Admissions

We will have an intake of 60 children to our Reception Classes in September 2024.

Tours of the school for admission in 2024/2025 will resume from the beginning of October for families who would like to visit before making any applications.

From October 2023 you will be able to telephone our friendly office team to book a slot on 020 8874 5429.

UPDATE ON BRANDLEHOW NURSERY PROVISION FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24

This year (2023-24), we are currently full, but we offer a waiting list, so please do get in touch if you want to find out more. Applications for the year beginning September 2024 will open in October .

Changes to Brandlehow

We have been fortunate enough to benefit from some key and exciting changes to Brandlehow in the last two academic years, despite the challenges that a building project in a pandemic brought, and the Brandlehow Site now includes:

Fourteen classrooms for Years Reception to Year 6 and a wonderful Nursery room
Improvements to our existing hall, including changes to the kitchen for better lunch service
A specialist classroom for our music, art and cooking provision
A beautiful dance studio
Improved outdoor space with a vision to work towards of something really special

General Information

Brandlehow is a mainstream community primary school, which currently has just over 350 children ages 3-11. It is a listed building, by the renowned architect Erno Goldfinger, which has made planning and development complicated in recent years, but gives us the benefit of a very special building!

Brandlehow’s Community and Diversity are its strengths…

Our community is full of wonderful children, families, staff and other interested stakeholders…

Our children come from a great range of backgrounds: we have 38% of children for whom English is a second (or even third!) language; 39 languages spoken and a wide variety of faiths and heritage is represented and celebrated at the school. We like to challenge stereotypes and ensure that every child is given the support and opportunities that will enable them to succeed to the best of their ability; we also insist that they put as much effort into this journey as they can and that they’re active and positive learners who make the most of every opportunity they’re given. We don’t allow glass ceilings based on circumstances of children and we don’t believe in fixed ability. Mixed confidence groups are used in classrooms.

Our families are supportive, challenging and aspirational – they are fully involved in their children’s education and contribute hugely to the success of the school. Our incredible PTA is proactive, creative and highly successful – their funds and time ensure that we have support for every project we put to them.

We have over 50 members of staff and excellent retention of staff; we love working together and are proud of what we accomplish together.

‘EQUALITY’, not ‘INCLUSION’

Inclusion is a positive word, frequently used in relation to Special Needs, but because it subtly and innocently implies a hierarchy, where some include others, we prefer the word equality, where every child is equally important, special and valued. We recognised that we all have barriers and strengths in relation to our learning, which change over time. At Brandlehow, there are currently just over 11% of children who have identified special needs, with 16 children with EHCPs.

Lots of children at any one given time – every child in the course of their time at Brandlehow - will receive support or personalised input to either help get over a barrier or to work on a strength. This will be provided either in a small group or on a one-to-one basis. This support takes place before and after school, during assemblies, or during school hours on a rotational basis so that the same learning is not missed repeatedly.

We’re lucky enough to have lots of specially trained staff with passion and areas of expertise such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Maths and Social skills.

ACADEMIA AND THE BROADER CURRICULUM

Our results are very high and remain so over time, but this is only part of the story. We’re excited and committed to preparing children for a very different future and so we strive to give them all the opportunities, skills and passions that will enable to them to thrive and be happy in their futures.

A number of fee-paying clubs and - between October and May - a huge number of free clubs (run by staff, providers and parents/carers) are on offer from Reception year up, and are as diverse as our community. They include: Music, languages, sport, drama and art, all of which we also offer within curriculum time to an outstanding level. Music and sport specialists teach on specific days.

We have a healthy approach to competition… each of our children in Year 4 up will have a chance to represent the school in events and competitions; however to some events we submit our strongest team and aim to do the best we can… this has resulted in some extraordinary success over the years!!!

FOOD

The vast majority of our children enjoy a freshly cooked three-choice meal each day, prepared by our award-winning team. Fresh fruit and vegetables are used, bread is baked fresh each day and all food is prepared without additives and with very low levels of salt and sugar. All medical and cultural dietary needs can be met.

UNIFORM:

Our uniform reflects our ethos: Children wear the same on the top half (the Brandlehow Blue with a range of shirts in red, white and blue) and a shared PE uniform to reflect our community. They can wear their own bottom half (trousers, skirts, shorts etc) and this reflects our diversity. The range is on view in the foyer and can be purchased via Marks & Spencer. Brandlehow is currently consulting to consider its provider for the next academic year, to ensure affordability, alignment with our sustainability goals and availability, so watch this space!

We pride ourselves on holding regular uniform sales. In addition to raising funds for our wonderful PTA, these sales are run to support three aims:

1) enabling all families to have access to affordable uniform

2) supporting our commitment to sustainable and environmentally positive approaches to resourcing

3) providing solutions for those families who have not had their orders from our uniform provider fulfilled by the start of term.

