Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019 - Closing date for applications: 17 February 2019. Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions
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Starting Nursery
in Tower Hamlets 2019
For children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016
Closing date for applications: 17 February 2019. Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Applying for a nursery place – summary
Your child would If your child was born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 and you wish to
be eligible for a apply for a nursery place for September 2019, you must complete an online application
nursery place from by 17 February 2019 through the eAdmissions website: www.eadmissions.org.uk.
the term following If you would like a nursery place at a voluntary aided school, free school or academy,
their third birthday. you must – as well as completing an online application – complete the school’s
Supplementary Information Form, if they have one.
From 10 June 2019, Pupil Services will notify you of the outcome of
Pupil Services will Your Child your application by letter and email. The letter will
identify nursery places be sent on 7 May 2019 and will name the nursery
for any children that Starts at which a place has been offered for your child.
are unplaced and Nursery The email will be sent after 5pm on the same day.
those that applied late. This offer will be for a part-time place only.
If you have not been offered a place at your Once your child
chosen nurseries, you will be sent a list of You must accept or decline the has been offered
nurseries that still have places remaining and offer of a place by 24 May 2019. a part-time place,
given the opportunity to visit and apply to one you may request
If you do not reply by this date,
of these nurseries. Your child will also be placed a full-time place
the offer will be withdrawn.
on the waiting list for your preferred nursery. from your nursery.
Please contact Pupil Services on 020 7364 5006 or email school.admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.
Foreword by the Corporate Director
Dear parents and carers,
Starting nursery is a big moment for both most interested in to ask for a copy. there are places available, so some
parents and children. We know that you For more information and advice, please children may not be offered a place at
want your child to have the best start call Pupil Services on 020 7364 5006. the preferred school(s). Please be aware
in life and choosing the right place can We have a number of multilingual as well of this when deciding which schools to
often be a difficult decision. This booklet as Bengali speaking admissions officers. apply to in order of preference.
is designed to help you make the right
choice so that your child is happy and You should make your application online I am sure you have very high aspirations
successful at school. and, if you don’t have your own computer, for your child and expect high levels of
you can access the internet at any of achievement, as well as good behaviour
Inside you will find information about the borough’s Idea Stores. The website and regular attendance.
schools in Tower Hamlets, including address is www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
addresses, phone numbers and maps schooladmissions. Please see page 32 The council and our schools look to work
showing exactly where they are. We have for more information. in partnership with parents and carers.
also tried to answer the most frequently Together we can ensure your child
asked questions. All of Tower Hamlets maintained nursery progresses well and makes the best of
and primary schools have now been their time at school. You can be sure our
It is a good idea to visit some schools judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted teachers and other staff strive for nothing
and take the time to see the range of and the borough has some of the fastest short of excellence and, working with
opportunities that are available before improving schools in the country. The you, we can achieve this for your child.
making up your mind. School staff are latest nursery and primary school results
always pleased to meet new parents show that very high standards are We look forward to your child attending
and carers. As long as you make an common in schools across the borough. one of our schools.
appointment first, they will be happy to This has meant a rise in the number of Yours sincerely,
show you around. All of our local schools parents wanting to send their children
produce brochures about themselves, so to our schools. Many schools in Tower Debbie Jones
you may want to contact those you are Hamlets receive more applications than Corporate Director for Children’s Services
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 3
Contents
aps of nursery schools and
M
1 Introduction 5 3 schools with nursery classes 13
l Who is nursery education for? 5 l Schools list and catchment area maps 13
l The benefits of choosing nursery education 5 l School catchment area 1 (Stepney) 14
l Nursery provision in Tower Hamlets 6 l School catchment area 2 (Bow)) 15
l Other pre-school provisions 6 l School catchment area 3 (Poplar) 16
l Nursery class sessions 6 l School catchment area 4 (Isle of Dogs) 17
l Part-time and full-time funding 7 l School catchment area 5 (Wapping) 18
l Early learning for two-year-olds 7 l School catchment area 6 (Bethnal Green) 19
l List of nursery schools and
schools with nursery classes 20
2 Applying for a nursery place 8
l Start dates 8
l How to apply 8
4 Children’s centres 24
l Completing an application 8
requently asked questions
F
l Closing date 9 5 about nursery admission 26
l How decisions are made 9
l Admission arrangements for voluntary
aided schools and academies 10 6 Appendices 29
l Notification of decisions 10 Appendix A – Understanding school catchment
l
l Appeals 10 areas and the oversubscription criteria 29
l Waiting lists 10 Appendix B – A step-by-step guide to
l
l Post-offer process 11 applying online 32
l Children with additional needs 12 Glossary
l 37
l Nursery readiness 12 Useful contacts
l 38
l Admission to primary school 12
l Data protection 12
1 Introduction
This booklet is for parents with a child born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016
who wish to apply for a place in a nursery school, or a nursery class attached to a primary
school in Tower Hamlets, for September 2019.
Children will usually start nursery school or a nursery class in the September following their third birthday. It is possible
for eligible children to access a funded place from the beginning of the term after their third birthday. Both part-time (15
hours per week) and full-time (30 hours per week) places are available at Tower Hamlets nurseries.
to be part of a large group of children of 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Some settings offer
Who is nursery education for? their own age. We work in partnership wrap-around-care which means children
with parents to give your child the best can attend breakfast club (e.g. from 8am)
Nursery education is free for all three to possible start to their education and and after school care (e.g. until 5.30pm).
four year olds. Your child is entitled to 15 prepare them for reception class.
hours of free early years education per For more information on how a typical day
week and this is available from the term Our nurseries are run by experienced, in nursery is arranged you can contact
after their third birthday. Eligible parents early years trained teachers and your local nursery. You can also learn more
may also be entitled to an additional 15 supported by nursery nurses and early about the early years foundation stage from
hours per week. Some parents of two years trained teaching assistants. All www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/earlyyears
year olds are also eligible for 15 hours nursery education in Tower Hamlets’ or the Department for Education website:
free nursery, but must meet certain nursery schools and nursery classes www.gov.uk/dfe
in primary schools are rated ‘good’ by
government (income-based) criteria. Nurseries welcome visits from parents as
Ofsted and many are rated ‘outstanding’.
they want you to feel confident that you
The nursery day is arranged to allow pick the right setting for your child. It is
The benefits of choosing each child to develop at their own pace. well worth visiting a few nursery settings
nursery education Nursery classes are usually organised before making your application.
in the same way as a school, with three
Attending a nursery school or a terms. A typical day in nursery consists
nursery class gives children a valuable of two sessions: a morning session from
introduction to school. They will have the approximately 9am to 12pm and an
opportunity to develop their skills and afternoon session from approximately
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 5
Introduction
Usually children attend either a morning
Nursery provision in Other pre-school provisions or afternoon session of three hours, or
Tower Hamlets a full day. Where a school offers both
Private, voluntary and independent morning and afternoon sessions, the
Nursery schools nurseries, preschools and play groups school will allocate these. These may be
also offer pre-school provision. A list of allocated in consultation with parents.
