Starting Primary School - in Tower Hamlets 2021 For children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017
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Starting
Primary School
in Tower Hamlets 2021
For children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017
Closing date for applications: 15 January 2021
National offer day: 16 April 2021
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Key dates at a glance
From September 2020
Read this booklet and consider which schools you want to apply for.
You can visit schools to help you decide.
1 September 2020 to 15 January 2021
Complete an application form at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Apply for up to six schools in preference order. If you want to apply for a voluntary aided (church)
or free school, you must also obtain and complete the school’s supplementary information form.
15 January 2021
This is the closing date for applications.
Make sure you apply online by this date.
January to April 2021
Pupil Services will process your application to decide
at which school your child can be offered a place.
16 April 2021
You will be sent a letter and email by Pupil Services informing you of the
outcome of your application. If you are offered a place at a school, the school
will write to you to confirm the arrangements for you to accept the place.
30 April 2021
Deadline for you to confirm acceptance of a place, directly with the school you have
been offered. You can also add your child’s name to any other school’s waiting list.
14 May 2021
Deadline for making an appeal for admission to a preferred school(s).
June/July 2021
Appeals heard, parents can attend the hearings.
September 2021
Your child starts school.
Foreword by the
Corporate Director
Dear parents and carers, We’re proud that Tower Hamlets schools
are inclusive and that children with Special
Starting primary school is a big moment for Educational Needs and Disabilities are educated
both parents and children. We know that you well and thriving in our mainstream settings.
want your child to have the best start in life and
choosing the right school for your child can be a I am sure you have very high aspirations for your
difficult decision. This booklet is designed to help child and expect high levels of achievement as
you make the right choice so that your child is well as good behaviour and regular attendance.
happy and successful at school.
The council and our schools look to work in
Inside you will find information about schools partnership with parents and carers. Together we
in Tower Hamlets, including addresses, phone can ensure your child and all children in Tower
numbers and maps showing exactly where Hamlets progress well and make the best of their
they are. We have also tried to answer the most time at school. You can be sure our teachers and
frequently asked questions. other staff strive for nothing short of excellence and,
working with you, we can achieve this for your child.
It is a good idea to visit some schools and take
the time to see the range of opportunities that You will be aware that as a result of changes
are available before making up your mind. School in the population, schools in some parts of the
staff are always pleased to meet new parents borough are struggling to fill all of their places.
and carers. As long as you make an appointment Over the last year the council has been working
first, they will be happy to show you around. All with headteachers and others to agree a plan
of our local schools produce brochures about to make sure that Tower Hamlets schools can
themselves, so you may want to contact those maintain their current high standards. A small
you are most interested in to ask for a copy. For number of schools will be consulting on changes
more information and advice, please call Pupil to their Published Admissions Number (PAN)
Services on 020 7364 5006. We have multilingual which will take effect from September 2021.
as well as Bengali speaking admissions officers. The councils Cabinet will make a final decision
about these proposals in February 2021.
You should make your application online and, if you
don’t have your own computer, you can access The schools effected are identified in this booklet
the internet at any of the borough’s Idea Stores. (pages 26-28) and, if you wish to apply for a place
at these schools, please be aware that places in
The website address is their Reception year group may not be available,
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions. though this will not affect places from years 1-6.
Please see page 33 for more information.
If this is the case and a place cannot be offered
More than 97 per cent of Tower Hamlet’s at your chosen school(s), then, we will allocate
primary schools have now been judged ‘Good’ a place at your nearest primary school that has
or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and the borough has spaces available.
some of the fastest improving schools in the
country. The latest primary school results show For more information, please refer to the Primary
that very high standards are common in schools Place Review for parents section of this booklet
across the borough. This has meant a rise in the (page 29).
number of parents wanting to send their children to
our schools and in turn there is a greater demand We look forward to your child attending one of
for school places in the borough. Most schools our schools.
in Tower Hamlets receive more applications than Yours sincerely,
there are places available, so some children may
not be offered a place at their preferred school(s). James Thomas
Please be aware of this when deciding which six Corporate Director, Children and Culture
schools to apply to in order of preference. London Borough of Tower Hamlets
1 Contents
This booklet explains how to 1 Nursery schools, classes and early years units
apply for a place at a primary • Nursery admission 5
school in Tower Hamlets. • When and how to to apply for a nursery place 7
• Frequently asked questions 8
You will find this information
useful if you are applying
2 Reception admission
for a nursery place for your
• Starting primary school 9
son or daughter, if they are
due to start reception or you • How to apply 9
would like them to transfer • Making changes to your application 10
from one school to another. • Oversubscription criteria 11
• Tie-break 12
You should start thinking • Outcome of your application 12
about which nursery or early • Making further applications 13
years unit you would like • How to appeal 14
your child to go to when they • Deferring entry 14
are two years old. • Frequently asked questions 16
If your child was born
3 In-year admissions, school transfer
between 1 September 2016
and moving from infant to junior
and 31 August 2017, they
• In-year admission 17
should start reception in the
2021/22 school year. • Infant to junior transfer 18
4 School list and catchment area maps
• Catchment area maps 19
You need to apply by • School catchment area 1 (Stepney) 20
15 January 2021 to • School catchment area 2 (Bow) 21
• School catchment area 3 (Poplar) 22
secure a place for • School catchment area 4 (Isle of Dogs) 23
your child in the • School catchment area 5 (Wapping) 24
2021/22 school year. • School catchment area 6 (Bethnal Green) 25
• Nursery and primary schools in Tower Hamlets 26
5 Primary place review for parents
• Our changing borough: 29
the effect on primary school places
6 Appendices
• Appendix A - Understanding school catchment
areas and the oversubscription criteria 30
• Appendix B - Summary of last year’s offers 32
• Appendix C - Step-by-step guide to applying online 33
• Glossary 37
• Useful contacts 38
Nursery schools, classes and
early years units 1
Nurseries welcome visits from
Nursery admission The benefits of choosing parents as we want you to feel
nursery education confident that you pick the right
Children will usually start
nursery school or a nursery Attending a nursery school or setting for your child. It is well worth
class in the September a nursery class gives children a visiting a few nursery settings
following their third birthday. valuable introduction to school. before making your application.
