From September 2008 places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria:

1.
a)   Looked-after children from Catholic and Eastern Christian Church Families
b)   Members of practising Catholic families, as confirmed by a reference from a Catholic Priest or Deacon
c)   Members of Catholic families, with a reference from a Catholic Priest or Deacon
d)   Members of Eastern Christian Church families, with a reference from a member of their clergy

2.
a)   Other Looked-after children.
b)   Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, regular weekly attenders of their Church, as confirmed by a reference from their Minister
c)   Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are regular, monthly attenders of their Church as confirmed by a reference from their Minister.
d)   Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are active participants in the worship at their Primary School, as confirmed by a reference from their Headteacher.
e)  Baptised/Enrolled members of other Christian families, who are annual or occasional attenders of their Church, as confirmed by a reference from their Church Authorities.

3.
a)  Special consideration may be given to other children if suitably  supported by an appropriate referee (e.g. medical or social grounds).
b)   Any other applicants

For Criteria 1 and 2 every applicant must provide details of Baptism and current Church membership

Within each criterion, priority will be given firstly; to those who have a brother or sister at the School,
secondly; to those who are attending a Church School and thirdly; those living closest to the school,
(measured in accordance with the shortest walking distance from the Barton Road entrance of the School to the applicants home, using lit and made up public roads and paths)
Every applicant who makes St Edmund’s one of their choices on the Common Application Form is asked to fill in a Supplementary Information Form.

Notes
‘Looked-After children’ 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)
‘Catholic’  means a member of a Church in full communion with the Sea of Rome. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches.  The evidence for this will normally be a certificate of Baptism or Reception.
‘Eastern Christian’ includes the Orthodox Churches. The evidence for this will normally be a certificate of Baptism or Reception from that Church’s Authorities.
‘Practising’ ” means regular attendance at Mass or Sunday Worship, the basis for which is taken to be at least “more often than not”.   

Induction Programme
All successful applicants will be expected to participate in the School's Induction Programme which commences soon after notification of acceptance.  The programme involves:

(i)  attendance at Induction Morning on Saturday 10th May 2008.
(ii) attendance at one of the three Registration Evenings during the month of June (date to be advised)

Additionally, the School's Primary Liaison Teacher will visit all children at their primary schools.
 
Right of Appeal
In September 2008 it is intended to admit 155 pupils into Year 7.  Should a child not be offered a place and the parents/guardians consider that there is a positive reason to appeal against the Governors' decision, they have a right to do so under the 1980 Education Act.  They should address their appeal to the Clerk to the Governors, c/o The School within 21 days of being refused a place, stating the full grounds of objection to the Governors' decision.

CO-ORDINATED ADMISSIONS ARRANGEMENTS, WITH KENT EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Governing Body works in conjunction with the policy imposed by the Secretary of State and operating across Kent, which requires all parents to indicate their schools in order of preference on a Form issued to all Year 6 pupils by their Primary Schools in October.  All parents who indicate St. Edmund's as their first choice will be given consideration in preference to those who indicate otherwise.

GUIDANCE TO PARENTS

1. The Governing Body was notified that on 1st March, 146 applicants were offered places for entry to the school in September 2007.
2. All parents indicating that St Edmund’s was a first preference for their child were either offered a place on 1st March (first offer date) or on appeal.
3. Places were accepted by 140 applicants.  Applicants were admitted under each of the categories even 3(a).

The information listed is given to advise parents of the situation concerning pressure for places.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Parents who are considering serious application for admission should complete the CAF (Common Application Form) obtainable from Primary School and a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) obtainable from St Edmund’s.  The SIF should be returned to St Edmund’s and the CAF to the Primary School.  Failure to complete the SIF may adversely affect the offer of a place at St Edmund’s.

The Governing Body intends to make 155 places available for admission in September 2007