There are six maintained nursery these providers is available from the Family No guarantee is made of the session time
schools in Tower Hamlets: Information Service on 020 7364 6495. when a place is offered. Children from
ll Alice Model Nursery School multiple births, such as twins or triplets,
ll Children’s House Nursery School will be offered the same session.
ll Columbia Market Nursery School Nursery class sessions
ll Harry Roberts Nursery School
ll Old Church Nursery School Nursery classes are part-time for 15
ll Rachel Keeling Nursery School. hours or full-time for 30 hours each week
during school term.
More information about these nursery
schools can be found on page 20.
Primary Schools with nursery classes
There are 61 maintained primary schools
which have an attached nursery class in
Tower Hamlets.
A full list of these nursery schools and
classes, along with more information
about them, can be found on page 20.
6 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019
Introduction
Parents not eligible for the additional free Your child will be eligible if any of the
Part-time and full-time funding 15 hours may still access a full time place following apply:
by paying a top-up fee. This fee will be ll they have a current education, health
All parents are entitled to 15 hours per set by each nursery. and care plan (EHCP)
week of free early years education for
38 weeks each year from the start Please contact your local nursery for ll they get disability living allowance
of the school term after their child’s further information. ll they have left care through special
third birthday until the child reaches guardianship or an adoption or child
compulsory school age i.e. the term arrangement order
after their fifth birthday. Early learning for
two year olds ll they are looked after by the local
An additional free 15 hours will only be authority.
available for families where both parents Some children may be eligible for Families who have no recourse to public
are working (or the sole parent is working). 15 hours of funded childcare from the funds are not eligible for a funded early
Typically each parent must earn at least term after their second birthday. Unlike learning place for two year olds.
the national minimum or living wage for the nursery education for three and
four year olds, which is open to all, the You can check whether your child is
16 hours a week and less than £100,000
early learning for two year olds is only eligible by contacting your nearest
a year to be eligible.
available to children and families that children’s centre.
For more information on eligibility go meet certain criteria.
For more information on children’s
to: www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-
Children love to play and learn, and centres please see page 24.
costs/free-childcare-and-education-
for-2-to-4-year-olds. Tower Hamlets has some excellent
You can also call the Family Information
nurseries, pre-school playgroups and
Service on 020 7364 6495 to check your
childminders where they can do just that.
Only part-time places will be eligibility. They will also be able to discuss
offered as part of this coordinated Your child could take up their place in with you what childcare is available and
scheme. Once your child has been the term after they turn two (with 15 what best suits you and your child.
offered a part-time place, you hours a week of free care) if: you are on
may request a full-time place from a low income; if your child has additional
your nursery. Full-time places will needs; or if your child is looked after by
be subject to availability and will the council. If you have an older child at
depend on the eligibility criteria school and they receive free school meals,
outlined in the previous paragraph. your younger children will probably be
eligible for a free two year old place too.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 7
2 Applying for a nursery place
form, you must include evidence of
Start dates If you wish to apply to a private parental responsibility i.e. a court
nursery or a nursery in another order, a solicitor’s letter, or a letter
Children will usually start nursery school local borough, you must contact from the parent named on the child’s
or a nursery class in the September the nursery directly. birth certificate giving you permission
following their third birthday. However, it to care for their child. If you are not a
is possible for eligible children to access blood relative you must register with
To find out how to apply for a nursery
a funded place from the beginning of the local authority as a private foster
place for other than a September start
the term after their third birthday. carer. The Pupil Services team will refer
i.e. January or April, please contact
Pupil Services. applications to the local authority’s
social care team if it has concerns
How to apply about whom a child is living with.
Completing an application
If your child was born between 1 When submitting your online application
September 2015 and 31 August 2016 you are confirming the information you
Parents must complete and submit an have given is accurate and complete,
and you would like a nursery place for
online application via the eAdmissions and that you understand if it is not, the
September 2019, you must submit an
website: www.eadmissions.org.uk. local authority has the right to withhold
online application by 17 February 2019.
You can apply for up to three Tower or withdraw the offer of a place.
You should apply online at Hamlets nurseries.
www.eadmissions.org.uk. For guidance on completing an online
If you would like a nursery place at application, please see Appendix B.
Please see page 32 for instructions on a voluntary aided school, free school
how to make an online application. or academy, you must – as well as If you are unable to make an online
completing an online application – application, please contact Pupil Services.
When you have completed and complete the school’s supplementary
submitted your application you will information form if they have one.
receive an instant email confirmation. You can contact Pupil Services on
You can then make changes to your Applications must be made by the 020 7364 5006 or by email school.
application up until the 2019 closing child’s parent or the person with admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
date (17 February). parental responsibility. If you are not the
parent of the child on the application
8 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019
Applying for a nursery place
be for the highest preference school at
Closing date which an offer can be made. Tie-break
The decisions on applications for Tower In the event of oversubscription within
The closing date for applications is
Hamlets community nurseries are made categories 3, 4, 5, and 6 above,
Sunday 17 February 2019.
by the local authority. If a Tower Hamlets priority will be given to children who
All applications made up until the
community nursery receives more live closest to the school by the
closing date will be treated in the same
applications than there are places available, shortest walking distance. A digitised
way in accordance with the procedure
described in the following sections. the decision on whether or not a place ordnance survey map is used to
Applications are not processed on a can be offered will be made in accordance measure the distance from the home
first come first served basis. with the local authority’s admission address to the school’s designated
criteria set out in priority order below: official entrance. In the event of two
It is very important not to apply late, distances being the same, a decision
1. Children looked after by the local
because applications made after the will be made by random allocation.
authority including adopted children
closing date will be considered only after who were previously looked after and
places have been allocated to children children who leave care under a special
whose parents applied on time. guardianship or residence order. Notes
Nursery class places are in considerable 2. Children for whom it is deemed there Note 1: This can include the parents’,
demand and most schools will not is strong educational, medical or carers’ or other family members’
have vacancies once all applications social reason to attend the school medical conditions and the family’s
that have been received on time have applied to (see note 1). social needs. Parents must
been processed. complete the relevant section on the
3. Children living within the catchment
area who have a sibling attending application form and attach medical
the school (including the school of and/or social reports from a suitable
How decisions are made separate infant and junior schools) and professional (e.g. a doctor or social
who will continue to do so on the date worker) to support the application.
