Admissions

 

---

Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School Admissions Arrangements Policy 2025-26

Mission Statement Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School aims to provide a balanced intellectual, spiritual, social, cultural, emotional, and physical education in harmony with Christian values. We welcome applications from families of diverse backgrounds who respect and support our religious ethos.

Admission Criteria

• Reception to Year 2: Maximum of 30 pupils.
• Year 3 to Year 6: Maximum of 32 pupils.

Eligibility Criteria

• Denominational Grounds: Parents/carers must complete a Supplementary Information Form, signed by their Minister, to support their application.
• Oversubscription Criteria:
  • Seventh-day Adventist Children:
  • Previously looked-after children.
  • Siblings of children already attending the school.
  • Other Seventh-day Adventist children.
  • Non-Seventh-day Adventist Children:
  • Previously looked-after children.
  • Siblings of children already attending the school.
  • Other non-Seventh-day Adventist children.

Application Procedure

• Reception and Years 1-6: Apply via the Local Authority's Common Application Form.
• In-Year Applications: Apply directly to the school. Please contact the School Office for the application forms and more information.
• Supplementary Information Form: Required for denominational applications, available from the school office or Local Authority.
• Applications for deferred entry: 

Important Dates

• Reception Class Applications: Closing date is January 15, 2025.
• Late Applications: Considered after all on-time applications.

Special Educational Needs/EHC Plan Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs/EHC Plan are given priority for admission.

Waiting List Procedure

• Ranked according to oversubscription criteria.
• Maintained until the end of the Autumn term in the academic year of admission.

Appeals Procedure Parents/carers can appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel if a place is not offered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Entry: In Birmingham, all children are normally expected to start school in the September following their fourth birthday. However, parents have the right to request that their child starts outside of their usual age group – for example, starting Reception a year later.

If you are considering this option, you must still apply for a Reception place in your child’s correct age group by the normal deadline (usually mid-January). You will also need to make a separate written request to the relevant admissions authority –  Birmingham City Council and the governing body of the school – explaining why you feel deferred entry would be in your child’s best interests. Supporting evidence, such as a health professional’s or early years setting’s report, can be helpful.

Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and you will be informed of the decision before national offer day in April. If your request is approved for a later year group, you will need to submit a new application in the following admissions round. If it is not approved, your original application for the correct age group will continue as normal and you will still have the right to appeal.

For further details, including how to make a request, please visit the Birmingham City Council School Admissions Website: (https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20119/school_admissions/2264/guidance_relating_to_deferred_entry) or speak to the school office for advice and support.

Contact Information For further details, please contact Mrs Dawati in the School Office at 0121 693 7742.

---