Admissions

Admission Policies

Consultation on Admission Arrangements for St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Newton Aycliffe 2026/2027
Where changes to admission arrangements are intended, all schools are required to consult before these are determined and published. 

The proposed changes are as follows:

• PAN changing from 25 to 20

PAN (Published Admissions Number) is the number of pupils that the school can admit into each year group. The policy for consultation for 2026-27 is available above.

If you feel that there are exceptional medical, social or pastoral reasons associated with your child and/or family which support admission to a particular school you must indicate that this is the case on your admission application. Please see attached guidance here for more information - Guidance on Exceptional medical, social and pastoral need criterion for school admissions

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 to the school by completing the in-year admissions application form and returning it to School Places and Admissions, Children and Young People's Services, County Hall, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5UJ. http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2197/Changing-schools-during-the-school-year

Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements, will be applied. Please see the school admission policy on this page for information on admission arrangements.  Parents are advised to read the admission arrangements carefully before making their application.

If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list. Please see the admission arrangements for more details.

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 receipt, but the aim is to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 school days of receipt.

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

You may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority by contacting the local authority admission team at School Places and Admissions, Children and Young People's Services, County Hall, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5UJ, on 03000 265 896 or by email at schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk

Link to LA Admissions   http://www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions  

Link to LA Admissions appeal – http://www.durham.gov.uk/schoolappeals

Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN

Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.

If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.