Children in Worcestershire can start school (Reception) in the September after their fourth birthday. Worcestershire Council's School Admissions Service publishes information on their website, informing parent/carers on how to start their child at school. However, the responsibility for applying online for a child to start reception class, remains solely with parent/carers.

To apply for a place in Reception at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, please visit: Apply for a primary or first school place | Worcestershire County Council

Parents can apply for a place in Reception in the Autumn of the year before their child turns 4 years of age. It is important that you apply for a place as soon as possible. Attendance at our nursery class does not give a child automatic priority for a place.

Applications are made on line following the link below

http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20099/school_admissions

https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/

In-year applications are when you apply to transfer your child from one primary school to another primary school or one secondary school to another secondary school during the school year.

In-year applications are when you apply to transfer your child from one primary school to another primary school or from one secondary school to another secondary school during the school year. An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round.

To complete the in-year admissions application for a place at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School please visit: Changing schools (In-Year applications) | Worcestershire County Council

If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions please contact the school office. You may also wish to discuss in-year applications with the local authority https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schools

In accordance with the Department for Education's School Admissions Code, admission authorities are required to consult on admission arrangements where changes are proposed.

As a result of updates to the Diocesan Model Admissions Policy, all Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Birmingham are required to undertake a full consultation on their proposed admissions policies for the 2028/29 academic year.

The proposed changes are:

• The introduction of new priority categories for Catechumens and children of Eastern Christian Churches.
• The introduction of new priority categories for children of other Christian denominations and children of other faiths.
• The introduction of new priority categories for children of members of staff at the time of admission.
• Changes intended to ensure that admission arrangements continue to reflect and serve the needs of our school communities.
• A number of minor amendments to wording, definitions and policy content, with the most significant revisions relating to the oversubscription criteria.

The consultation will remain open for a period of six weeks in accordance with statutory requirements. We welcome views from all interested parties and encourage stakeholders to participate in the consultation. Responses should be submitted in writing no later than 5:00pm on 30^th November 2026 via the MS Form linked here: Emmaus Consultation on Admissions Arrangements for 2028/29 (Worcestershire) - Fill in form

Following the close of the consultation period, all responses received will be carefully considered by the Local Governing Body before the final admissions arrangements are determined and published.

A copy of the full consultation letter and proposed policy for 2028-29 can be seen here