The Pupil Services team will process of admission (see note 2). Note 2: Sibling means a whole, half
applications and coordinate the decisions or step-brother or step-sister who
4. Children who live within the catchment
for all those who apply. Your application reside at the same address.
area of the school and for whom the
for each school is processed individually
school applied for is their nearest
and, in each case, a decision is taken to
community school within the
determine whether or not your child can
be offered a place.
catchment area.
You must submit an
5. Other children from within the
If we find that we can place your child at catchment area of the school. online application by
more than one of your school preferences,
only one school will be allocated. This will
6. Children living outside of the catchment 17 February 2019
area of the school applied to.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 9
Applying for a nursery place
Admission arrangements Notification of decisions Appeals
for voluntary aided schools,
academies and free schools If your application was received on or As nursery is non-statutory, parents do not
before the closing date (17 February have the right of appeal if they do not get
For voluntary aided schools, free schools 2019), Pupil Services will notify you of their preferred nursery choice. However,
and academies, it is the school’s the outcome of your application by letter parents may contact the local authority
governors who will make decisions, and email. The letter will be sent on for more information on the reason as to
based on the information you provided 7 May 2019 and will name the nursery why their child was not offered a place.
in your application and the school’s at which a place has been offered for
supplementary information form. your child. The email will be sent after
Admission policies and oversubscription 5pm on the same day. This offer will Waiting lists
criteria for these schools can be found on be for a part-time place only.
their websites or at www.towerhamlets. All children will automatically be added
If you have not been offered a place at to the waiting lists of higher preference
gov.uk/schooladmissions.
your chosen nurseries, you will be sent nurseries than the one offered, unless
a list of nurseries that still have places parents ask to remove their child from a
The Paradigm Academies (Culloden, remaining and given the opportunity to waiting list.
Old Ford and Solebay), St Paul’s visit and apply to one of these nurseries.
Your child will also be placed on the Waiting lists for Tower Hamlets
Way Foundation Primary School,
waiting list for your preferred nursery. community nurseries will be kept and
The LETTA Trust Primary Schools
maintained by Pupil Services in the order
(Bygrove Primary School and You must accept or decline the offer of of priorities set out on page 9.
Stebon Primary School) and The a place by 24 May 2019 so that nursery
Clara Grant Primary School (part places can then be reallocated. If you do Waiting lists for own admission authority
of The Tower Trust) have delegated not reply by 24 May 2019, the offer will nurseries i.e. voluntary aided schools,
decisions on admissions to the be withdrawn. academies and free schools, will be kept
council and, therefore, use the same and maintained by the nursery itself.
oversubscription criteria as Tower
Hamlets community schools.
You must accept or decline the
offer of a place by 24 May 2019
10 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019Applying for a nursery place
From September 2019, parents wishing (January and April), unless there are
Post-offer process to make an in-year transfer application, exceptional circumstances for a transfer
or parents who wish to make an to be considered earlier.
After 7 May 2019, unsuccessful applicants application who have not yet done so,
will automatically be added to the waiting must make an application direct to If your child turns three during the
list for their preferred nursery. At this the local authority using the Nursery 2019/20 school year, you may apply for
stage consideration will be given to late Admission 2019 application form, which a nursery place in the term following
applicants (i.e. those that applied after 17 will be available to download from the their third birthday.
February 2019) alongside those that were Tower Hamlets website or available
unsuccessful in the initial round of offers. from Pupil Services.
You can contact Pupil Services
From 10 June 2019, Pupil Services will Once children are in nursery, transfers on 020 7364 5006 or email school.
identify nursery places for any children that to other nurseries (in-year transfers) will admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
are unplaced and those that applied late. only take place at the start of each term for more information
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 11Applying for a nursery place
Children with additional needs Admission to primary school Data protection
If your child has an education, health Whether or not your child is accepted The information you provide on your
and care plan (EHCP) then you must for a nursery class place, you will need application will be held by the London
contact the local authority’s Special to apply separately for a place in the Borough of Tower Hamlets in accordance
Educational Needs (SEN) Team to access reception class of a primary school. with the General Data Protection
a nursery place. You can contact the Regulation (GDPR). Your information
SEN team on 020 7364 4880. may be shared with relevant council
There is no automatic right of
departments, schools or other local
If your child has additional/special transfer from the nursery class to
education authorities for the purposes of
educational needs or a disability but the reception class in the same
admissions or fulfilling a statutory duty.
does not have an EHCP, you should school, and attending a nursery
We will pass the information to the school
apply for a nursery place through the class does not give any priority
your child is offered a place at, where it
usual route. You may also contact your for admission to reception class
will form part of the pupil database that
local children’s centre for advice on at the same school.
the school keeps. Your information will
getting additional support.
be kept by the local authority for eight
Information on children’s centres You can apply for a reception place at years after an offer of a place is made.
in Tower Hamlets can be found on a different primary school to one where You may withdraw your consent for the
page 24. your child attends the nursery. processing of your information, which
will also mean the withdrawal of the
Children eligible for nursery classes in nursery place that is offered, at any time
Nursery readiness 2019/20 would normally start primary by contacting the Pupil Services team
school in September 2020. The application within the local authority. You also have a
It is expected that your child will be toilet period for admission to reception will be right to complain, object to or access the
trained before they start in a nursery from 1 September 2019 to 15 January information that is held and processed
class. They should also be able to 2020. A booklet with information about about you. Please see the council’s
initiate requests and have conversations applying for a reception place will be website (www.towerhamlets.gov.uk)
with others. available from primary schools in Tower for further details on contacting the
Hamlets, from the Pupil Services team Complaints and Information Team.