With our sincere thanks to those who help us to run the sales and to achieve these aims,

Reception Admission September 2024

Admission arrangements for Reception Class 2023-2024: Intake 60 children

Admissions arrangements for Reception Class 2024-2025: Intake 60 children

Community Schools without priority areas admissions policy

Reception Admissions FAQ

What is the admission criteria for Reception?

Oversubscription Criteria

Places will first be allocated to Children with an Education Health and Care Plan which names the school or for whom the school is being consulted with by the responsible Local Authority (see additional information below). These children will be included in the overall admission number of the school. In the event of oversubscription, the remaining places will then be offered in the following order of priority:

(i) Looked after children and those who ceased to be looked after children looked after because they were adopted, or because they became subject to a residence order, child arrangements order or a special guardianship order (see note 1);

(ii) Children with a professionally supported exceptional medical need or exceptional social need for a place at a particular school, as decided by the Director of Children Services (see note 2);

(iii) Children with brothers and sisters on the roll of the school on the date of admission living up to a distance of 800 metres from the school. Children with a brother or sister at the school on the date of admission living over 800 metres from the school will also receive priority under this criterion where the family have not moved since last sibling was offered a place or the last sibling was admitted prior to September 2016 (see notes 3 and 4);

(iv) Children of staff employed directly at the school (see note 5)

(v) Other children in order of straight line distance from home to school as measured by Wandsworth Council’s Geographical Information System. (Note 4).

If there are more applications than places within any category, applications will be considered in order of straight line distance from home to school as measured by Wandsworth Council’s Geographical Information System (note 4).

Admission Criteria Notes:

1. A child looked after is a child in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. An adopted child is defined by section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 or section 12 of the Adoption Act 1976. A residence order is defined by section 8 of the Children Act 1989. A child arrangement order is defined by section 8 of the Children Act 1989 as amended by section 14 of the Children and Families Act 2014. A special guardianship order is defined by section 14A of the Children Act 1989.

2. Applications made on exceptional medical grounds must be supported by a current letter from a specialist health professional. Applications made on exceptional social grounds must be supported by a current letter from a social worker or other care professional working with the family. The letters must give reasons why the child's condition or circumstances make it necessary for the child to attend the school applied for, and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend an alternative school. If this information is not provided by the application closing date, the application will not be considered under this criterion. The Director of Children’s Services may request professional advice, from within or outside Wandsworth Council, before reaching a decision.

3. A sibling is a full brother or sister, a step/half brother or sister living at the same address, a child who is living as part of the family by reason of a court order, or a child who has been placed with foster carers as a result of being looked after by a local authority.

4. The straight-line measurement used to prioritise applicants for admission to schools in Wandsworth commences in all cases at the location of the property and terminates at the central point of the school site as determined by Wandsworth Council’s Geographical Information System. Measurements by alternative systems and/or to other points will not be taken into account in any circumstances. Where applicants have identical distance measurements, priority amongst them will be determined at random.

5. Priority to children of staff will be given only where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. The member of staff must be employed on at least a 0.6 full time equivalent (FTE) basis and employed directly at the school (rather than through an agency or third party organisation). Priority of 3 Official admission will only be given for the community school at which the member of staff is working. The number of places offered under this criterion will be limited to a maximum of one place per Form of Entry (FE) at each school.

6.The permanent address of the parent/guardian with whom the child is living on the closing date for applications will be used for this purpose and this must be the address where the family normally lives. Parents are not permitted to use a temporary address to secure a school place for the child. A business address, a child-minder’s address, or any address including a family member’s address other than the child’s permanent home will not be accepted. Proof of address will be sought and if there is any doubt about the validity of the address given it may be the subject of further investigation. Please see the “Choose a Wandsworth Primary School” admissions brochure for further information.

7. Where a child lives with parents with shared custody/responsibility, the address where the child spends the majority of the week should be used by parents for the school application. If there is a genuine 50/50 shared arrangement in place, the address where the child lives is determined using a joint declaration from the parents stating the pattern of residence. In cases where an agreement cannot be reached between the parents and Child Benefit is claimed, the address that is registered for this claim will be used. Additional proof may be requested, eg court order or a solicitor’s letter to confirm the arrangements.

8. There is no automatic right of transfer from the nursery class to the infant reception class within the same primary school. If there are more applications than places available, priority will be based on the above criteria alone.

Please see ‘Choose a Wandsworth Primary School’ booklet for notes and more information.

