School Admissions
If you are considering Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery for your child, we would be delighted to arrange a visit for you all to tour our school. Please call or visit our school office to arrange a convenient time to come and have a good look around our classrooms, library, school hall and vast school grounds. We will also be happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you would like your child to attend our school, please see full details of our admission arrangements below.
Nursery Admissions
These are carried out by the school directly. Simply visit our Nursery Page or Contact Us for further information.
School Admissions Procedure
Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery has an admissions limit of 30 pupils per class from Reception to Year 6.
Any parent/carer who wishes to apply for a school place can call 03000 265 896, email: schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk or apply to:-
School Admissions Children & Young People’s Services
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UJ
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure the school can meet any needs appropriately.
Children will usually attend the nearest appropriate school for their home address. However, some parents may wish their children to attend a different school. County Durham try to comply with parental requests wherever space is available in the requested school.
In summary the Admissions Criteria is:
- Children in Public Care
- Medical Reasons: Pupils with very exceptional factors directly related to school placement. Applications under this criterion should be supported by written evidence from a doctor
- Family Links: Pupils who have a sibling already attending the preferred school
- Distance: Pupils who live nearest the preferred school, measured by the shortest walking distance
Waiting Lists
If Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery is full, parents/carers may ask the Admissions Department at County Hall, Durham to add their child’s name to the waiting list. Names can be added to the waiting list at any time. When pupil numbers fall below the admission limit, children will be admitted from the list according to the priority order set out in the published criteria and not the length of time on the waiting list. Vacancies may arise at short notice and families on the waiting list should be prepared to take up a place as soon as it arises.
Appeals
If it has not been possible for Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery to offer a family a place for their child then the parents/carers have the right to appeal against the decision of the Authority
Full details of the admission arrangements can be found in the Primary and Secondary Admissions brochure produced by Durham County Council and further information can be found in the school Admissions Policy and the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy and Equality Policy that can be found in the School Policies section of our website.
Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.
Silver Tree Primary School and Nursery prides itself in being very inclusive and will endeavour to support every child.
If you have any questions about the SEND Local Offer or the School’s SEND Information Report please contact the school and we will try our best to help you.