or online at www.towerhamlets.
gov.uk/schooladmissions from
1 September 2019.
12 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 20193 Schools list and catchment area maps
1 Alice Model 36 Old Church
2 Arnhem Wharf 37 Old Ford
3 Bangabandhu 38 Olga
4 Bigland Green 39 Osmani
5 Blue Gate Fields Infants 40 Our Lady & St Joseph
6 Bonner (Mile End) 41 Rachel Keeling
7 Bygrove 42 Redlands
8 Canon Barnett 43 Seven Mills
9 Cayley 44 Shapla
10 Children’s House 45 Sir William Burrough
11 Chisenhale 46 Smithy Street
12 Christ Church CE 47 St Agnes RC
13 Columbia Market 48 St Anne’s RC
14 Columbia 49 St Edmund’s RC
15 Cubitt Town Infants 50 St Elizabeth’s RC
16 Culloden 51 St John’s CE
17 Cyril Jackson 52 St Luke’s CE
18 Elizabeth Selby Infants 53 St Mary & St Michael RC
19 English Martyrs RC 54 St Matthias CE
20 Globe 55 St Paul’s With
21 Hague St Luke’s CE
22 Halley 56 St Paul’s Way Foundation
23 Harbinger 57 St Paul’s Whitechapel CE
24 Harry Gosling 58 St Peter’s
25 Harry Roberts (London Docks) CE
26 Hermitage 59 St Saviours CE
27 John Scurr 60 Stebon
28 Kobi Nazrul 61 Stewart Headlam
29 Lansbury Lawrence 62 The Clara Grant
30 Malmesbury 63 Thomas Buxton
31 Manorfield 64 Virginia
32 Marion Richardson 65 Wellington
33 Marner 66 William Davis
34 Mayflower 67 Woolmore
35 Mowlem
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 13School catchment area 1 (Stepney)
Community nursery schools
1 Alice Model Nursery
25 Harry Roberts Nursery
36 Old Church Nursery
41 Rachel Keeling Nursery
Community schools
with nursery class
3 Bangabandhu
9 Cayley
20 Globe
22 Halley
27 John Scurr
32 Marion Richardson
42 Redlands
46 Smithy Street
Academy/Free schools
with nursery class
45 Sir William Burrough
Area Covered
ll South of Approach Road and Old Ford Road
ll West of Regents Canal
(up to the Railway Bridge on Grove Road)
ll West of Grove Road and Burdett Road
ll North of Limehouse Cut from Burdett Road
to River Thames
ll North of River Thames
ll East of Brodlove Lane and Devonport Street
ll East of Lukin Street
ll North of Commercial Road
(from Lukin Street to Sidney Street)
ll East of Sidney Street and Cambridge Heath Road
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
14 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019School catchment area 2 (Bow)
Community nursery schools
10 Children’s House Nursery
Community schools
with nursery class
6 Bonner (Mile End)
11 Chisenhale
30 Malmesbury
38 Olga
65 Wellington
Voluntary aided schools
with nursery class
47 St Agnes RC
Academy/Free schools
with nursery class
37 Old Ford - a Paradigm Academy
(uses same admissions policy as
community schools)
Area covered
ll South of Approach Road and
A106 Victoria Park Road
ll South of Cadogan Terrace
ll West of River Lea
ll East of Regents Canal (from
Railway Bridge on Grover Road)
and Burdett Road
ll North of the railway line
connecting Limehouse and
Bromley by Bow
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 15School catchment area 3 (Poplar)
Community schools with nursery class
17 Cyril Jackson
29 Lansbury Lawrence
31 Manorfield
33 Marner
34 Mayflower
67 Woolmore
Voluntary aided schools
with nursery class
40 Our Lady & St Joseph
55 St Paul’s with St Luke’s CE
59 St Saviours CE
Academy/Free schools
with nursery class
7 Bygrove (uses same admission
policy as community schools)
16 Culloden – a Paradigm Academy
(uses same admissions policy
as community schools)
56 St Paul’s Way Foundation
(uses same admissions policy
as community schools)
60 Steborn (uses same admission
policy as community schools)
62 The Clara Grant (uses same admission
policy as community schools)
Area covered
ll South of the railway line connecting
Limehouse and Bromley by Bow
ll West of River Lea
ll East of Burdett Road and the River Thames
ll North of South Dock Entrance
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
16 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019School catchment area 4 (Isle of Dogs)
Community schools
with nursery class
2 Arnhem Wharf
15 Cubitt Town Infants
23 Harbinger
43 Seven Mills
Voluntary aided schools
with nursery class
49 St Edmund’s RC
52 St Luke’s CE
Area covered
ll South of South Dock Entrance
ll North of River Thames
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 17School catchment area 5 (Wapping)
Community schools
with nursery class:
4 Bigland Green
Area covered
5 Blue Gate Fields Infants
8 Canon Barnett Tower Hamlets City of London
24 Harry Gosling ll South of Wentworth Street (up to ll South of Cornhill, Leadenhall Street,
26 Hermitage Osborn Street) Aldgate High Street
44 Shapla ll South of Commercial Road (from ll South of Harrow Place (from White
Whitechurch Lane to Lukin Street) Kennet Street)
Voluntary aided schools ll South of Poonah Street ll West of Middlesex Street, Mansell
with nursery class: ll West of Lukin Street, Devonport Street and Trinity Square
19 English Martyrs RC Street and Brodlove Lane ll North of River Thames
53 St Mary & St Michael RC ll North of River Thames ll East of King Williams Street
57 St Paul’s Whitechapel CE ll East of Trinity Square, Mansell
58 St Peter’s (London Docks) CE Street and Middlesex Street
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
18 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019School catchment area 6 (Bethnal Green)
