School Admissions
Here at Brandon Primary, we provide up to 50 places to reception each year and operate an open access and fully inclusive admissions policy with pupils from all backgrounds and abilities being welcome
Advance Learning Partnership is the admission authority and is responsible for determining its admission arrangements. The Trust has determined that all admissions will be coordinated through the Local Authority School Admission arrangements.
To view how an ALP school considers applications for every age group and what parents should do if they want to apply for a place for their child at the school please read the admission policy. Within the policy there will also be details of oversubscription criteria. https://alplearning.org.uk/governance/admissions/
In-Year Fair Access Protocols exist to ensure that unplaced children, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible and to ensure that all schools in a Local Authority area admit their fair share of children with challenging behaviour. Schools within Durham Authority have agreed to admit children through the protocol. Those children identified by the Local Authority will take precedence over children on a waiting list who are already attending another school.
School admission dates
Applications for 2025 admissions are open from September 2024.
How to apply for a place
As a parent/carer, you will need to complete the Common Application Form (CAF) online or as a hard copy, and submit to the Local Authority. If you are considering Brandon Primary as an option for your child in reception please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require more details/tour. Apply using the Durham County Council Parent Portal page, https://education.durham.gov.uk/SynergyWeb/
Primary timeline – https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/27937/Timelines-and-important-dates-for-primary-school-applications
- To view the Admission policy click this link – Policies and Procedures
- Useful link – Durham LA school admission page – Durham County Council – School Admissions
Starting Reception
New Reception children are admitted annually into school in September. Transition arrangements begin in June each year with children having the opportunity to spend time in their new classroom with peers and staff; as well as to stay for a school lunch. Staff will focus transition work on settling children into their new environment and giving them the opportunity to get to know their class group in advance of the start of the academic year.
Keyworkers
Children will be allocated a key worker on entry to school. The key worker is responsible for monitoring children’s progress in learning and their social and emotional development.
In-year admissions
For any new admissions during the school year you must contact Durham County Council who handle the in Year Admissions.
https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2197/Apply-to-change-school-during-the-school-year
Details of In Year Admissions are also available within the Admission policy – Policies and Procedures
Appeals Process
For details of what happens after primary school offer day 16th April –
What happens after primary school offer day on 16 April – Durham County Council
Durham County Council school admissions handle the appeal process for a school place. Please select the below link for more details:
https://www.durham.gov.uk/schoolappeals
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEND
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please complete and return 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 for your child 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.
You can view further SEND information by downloading the SEND Policy, Equality Information and Objectives Statement, Medical Policy and Accessibility Plan which you can find in the school policies section of the website.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail, please contact the school to arrange an appointment
Nursery Admission
Requests for future Nursery places should be made directly to the school office. We offer both two-year-old nursery provision and nursery for three and four-year-olds. We offer free Play and Learn spaces as well as 30 hours’ free childcare to eligible families.
Paper copies of application forms can be collected from the school office and you will be contacted by the EYFS lead or office staff before your child is due to start with us.