St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

Admission

We are proud of our friendly, welcoming and nurturing ethos, which is underpinned by Christian values and beliefs. At St Mary’s children enjoy a creative curriculum and opportunities to be actively involved in the life and journey of our school. Our school vision is, ‘Let your light shine’ which we live up to.

St Mary’s is an inclusive school and through strong team work with parents/carers, children, staff, governors, our Parish churches including St Mary’s Church on Upper Street, and outside agencies we work to ensure all children reach their full potential in a safe, calm and empowering environment. Care, guidance and support are strong at St Mary’s, so children are enthusiastic learners who have a mature attitude to their work.

Starting Reception Class

If you are an Islington resident and your child is due to start reception class in September, you will need to apply for a place for your child.

You must apply for a school place using an Islington application form, even if you are applying for a place in another local authority.

If you do not live in Islington, you must apply using your home local authority’s form (i.e. the council to whom you pay your council tax).

Reception Tours/Open Mornings

If you wish to visit the school for a tour with our Headteacher please contact the school office on 0207 359 1870 to book a place.

Tours: every Tuesday at 9.30am and every Wednesday at 1.30pm

How to apply

Firstly, read the Islington primary school admissions brochure for step-by-step guidance. You can view or download the primary admissions brochure by clicking on the link below.

Please read the brochure carefully as some schools (church schools) require you to complete a supplementary information form.

Once you have read the brochure and you have decided which schools you would like to apply for, click on the following link which will take you through the online application process.

Go to www.islington.gov.uk/admissions to view the Primary brochure and apply online.

In Year Admissions

If you wish to apply for an Islington school or are an Islington resident applying for a school place and your child is not starting reception class or year seven in September, please complete our online in-year application form.

How to apply

Firstly, if you are thinking of changing your child’s school, we advise you to come and visit our school for a tour. Then read the relevant Islington school brochure for information on Islington Schools. You can view or download these brochures by scrolling down to the related documents section at the bottom of this page.

Once you have read the brochure and you have decided which schools you would like to apply for, click on the following link which will take you through the online application process.

Oversubscription Criteria

• Looked after children, and previously looked after children who have been adopted or subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
• Children who, at the time of their proposed admission, will have at least one sibling** attending the School.
• Children whose parent (s)/ legal guardian(s) are regular and committed members*** of any of the following three Islington Deanery Churches: St Mary’s, Upper Street; St Stephen’s, Canonbury; and St James’s, Prebend Street.
• Parent (s)/ legal guardian (s) seeking to meet the requirements of oversubscription criterion 3 should fill in the School Supplementary Form in order to ensure that the Governing Body has the necessary information to verify religious practice in accordance with the definition of Regular and Committed members.
• The School will distribute Supplementary Forms which must be returned to the School Office.

Tie-breaker

In the event of there being insufficient vacancies to admit all applicants in any of the categories detailed above, priority will be given to children whose parents’/legal guardians’ residential address is the shortest distance from the School’s main gates in Fowler Road, London N1 2EP when measured in a straight line****. Should there be two or more applications with the same distance, a decision will be made by a random allocation using a computerised system.

Waiting Lists

 All unsuccessful applicants for the Reception class who have not already been offered a place at a school which was a higher preference on their Primary Common Application Form will automatically be placed on the waiting list for that year group. Applicants who have been offered a place at a school which was a higher preference on their Primary Common Application Form will not be placed on the waiting list unless they specifically request to be added.