It is possible for eligible They will have the opportunity to
children to access a funded develop their skills and to be part
place from the beginning of the of a large group of children of their
Nursery provision in
term after their third birthday. own age. We work in partnership Tower Hamlets
Both part-time (15 hours per with parents to give your child Nursery Schools and
week) and full-time (30 hours the best possible start to their Schools with nursery classes
per week) places are available education and prepare them for There are six nursery schools
at Tower Hamlets nurseries. Reception class. in Tower Hamlets:
• Alice Model Nursery School
Our nurseries are run by
Who is nursery experienced, early years trained • Children’s House Nursery
education for? teachers and supported by nursery School
nurses and early years trained • Columbia Market Nursery
Nursery Education is free for all School
teaching assistants. All nursery
three to four-year-olds. Your child • Harry Roberts Nursery School
education in Tower Hamlets
is entitled to 15 hours free early
nursery schools and nursery • Old Church Nursery School
years education per week and this
classes in primary schools are • Rachel Keeling Nursery
is available from the term after their
rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and many School
third birthday. Eligible parents may
are rated ‘Outstanding’. More information about these
also be entitled to an additional
15 hours per week. Some parents nursery schools can be found
The nursery day is arranged to on page 26.
of two-year-olds are also eligible
allow each child to develop at their
for 15 hours free nursery, but must
own pace. Nursery classes are Primary Schools with
meet certain government (income-
usually organised in the same way Nursery Classes
based) criteria.
as a school, with three terms. A There are 61 maintained primary
typical day in nursery consists of schools which have an attached
two sessions: a morning session nursery class in Tower Hamlets.
from approximately 9am to 12 noon A full list of these nursery
and an afternoon session from schools and classes, along with
approximately 12.30pm to 3.30pm. more information about them,
Some settings offer wrap-around- can be found on page 26.
care which means children can
attend breakfast club (e.g. from
8am) and after school care (e.g.
until 5.30pm). Other pre-school
provisions
For more information on how a
typical day in nursery is arranged you Private, voluntary and independent
can contact your local nursery. You nurseries, preschools and
can also learn more about the early playgroups also offer pre-school
years foundation stage from www. provision. A list of these providers is
towerhamlets.gov.uk/earlyyears or available from the Family Information
the Department for Education (DfE) Service on 020 7364 6495
website (www.gov.uk/dfe). (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 5
1 Nursery schools, classes and
early years units
Children love to play and learn, and Families who have no recourse to
Nursery class sessions Tower Hamlets has some excellent public funds (NRPF) are not eligible
Nursery classes are part-time for nurseries, pre-school playgroups for a funded Early Learning for
15 hours or full-time for 30 hours and childminders where they can two-year-olds.
each week during school term. do just that.
You can check whether your
Usually children attend either a Your child could take up their place child is eligible by going to:
morning or afternoon session of in the term after they turn two- www.myearlylearning.co.uk
three hours, or a full day. Where years-old, with 15 hours a week
a school offers both morning and of free care, if you are on a low- Alternatively, you can go to your
afternoon sessions, the school will income, if your child has additional nearest children’s centre, and they
allocate the sessions. Sessions needs or if your child is looked after will be able to do the check.
may be allocated in consultation by the council. If you have an older For more information on children’s
with parents. No guarantee is child at school and they receive centres, or to check your eligibility
made of the session time when Free School Meals, your younger you can call the Family Information
a place is offered. Children from children will probably be eligible for Service on 020 7364 6495
multiple births will be offered the a free two-year-old place too. (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
same session. The Family Information Service will
Your child will be eligible if any of also be able to discuss with you
the following apply: what childcare is available and
Early learning for two- • they have a current Education, what best suits you and your child.
year-olds Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• they get Disability Living
Some children may be eligible Allowance Start dates
for 15 hours of funded childcare • they have left care through
from the term after their second Children will usually start nursery
special guardianship or an
birthday. Unlike the nursery school or a nursery class in the
adoption or child arrangement
education for three and four-year- September following their third
order
olds which is open to all, the early birthday. However, it is possible for
• they are looked after by the
learning for two-year-olds is only eligible children to access a funded
local authority
available to children and families place from the beginning of the
that meet certain criteria. term after their third birthday.
6 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021
Nursery schools, classes and
early years units 1
An additional free 15 hours will only
How to apply For further information on be available for families where both
If your child was born between 1 nursery admission, including parents are working (or the sole
September 2017 and 31 August instructions on how to make parent is working). Typically, each
2018 and you would like a nursery an online application, please parent must earn the equivalent
place for September 2021, you refer to the ‘Starting Nursery of 16 hours a week at the national
must submit an online application in Tower Hamlets’ brochure, minimum or living wage and less
by 16 February 2021. which can be found here: than £100,000 a year to be eligible.
