Admission Policy
Cuffley School has an annual admission number of 60 pupils. Applications for Reception to Year 6 is made electronically through the County Council. Applications to the Nursery should be made directly to the school. Preliminary visits can be arranged by contacting the school office.
Pupils will be admitted to the Nursery in the academic year (1 September to 31 August) in which they turn four years of age without reference to ability or aptitude. Nursery pupils may attend either a morning or afternoon session, or apply for an all-day place, for three terms before entering full time education in the Reception class. Please be aware that a place in our Nursery class does not guarantee a place in Reception. A separate application is required which must be submitted to the Local Authority. There are induction meetings for all children beginning in the Nursery.
All children turning 5 in the academic year 1 September to 31 August will be eligible for a place in Reception at the start of the Autumn Term.
Section 324 of the Education Act 1996 requires the governing bodies of all maintained schools to admit a child with a Satement of Special Educational Needs that names their school. Schools must also admit children with an EHCP (Education, Health & Care Plan) that names the school.
If the nursery is over-subscribed, the Governors will apply the following criteria in the numbered points order:
- Looked After Children (LAC) and children previously looked after.
- Siblings* of pupils attending Cuffley School at the time the child will enter the nursery.
- Children who live in the parish of Northaw and Cuffley. In the event of over subscription the deciding factor in this category being the proximity from the child’s home, based on a straight line measurement as determined by the Local Authority.
- Any other children. The deciding factor in this category being the proximity from the child’s home, based on a straight line measurement as determined by the Local Authority.
If the school is over-subscribed, the Governors will apply the following criteria in the numbered points order:
- Children looked after (CLA) and children previously looked after.
- Siblings* of pupils attending Cuffley School at the time the child will enter the school.
- Children who live in the parish of Northaw and Cuffley. In the event of over subscription the deciding factor in this category being the proximity from the child’s home, based on a straight line measurement as determined by the Local Authority.
- Any other children. The deciding factor in this category being the proximity from the child’s home based on a straight line measurement as determined by the Local Authority.
Notification of place allocations will be sent before the term of admission. Children not offered a place can be placed on a continued interest list and places allocated in accordance with the over-subscription criteria.
Cuffley School is part of the county council’s scheme of In-Year Co-ordination. Parents should apply directly to Hertfordshire County Council to be placed on the school’s waiting list for an In-Year place. As a Foundation School the Headteacher will offer any space that may be or may become available. For In Year applications – parents wishing to appeal should contact the school directly in the first instance.
Parents dissatisfied with the Governors’ decisions on admissions will have the right of appeal to an appeals committee established by the Local Authority who will conduct the Appeal on behalf of the Governors. Parents wishing to appeal who applied on line should log on to their online application and click on the link ‘’register an appeal ‘’. If the on line application system was not used please contact the school or Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4043 to request an appeal pack.
* Sibling refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.
