Admissions Policy

Vita et Pax is a Catholic School with charitable status, ecumenical in spirit, which admits boys and girls from the age of three and at other times as places become available.  As a multi-faith, multi-cultural community we welcome pupils from other faiths.  Every child will be expected to attend all religious education lessons and acts of worship.

Rationale

Vita et Pax School recognises that the parents are the first educators of their child and welcomes pupils whose parents accept the Catholic ethos of the school. 

Numbers

The Council of Management aim to admit 192 pupils to the school: the optimum form size is 24 with additional candidates on a waiting list. The Early Years Foundation Stage complies with current legislation.

Criteria for Admission

1. Preference will be given to Catholic children irrespective of their parish.  Remaining true to the ecumenical spirit of the Vita et Pax foundation, we endeavour to have other faiths represented throughout the school.
2. Parents must be committed to the aims and values of the school and accepting of the schools terms and conditions.
3. Priority will normally be given to Catholic children, children from the Nursery, siblings, children of staff and candidates for whose parents Vita et Pax is their first choice, but none will have an automatic right.
4. The maintenance of an even number of pupils of each gender will have a bearing on the selection process.

Admissions Procedure

• Applications may only be made on the school registration form, which may be downloaded from the school website or through the school office. 
• Places in the Nursery class will be confirmed from March preceding the year of entry.
• Reception class interviews will take place by December preceding entry. At these interviews, parents will have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential commitment to the school and its ethos.
• Candidates for occasional places throughout the school will be invited to spend a half day in the class they may join to determine suitability by both parties.

Procedure following interview

Within one week of the interview process, one of the following will be offered in writing: a confirmed place, a waiting list place or a firm refusal.

In order to secure the confirmed place, applicants must send, by the given date, a completed acceptance form and a written acceptance of the offer with a refundable acceptance deposit. This deposit will be set against the final term’s payment due to the school. (Please read this document in connection with the school’s Terms and Conditions).

The school will acknowledge receipt of your acceptance deposit.