Admissions
Statement of Admissions
Hollybush Primary School follows the admission rules set by Hertfordshire County Council. Parents who wish their children to attend Hollybush must complete an online application by opening the following link School Admissions.
We can admit 30 Children into Reception
• If applying for a Reception place through the normal application process (date of birth 1st September 2026 -31st August 2027) information is sent to parents by HCC at the beginning of November giving details of the application process.
• If your child is Summer born (April to August) you can apply for a place to start as usual in September 2027 following their fourth birthday. Or you may decide to delay your application and apply next year, to start in September 2028 after your child’s fifth birthday. If you decide to delay your application, your child will remain with this cohort throughout their school life.
• In-Year admissions, i.e. outside the usual transfer time, need to apply for a new school place by completing an online application form. Allocations are made by the Admissions department of Children, Schools and Families, based on the admission rules and parents are informed directly of which school they have been offered by HCC. Parents must then respond to the offer that has been made to them.
Nursery Admissions and Primary Admissions are two separate processes. Attendance at the Nursery does not guarantee a place in the Reception class of the school.
Admission Rules
The following rules are applied in number order if the school has more applications than places available. These rules are followed by County and Hollybush:
Rule 1: Children with an EHCP plan which names the school, in accordance with section 324 of the Education Act 1996
Rule 2: Children looked after and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangement order or a special guardianship order).
Rule 3: Medical or Social: Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school. A panel of officers will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule. The evidence must relate specifically to the school applied for under Rule 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child’s needs.
Rule 4: Linked school: in the case of junior schools, children who attend the linked infant school at the time of their application.
This rule does not apply to Hollybush.
Rule: 5: Sibling: children who have a sibling on the roll of the school at the time of application. This applies to Reception through to Year 5 in primary schools.
Rule 6: Nearest school: children for whom it is their nearest community or voluntary-controlled school or an own admitting school or academy using Hertfordshire County Council’s admission rules.
Rule 7: Distance: children who live nearest to the school. Children not considered under Rule 5 will be considered until Rule 6 These rules are applied in the order they are printed above. If more children qualify under a particular rule than there are places available, a tiebreak will be used by applying the next rule to those children. Where there is a need for a school, in the case of a block of flats, for example, the lower door number will be deemed nearest as logically this will be on the ground floor and therefore closer. If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random number assigned against each preference school. When there is a need for a final tie break the random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority.
Admissions Timetable
For admissions into Reception The timetable for admissions is reviewed yearly by County and by the school.published in the admissions section of the website as soon as they become available.
Important dates – primary, junior and middle school admissions | Hertfordshire County Council In-Year Admissions
Children may be admitted to a new school during the course of the year where places are available. Parents should apply for a school place online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk If more than one child requires a place, the rules as set out above are implemented. An understanding exists amongst schools in the area that Head Teachers will inform one another of children whose parents would like them to change schools. This is to facilitate a smooth transition for all involved.
Applying for a place in our School Nursery
Hollybush Primary School aims to provide a fair and transparent admissions system. It aims to provide high quality early year's education for children and families within the local area. I
Our Nursery provision is staffed by extremely well-qualified practitioners and led by a very experienced teacher.
Children must be aged 3 on or before 31st August to start in September of that year.
We are able to admit 30 children into our Nursery Class
We offer both 15 & 30 hours funded provisions for those families that qualify.
There is no statutory obligation for children to attend Nursery. As a result of this, the admissions process is entirely separate from the Reception admissions process. This means that having a place in our Nursery does not guarantee successful application for a Reception place.
If we have places available, we will accept in-year admissions at any point in the school year. If there is competition for places, we will apply our Admission Rules as detailed below:
- Children with an EHCP plan which names the school, in accordance with section 324 of the Education Act 1996
- Children in public care (Children Looked After)
- Children who have a particular medical or social need that names the school
- Siblings currently at the school (with the exception of Year 6)
- Any other children , priority given to those living nearest to the school
- If a tie-break is needed, a straight line distance measure from home to school is used.
15 Hours Free Provision
We offer 15 hours of free Nursery provision for all 3 and 4 year olds in line with our Admission Rules.
Children entitled to 15 hours provision will attend our Nursery every morning from 8.40am – 11.40am, although there is the option to build up to this over the first few weeks.
30 Hours Free Provision
We offer 30 hours of free Nursery provision for all 3 and 4 year olds whose parents are eligible for the relevant funding.
If you are eligible, your child may stay at Nursery for lunch, and for the afternoon session which runs from 11.40am - 3.10pm
Self funding parents
If you do not qualify for the 30 hour provision you may choose to self fund some afternoon sessions.
There are two options:
Lunch only - 11.40am - 12.40pm - £6.60 - bring packed lunch or a school lunch can be ordered at a cost.
Full PM session - 11.40am - 3.10pm - £23 - bring packed lunch or a school lunch can be ordered at a cost.
You may pay with childcare vouchers for the sessions. Lunch is not payable with vouchers.
Application timetable
We accept applications from 1st September until 28th February for children to start in the September after their 3rd birthday. You can find an application form below or by contacting the office.
We will write to you between 1st March and 14th March to offer you a place.
If we have more applicants than spaces, then you have the right to appeal. You must submit a written appeal within 20 school days of being unsuccessful. This should include any evidence you feel would support your appeal. We will review each case on an individual basis and respond within 10 school days with the outcome.