You should apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
www.eadmissions.org.uk schooladmissions. For more information on eligibility
go to:
It is very important not to apply late, www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-
because applications made after costs/free-childcare-and-
Notification of decisions education-for-2-to-4-year-olds.
the closing date will be considered
only after places have been If your application was received
allocated to children whose parents on or before the closing date The local authority will only offer
applied on time. Nursery class (16 February 2021), Pupil Services part-time places. Once your
places are in considerable demand will notify you of the outcome child has been offered a part-
and most schools will not have of your application by letter and time place, you may request a
vacancies once all applications that email. The letter will be sent on full-time place from your nursery.
have been received on time have 7 May 2021 and will name the Full-time places will be subject
been processed. nursery at which a place has to availability and will depend on
been offered for your child. The the eligibility criteria outlined in
When you have completed and email will be sent after 5pm on the previous paragraph.
submitted your application you the same day.
will receive an instant email This offer will be for a part-time Parents not eligible for the
confirmation. You can then make place only. additional free 15 hours may still
changes to your application up until access a full-time place by paying
the 16 February 2021 closing date. If you have not been offered a top-up fee. This fee will be set by
a place at any of your chosen each nursery. Please contact your
If you are not able to make an nurseries, you will be sent a local nursery for further information
online application, or you are not list of nurseries that still have
a resident of Tower Hamlets and places remaining and given the
wish to apply for a Tower Hamlets opportunity to visit and apply to
Appeals
nursery, you should contact Pupil one of these nurseries. Your child As nursery is non-statutory,
Services on 020 7364 5006. will also be placed on the waiting parents do not have the right of
list for your preferred nursery. appeal if they do not get their
preferred nursery choice. However,
If you wish to apply to a private
parents may contact the local
nursery or a nursery in another Part-time and full-time authority for more information on
local borough, you must funding the reason as to why their child
contact the nursery directly.
was not offered a place.
All parents are entitled to 15
To find out how to apply for a hours per week of free early
nursery place after a September years education for 38 weeks
2021 start i.e. January 2021 or each year from the start of the
April 2021, please contact Pupil school term after their child’sthird
Services on 020 7364 5006 birthday until the child reaches
or email school.admissions@ compulsory school age i.e. the
towerhamlets.gov.uk. term after their fifth birthday.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 7
1 Frequently asked questions about
nursery admission
Is there financial Can I transfer If a child is already
Q help available for Q
my child Q in the school’s
nursery provision? between nurseries? nursery class, is there an
automatic right to a place
All parents are entitled to 15 Once children are admitted to
hours per week of free early years nursery education, it is in their in the reception class?
education for 38 weeks each year interests to remain at that school No. When parents apply for their
from the start of the school term until they have to move on and children to start reception, no priority
after their child’s third birthday start Reception class. Children is given to children that attend the
until the child reaches compulsory take at least a term to settle and nursery of the school. The decision on
school age i.e. the term after their can find it very upsetting to move whether or not a place can be offered
fifth birthday. at this stage. Transfers will only will be made in accordance with the
take place at the start of each term school’s admission policy. The policy
An additional free 15 hours will and should only be considered if a used for community schools in Tower
only be available for families family has moved from the area or Hamlets is explained on page 11.
where both parents are working on exceptional grounds.
(or the sole parent is working).
Typically each parent must earn Can I get help with
the equivalent of 16 hours a week When can a child
Q move from a nursery Q free early education
at the national minimum or living
or childcare for my
wage and less than £100,000 to primary school? two-year-old?
a year to be eligible. For more
information on eligibility go to: Children normally start the
Your two-year-old child may be
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare- reception year of primary school
entitled to 15 hours education or
costs/free-childcare-and- at the beginning of the school
childcare a week if you are in receipt
education-for-2-to-4-year-olds. year (September) following their
of low-income welfare benefit or
fourth birthday. If your child is
your child meets other criteria.
For more information you can born between 1 September 2017
For a list of eligibility criteria visit
contact the Family Information and 31 August 2018 they will start
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-
Service on 020 7364 6495 reception in September 2022.
costs/free-childcare-and-
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). education-for-2-to-4-year-olds.
Children who attend a school’s
nursery class do not automatically
Your child would be eligible from
Can my child transfer to reception, as decisions on
Q attend more than primary school admissions are taken
the beginning of the term after their
second birthday if you qualify for a
one provision? separately. For more information on
funded place. For more information,
when to apply for a reception place
call the Family Information Service
It is not recommended for a child for your child, please contact Pupil
on 020 7364 6495 (Monday to
to be attending more than one Services on 020 7364 5006.
Friday, 9am to 5pm).
type of under-fives activity (e.g.
playgroup in the morning and
nursery class in the afternoon).
The adjustment is too demanding
and confusing for most children of
this age and much of the benefit
from either activity could be lost.
8 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021
Reception admission
2
process and how school admission If you are not able to make an
Starting primary school decisions are made. online application, you should
Children start primary school contact Tower Hamlets Pupil
at the beginning of the school Services on 020 7364 5006 or
year in which they become
How to apply via email to school.admissions@
five years of age. A child born towerhamlets.gov.uk.
If you live in Tower Hamlets, you will
between 1 September 2016 and need to complete the application via
31 August 2017 should start the local authority, even if you want If you live in another London
school in September 2021. to apply to schools outside of the borough you can contact
borough. You should apply online at their School Admissions team
www.eadmissions.org.uk. for a copy of their primary
When to make your Please see page 33 of this brochure school brochure. There will
application for instructions. be the facility for you to apply
If your child is due to start online. A list with the contact
reception in September 2021, you When you have completed and details of nearby London local
must complete and submit your submitted your application you will authorities is provided on
application by 15 January 2021. receive an instant email confirmation. page 38.
You can then make changes to your
application up until 15 January 2021.
What you should do
before you apply
Starting primary school in the
The different types of primary school in Tower Hamlets
reception year is an important stage There are five different types of maintained primary (government
in your child’s life. It is important funded) schools within Tower Hamlets:
that you carefully consider which
Community – these schools are Academy – schools that are
schools to apply to.
run by the council and the local directly funded by central
authority decides which children government and independent of
Decide which schools can be admitted. local authority control. Decisions
on admissions are made by the
to apply for Voluntary aided – these are
school’s trust board. However,
either Church of England or
You should visit your local schools to Roman Catholic schools and applications for admission must
help you decide. You can make an each school’s governing body will be made via the local authority.
appointment by contacting each of decide on admissions. Priority is Free school – these are
them directly. You should also look at: given to children whose families schools established by parents,
• the school’s prospectus can provide evidence they practice teachers, charities or businesses
(information about how the the school’s particular faith. and are independent of the
school runs) Foundation Trust – these local authority. Decisions on
schools are charitable trusts admissions are made according
• the school’s most recent
and work in partnership with a to the school’s admission criteria
Ofsted inspection report
charity or businesses. Decisions and by the school’s board of
(www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports)
on admissions are made by the trustees. However, applications
• the school’s performance local authority on behalf of the for admission must be made via
results (www.education.gov.uk/ school’s board of trustees. the local authority.
schools/performance).
A list of the Tower Hamlets maintained schools with their description,
You should also consider the
location, website and contact details can be found on pages 26-28
likelihood of being offered places of this brochure. Details of admissions policy and oversubscription
at the schools you prefer. This criteria for schools can be accessed via the school’s website.
booklet explains the applications
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 9
2 Reception admission
The number of schools Changing your address Processing applications
you can apply for If you move address before 15 The local authority’s Pupil Services
It is strongly advised that you apply to January 2021, you will be able to team will process applications
six primary schools. It is important that log in and update the address on and coordinate the decisions for
you list them in order of preference i.e. your online application. You can Tower Hamlets children, including
the school you want the most should also make changes to the schools those applying to schools in other
be your first choice. This will decide you wish to apply to. boroughs. This is done as part of the
which school is offered if your child Pan London Admissions System,
qualifies for admission at more than If you move address after 15 which seeks to ensure that as many
one of the schools you have applied to. January 2021, you must inform children as possible are placed in a
Pupil Services immediately. It may school at the earliest opportunity.
You must not name independent still be possible to change your
(private) schools on your application. choice of schools. Your application for each school
Instead, you should apply directly to is processed individually and, in
these schools. each case, a decision is taken
A change in your to determine if your child can be
circumstances offered a place. If we find that we
You must complete can place your child at more than
If an older child transfers to another one of your school preferences only
an application for a
school after 15 January 2021 and one school will be offered. This will
reception place, even if you need to change your younger be for the highest preference school
your child is already in child’s school preferences because at which an offer can be made.
the school’s nursery of this, you should contact Pupil
Services on 020 7364 5006.
Children do not have an automatic Depending on when your older Making the decisions
right to transfer from a school’s child transfers, it may be possible
nursery class to its reception. on applications
to change your school preferences.
You must therefore make a separate The decisions on applications for
application for a reception place. If any medical or social Tower Hamlets community schools
circumstances within the family are made by Pupil Services. If a
Please also note that by making an change after 15 January 2021 community school receives more
application you are not guaranteed that means that you feel your applications than there are places
that a place will be offered, as child would need a place at a available, the local authority’s
children in the nursery are not particular school, please contact oversubscription criteria are used
prioritised above other applicants. Pupil Services. to determine who can be offered a
place. The oversubscription criteria
If you live outside of Tower Hamlets, are set out on the next page.
You must submit an
you must complete and submit
application with the local your application to the borough For voluntary aided schools, free
authority, even if you have where you live. schools and academies it is the
already completed the school governors who will make
school’s form decisions, based on the information
Applying after the you provided in your application
The school’s form will be a closing date and the school’s supplementary
‘supplementary form’ and is used by form. Admission policies and
voluntary aided (church) or free schools Applications received after 15 oversubscription criteria for these
to gather additional information that January 2021 will be dealt with schools can be found in their
will enable the school to consider after all on-time applications have prospectuses, on their websites
your application under its faith or been considered. Most schools will or at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
other criteria. You must also submit not have any places available after schooladmissions.
an application with the local authority. considering on-time applications.
10 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021Reception admission
2
If one or more of the schools The remaining places will be filled
NOTES
you have applied for is outside of in the priority order below.
Tower Hamlets, the decision will
1. Children Looked After by the Note 1: This can include the
be taken by the local authority
local authority, including adopted parents’, carers’ or other family
or the admission authority for
children who were previously members’ medical conditions and
the school and notified to Pupil
looked after and children who the family’s social needs. Parents
Services. Once all admission must complete the relevant section
leave care under a special
decisions are made Pupil Services on the application form and attach
guardianship or residence order;
will then coordinate the offers of medical and/or social reports
places as explained above. 2. Children for whom it is deemed
from a suitable professional (e.g.
there is strong medical or social
a doctor or social worker) to
reason to attend the school
support the application, explaining
The Paradigm Academies applied to (See Note 1); why the particular school is most
(Culloden, Old Ford and Solebay),
3. Children living within the suitable with regards to the family
St Paul’s Way Trust School,
catchment area of the school circumstance.
Bygrove Primary School,
who have a sibling attending Note 2: Includes the sibling of
Stebon Primary School and
the school (including the a child who does not live within
The Clara Grant Primary School
school of a separate infants the school’s catchment area,
have delegated decisions on
and junior schools) and who but who was admitted on or
admissions to the local authority
will continue to do so on the before 31 August 2020. For this
and, therefore, use the same
date of admission (See Note 2); purpose, sibling means a whole,
oversubscription criteria as Tower
Hamlets community schools. 4. Children whose parent is a half or step-sibling resident at
member of staff who has the same address.
been employed at the school Note 3: Priority will be limited to
concerned for two or more one place for each form of entry
The number of places years at the time of application in any year*, with an additional
available at each Tower and/or children of a member of maximum limit of no more than:
Hamlets school staff who has been recruited to • Four children throughout the
fill a vacancy for which there is whole school (for single and
The number of children who
a demonstrable skill shortage one-and-a-half form entry
can be admitted to each Tower
(See Note 3); schools)
Hamlets school for the school
year 2021/22 is set out on pages 5. Children who live within the • Eight children throughout the
26-28 of this booklet. catchment area of the school whole school (for two form
and for whom the school entry schools)
applied for is their nearest • Twelve children throughout the
Oversubscription criteria for community school within the whole school (for three form
entry schools, and upwards)
Tower Hamlets community catchment area;
schools and nurseries 6. Other children from within the Planned Max
Max per
catchment area of the school; admission per year
If a community school receives more school
number group
applications than places available 7. Children living outside of the
it will not be possible to offer every catchment area with a sibling 30 to 45
1 4
child a place. Children with a at the school; pupils
Statement of Special Educational 60 pupils 2 8
8. Children living outside of the
Needs or an Education, Health and
catchment area of the school. 90 pupils 3 12
Care Plan (EHCP), which names
the school applied to, will be placed
*An exception to the above will apply
before all other applicants. to children of multiple birth or those
born in the same academic year.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 112 Reception admission
take account of local footpaths
Tie-break and public walkways with regard Catchment areas
In the event of oversubscription to the safety of the route. It does The school catchment area maps
within categories 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and not take account of the location of are on pages 19-25. Please
8 (on the previous page), priority pedestrian crossing points. also see pages 30-31 for an
will be given to children who explanation of school catchment
live closest to the school by the Distances measured by other areas and the tie-break criteria.
shortest walking distance. In the means i.e. private car, pedometer
event of two distances being the or internet websites are likely to
same, a decision will be made by result in different calculations as When you will hear about
random allocation. they may use different parameters the outcome of your
for the address locations and the application
A digital ordnance survey map is underlying network which is used
used to measure the distance from to calculate the distance, and If your application was received
the home address to the school’s therefore should not be relied upon on or before the closing date (15
designated official entrance. The as evidence that the local authority’s January 2021), Pupil Services will
distance is measured from the distance calculation is incorrect. notify you of the outcome by letter
centre point of the address to the and email. The letter will be sent
centre point of the main entrance The local authority’s measurement on 16 April 2021 and will name the
of the school, measuring along system is designed to be reliable school at which a place has been
the centre line of the shortest and consistent. offered for your child. The email will
approved route. The system will be sent after 5pm on 16 April 2021.
12 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021Reception admission
2
in this process, you must provide
Confirming acceptance proof of your new address by What happens next
of the school offer sending the documents shown Pupil Services will then advise you
Shortly afterwards, the school will above to Pupil Services. If you of the outcome of any further school
contact you to confirm whether you do not inform Pupil Services that applications you make in May 2021.
want to accept or refuse the place. you have moved, the offer made It is strongly recommended that you
You must inform the school of your to your child may be withdrawn secure a place at one of the schools
decision within ten school days. if your child gained an unfair that still have places.
You need to accept the offer by the advantage over other applicants.
reply date or it could be withdrawn. Your child’s waiting list position
If an offer is withdrawn or you Families of UK service personnel at your preferred schools, or the
refuse it, your child will not have a with a confirmed posting in Tower outcome of an appeal that you
school place. You are, therefore, Hamlets, or Crown Servants decide to make, will not be affected
advised to accept the offer even if returning from overseas to live in by your child having an alternative
is not your most preferred school. Tower Hamlets, will need to provide school place.
an official letter (ie from the MoD or
FCO) which declares a relocation
Providing the school with date and a unit postal address or School waiting lists
proof of your address quartering area address.
Waiting lists are ordered using the
When offering school places, the oversubscription criteria in the local
local authority will check addresses If you do not have an offer authority’s admission policy. The
to prevent fraudulent applications. at any of the schools you date an application is made is not
The school will, therefore, need have applied for considered. Therefore, a child’s
proof of where you and your child position on the waiting list can go
are living. You will need to provide If an offer cannot be made at any down as more names are added to
the school with your original of the schools you applied for, the the waiting list.
2020/21 council tax bill or council letter that Pupil Services sends
tax benefit letter or notice, as well you on 16 April 2021 will name the If your child is not offered a place at
as one of the following documents school at which a place has been a community school you named as
that show your address: reserved for your child. The letter a higher preference, they will remain
will also provide information on on the waiting list until the end of the
• a utility bill (gas, electricity the schools that still have places 2021 autumn term. Normally children
or water) from the last three remaining, how you can add your are settled in school by this stage.
months. We do not accept child’s name to additional school However, if you wish for your child
a mobile phone bill or an waiting lists and how you can to remain on the waiting list beyond
internet bill; exercise your right of appeal. this point, you will need to complete
• a statement from your bank an in-year application form. This
or building society or a credit is available from Pupil Services by
card statement from the last Making further calling 020 7364 5006. Your child’s
three months; or applications name will then stay on the waiting list
for the remainder of the school year.
• your child benefit entitlement If you are unhappy with the
letter from HM Revenue & school at which a place has been You will need to contact voluntary
Customs for your 2020/21 claim. reserved for your child, you can aided schools, free schools and
apply for a place at one of the academies directly to confirm their
Your name, your child’s name and schools with places remaining. waiting list procedures. Schools
your address on these documents outside of the borough may
must match the information on Please contact Pupil Services if you operate waiting lists differently
your application form. If you wish to make a further application. and you should check with the
change your address at any time admission authority.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 132 Reception admission
The appeal panel will accept These rules also mean that the
How to appeal against a comments in writing or in person independent appeal panel would
decision not to offer a place at the appeal hearing. The appeal not normally overturn a decision
You have the right to appeal any panel’s decision is final and both if it finds that it was made fairly
of the schools listed on your you and the local authority are and correctly. Consequently,
application form for which a place required to accept it. Please there is much less chance of a
could not be offered to your child. note that government rules’ limit successful appeal for a place in
If all six of your applications are a school’s infant class size to a the reception class.
unsuccessful, you have the right to maximum of 30 pupils.
appeal for all of them.
Appeal forms and guidance notes Deferring entry to the reception year
are available from Pupil Services on
Children are normally admitted to their school reception class in
020 7364 5006.
September, at the start of the school year following their fourth
You can also download a form birthday. Your child will get the most from their education in a
from www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ school reception class if they start at the same time as their friends
schooladmissions. and other children of the same age. However, if you feel there are
Appeals for community schools particular reasons why your child should not start reception in
should be made by 14 May 2021. September, for example your child may have an Education, Health
and Care Plan (EHCP), you can ask for your child’s entry to be
If you wish to appeal against the deferred until later in the school year. You should first discuss this
refusal of a place at a voluntary with the head teacher or manager at your child’s current nursery or
aided school, free school or playgroup. This is especially important if your child has significant
academy, you should contact developmental delay. Following a discussion with the head teacher
the school directly for details of or manager at your child’s current nursery, you should also speak
the appeals procedure and how with the head teacher of the school your child will be attending.
appeals must be made.
A leaflet with further advice and a form to request your child’s deferral
can be obtained by calling the Pupil Services team on 020 7364 5006.
You should not request to defer your child’s admission to one school
Appeal timetable because you are awaiting a place at another.
Your appeal will normally be heard
Where a place is deferred it cannot be given to another child, but
within 30 school days of the
your child must enter school by the beginning of the school term
closing date from its receipt and following their fifth birthday and within the school year for which
before your child is due to start the the offer was made. You can also request that your child attends
reception year. reception part-time from September 2021 up until the latest date
entry can be deferred.
The independent The latest point that your child’s entry can be deferred depends on
appeal panel when your child was born:
An independent panel made up Your child was born Point until which entry
of three people with knowledge of between can be deferred
education will hear your appeal. January 2022
None of the panel members will September 2016 – December 2016
(Start of the spring term)
have any connection with the school
or admissions authority. They are April 2022
January 2017 – August 2017
served by an independent clerk (Start of summer term)
who will contact you to confirm
the date, time and venue for the Tower Hamlets schools will try to accommodate parents’ wishes wherever
hearing and invite you to attend. possible and will try to ensure there is no gap in a child’s education.
14 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021Reception admission
2
The school must then respond However, a parent may seek
Special Educational Needs to us before a place is offered – admission for their child outside the
and Disabilities (SEND) please bear in mind that schools do normal group, for example, if:
/ Education, Health and have the right to object if they do
• they are gifted and talented
Care Plan (EHCP) not feel that they are able to meet
a child’s needs. If this happens, • they have missed a significant
If you feel that your child may have we can offer further advice. amount of education due to
special educational needs and ill-health
disabilities, you should discuss your Please call the SEN team on
concerns with the head teacher • they were born prematurely
020 7364 4880 if you have any and would otherwise be in the
and Special Educational Needs queries. You may also wish to
Coordinator (SENCO) at your child’s year below.
contact the Parents’ Advice Centre
nursery as early as possible. If your on 020 7364 6489.
child does not attend nursery, you If you wish to request for your
should contact the SEN team and child to be admitted outside the
normal year group, you should
discuss your concerns with them. Admission of children
include a letter with your reception
outside their normal application and provide a report
If your child has an Education, age group
Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the from an appropriate education or
SEN Section will work closely with health professional.
It is the view of the local authority
Pupil Services to arrange a school that children should start primary
place. When you submit your Your request will be considered
school with their normal age group
application, please ensure that you by the admission authority for the
ie the beginning of the school year
have clearly stated that your child school. In the case of community
following their fourth birthday.
has an EHCP. schools this will be the local
Primary schools in Tower Hamlets
authority’s Director of Education and
can address an individual child’s
The SEN section will then consult Partnerships. For schools which
educational needs through an
your preferred school to see if it are their own admission authority,
appropriately differentiated and
can meet your child’s needs. this will be the governing body.
enriched curriculum.
When considering your request,
the admission authority will seek
the views of your child’s nursery
headteacher and other relevant
professionals, before deciding
whether or not your child’s needs
can be met within the current
year group. The decision will be
notified to you in writing.
If it is agreed that your child should
start school earlier than the normal
year group, it cannot be guaranteed
that a place will be offered at one
of your preferences.
If your request is for your child to
start reception later than the normal
year group, and this is refused, your
child will need to start school at
the normal time.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 152 Frequently asked questions
on reception admission
This school will be the highest listed
Is my child guaranteed I live in one of the
Q a place at one of their preference at which an offer can be
made. Your applications for schools
Q neighbouring
six preferred schools? listed as lower preferences will boroughs; will I fall into
The local authority expects that
then be cancelled. This is why it is one of the school
important to list the schools you are catchment areas?
most families will be offered a place
applying to in order of preference
at one of their six preferred schools. Some of the school catchment
on the application form.
However, this cannot be guaranteed. area boundaries cover areas in
Unfortunately, it is not always neighbouring boroughs. If you live
possible for everyone to get a place If my child is already in Hackney, Newham or the City
at the school they most prefer. Q in the school’s nursery of London and your home address
class, is there an automatic is in one of the school catchment
When a school receives more areas your child will have the same
applications than the number of right to a place in the
priority as those who reside in
places available, not all children school’s reception class? Tower Hamlets.
can be admitted. It is important
therefore that you fully consider the No. When parents apply for their
children to start reception, no If you live outside of the school
likelihood of your child getting a
priority is given to children that catchment area, you are welcome
place at a preferred school before
attend the nursery of the school. to apply for a school place in
you make your application.
The decision on whether or not a Tower Hamlets but will not have
place can be offered will be made priority for those schools. To find
To increase the likelihood of your
in accordance with the school’s out the catchment area for your
child getting a place at one of
admission policy. The policy used home address, please view the
your preferred schools you are
for community schools in Tower maps or visit
advised to apply to six schools.
Hamlets is explained on page 11. www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
If you are applying to community
equalchance
schools, your child is more likely
to be offered a place at schools in
Are voluntary aided
the catchment area for your home
address, especially if this is the
Q schools, free schools Q Can I apply to a
nearest community school within and academies part of school that is not
your catchment area. the school catchment within my catchment area?
area system? You can apply to any school within
Is my child more the borough. However, if the school
All voluntary aided schools,
Q likely to be offered Sir William Burrough Academy
is not within your catchment area,
your child will not have priority
a place at my first and the Canary Wharf free
for that school and will only be
preference school? schools have their own
considered after those children who
admissions policies and do not
live within the school’s catchment
Applications for each school use the catchment area system.
area. You can also apply to schools
are determined in line with the
outside of Tower Hamlets.
school’s admissions policy with no The Paradigm Academies
consideration given to whether or (Culloden, Old Ford and Solebay),
not it is the first, second, third or St Paul’s Way Trust School,
sixth preference school. However, Bygrove Primary School, Stebon
if your child qualifies for a place at Primary School and The Clara
more than one school, the order in Grant Primary School use the
which you listed your preferences on local authority’s admissions policy
your application form will determine and, therefore, the catchment
the school you are offered. area system.
16 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021In-year admissions, school transfer
and moving from infant to junior 3
The local authority will consider
In-year admission School transfer transfer requests once a term in
In-year admission is where a You may want your child to transfer line with the timetable below and
child starts primary school at from one Tower Hamlets primary children are expected to transfer
a time other than the normal school to another. This can be at the beginning of the next
point of entry in reception. arranged by Pupil Services, but term. Your child must, therefore,
This is often when a child has you will first need to speak with the continue to attend school while
moved into the Tower Hamlets head teacher of your child’s current awaiting a transfer.
area from another part of the school and together complete ‘Part
UK or overseas. B’ of the in-year application form You will need to re-apply in
that will be provided. September every year if you want
If you have recently moved to your child to remain on the waiting
the Tower Hamlets area, please From September 2020 there will lists for the schools you wish for
contact Pupil Services immediately. also be a facility to submit your them to transfer to.
They can tell you about the schools in-year application online. For
with places that are nearest to your more information on submitting Children transfer to a secondary
home address and provide you with an in-year application, please visit school in the September after
an application form to complete for www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ reaching the age of 11-years-old.
your child’s school admission. schooladmissions. You will receive a separate booklet
with information about the schools
Pupil Services contact details are: It is not always possible for a and the application procedure
child to transfer to another school when your child begins year 6 of
Pupil Services if that school is already full or if primary school.
Town Hall, Mulberry Place there are more applicants than
5 Clove Crescent places available at the time you
London E14 2BG make your application. Your child
Tel: 020 7364 5006 will, therefore, be placed on the
Email: school.admissions@ school’s waiting list in line with
towerhamlets.gov.uk the school’s admission criteria.
Entry point Closing date Parents sent
outcomes
Spring Term
6 November 2020 4 December 2020
(January 2021 Start)
Summer Term
12 February 2021 19 March 2021
(April 2021 Start)
Autumn Term
11 June 2021 2 July 2021
(September 2021 start)
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 173 In-year admissions, school transfer
and moving from infant to junior
More information about the
Tower Hamlets Fair Access protocol is available from Pupil What you must do
Admission Protocol Services on 020 7364 5006. You should submit you application
All schools in Tower Hamlets follow online at www.eadmissions.org.uk
the Fair Access Admission Protocol. giving the name of the school you
Infant to junior transfer want your child to transfer to (this
The protocol sets standards for
dealing with applications that are If your child goes to an infant should be your child’s linked junior
made when families move into the school, they will transfer to a junior school). Please see page 33 of this
borough or want to transfer their school in the September after their brochure for instructions.
child from one school to another. seventh birthday.
The protocol also provides the early When you have completed and
Children at infant schools in the
admission to school or access to submitted your application you
borough will normally transfer to
alternative education for children will receive an instant email
their linked junior school at the age
whose circumstances make them confirmation. You can then make
of seven, but you must apply for
difficult to place. changes to your application up until
a junior school place. Most linked
the 15 January 2021 closing date.
schools are on the same site and
Children Out of School have the same name. We treat the
If you are not able to make an
following as linked schools:
online application, you should
Pupil Services will normally let • Blue Gate Fields Infants contact Tower Hamlets Pupil
parents know whether a place can and Juniors Services on 020 7364 5006.
be offered within ten school days of
receiving an application for a child • Cubitt Town Infants and Juniors
who does not have a school place. • Elizabeth Selby Infants and If you live in another London
Where a child is offered a place, Lawdale Juniors. borough you can contact their
they would normally be admitted School Admissions team for
within ten school days after the When your child is in a year two a copy of their primary school
decision is made, although more class, you must apply for your brochure. There will be the
time is allowed if a school must child’s year three place, even if this facility for you to apply online.
make arrangements to support the is for a place at the linked junior A list with the contact details of
child’s education in the school. school. You must submit your nearby London local authorities
application by 15 January 2021. is provided on page 38.
