Choosing a school for your child can be a really tricky and uncertain time as, understandably, you want to make the right decision both for your child and in choosing a school that resembles your own personal views, values and aspirations in education.
We are delighted that you are considering sending your child to All Saints, Datchworth and we are very confident of providing the best possible education for your child.
As a voluntary aided school, the school’s governing body is responsible for admissions. The school’s admission arrangements are detailed in the Admissions Policy, explaining how we will consider applications for every age group, including:
- the oversubscription criteria (how places are offered if there are more applicants than places)
- an explanation of the process parents need to follow if they want to apply for their child to attend this school.
There are two different types of admission to our school:
- Reception Admissions
- In-Year Admissions
Reception Admissions (for the start of the academic year):
- Children will start in Reception in the September following their fourth birthday.
- To aid this transition, children attend for shortened days initially, with all children attending full-time school days by the end of the first week of term in September. This has worked extremely well in previous years, but if you have any concerns specific to your child, please do come and speak to staff.
- Please see our admissions policy for information about delayed start to Reception and part-time Reception places.
In-Year Admissions (anytime other than the main point of intake above):
Due to changes in your circumstances, you may need to change the school your child attends. Children can only be admitted in-year if we have spaces available. Please call the school first to see if we actually have any spaces available and, if places are available, arrange to visit the school.
If you are unsure at all, please call the school office for help and advice or to arrange an opportunity to visit the school.
A welcome to new families to All Saints, Datchworth
We always look forward to welcoming new children and their families to All Saints C of E Primary School.
We are keen to offer you a virtual welcome and provide you with as much information as we can, ahead of you joining our school. In addition to the admissions pack and the school handbook, please view our 20-minute YouTube video, introducing our school and some of the key staff members and routines, which will be useful to know before starting at All Saints.
We’re not the most comfortable in front of the camera, so do forgive us if we do not come across as stars of the silver screen! But we hope this helps children become familiar with some of the faces and names in our school, helps parents/carers visualise how daily routines will work in school and that it gives you all an insight into life in our lovely village school.
In-Year Admissions
All Saints Primary School is its own Admission Authority and is responsible for its own in-year admissions. This means that all in-year applications (for admissions to all year groups other than Reception for a September start) are coordinated by school and its Governing Body. Applications for an in-year admission should be made directly to the school by completing and submitting the school’s in-ear application form (and SIF if you are applying under category 4 or 5).
Parents will then be notified by the Governors’ admissions sub-committee of the outcome within 10 school days of receipt of their completed application and informed of this decision in writing within 15 school days. Where an applicant is offered a school place, arrangements should be made for the child to start as soon as possible and ideally within 2 weeks of being offered the place.
If you have been unsuccessful, parents wishing to appeal should contact the school directly in the first instance.
Continuing Interest (waiting list)
Main admission round Reception applications
After places have been offered, Hertfordshire County Council will maintain a continuing interest (waiting) list until the end of the summer term before the start of the Reception year. At the end of the summer term, the school’s governing body becomes responsible for the continuing interest list. Parents who wish to stay on the continuing interest list after this time must confirm that they are still interested in a place at the school by completing an in-year application form (and SIF, if relevant). The governing body will maintain this continuing interest list until the May half term of the Reception academic year.
In-year applications
The governing body operates a waiting list for all unsuccessful in-year applications until the May half term of each academic year. To remain on the continuing interest list after this time, parents must confirm that they are stil interested in a place by completing an in-year application form (and SIF, if relevant).
If you are unsure at all, please call the school office for help and advice or to arrange an opportunity to visit the school.
- Admissions Policy 2024-2025 (583.94KB)
- Admissions Policy 2023-2024 (638.22KB)
- Supplementary Information Form (442.51KB)
- Admission Appeals Timetable (201.99KB)