Admissions Policy and Procedures

St Elizabeth’s is a voluntary-aided school in the Archdiocese of Southwark.  It is in the trusteeship of the Diocese.  The school is conducted by its Governing Body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its Trust Deed and Instrument of Government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.  The school exists primarily to serve the Catholic community, and Catholic children always have priority of admission.  However, the Governing Body welcomes all applications, including those of other faiths or none, who are supportive of the religious ethos of the school. 

If the school is over-subscribed, priority is given to baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parishes of St Elizabeth of Portugal, Richmond, Our Lady Queen of Peace, East Sheen, Our Lady of Loreto & St Winefride, Kew, and St Thomas Aquinas, Ham.

Click here to view a map of the parish boundaries.

Please take a look at our current Admissions Policy listed below.  This will give you a clear understanding of what you need to do to secure a place at St Elizabeth's School.  

The Headteacher and the school admissions officer are happy to speak with you about any questions you might have regarding the admissions process.  Please call the school office on 0208 940 3015 or email the school admissions officer via admin@st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk to make an appointment.  

Admissions for Reception Entry September 2023

In September 2023 the Governors will admit 30 children into Reception class.

For Reception, children are admitted at the beginning of the school year in which they become five, and are offered a full-time place to start in September.

We welcome all prospective parents for Reception to come and visit the school.  On your visit, you will meet with the Headteacher who will answer any specific questions you may have.  Parents will also receive a tour around the school.

The dates for the prospective Parent Open Mornings for Reception 2023 are as follows - 

• Thursday 6th October
• Thursday 20th October
• Thursday 10th November
• Thursday 24th November
• Thursday 1st December

Each Parent Open Morning will start at 11:00 a.m. and will last approximately one hour.  If you would like to register to attend an open morning, please contact the school office on 0208 940 3015 or email the school via admin@st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk

In addition to the CAF (Common Application Form) supplied by the Local Authority, the school requests the following to be submitted to the school office:

The Supplementary Information Form, if applicable.

Original copy of your child's Baptism certificate, if applicable.  

The School Registration Form. 

For applications for places in Reception class, these forms should be submitted by 15th January 2023.

Copies of the Supplementary Form and the School Registration Form can be downloaded below.

Key Dates for Reception Class Entry 2023

• 1 September 2022: Online applications are open via www.eadmissions.org.uk 
• 15 January 2023: Closing date for all applications for Reception class entry to Local Authority and closing date for Supplementary Information Form to be received by the school
• 17 April 2023: National Offer Day for Reception 2023 - Offer of school place will be sent to parents by the Local Authority
• 2 May 2023: Date by which parents must have accepted or declined Reception place
• 16 May 2023: Further offers made from this date onwards subject to places becoming available
• 19 May 2023:  Closing date for submission of notice of appeals to Chair of Admissions Committee

How Reception places have been offered on National Offer Day (30 places)

The table below shows how places have been offered in the past four years.

 

From the 18^th March 2020 through to the 5^th June 2022 the Bishops of England and Wales suspended the obligation to attend Mass in England and Wales.  As of the 5^th June 2022, Pentecost, the Bishops reinstated the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. 

Parents applying for a place at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, under faith based criteria, will need to complete a Supplementary Information Form.  Evidence of practice will be measured by frequency of attendance at Mass as validated by either a priest or minister, as was the case prior to 18^th March 2020.  These arrangements apply to the admissions round for 2023 and subsequent rounds.

In-Year School Admission

We welcome new children joining school as well as families new to the area, and we are pleased to offer school places if we are able to.  

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 London Borough of Richmond upon Thames by completing the In-year Application Form.

When applying for an in-year admission, please contact our school admissions officer on 0208 940 3015 or by email admin@st-elizabeths.richmond.sch.uk to inform us of your application, and we can assist you if required.  Please also complete a Supplementary Information Form if applicable for your application to school.  

Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements, will be applied.  If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list.  Parents are advised to read the Admissions Policy and Procedures when making their application.  

Parents will be informed of the outcome of their application in writing 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.

Parents have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if their application is unsuccessful.

Parents may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority.  Please contact the School Admissions Team at the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames via the following email address: richmond.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk