Admissions

Welcome to the Admissions hub for Aston Rowant CofE Primary School. We are a warm, nurturing village school rooted in our Christian values and guided by our vision of Growing Together. We welcome applications from all families - of Christian faith, other faiths, or none - and we are committed to offering an inclusive, caring and high-quality educational experience for every child.

Our admissions arrangements follow the School Admissions Code (2021) and Oxfordshire County Council’s coordinated admissions process. All admissions for Reception and in-year places are managed through the Local Authority.

How to Apply for a School Place

Reception (Starting School for the First Time)

Children can start school in the September after their fourth birthday. Applications must be submitted via the Oxfordshire County Council website by 15 January each year. Late applications are processed by the Local Authority after the initial offer day in April.

Apply here: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/primaryadmissions

In-Year Admissions (Reception to Year 6)

If you are moving into the area or would like your child to join our school mid-year, applications should be made through Oxfordshire County Council’s In-Year Transfer process.

Applications can be submitted up to 6 weeks before the intended start date. The Local Authority aims to respond within 15 school days

Apply here: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/schooltransfer

Published Admission Number (PAN)

Our PAN for Reception is 15 pupils each year.

Oversubscription Criteria

If the number of applications exceeds available places, we apply the following criteria (in priority order):

Children with an Education, Health & Care Plan naming our school
Looked After and Previously Looked After Children (including children adopted from state care internationally)
Children living in our catchment area with a sibling at the school
Children living in catchment
Children outside catchment with a sibling at the school
All other applicants

Where necessary, distance from school (straight-line measurement provided by Oxfordshire County Council) is used as a tie-breaker.

Deferred or Delayed Entry & Part-Time Options

Parents may:

Defer their child’s start date until later in the school year
Request part-time attendance until compulsory school age
Request admission outside the normal age group (including for summer-born children)

All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis following DfE and Local Authority guidance.

Appeals

If a place is not offered, parents have the right to appeal. Appeals are heard by an Independent Appeals Panel via the Oxford Diocese.

Catchment Area

Our catchment area map can be found at the bottom of our Admissions Policy and on the Oxfordshire County Council website. Living in catchment gives priority but does not guarantee a place.

Need Help?

If you have any questions about applying for a place, we warmly encourage you to contact the school office on 01844 351671. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Transition to Secondary School

At the end of Year 6 all of our children move to secondary school. Most of our children accept a place at Lord Williams's Secondary School in Thame. As Aston Rowant is part of the Thame Partnership of schools, places are allocated for your child to transfer to Lord Williams's children even if you live out of catchment. Please see Lord Williams's School website for their admissions policy. Some of our children transfer to local Grammar schools in Marlow or Aylesbury. Some parents also choose to send their children to Icknield community college in Watlington. All of our local schools offer open days/evenings so that you can visit each school and make an informed choice about which secondary school is best for your child. You will receive an online application notice from Oxfordshire County Council reminding you to make your application in the Autumn Term. Places are then allocated in the Spring term.

Please speak to Mrs. France, Head Teacher, if you would like any further advice about your choice of school or if you would like to arrange a visit to Aston Rowant Primary School.

Lord Williams's Secondary School website

Icknield Community College website