Community nursery schools
13 Columbia Market Nursery
Community schools with nursery class
14 Columbia
18 Elizabeth Selby Infant
21 Hague
28 Kobi Nazrul
35 Mowlem
39 Osmani
61 Stewart Headlam Hackney
63 Thomas Buxton ll South of Ash Grove and Earlston Grove
64 Virginia ll East of Fremont Street
66 William Davis ll West and South of Christchurch Square
ll North of Regent’s Canal (up to Ash Grove)
Voluntary Aided schools ll South of Dunloe Street (from Dawson
with nursery class Street to Columbia Road)
16 Christ Church CE ll West of Columbia Road
55 St Anne’s RC ll North of Hackney Road
57 St Elizabeth’s RC ll East of Weymouth Terrace (from Hackney
58 St John’s CE Road to 14 Dunloe Court)
61 St Matthias CE ll South of Cremer Street
ll West of Hackney Road, Boundary Street
and Shoreditch High Street
ll North of Worship Street East of Scrutton
Street, Christina Street,
ll Gatesborough Street, Great Eastern
Area covered
Street and Curtain Road
Tower Hamlets ll East of Shoreditch High Street (from
ll South of Hackney Road (from Shoreditch High Street to Goldsmiths Rivington Street to Waterson
Row), South of Teale Street Pritchard’s Road and Regent’s Canal ll Street) and Nazrul Street City of London
ll West of Approach Road and Old Ford Road ll South of South Place, Sun Street, Appold
ll West of Cambridge Heath Road and Sidney Street Street and Worship Street
ll North of Commercial Road (from Sidney Street to Whitechurch Lane) ll West of Norton Folgate and Bishopsgate
ll North of Wentworth Street (from Osborn Street to Middlesex Street) ll North of Cornhill
ll East of Middlesex Street, Norton Folgate and Boundary Street ll East of Prince’s Street and Moorgate
To find out the catchment area for your home address, please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/equalchance
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 19List of Nursery schools and schools with nursery classes
Nursery name
Headteacher
and address
After school
and website
Catchment
Telephone
Afternoon
Breakfast
sessions*
sessions*
Morning
Nursery
type
area
club
club
Alice Model Nursery School 020 7790 5425
Stepney Community 15 15 Yes No Lynn Cottle
14 Beaumont Grove, London, E1 4NQ www.alicemodel.weebly.com
Arnhem Wharf Primary School 020 7515 4310
Isle of Dogs Community 52 26 Yes No Sara Haynes
1 Arnhem Place, London, E14 3RP www.arnhemwharfprimaryschool.com
Bangabandhu Primary School 020 8980 0580
Stepney Community 60 24 Yes No Marie Maxwell
Wessex Street, London, E2 0LB www.bangabandhu.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Bigland Green Primary School Abdul-Hayee 020 7702 7088
Wapping Community 60 60 No No
Bigland Street, London, E1 2ND Murshad www.Biglandgreen.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Blue Gate Fields Infant School 020 7790 3611
Wapping Community 69 66 Yes No Catherine Jones
King David Lane, London, E1 0EH www.bluegatefields-inf.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Bonner Mile End Primary School 020 8980 1004
Bow Community 60 60 Yes No Nicola Denton
2C Ropery Street, London E3 4QE www.bonner.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Bygrove Primary School 020 7538 4925
Poplar Academy 30 30 Yes Yes Joanna franklin
Bygrove Street, London, E14 6DN www.bygrove.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Canon Barnett Primary School 020 7247 9023
Wapping Community 26 26 No No Jackie Trudgeon
Gunthorpe Street, London, E1 7RQ www.canonbarnett.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Cayley Primary School 020 7790 1490
Stepney Community 30 30 Yes Yes Lissa Samuel
Aston Street, London, E14 7NG www.cayley.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Children's House Nursery School 020 8980 4662
Bow Community 80 80 Yes Yes Chris Lewis
92 Bruce Road, London, E3 3HL www.childrenshouse.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Chisenhale Primary School Sharon Taylor- 020 8980 2584
Bow Community 36 36 Yes Yes
Chisenhale Road, London , E3 5QY Sezgin www.chisenhale.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Christchurch CofE Primary School 020 7247 0792
Bethnal Green Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes Yes Julian Morant
47A Bricklane, London, E1 6PU www.christchurchbricklaneprimary.org
Columbia Market Nursery School 020 7739 4518
Bethnal Green Community 80 80 Yes Yes Lynn Cottle
Columbia Road, London E2 7PG www.columbiamarket.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Columbia Primary School 020 7739 3835
Bethnal Green Community 16 16 No No Oliver Woodward
Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG www.columbia.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Cubitt Town Infants' School 020 7987 3373
Isle of Dogs Community 45 45 Yes yes Nikki Daly
Manchester Road, London, E14 3NE www.cubitttowninf.co.uk
Culloden Primary - A Paradigm Academy 020 7364 1010
Poplar Academy 84 84 No No Ben Carter
Dee Street, London, E14 0PT www.cullodenacademy.paradigmtrust.org
Cyril Jackson Primary School 020 7987 3737
Poplar Community 48 12 Yes Yes Gillian Kemp
Limehouse Causeway, London,E14 8AQ www.cyriljackson.towerhamlets.sch.uk
*Note: the number of morning and/or afternoon sessions may change and are subject to availability.
