We welcome applications from all families - you do not need to be Catholic to be part of our wonderful school. 

If your child's 4th birthday is between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 then you will need to apply for a place at First, Infant or Primary School.

Applying for a place in our Reception Class

The School Admissions Team at Staffordshire County Council allocate all school Reception class places - for further details on the admissions process including admission criteria, catchment areas, appeals etc

please follow this link to Staffordshire County Council website. 

School Admissions do not issue application forms as the Service is keen to provide a paperless system in all its admissions processes wherever possible. Their website also gives details if you wish to apply for a mid-year transfer, but we would kindly request that you contact the school first.

When Can I Apply?

To apply for a reception place at St Patrick's you must apply via Staffordshire County Council here: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Admissions-primary/Apply/Overview.aspx

If you would like any further information or any support with the application process please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

office@st-patricks-stafford.staffs.sch.uk

01785 413275

For us, every day is an open day - so please give us a call and we will arrange a time and date for you to visit us!

KEY DATES

1st November 2023 - applications open. You will need to click on this link to apply online.

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Admissions-primary/Apply/Overview.aspx

11th November 2023 - 10am - 11am - Open Morning at St Patrick's - please contact us to book your place.

14th November 2023 - 9am - 10am - Open Morning at St Patrick's - please contact us to book your place.

15th January 2024 - Deadline for applications.  You will need to click on this link to apply online.

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Admissions-primary/Apply/Overview.aspx

16th April 2024 - National Offer Day (parents receive outcomes)

Further information can be found on the Staffordshire County Council School Admissions website

If you do not have internet access you can contact the admissions team on 0300 111 8007.  Parents are given the option of entry to school for their children at the beginning of the school year in which their fifth birthday falls.

Prior to starting school new entrants are invited to spend several half days with our Reception Class.  We find this helps the child to become familiar with the school environment and helps them to settle more easily into full time school.

Parents are invited to a meeting with our Reception Teacher and Principal to ask any questions you may have. We will also give you an Admission Pack with helpful information and forms to complete for our records.

Joining School In Years Reception - Year 6 (In-Year Applications)

An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round and the child will be admitted where there are available places.  An application should be made directly to school by completing the in-year admissions application form below. As a Catholic School, parents will also need to complete a Supplementary Information Form in addition to the standard application form that is submitted to the local authority.  Supplementary Information Forms can be obtained below by viewing Admissions 23-24 Policy below or a hard copy can be provided on request by contacting the school office on 01785 413275 or emailing office@st-patricks-stafford.staffs.sch.uk.  Supplementary Information Forms must be returned directly to the school at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School & Nursery, Marston Road, Stafford, ST16 3BT or via email at office@st-patricks-stafford.staffs.sch.uk.  If a Supplementary Information Form is not submitted directly to the school this may affect the priority given to the application and could affect the likelihood of your child being offered a place.

The school will forward your application for consideration to our governors.

Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements for 2023/24, will be applied. The full admission arrangements can be accessed below by viewing Admissions 23-24 or by contacting the school office to request a hard copy.  Parents are advised to read the admission arrangements carefully before making their application.

If there are no places available, the school will notify you of this decision on behalf of the governors and the child will be added to the waiting list.  Please see the admission arrangements for more details regarding waiting lists.

You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible.  Applicants must be informed of the outcome of their application within 15 school days of its receipt, but the aim is to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 school days of its receipt.

You have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if your application is unsuccessful.

If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions please contact the school office on 01785 413275.    You may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority – Staffordshire County Council – School Admissions 0300 111 800.

St Patrick’s has well developed pastoral systems that help children who choose to join the school settle in quickly.

If you have moved into the area or are considering moving your child to St Patrick’s then please feel free to contact the school to arrange an informal visit.  

Pupil Induction

Once a place has been formally offered then please contact the school to arrange a further visit and/or a start date.  There will be opportunity then for you to meet your child/children’s new teachers and find out about class routines.  If your child joins mid year, in their first few weeks they will be assessed and their needs identified.  The Class Teacher will then arrange a meeting with you to discuss your child’s induction and short term targets.