Prospective Parents
Welcome to Leigh St Mary’s C of E Primary School.
Applications for September 2024 are now closed.
Families that applied for a September 2024 place and made their application between the dates of 30th September 2023 and 15th January 2024, will receive their allocation by email and will be able to view this online from 16th April 2024.
Applications for children starting school in September 2025 will be open from the end of September 2024 until mid-January 2025.
For late applications or further application information please see Wigan Council website.
If you need any help with your application, please contact:
School Organisation Team People Directorate
Wigan Council, PO Box 100, Wigan, WN1 3DS
Phone: 01942 489013
Email: schoolplaces@wigan.gov.uk
Choosing Leigh St Mary’s
Our Mission Statement
At Leigh St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, we promote a life-long love of learning. Through enriching, exciting learning opportunities and a creative curriculum, children are given the foundations to flourish. Our Christian values are at the heart of our school and provide us with a culture of happiness, respect and trust. We aim to promote a sense of belonging within a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe and valued. We celebrate cultural diversity and believe that every child should have the opportunity to be the best that they can be. Through our encouragement of good manners, kindness and friendship we aim to ensure our children display the values of good citizenship. We hope to instil in our children an ‘I can’ attitude and to provide our children with the tools to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Our Inspiration
Colossians 2 verse 6-7 International Children’s Bible
Verse 6 – As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him.
Verse 7 – Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught. And always be thankful.
Making an Informed Decision
Why Choose Us?
We understand that choosing the right school for your child is a very important decision.
Visiting school is a significant part of the process and we want to provide you with a variety of opportunities to allow you to make an informed and confident decision.
Every year before the admissions process has started, we welcome families into school on our Open Day. This event usually takes place at the beginning of November. Open Day takes place throughout the day and evening over three sessions. Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for details closer to the time.
Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to see our school in action and to see our pupils accessing a number of different lessons throughout the school. This event gives a real sense of who we are and how we function as a school community. It is true that as soon as you walk into any school you can feel a real sense of the school character, none more so than ours! We would love you to come and experience a small part of the amazing educational experience that we have to offer at Leigh St Mary’s.
Reception Applications
Starting the Process
If your child was born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020, they will start reception class at the start of the new school year in September 2024.
The school year typically runs from the start of September until mid-July. Children are allocated a school place and start school the year in which they will reach their fifth birthday. 30 children will be admitted into the reception class in September of every year.
If you are considering applying for a place at our school, please call in to school or contact the school office to make arrangements.
If you or your child regularly worships as part of a Christian church and you are applying under faith criteria please also complete the Supplementary Form. This form should be submitted alongside the application form. You can complete the form online or contact the school office for a paper copy.
All applications will be considered by the Governing body against the criteria listed in the School Admissions Policy.
Further Application Information
If you need any help with your application, please contact:
School Organisation Team People Directorate
Wigan Council, PO Box 100, Wigan, WN1 3DS
Phone: 01942 489013
Email: schoolplaces@wigan.gov.uk
Admissions Process
Alongside conducting research, visiting schools and talking to other parents, before you complete the Schools Admissions Forms it may be useful to read the Primary Schools Admissions Booklet created by Wigan Council.
New Starters
This is for children applying for a place in our Reception Class.
The admission process usually opens in October and closes at the beginning of January in readiness for a taking a place the following September. The Local Authority will expect you to make three choices in order of preference and will allocate places according to each school’s admission criteria. Allocations are usually confirmed to parents mid-April. Following the allocation, a member of staff from school will then contact you to welcome you to our school family.
In-Year Admissions
This is for children applying for a place for a specific year group.
This can be done at any time throughout the school year. The Local Authority will contact the school to check if there are spaces available in the required year group and allocate a place if available. This place must be accepted within 10 working days of being offered. If there are no available places, the Local Authority will manage a waiting list system but parents will need to re-apply every term.
Making an Appeal
This is for children who have received a place but would like to make an appeal.
Parent/carers have the right to appeal against the refusal by a Governing Body to admit their child/children. Appeals will be arranged by Wigan MBC Local Authority and will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice on School Appeals.
School Offer Accepted
What Happens Next?
Once you have applied for a place for your child and you have received your acceptance letter, we will be in touch to tell you about lots more opportunities to visit the school and meet the Early Years teacher and teaching staff.
Transition Process
Typically, we host a transition event for new pupils and their family member to come and visit the school perhaps in the evening when it is quieter. In the past we have invited children to a summer party, a BBQ and a Teddy Bear’s Picnic!
There will also be a chance to speak to our Early Years teaching staff at the Home Visit. This is a short visit to your home to meet your child in familiar surroundings. This is an important part of the transition process and not only allows us to chat about your child’s development but also helps us to build a relationship with children and their families at the very beginning of their school journey. Children love the Home Visit and still talk about it well into KS2!
We also conduct Inspire sessions – three short, in-school sessions, which parents attend with their children. This phase of the process helps children to become familiar with the school environment and is an essential part of the transition process. During the sessions children will be able to play, listen to stories and meet some of their new classmates. At the beginning of the session the Early Tears teacher and staff will be able to tell you about some of the learning that takes place during your child’s first year of school. Important information will be handed out and discussed regarding school procedures and also advice on how to help your child to be ‘school ready’.
Our transition process is carefully designed with your child’s wellbeing in mind. Please ensure that you are able to participate in all stages of the process in order to support your child in seamless and happy transition into school.
Prospectus
Thank you for showing an interest in our lovely school. If you would like any further information click on our School Prospectus below. If you would like a paper copy of the prospectus please contact the school office.