20 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019List of Nursery schools and schools with nursery classes
Nursery name
Headteacher
and address
After school
and website
Catchment
Telephone
Afternoon
Breakfast
sessions*
sessions*
Morning
Nursery
type
area
club
club
Elizabeth Selby Infant School 020 7739 6187
Bethnal Green Community 52 52 Yes Yes Ann Wood
Old Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6PP www.elizabethselby.school
English Martyrs RC Primary School 0207 709 0182
Wapping Voluntary Aided 32 27 Yes Yes Mugemt
St Marks Street, London, E1 8DJ www.englishmartyrs.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Globe Primary School 0208 980 1738
Stepney Community 29 7 Yes No Marie Maxwell
Gawber Street, London, E2 0JH www.globeschool.org.uk
Hague Primary School 020 7739 9574
Bethnal Green Community 25 25 Yes No Judy Coles
Wilmot Street, London, E2 0BP www.hague.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Halley Primary School Wendy Otterburn- 020 7265 8061
Stepney Community 30 12 No No
Halley Street, London , E14 7SS Hall www.halley.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Harbinger Primary School 020 7987 1924
Isle of dogs Community 45 45 Yes Yes Mandy Boutwood
Cahir Street, London, E14 3QP www.harbingerschool.co.uk
Harry Gosling Primary School 020 7481 1650
Wapping Community 30 30 Yes Yes Jennie Bird
Fairclough Street, London, E1 1NT www.harrygoslingprimary.co.uk
Harry Roberts Nursery School 020 7790 6711
Stepney Community 80 80 Yes No Alexandra Law
Commodore Street, London, E1 4PF www.harryroberts.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Hermitage Primary School 020 7702 1037
Wapping Community 37 37 Yes Yes Zoe Howe
Vaughan Way, London, E1W 2PT www.hermitage.towerhamlets.sch.uk
John Scurr Primary School 020 7790 3647
Stepney Community 52 50 No No Maria Lewington
Cephas Street, London, E1 4AX johnscurrprimary.weebly.com
Kobi Nazrul Primary School 020 7375 3626
Bethnal Green Community 15 15 Yes Yes Belinda King
Settle Street, London, E1 1JP www.kobinazrul.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Lansbury Lawrence Primary School 020 7987 4589
Poplar Community 30 30 Yes No Owen O'Regan
Cordelia Street, London, E14 6DZ www.lansbury.org.uk
Malmesbury Primary School 020 8980 4299
Bow Community 55 30 Yes Yes Joanne Clensy
Coborn Street, London, E3 2AB www.malmesburyschool.uk
Manorfield Primary School 020 7987 1623
Poplar Community 60 60 No No Paul Jackson
Wyvis Street, London, E14 6QD www.manorfield.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Marion Richardson Primary School 020 7790 1441
Stepney Community 36 36 No No Ian Jones
Senrab Street, London, E1 0QF www.marionrichardson.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Marner Primary School 020 7987 2938
Poplar Community 52 52 Yes No Nick Hague
Devas Street, London, E3 3LL www.marnerprimary.com
Mayflower Primary School 020 7987 2782
Poplar Community 50 0 Yes Yes Dee Bleach
Upper North Street, London, E14 6DU www.mayflower.towerhamlets.sch.uk
*Note: the number of morning and/or afternoon sessions may change and are subject to availability.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 21List of Nursery schools and schools with nursery classes
Nursery name
Headteacher
and address
After school
and website
Catchment
Telephone
Afternoon
Breakfast
sessions*
sessions*
Morning
Nursery
type
area
club
club
Mowlem Primary School 020 8249 6880
Bethnal Green Community 30 30 Yes No Julia Burns
Mowlem St Bishops Way, London, E2 9HE www.mowlem.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Old Church Nursery School 020 7790 2824
Stepney Community 120 80 Yes Yes Sarah Helm
Walter Terrace, London, E1 0RJ www.oldchurch.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Old Ford Primary - A Paradigm Academy 020 8980 1503
Bow Academy 105 105 Yes Yes Kevin Jones
Wrights Road, London, E3 5LD oldfordacademy.paradigmtrust.org
Olga Primary School 020 8981 7127
Bow Community 78 78 Yes Yes Linda Ewers
Lanfranc Road, London, E3 5DN www.olga.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Osmani Primary School 020 7247 8909
Bethnal Green Community 60 60 Yes No Remi Atoyebi
Vallance Road, London, E1 5AD www.osmani.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School 020 3764 8860
Poplar Voluntary Aided 52 52 No No P Devereux
Wades Place, London, E14 0DE www.olsj.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Rachel Keeling Nursery School 020 8980 5856
Stepney Community 94 67 Yes No Becky Dolamore
Bullards Place, Morpeth Street, London, E2 0PS www.rachelkeeling.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Redlands Primary School 020 7790 4534
Stepney Community 30 30 Yes No Ann O'Reilly
Redmans Road, London, E1 3AQ www.redlands.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Seven Mills Primary School 020 7987 2350
Isle Of Dogs Community 30 30 No No Mike Hirst
Malabar Street, London, E14 8LY www.sevenmills.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Shapla Primary School 020 7480 5829
Wapping Community 30 30 No No Tim Barnes
Wellclose Square, London, E1 8HY www.shaplaprimary.co.uk
Sir William Burrough Primary School 020 7987 2147
Stepney Academy 17 17 No No Avril Newman
Salmon Lane, London, E14 7PQ www.sirwilliamburrough.net
Smithy Street Primary School 020 7702 7971
Stepney Community 32 32 Yes Yes Edith Philipsen
Smithy Street, London, E1 3BW www.smithystreet.org.uk
St Agnes RC Primary School 020 8980 3076
Bow Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes Yes Brid McDaid
Rainhill Way, London, E3 3ER www.st-agnes.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Anne's RC Primary School 020 7247 6327
Bethnal Green Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes Yes Sheila Mouna
Underwood Road, London, E1 5AW www.stannesschool.org.uk
St Edmund's RC Primary School 020 7987 2546
Isle of Dogs Voluntary Aided 25 25 No Yes Gail O'Flaherty
299 Westferry Road, London, E14 3RS www.st-edmunds-school.org
St Elizabeth's RC Primary School 020 8980 3964
Bethnal Green Voluntary Aided 30 20 Yes Yes A John
Bonner Road, London, E2 9JY www.st-elizabeth.uk
St John's CofE Primary School 020 8980 1142
Bethnal Green Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes No Terry Bennett
Peel Grove, London, E2 9LR www.st-johns.towerhamlets.sch.uk
*Note: the number of morning and/or afternoon sessions may change and are subject to availability.