For all year three places at
community junior schools we use
the admission criteria listed on page
11 in priority order to decide which
children should be offered places.
Pupil Services will offer places
based on the admissions criteria
and we will notify you of our
decision on 16 April 2021.
18 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021School list and catchment area maps
4
1 Alice Model Nursery
2 Arnhem Wharf
3 Bangabandhu London Borough
4 Ben Jonson of Hackney
5 Bigland Green London Borough
6 Blue Gate Fields Infants & Junior of Newham
7 Bonner (Bethnal Green) "
41
8 Bonner (Mile End) !
39
$
54 !
15
Area 2 (Bow)
9 Bygrove !
43
10 Canary Wharf College $!
55
24 !
7
East Ferry !
17
!18
!
46 !
34 $
51 !
42
11 Canary Wharf College
!22
!
14
!
70
!3 !71
Glenworth !
25
12 Canon Barnett $58 ! 72
!
37
!
67
! "50
13 Cayley
31
!8 "
68
52 !
$ !
69
14 Children’s House !44
!1 29
!4
15 Chisenhale Area 6 Area 1 (Stepney) !
35
16 Christ Church CE
$16
(Bethnal Green)
!
66
!26 $
59 60
""
64
$
63
17 Columbia Market !
12 !
32 !
40
!13
49$ "
Nursery 65 20
!
28 $
57 !
36 " "9!
33
18 Columbia $23 !5
!
38
19 Cubitt Town !6 !73
Infants & Juniors 48$
! 61
!
21 $
45
20 Culloden Area 3 (Poplar)
Area 5 (Wapping)
21 Cyril Jackson
22 Elizabeth Selby $62
!30
& Lawdale Junior
23 English Martyrs RC London Borough
24 Globe of Southwark
25 Hague !
47
26 Halley 50 Solebay Primary School
27 Harbinger 51 St Agnes RC !
19
28 Harry Gosling 52 St Anne's & Guardian Angels RC
!2
Area 4 (Isle of Dogs)
29 Harry Roberts 53 St Edmund’s RC
30 Hermitage 54 St Elizabeth’s RC $53 $
56
31 ScurrAcademy with Nursery 55 St John’s CE
John !
27
"10 "
11
32 NazrulFree/Academy/Foundation56TrustStSchools
Kobi Luke’s CE
London Borough
33 Lansbury Lawrence 57 St Mary & St Michael RC
34
Malmesbury
Community Primary Schools
58 St Matthias CE
of Lewisham
35
Manorfield
Community Primary Schools with Nursery
59 St Paul’s With St Luke’s CE
36 Richardson
Marion Nursery Schools 60 St Paul’s Way Trust
37 Marner Voluntary Aided Primary Schools
61 St Paul’s Whitechapel CE London Borough
38 MayflowerBorough Boundary 62 St Peter’s (London Docks) CE of Greenwich
39 Mowlem 63 St Saviours CE
40 Old Church 64 Stebon
41 Old Ford 65 Stepney Greencoat CE
42 Old Palace 66 Stepney Park
43 Olga 67 Stewart Headlam
44 Osmani 68 The Clara Grant
45 Our Lady & St Joseph 69 Thomas Buxton
46 Rachel Keeling 70 Virginia
47 Seven Mills 71 Wellington
48 Shapla 72 William Davis
49 Sir William Burrough 73 Woolmore
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please view the maps or visit the website:
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 194 School catchment area 1 (Stepney)
Schools in the catchment area !
N
!
N
Community schools:
1 Alice Model Nursery !
N
Bonner (Bethnal Green)
3 Bangabandhu
4 Ben Jonson
!
Globe !
N
7 Bonner (Bethnal Green) Rachel Keeling
!
N
!
N
13 Cayley
24 Globe
Bangabandhu
26 Halley
29 Harry Roberts Nursery !
N
31 John Scurr
36 Marion Richardson John Scurr Solebay
40 Old Church Nursery !
N "
Harry Roberts
!
N
46 Rachel Keeling Nursery Alice Model
66 Stepney Park !
N Ben Jonson !
N
!
Voluntary primary schools:
65 Stepney Greencoat CE
Stepney Park Area 1 (Stepney)
!
N Halley
Academy/Free schools: !
N
49 Sir William Burrough
Old Church Cayley
50 Solebay – a Paradigm Academy
(uses same admissions policy as
!
N N !
Stepney Greencoat CofE
community schools) Marion Richardson $
Sir William Burrough
!
N "
N
Area covered
• South of Approach Road and Old Ford Road
• West of Regents Canal (up to the
N !
Railway Bridge on Grove Road) !
N
• West of Grove Road and Burdett Road
• North of Limehouse Cut from Burdett Road to River Thames
• North of River Thames
• East of Brodlove Lane and Devonport Street
Academy with Nursery
• East of Lukin Street Free/Academy/Foundation Trust Schools
• North of Commercial Road (from Lukin Street to Sidney Street) Community Primary Schools
• East of Sidney Street and Cambridge Heath Road Community Primary Schools with Nursery
Nursery Schools
Voluntary Aided Primary Schools
Borough Boundary
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please view the maps or visit the website:
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
20 Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets 2021You can also read
