception year group will be offered a start date for September 2012. Parents may request that their child’s entry be deferred until later in the school year or until the child reaches compulsory school age. Where entry is deferred, the school place offered will be held and will not be offered to any other child. However, parents will not be able to defer a child’s entry beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday nor beyond the academic year for which the original application was accepted.

Apply online

» Starting School booklet 2012-13 (PDF 4mb)

 Download an application form here

A step-by-step guide to applying for primary school in Hammersmith & Fulham:

1. Read the detailed admissions information in our Starting School booklet (PDF 4mb). 
2. Contact the schools themselves to get more information and arrange to visit schools you are interested in
3. Apply online or download or pick up a paper application form from any local authority nursery or primary school including libraries.
4. You can choose up to six primary schools, which you must rank in order of preference. These can be in or outside of Hammersmith & Fulham.
5. If you are applying for a voluntary aided (church) school then you will probably also need to complete an additional application form. This form can be obtained directly from the school or via the school’s website. Once completed please submit the additional application form to the school concerned.
6. Online applications must be submitted or application forms returned by 15 January 2012

Please note: If you would like your child to transfer to the school's reception class from the school's nursery, you must complete a primary school application form as there is no guarantee that your child will transfer to the primary. This will be considered with all applications, including those for children who are not in the school's nursery class.

How places are allocated 

The admissions authority for each school (the local authority for community schools, the board of governors for voluntary aided schools and academies) must publish their admissions criteria. In cases where a school is oversubscribed, the criteria must be applied to decide who can be offered a place at each school.  If, after the admissions criteria have been applied, your  child is considered eligible for a place at more than one school, you will be offered a place at the school you have ranked highest on your application form.  Unless you are confident that you will succeed in getting a place at a school further away, perhaps because you have an older child who will still be attending the school, or you meet the criteria of a particular school, you are strongly advised to state preferences for your closest community schools. There are no defined catchment areas, but home-to-school distance is the main factor in allocating places at community schools. For more information please view the following page - » How primary school places are allocated

What if my child has special educational needs?

If your child has a statement of educational needs, the application process described in this booklet does not apply to you. You can find out about making arrangements for your child by contacting our individual progress service, please call 020 8753 3754.  Many children who do not have a statement may need extra help at some time in their school lives to ensure they learn effectively and make progress. Our schools aim to provide for each pupil’s needs – if you feel that your child has a special learning need, you should discuss this with headteachers when you visit schools you are considering. 

If your child does not get a place at one of your preferred schools you have the right to appeal. See our information about school admissions appeals.

Key dates for primary schools admissions: