Admissions
Press here to find out about Castleton Primary School's admission details
We are delighted that you are considering sending your child to Castleton Primary School. To learn more about our school, please have a read of our School Prospectus - you can find a link to this under the red tab named 'Key Information'.
Below are links to the Leeds Admissions Policy for entry into Reception; and to our Nursery Admissions Policy. You can also find advice about applying for Secondary School places.
We have also included some good advice about how to access a place for children in Years 1 to 6.
Please read the policies and procedures very carefully. If you would like any help or advice or to look around our school, please contact us to arrange an appointment - our number is 0113 2634456.
Nursery Admissions
Please note that a place in Nursery does not guarantee a place in Reception
Our standard admission number throughout the school is 60 for years Reception to year 5. Children start full time education in Reception classes at the beginning of the school year in which they are five years old. Places in Reception are offered to children up to the allocation limit according to the Authority’s admission criteria administered by the Allocations Section.
A copy of the admission policy detailing admissions into all schools administered by the Admissions Department of Leeds City Council Children’s Services is available from the School Office, Merrion House or here. You will need to apply by submitting a preference form. The Admissions Department’s telephone number is 0113 222 4414 and their staff will be happy to advise you further. You should apply in writing or online by visiting www.leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds City Council Children’s Services
School Admissions Department
10th Floor East
Merrion House
110 Merrion Centre
Leeds LS2 8DT
Telephone: 0113 222 4414
Entry into Reception Class
Leeds City Council will know that you have a child who is approaching school age via your Council Tax and Census information. They will send you a letter to tell you when it's time for you to apply. If you wish to find out which your nearest school is, please contact Admissions at Leeds City Council (0113 222 4414), they will be able to answer all your questions. They will also set a deadline for when applications must be received. If you apply later than this deadline then the Council will allocate you a school - this can be a school some distance from your house so we strongly advise that you apply on time and complete the full list of schools you would like to apply for. If you only put one school on the list and this is not your nearest school, you may not be allocated a school near to your home address.
Parents / carers are usually asked to complete preference forms in the Autumn of the year before the child starts school. Places are usually allocated by the Council (not the school) in April – we have a maximum intake of 60 children. Following this stage, some families choose to appeal if their choices have not been met. The Council will provide details of how you can do this when they make their school offer to you.
We have one intake each year into Reception, this is at the start of the Autumn Term. Reception pupils are normally admitted to school in the September following their 4th birthday. Prospective parents/carers are most welcome to make an appointment to look around our school.
Once we know our exact intake, we begin the process of ensuring every child’s entry into school is happy and relaxed. In the Summer Term before the September start, parents/carers come to an Open Evening with their children to find out more about how we work and ask any questions they might have. This meeting also gives families the opportunity to meet and talk with the Reception class teachers and other support staff. Soon after, children are invited to visit the Reception class for short visits. Before starting school (if your child has not attended our Nursery), each child is visited at home by our Reception staff.
If you would like a place in Reception out of what is referred to as 'the normal round' of admissions in September, please contact the school office or Leeds Admissions and request an In-Year Common Preference Form (ICPF) and request that your name be put on our waiting list. If a place becomes available we will consult the list (ordered by the Council) and offer places from the top.
If your child is classed as having Special Educational Needs, is Looked After or Post Looked After, please do let us know - we would like to offer the best possible care and support to your child and your family.
Entry into Years 1-6
Parents / carers of older children who wish to move schools, or those moving into the area, are welcome to make an appointment to visit the school and to discuss admissions with the Headteacher. Unlike admission into Reception, an application for a place can be dealt with directly by us. You should use the In-Year Common Preference Form (ICPF) to apply to us and other local schools. We will send this off to the Leeds Admissions Team to be processed and you will appear on our waiting list. This is checked weekly and then we can confirm with you in writing whether we can offer a place. If we are unable to offer you a place we will give you the reasons why, we will also offer you the right to appeal this decision and share with you what you must do next. Places will be offered from the top of the list which is ordered by the Council.
If your child is classed as having Special Educational Needs, is Looked After or Post Looked After, please do let us know - we would like to offer the best possible care and support to your child and your family.
If you would like to contact us, our business manager's information is below:
Sandra Evans
School Business Manager
Castleton Primary School
Green Lane
Leeds
LS12 1JZ
Tel: 0113 2637756
Oversubscription
As the school was oversubscribed on offer day last year (there were more applications than there were places available, 77 people requested us as their first choice), places were offered in line with the admissions policy as follows: 1 child in public care or fostered under an arrangement made by the local authority or children previously looked after by a Local Authority, 1 child with and Educational Healthcare Plan, 1 child was offered a place under priority 1a. 23 children who had a brother or sister at the school (priority 2) were offered a place. 23 children were offered a place because the school was their nearest (priority 4) and furthest allocation distance under this priority was 0.377 miles away. 12 children were offered a place although the school was not their nearest (priority 5) the furthest allocation distance under this priority was 0.686 miles away.
As a school we have an admission limit of 30 children per class and 78 part time places in the Nursery - this is due to the size of the classrooms, Safeguarding and Health and Safety measures that are in place and to ensure that we do not prejudice the education of our children by having class sizes that are unmanageable. We will admit children over this number at the request of the Local Authority.
Appeals
If you are not offered a place at Castleton Primary School upon your request then you do have the right to appeal this decision. We would advise that you do this within 20 school days from the letter you receive from us to decline your child a place. You will be able to present your case with any appropriate evidence in front of an independent panel of professionals and the school will present their reasons for refusal at this same meeting. Details of appeals can be found on any letters that we send you when your name appears on our waiting list which is checked on a weekly basis. If you decide to appeal then you will be given at least 10 days notice of the hearing. The decision of this panel is final and decision letters will be sent by Leeds City Council within 5 school days of the hearing wherever possible. Please refer to the Leeds City Council Admissions Policy below for more details.
