St. Joseph’s Catholic College was founded by the Order of the Cross & Passion to provide education for girls of Catholic families. The school is run 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.
Whenever there are more applications than places available priority will always be given to Catholic applicants in accordance with the oversubscription criteria listed below. By applying to this school, parents or carers are declaring their support for the aims and ethos of the school.
The governing body has responsibility for admissions to the school and intends to admit 176 girls to Year 7 in the school year which begins in September 2013.
At any time where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered in the following order of priority:
Catechumens are to be given priority next after baptised Catholics in each of the above categories.
The attendance of a sister, at the school at the time when the younger girl starts school will increase the priority of an application within each category. (see notes)
Tie Break
Where the offer of places to all the applicants in any of the categories listed above would still lead to oversubscription, the available places will be offered to those living nearest to the school. ‘Straight line distance’ will be used as the measure (see notes).
Admission to the Sixth Form
The Sixth Form is available for all existing pupils. A further twelve places in the sixth-form of the school will be distributed in line with the oversubscription criteria. All applicants must meet the requirements of individual courses.
Application Procedures and Timetable
Failure to provide a Common Preference Form (CPF) would mean that the application is not valid and failure to provide a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) could mean that the applicant is placed in the last criteria.
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 31st October 2012 to the school on the Supplementary Information Form A standard application form, known as the Common Preference Form must also be completed and returned to the Local Authority by Wednesday 31st October, 2012. Parents or Guardians will be advised of the outcome of their applications on the national offer date – Friday 1st March 2013. Unsuccessful applicants will be given reasons related to the over-subscription criteria listed above and advised of their right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.
Waiting Lists
As well as their right of appeal, unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. This waiting list will follow the order of the oversubscription criteria set out above.
Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs
The admission of girls with a Statement of Special Educational Needs is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. This procedure is set out in the 1996 Education Act. Details of this separate procedure are set out in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
Notes (these notes form part of the over-subscription criteria)
Catholic means a member of a church in communion with the See of Rome. A certificate of baptism in a Catholic church, or a certificate of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church, will normally evidence this.
Catechumens are those girls who have expressed an explicit desire to be baptised into the Roman Catholic Church and who are currently preparing to receive the same by regular participation in Sunday worship and a recognised programme of preparation. A letter from the Catholic priest preparing the girl is required.
Looked After Child/Child In Care has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Children Act 1989, and means any child in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by them (e.g. children with foster parents).
Siblings (Sisters) includes girls with a sister (including step-sisters residing at the same address) of statutory school age, living at the same address, in attendance at the same school, or a school on the same site, on the date of admission.
Twins or Triplets – where a family of twins or triplets request admission and there is only one school place available, it will be left to the family to decide whether or not they wish to take up the place for one of their daughters, and appeal for the second or third daughter in the same year group, or to decline the place.
Parish Boundaries are as shown on a map available for inspection in school.
Straight Line Distance will be measured from the entrance to the child’s home address to the main entrance of the school building using distances provided by the Local Authority.
Application Form Download Here
