We would love to welcome you to our school! We warmly invite prospective parents, from within and outside the village, to consider our primary school for their children. Visits to look round the school while ‘in action’ are welcomed and can easily be arranged by calling the School Office (01993 891644 option 2) to arrange a mutually suitable appointment time.

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL GENERAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

For up-to-date information about School Admissions, please use the following link to the Oxfordshire County Council Website: Oxfordshire County Council Admission Rules and Oxfordshire County Council Apply for a School Place.

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS

Administration of admission arrangements to County Primary Schools is dealt with centrally by Oxfordshire County Council.

STARTING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME (RECEPTION ADMISSIONS)

You can apply for a reception school place through Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Starting school is a very important time for you, your child and the school. We all work together to make the transition smooth. In the term prior to their entry, pupils are invited into school for a visit. This will help your child become familiar with the surroundings and routines of school. During this period, there will be a meeting for parents, to discuss our partnership with you.

DEFERING ENTRY TO RECEPTION

JOINING THE SCHOOL LATER ON

Sometimes children join the school later on in their school life, often transferring from another school. Oxfordshire County Council manage these admissions. You can find more information on this page of their website.

We make every effort to ensure they are welcomed, looked after, and monitored so that they quickly make friends and can find their way around the school. Teachers give children time to settle in before making an assessment of their academic abilities. This assessment, together with records from the previous school, will enable your child to have the best start in our school. Parents and carers are asked to contact the school if their child has difficulty settling.

ADMISSION NUMBERS & APPEALS

Every effort is made to make a place available for your child in our school. However, schools have a limit on the number of children they can take. In the case of Combe CE Primary School the Published Admissions Number (PAN) is 17 in each year group. This figure is set by the Local Authority (LA) and agreed with Governors and Headteacher. If the number of children wanting a place is below the set figure, your child will be offered a place. There may, however, come a point when there are too many children of that year group for them all to be given a place. Oxfordshire County Council determine an over-subscription criteria, outlining the procedure for awarding places when oversubscribed. You can find the information here.

If a place is not available on application you have the right to appeal to Oxfordshire County Council Education Authority. Appeals are heard by an independent panel. A Guide to Admission Appeals can be obtained from the Admissions Team via the County Council website (above).

MOVING ON – TRANSFERRING TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

At the end of primary school, children transfer to a local secondary school. The majority of children go on to ‘The Marlborough CE Secondary School’ a mixed comprehensive school in Woodstock. We have strong links with The Marlborough through the curriculum and community events. Year 6 pupils make several visits to The Marlborough during their final year as part of an induction programme. This is seen as a very positive process ensuring a smooth transfer.