Method of Application for Reception Parents/carers must apply on the Common Application Form of the local authority where they live. This can be completed online via www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions or on a paper form available from the school or their local council’s School Admissions Team. The closing date for Reception class applications will be 15 January 2020. Notification letters will be sent out on 16 April 2020. Applications received after the set closing date will be accepted but will not normally be considered for a place at the school until after the initial offer date.

How do I apply?

Apply online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions. If you cannot apply online, paper forms are available by contacting the Pupil Services team (Tel: 020 8871 7316). Please return the form to Pupil Services at Wandsworth Town Hall.

When do I need to apply by?

Your application form and any supplementary forms must be received by 15 January 2024.

How many places are available in Reception, Sept 2024 intake?

60 places

Will my child get priority for a place in Reception where they already attend Brandlehow Nursery?

No. There is no automatic transfer to the Reception class at the same school for children who attend the nursery. This is true of all community schools and not specific to Brandlehow.

How is my distance from home to school measured?

The distance used to prioritise applications for admissions to schools in Wandsworth will be measured in a straight line between your home and the centre of the school site.

When do I find out if my child has been accepted?

If you apply online you will be emailed the outcome of your application on the evening of 16 April 2024 from the London eAdmissions Team. You will also be sent a follow-up notification email from Wandsworth Council if it was not possible to offer your first preference school. This will provide detailed information about the outcome of your application and what do next.

If you apply on a paper form, you will be sent an outcome letter by first class mail on 16 April 2024

What happens if my child is not offered a place at Brandlehow School?

Your child can remain on the waiting list compiled by Pupil Services. If you need to check your child’s place on the waiting list you must contact Pupil Services directly (Tel: 020 8871 7316) to find out their position: Brandlehow School does not keep any records of waiting list places for Reception class.

What if my child is not offered a place in any school on 16^th April?

If you are not offered a place at any of the school you applied for, and places are available at other schools, the council is required to make you an alternative offer if possible. This will usually be at your nearest school with available places. However, parents may make additional late applications.

Nursery Admission September 2024

Nursery Admissions FAQ

For more information about Wandsworth 30 hours childcare, visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/30hours

How many places are available in Nursery, September 2024 intake?

20 full time places (9am-3pm)
6 Morning AM places (9-12)
6 Afternoon PM places (12-3)

What is the admission criteria for Nursery?

1: Children looked after, or who have an allocated social worker who has provided written support of the application or children who are the subject of adoption, residence order, child arrangements order or special guardianship order who were previously looked after by a Local Authority.

2: Children who are recommended for a place at that school following an action plan agreed by a multi-disciplinary group* (for example Team Around the Child (TAC). In cases of exceptional family, social or medical need (which must be described on the application form and verified by professionally supported evidence). The application must state why the school is the most suitable one for the individual child and why these needs cannot be met at any other setting.

3: Children with brothers or sisters on the roll of the school on the date of admission living up to a distance of 800 metres from the school. Children with a brother or sister at the school on the date of admission living over 800 metres from the school will also receive priority under this criterion where the family have not moved since last sibling was offered a place or the last sibling was admitted prior to September 2016.

4) Children of staff employed directly at the school (please see note 5).

5) Children who live nearest to the school by a straight line between your home and the centre of the school site calculated by Wandsworth Council’s Geographical Information System.

* Parents/carers who want their needs to be considered by a multi disciplinary group (for example Team Around the Child (TAC)) should contact a health professional or the local Children’s Centre (CC) who will complete an assessment of their need. An assessment using the Early Help Assessment (EHA) will be made. For a list of Children’s Centres visit THRIVE Online - https://thrive.wandsworth.gov.uk

How do I apply for a Nursery Place at Brandlehow School?

Please visit the Brandlehow School website to apply for a nursery place.

When do I find out if my child has been accepted?

During March/April 2024 you will be notified by email, so please make sure you print your email address clearly on the application form.

If my child is not accepted do I automatically go on the waiting list?

Yes and it is important that your child is kept on the waiting list. Nursery admissions are dealt with directly by the school and not by Wandsworth LA. This does mean that parents are able to make multiple applications to a variety of schools and then if successful pick and choose a preferred school. Consequently vacancies can and do open up.

What can I do if I need further help?

Finally the THRIVE online is able to support parents who wish to identify alternative nursery provision where parents have not been successful in securing their preferred choice of nursery: https://thrive.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/home.page

Will my child get priority for a place in Reception where they already attend Brandlehow Nursery?

No. There is no automatic transfer to the Reception class at the same school for children who attend the nursery. This is true of all community schools and not specific to Brandlehow.

The closing date for receiving all applications is Friday 2nd February 2024 4pm

Please click here for the 'Choosing Early Education' brochure - Choosing_Early_Education_in_Wandsworth_2023.pdf

Social Media

Admissions

Reception Admission September 2024

Nursery Admission September 2024