Admissions

The admissions authority for this school is the Governing Body. Applications however need to be made through the Pembrokeshire County Council Website using this link https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/school-admissions/apply-for-a-school-place . As a Voluntary Aided School, parents beyond the catchment area, have a right to request a place for their children if they wish them to be educated at a school, which is Christian in belief, practice and ethos.

St Aidan’s V.A. School is a Church in Wales’ school which essentially serves the community within the parishes of Llawhaden, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Slebech and Wiston and the admissions policy reflects this in its prioritised list of criteria. 

In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to the admission of pupils in the following order:

1.      Current and former Young Person Looked After (YPLA) in accordance to Section 74 of the Social Service and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014

2.      Children from the parishes of Llawhaden, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Slebech and Wiston. 

3.      Children who will have a sibling of statutory school age at the school, at the time of admission. This will include any full, half or step brothers or sisters or adopted or foster child living at the same address as a child already at the school.

4.      Children from families whose parents wish them to be educated in an Anglican Church School. 

5.      Children from families of other Christian denominations whose parents wish their children to be educated in an Anglican Church School. 

6.      In the event of a tie, places will be offered to pupils living nearest to the school, measured by the shortest distance from the nearest available school gate to a point where the pupil’s private dwelling meets the public highway. (Google maps will be used to measure the distances)

The Government has set dates by which children must attain the age of 5 to be of compulsory school age in the following school term: these dates are 31st August, 31st December and 31st March. St Aidan’s has nursery provision and children may join on a part-time basis from the start of the term following the child’s third birthday. The eligibility dates above also apply to these admissions and will determine the term in which the child can start. Those children born between 1st September and 31st March may attend nursery provision full time in the term following their 4th birthday. 

Admission deadlines adhere to the admissions application timetable as published by Pembrokeshire County Council admissions authority. 

Appeals 

If a child is refused admission the parent may, within a period of 14 days, appeal against the decision to a Panel constituted for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Education Acts. Information on how to appeal will be given by the Headteacher at the time of the original decision. All appeals must be submitted to the Chairperson of St. Aidan’s Governing Body. There is no right of appeal in relation to nursery admissions. 

Waiting List 

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained. If a place becomes available, the Governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published over subscription criteria. If the Governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parent’s right of appeal. The waiting list will be maintained until 30th September at the start of the relevant academic year. Priority for any places which become available will be given according to the oversubscription criteria and not according to the date on which the application for a place was originally submitted. For applications received outside the normal admission round, waiting lists are held until the end of the summer term of the academic year the place was requested. Admission deadlines adhere to the admissions application timetable as published by Pembrokeshire County Council admissions authority. 

Prospective parents are invited to contact the school to arrange a visit during school hours. This will provide an opportunity to meet the Head Teacher and staff and to sample the working atmosphere of the school. Successful applicants will receive written confirmation and are invited to attend an informal induction meeting with the Head Teacher and members of the teaching staff prior to their son/ daughter starting school at St. Aidan’s.