Good Shepherd Primary School

Amendment to the Admissions Policy and Procedures in light of COVID-19

It is the intention of the governing body to seek a variation from the Office of the Schools’ Adjudicator, in relation to Catholic practice. Granting of this variation is, at this time, pending.

On the advice of the Education Commission of the Archdiocese of Southwark the governing body of Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School has agreed the following statement in order to clarify how its faith-based oversubscription criteria will be interpreted whilst churches are closed or attendance at church is not possible due to COVID19. This statement has been shared widely with parishes in order to ensure that determinations made by parish priests concerning regular practice of the faith are being made on a consistent basis. The suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass was announced on 18th March 2020 by Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. If a parent/carer attended Mass at particular parish (or parishes) prior to 18th March 2020 then they will be considered to have attended Mass in that parish (or parishes) regularly since that time. This will remain the case until the Sunday obligation is reintroduced by the Bishops.

The governing body can allocate up to 30 places for children in the reception year. Places are allocated according to the school’s admissions criteria for that academic year. Children commence school in the September of the year in which their 5th birthday occurs. Parents wishing to apply for the September intake into the Reception year are required to complete a supplementary application form along with the statutory form required by the Local Authority. Admissions at other times and for all other year groups will  require the completion of an appropriate school application form.

For places in other year groups, parents are invited to contact the school office for details on availability. Visits to the school are welcomed for parents considering Good Shepherd for their child and appointments can be made by contacting the school office.

All places are allocated in accordance with the relevant Admissions Policy for the time of intake.

At the end of Year 6, children transfer to secondary schools to which parents must apply for admission.

Documents for admissions:

General information regarding admissions for Croydon schools can be found on the Local Authority website at www.croydon.gov.uk.