22 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019List of Nursery schools and schools with nursery classes
Nursery name
Headteacher
and address
After school
and website
Catchment
Telephone
Afternoon
Breakfast
sessions*
sessions*
Morning
Nursery
type
area
club
club
St Luke's CofE Primary School Rebecca 020 7987 1753
Isle of Dogs Voluntary Aided 30 18 Yes Yes
Saunders Ness Road, London, E14 3EB Abrahams www.st-lukes.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Mary & St Michael RC Primary School 020 7790 4986
Wapping Voluntary Aided 52 52 Yes Yes Rachel Mahon
Sutton Street, London, E1 0BD www.st-marymichael.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Matthias CofE Primary School 020 7739 8058
Bethnal Green Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes No Clare Sealy
Bacon Street, London, E2 6DY www.stmatthiasschool.org.uk
St Paul's with St Luke's CofE Primary School 020 7987 4624
Bow Voluntary Aided 30 30 Yes Yes Nicola Horton
Leopold Street, London, E3 4LA www.spsl.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Paul's Way Foundation Primary School 020 7987 1883
Poplar Academy 26 26 Yes Yes Clare Lynam
32 St Paul's Way, London, E3 4AL www.spwft.net
St Paul's Whitechapel CofE Primary School 020 7480 6581
Wapping Voluntary Aided 30 30 No No Terry Bennett
Wellclose Square, London, E1 8HY www.st-pauls.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Peter's London Docks CofE Primary School 020 7488 3050
Wapping Voluntary Aided 36 24 Yes Yes Elizabeth Dickson
Garnet Sreet, London, E1W 3QT www.stpetersprimary.org.uk
St Saviours CofE Primary School 020 7987 4889
Poplar Community 30 30 No No Fanoula Smith
Chrisp Street, London, E14 6BB www.stsavioursschool.org.uk
Stebon Primary School Joanna Franklin & 020 7987 4237
Poplar Academy 45 45 Yes No
Wallwood Street, London, E14 7AD Mr Jeremy Iver www.stebon.org.uk
Stewart Headlam Primary School 020 7247 1201
Bethnal Green Community 30 30 Yes No Cathy Gillespie
Tapp Street, London, E1 5RE www.stewartheadlam.towerhamlets.sch.uk
The Clara Grant Primary School 020 7987 4564
Poplar Academy 32 32 Yes No Susan Ward
Knapp Road, London,E3 4BU www.claragrant.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Thomas Buxton Primary School 020 7247 3816
Bethnal Green Community 60 60 No No Lorraine Flanagan
Buxton Street, London E1 5AR www.thomasbuxton.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Virginia Primary School 020 7739 6195
Bethnal Green Community 13 13 No No Kate Gooding
Virginia Road, London, E2 7NQ www.virginia.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Wellington Primary School 020 8980 2413
Bow Community 30 30 No No Martin Grant
Wellington Way, London, E3 4NE www.wellington.towerhamlets.sch.uk
William Davis Primary School 020 7739 1511
Bethnal Green Community 30 30 Yes Yes Annika Eadie
Wood Close, Cheshire Street, London, E2 6ET www.williamdavis.org.uk
Woolmore Primary School 020 7987 2778
Poplar Community 52 52 Yes No Tracy Argent
37 Woolmore Street, London, E14 0EW www.woolmore.towerhamlets.sch.uk
*Note: the number of morning and/or afternoon sessions may change and are subject to availability.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 234 Children’s centres
A Children’s centre, often Children’s centres in Tower Hamlets
called a Sure Start Centre,
is a place where parents,
The vison of the Integrated Early Years’ Service is for every child in Tower Hamlets to
carers or families with have the best possible start in life - through reducing inequalities and improving quality
children under the age of of life. Children’s centre services aims to support children and their families to be safe
five can go and use play and happy - improving lifelong health and wellbeing.
facilities, join in groups and There are 12 children’s centres across the borough each offering both universal
receive support. and targeted services for families:
The purpose of children’s centres is to Around Poplar John Smith Mowlem
improve outcomes for young children 115 Three Colt Street 90 Stepney Way, Wadeson Street
and their families by shaping: London, E14 8AP London, E1 2EN London, E2 9DL
020 7364 0540 020 7364 0537 020 7364 7935
ll child development and school Chrisp Street Marner Ocean
readiness 23 – 27 Market Way Marner Centre Whitehorse Road
ll parenting aspirations and London, E14 6AH Devas Street London, E1 0ND
parenting skills 020 7364 2856 London, E3 3LL 020 7364 0544
ll child and family health and life 020 7364 3534
chances. Collingwood Overland
St Bartholomew Gardens Meath Gardens 60 Parnell Road
Children’s centres work with parents, Buckhurst Street 1 Smart Street Bow, London, E3 2RU
families, settings and the community London, E1 5QT London, E2 0SN 020 7364 1925
from as early as possible to make 020 7364 0539 020 7364 0349 Wapping
sure children are ready for school. Isle of Dogs Mile End Bigland Street
The centres offer a range of support Millwall Park, 9 Bede Square London, E1 2ND
to parents including dedicated school Stebondale Street Joseph Street 020 7364 0423
readiness workshops which include London, E14 3BX London, E3 4GY
potty training and managing behaviour. 020 7364 1179 020 7364 7557
24 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019Children’s centres
All children’s centre services are free, Tower Hamlets
and they include: Children Centre
Universal play sessions Mini Clusters
Drop-in fun play activities, such as
ball pools, rockers, sandpits, building
blocks, story book and baby play areas
Targeted sessions (Little Talkers,
Invitation to Play, Thames music, baby
massage, healthy eating, weaning
advice, breastfeeding support, etc)
Parenting programmes
Support into volunteering and
employment: Tower Hamlets
WorkPath and adult learning courses
Specialist programmes (e.g. Positive
Change)
Support with EL2 applications
Healthy Start vitamins and vouchers
Signposting and referral on to
appropriate services
For more information on
children’s centres please visit
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/
childrenscentres. Alternatively, you
can contact the Family Information
Service on 020 7364 6495 or email
fis@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 255
Frequently asked questions
about nursery admission
When can my child What if my child turns What if I am not a Tower
Q start nursery? Q three during the 2019/20 Q Hamlets resident but
school year? would like a place at a
Children can start nursery from the term nursery in the borough?
following their third birthday. If your child turns three during the
2019/20 school year, you may apply for If you are not a resident of Tower
If your child was born between 1
a nursery place in the term following Hamlets but wish to apply for a
September 2015 and 31 August 2016
their third birthday by making an in-year nursery in the borough, you can still
and you would like a nursery place for
application. For information on how to do submit your online application via
September 2019, you must submit an
that, please contact Pupil Services. www.eadmissions.org.uk.
online application by 17 February 2019.
For guidance on how to make an
How can I make sure Is there financial help
application, please see page 32. Q my child settles into Q available for nursery
nursery quickly? provision?
