Our Lady Catholic Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Catholic looked after and previously looked after children. (Notes 2&3)
2. 2Catholic children of teachers — Catholic children of teachers at Our Lady School who have been employed at the school as a teacher for more than two years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made and/or the teacher is recruited to fill a vacant post at the school for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. (Note 4 & 5)
3. 3Catholic siblings — Catholic children who will have a sibling on roll at Our Lady School at the time of admission. (Notes 4, 5 &14-17)
4. 4Catholic children resident in parish — Catholic children who are resident in the parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew, Hitchin (Notes 4, 5, 19 & 20)
5. 5Catholic children outside parish, nearest Catholic school — Catholic children who are resident outside the Parish of Our Lady Immaculate & St Andrew and where Our Lady Catholic Primary School is the nearest Catholic school. (Notes 4, 5,19 & 20)
6. 6Other Catholic children — Other Catholic children. (Note 4)
7. 7Other looked after and previously looked after children — Other looked after and previously looked after children. (Note 2, 3 & 5)
8. 8Catechumens and Eastern Christian Church members — Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (Notes 6&7)
9. 9Other children with sibling at school — Other children who have a sibling at the school at the time of admission
10. 10Other children of teachers — Other children of teachers at Our Lady School who have been employed at the school as a teacher for more than two years at the time of admission.
11. 11Children of other Christian denominations — Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister of religion. (Note 5, 10)
12. 12Children of other faiths — Children of other faiths whose membership is evidenced by a religious leader.
13. 13Any other children — Any other children.

If two applications tie: Priority will be given to children living closest to the school determined by the shortest distance. Distances are measured using a computerised mapping system to two decimal places... If the last two children under any criteria live the same distance from school the offer of a place up to the admission number will be decided by random allocation. This will be a lottery which will be carried out by the governors in the presence of an independent witness.

Within each category, applications may be reprioritised for (i) exceptional social, medical or pastoral need evidenced at time of application, placed at top of category; and (ii) attendance of a brother or sister at the school at time of enrolment, placed at top of category after (i). Twins and siblings from multiple births will, where logistically possible, be admitted where one of the children is the last child ranked within the PAN. Children with an EHCP naming the school must be admitted (dealt with by separate procedure, before these arrangements).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.