Admissions
The school’s current admission policy is operated by the Shropshire Local Authority (LA), which is the admissions authority for all Community and Controlled Schools within Shropshire. Full details of the policy, together with information about the arrangements for admissions, are set out in the Parents' Guide to Education in Shropshire displayed on the Admissions section of the Shropshire Council Website. The telephone number for the Admissions Team is 0345 678 9008.
Parents of reception children in Shropshire will be required, in the autumn term prior to the school year of admission, to complete a Local Authority application form stating preferences for up to three schools. Children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), which names a particular school, will be allocated places, after which places are allocated according to an agreed set of criteria, in strict order of priority:
- Looked After Children
- Health reason requiring attendance at a specific school (in exceptional circumstances)
- Sibling connections and residence within catchment area
- Residence within catchment area
- Sibling connections and residence outside catchment area
- Proximity to school and residence outside catchment area
Please see the “Parents’ Guide” for specific details. Parents should be aware that attendance at a particular primary school does not in any way guarantee a place at a particular secondary school.
When do children start school?
The law says that children must start their education no later than the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday.
Parents of spring and summer born pupils can, if they wish, opt to have their children admitted to mainstream school in the September prior to their fifth birthday.
Parents should refer to the Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire for detailed guidance on starting dates.
Visits to the school
Parents who wish to visit school because they are considering applying for a place are always welcome to do so - appointments can be made by contacting the school office.
Applying for a Reception place at Meole Brace CofE Primary School and Nursery
Whilst it is helpful if parents can let school know at an early date if they would like their children to attend, such expressions of interest do not constitute registering a child, nor placing a child’s name on a waiting list nor being offered a place. Offers of places can only be confirmed in the academic year before the child is due to start school. This process is handled by the Local Authority.
The 1989 Children's Act requires school to keep a register of all adults with parental responsibility but not living in the same house as the child. If relevant, please indicate the names and addresses of such adults in the relevant place on the admission forms.
Mid Term or In-Year Applications
Mid-term applications will be dealt with using the same admissions criteria given above. To apply for a place other than the start of Reception, parents should apply directly to the school on a mid-term application form available from the Shropshire Council website or from school. If there is a space in the relevant year group a place will be granted.
If a place cannot be offered, parents will receive a formal letter and information on how to appeal against the decision from Shropshire Council Admissions Team.