Admissions
How to Apply for Reception Class at Our Lady School for 2023/24
If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 they will be due to start school in reception class in the academic year 2023/24.
Hertfordshire County Council have published a leaflet about applying for a school place in 23/24 on their website which will give you all the information you will need.
Main Steps
- You will need to complete a Hertfordshire County Council application form which will be available online from 1st November 2022. (Applicants living outside Hertfordshire will need to contact their local county council.)
- You will also need to complete Our Lady School supplementary information form (available below) and return it to the school .
- If you are a Catholic family you and your priest will also need to complete a Certificate of Catholic Practice* (this is available from your Parish Priest) and return to the school along with a copy of your child's baptism certificate .
- If you are a member of another faith please provide supporting documentation.
* Priest Reference Forms have now been replaced by the Certificate of Catholic Practice from 11/09/15. The Certificate of Catholic Practice should be used for all admission applications please.
The school will be holding an Open Evening on 15th November at 7pm for parents interested in applying for their child to join Our Lady School in September 2023. The Head Teacher will give a short presentation and then there will be an opportunity to look around the school. If you would like to attend this event please contact the school office to book a place on 01462 622555 or email admin@ourladys.herts.sch.uk.
If you would like to arrange a school visit from Monday 21st November onwards to view the school, please contact the school office to book a visit on 01462 622555 or email admin@ourladys.herts.sch.uk
Please contact Father Tom at Our Lady Immaculate & St Andrew Church, Hitchin to arrange to receive a Certificate of Catholic Practice.
The closing date for applications is 15th January 2023. Offers will be made on 17th April 2023. If you require any further information please contact Jill Westbury, Business Manager, on 01462 622555 and select option 2.
How to Apply for In Year Admission
An In Year admission is when a child already attends a school but wishes to transfer to another school outside of the usual transfer time, for example because the child is moving to a new address. These transfers can take place at the beginning or end or during the academic year.
Main Steps
- If you live in Hertfordshire, you must use the Hertfordshire County Council In Year application form which is available on their website (link below) to apply for our school. If you live outside Hertfordshire, you should apply to the local authority where your child lives.
- You will also need to complete the school's supplementary information form and return it to the school (available below).
- If you are a Catholic family you and your priest will also need to complete the school's prescribed priest's reference form (available from your Parish Priest) and return to the school along with a copy of your child's baptism certificate.
- If you are a member of another faith please provide supporting documentation.
If there are no places available at the time, you can join the continuing interest list. You will need to inform Hertfordshire County Council and renew your interest every September, you will also need to complete another supplementary information form and provide an up to date priest reference. Should a place become available in a particular year group, it will be offered in accordance with our over subscription criteria - please see the admissions policy. Please note, because the continuing interest list is ordered in accordance with our over subscription policy your child may move up or down the list.
If you require any further information please contact Jill Westbury, Business Manager, on 01462 622555 and select option 2.
School Admission Appeals Timetable for 2023
September 2023 entry
Appeals resulting from Secondary Transfer and Under 11 applications for admission in September 2023 will be heard according to the following timetable:
| Allocation | Appeals Lodged | Appeals to be Heard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary Transfer | 1 March 2023 | 4pm on 29 March 2023 |
2 May - 15 June 2023 (excludes 29 May -2 June 2023) |
| Under 11s (Primary Reception, Junior and Middle) | 17 April 2023 | 4pm on 16 May 2023 | 13 June - 18 July 2023 |
Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.
Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least 10 clear school days in advance of the hearing.
Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case at least 7 clear working days in advance of the hearing.
Additional supporting information
If an appellant wishes to submit further evidence, which was not included with their initial appeal, they should ensure this is received at least 7 clear working days (not counting the day of postage or the hearing) in advance of your appeal.
Please remember that any confidential medical/social evidence submitted to the Admission Authority (AA) in support of your application will not be provided to an appeal panel. If you wish to rely on this in support of your appeal you will need to submit this documentation to the appeals team.
Only a short document, such as a doctor’s letter not previously available, will be accepted up to 4 clear working days prior to the hearing.
Any additional evidence or information received after this deadline will not be circulated and may not be considered at the hearing.
School Documents
The oversubscription criteria for each academic year is contained within that year's Admissions Policy.
New Admissions: Policy and Supplementary Information Forms 2023/2024
Future Admissions: Policy and Supplementary Information Forms 2024/2025
Other Links
For more information please visit the Hertfordshire County Council website School admissions and transport | Hertfordshire County Council or telephone 0300 123 4043