What if I want a
Q nursery place before Important independence skills, such as All children aged three and four are
September 2019? using the toilet independently, putting entitled to 15 hours a week of free
on their coat, eating using cutlery, nursery education during school term
If you would like a nursery place for your washing their hands, sharing with times (38 weeks a year) from the term
child for the term following their third others, initiating conversation with peers following their third birthday. This
birthday but before September 2019 i.e. and adults will help a child to settle into entitlement can also be taken in a private
in January or April 2019, please contact nursery quickly. It would also be helpful or voluntary provision.
Pupil Services for advice on how to if children were used to spending time
make an application. away from their parents.
Contact Pupil Services on
020 7364 5006 or email school.
You must submit an online
admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
application by 17 February 2019
26 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 2019Frequently asked questions about nursery admission
Only where both parents are working Will my child be offered a minimum or living wage for 16 hours a
a minimum of 16 hours – or a single Q full-time place? week and less than £100,000 a year to
parent working a minimum of 16 hours be eligible.
in a single parent family – will a child The local authority will only offer part-time
be eligible for a free full-time place (30 For more information on eligibility go
places i.e. for 15 hours per week. Once
hours a week). to: www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-
your child has been offered a part-time
costs/free-childcare-and-education-
place, you may request a full-time place
If you are not eligible for a full-time place for-2-to-4-year-olds
from your nursery.
and you would like for your child to
attend for longer hours, you will be asked Parents not eligible for the additional free
An additional free 15 hours i.e. a full time
to pay for the additional services. 15 hours may still access a full time place
place will only be available for families
by paying a top-up fee. This fee will be
where both parents are working (or the
Some two year olds may also be eligible set by nurseries. Please contact your
sole parent is working). Typically each
for 15 hours funding for 38 weeks, but local nursery for further information.
parent must earn at least the national
must meet certain government (income-
based) criteria. You can check your
eligibility by calling the Family Information
Service on 020 7364 6495.
Further information can be found at
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-
costs/free-childcare-and-education-
for-2-to-4-year-olds
For information on private or voluntary
nurseries or playgroups, you can
contact them directly or you can contact
the Family Information Service on
020 7364 6495.
Contact Pupil Services on
020 7364 5006 or email school.
admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 27Frequently asked questions about nursery admission
Can my child attend more When can my child If my child is not offered
Q than one provision? Q move from a nursery Q a nursery place can I
to primary school? appeal the decision?
It is not recommended for a child to
be attending more than one type of Children usually start the reception year Parents do not have the right of appeal
under fives activity (e.g. playgroup of primary school at the beginning of against the decision to refuse their child
in the morning and nursery class in the school year (September) following a nursery place. However, parents may
the afternoon). The adjustment is too their fourth birthday. If your child was contact the local authority for more
demanding and confusing for most born between 1 September 2015 and information on the reason why their
children of this age and much of the 31 August 2016 they will start reception child was not offered a place.
benefit from either activity could be lost. in September 2020. Children who
attend a school’s nursery class do not
automatically transfer to reception, as Can I get help with free
Can I transfer my child Q early education or childcare
Q between nurseries?
decisions on primary school admissions
are taken separately. You must apply for for my two year old?
a reception place by 15 January 2020.
Once children are admitted to nursery Your two year old child may be entitled
education, it is in their interests to remain to 15 hours of free education or
at that school until they have to move If my child is already in childcare a week if you are in receipt of
on and start reception class. Children Q the school’s nursery class, low income welfare benefit or your child
take at least a term to settle and can is there an automatic meets other criteria. For a list of eligibility
find it very upsetting to move at this criteria visit www.gov.uk/help-with-
right to a place in the
stage. Transfers will only take place at childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-
the start of each term and should only
reception class?
education-for-2-to-4-year-olds.
be considered if a family has moved from No. When parents apply for their
the area or on exceptional grounds. Your child would be eligible from the
children to start reception, no priority is
beginning of the term after their second
given to children that attend the nursery
birthday if you qualify for a funded
of the school. The decision on whether
place. For more information, please
or not a place can be offered will be
call the Family Information Service on
Contact Pupil Services on made in accordance with the school’s
020 7364 6495.
020 7364 5006 or email school. admission policy. The policy used for
admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk community schools in Tower Hamlets is
explained on page 9.
28 Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets 20196
Appendix A – Understanding school catchment
areas and the oversubscription criteria
Other exceptional cases, such as This reduces the possibility of a family
Understanding school medical and social reasons, will also be having to undertake an unreasonable
catchment areas and the given priority before children living in the journey to school and provides equal
oversubscription criteria catchment area. opportunity for families living in parts
of the borough where there are a
Tower Hamlets Council seeks to operate There are six school catchment areas for limited number of schools. Please see
an admissions system that provides equal admission to Tower Hamlets community the examples on the next page which
and fair opportunities to all applicants. schools. The Paradigm Academies show how this works in practice.
This includes having due regard to children (Culloden, Old Ford and Solebay),
living in areas where there are limited St Paul’s Way Foundation Primary School,
options in applying for a local school place. Bygrove Primary School, Stebon Primary Tie break criteria
School and The Clara Grant Primary
School also use these catchment When there are more children within
School catchment area areas in their admissions criteria. Each one of the admission priorities than
catchment area has a number of schools there are places remaining at the
A school catchment area is a that you can choose from. Maps of each school, the council must decide who
geographically defined boundary used to catchment area and the schools within to offer places to. The tie break gives
help provide children with fairer access to them can be found on pages 13 to 19. priority to children that live the shortest
a local school and ensure all schools in To find out which catchment area you walking distance from the school. For
an area have an equal share of children. live in, view the maps on pages 13 to example, a school may have 25 places
19 or visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ remaining once all children for whom
A child living in the school’s catchment the school is the nearest school in
area will, therefore, be given priority equalchance
the catchment area, but there are 30
over a child living outside of the school’s other children who have applied and
catchment area. This does not affect
admission categories where children
Nearest school within the live within the same catchment area.
catchment area. The 25 children that live closest to the
with an education, health and care plan school will be offered a place and the
(EHCP) are considered before any other five children that live furthest from the
admission. Catchment areas also do Higher priority is given to children who
apply to the nearest school within their school will not be offered a place.
not affect looked after children who are
given first priority in the admission policy. catchment area.
Apply online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schooladmissions 29You can also read
