Admissions
When can you join us?
Our detailed admissions arrangements can be found below, there are a number of different times that children could join our primary school or nursery.
Children are welcome to join our nursery from the start of the term AFTER they are 3 years old.
Children join our reception in the September after they are 4 years old, so for a 2023 start, children born between 1st September 2018 & 31st August 2019.
Children can also join us throughout any year group at any time of year, this is called 'in year admissions' this can only happen if there are spaces in the given year group.
How do you join us?
In all circumstances we would urge you to come arrange a visit to the school, we feel we have created a wonderful environment for children to learn and develop, but it is important that you feel it is the right fit for your child, which we are sure you will!
Whichever year group your child is joining, nursery, reception or one of the later years, you should contact Ms. Laight, our office manager who will arrange a tour with the correct member of our team. Ms. Laight can be reached by email info@rufford.dudley.sch.uk or through the school office number 01384686717.
We are current enrolling for:
Nursery
Nursery September 2022 start for children born between 25th April 2019 - 31st August 2019
Nursery January 2023 start for children born between 1st September 2019- 2nd January 2020
Nursery Easter 2023 start for children born between 3rd January 2020 - 31st March 2020
Reception
September 2023 start for children born between 1st September 2018 and 31st August 2019. Although applications don't open until 1st September 2022, we do welcome families to start the process as soon as possible, by coming into school and meeting our team!
We have a few spaces remaining for a September 2022 start for children born between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018, please get in touch urgently!
In-Year Admissions
For details on how to apply during the school year or to transfer from another school, please see below.
Why Rufford?
We are a one form entry primary school with a Nursery in the Lye area of Stourbridge, with 219 children on roll including our on-site Nursery. The school opened in 1967 and has been a central part of the community since then. We have an amazing site, with lots of green areas including a huge playing field and a wooded area which we use for Forest School.
Our staff are dedicated to doing the best for our children - there have been many changes in staffing over the past few years, and we now have a small and committed team driving forwards, together.
Reception Admissions for September 2023 (For children born 1 September 2018 – 31 August 2019)
Applications will be accepted for admission in September 2023 from 1 September 2022 to 15 January 2023. Applications should be made to your home local authority, links will be available in due course.
Our admission arrangements for September 2023 are now available and can be accessed by clicking the relevant link at the bottom of this page.
Reception Admission Appeals
If your child has been refused a place in our school this will be because the school received more applications than available places and other children had a higher priority in accordance with the admissions criteria. Your refusal was made on the grounds of Infant Class Size Legislation, with the exception of those few schools listed in your letter. You have the right to appeal against this decision; we advise you read and understand the grounds of Infant Class Size appeals before submitting your appeal.
Appeals are co-ordinated by Dudley MBC, further information can be found on their website https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/learning-and-school/school-information/school-admissions/primary-reception-intake/
Appeals timetable for admission to primary school for the 2023/24 academic year:
• Deadline for lodging appeals - 19 May 2023
• Appeals lodged by the above date will be heard between - June/July 2023
• Appeals received after the deadline may not be heard until - Mid September 2023 onwards
• If you have been refused a school due to infant class size (this information will be in your letter), please ensure you read the "Appeal Guide" here
The appeals application can be accessed here
In-year admissions
Parents can apply for a place for their child at any time outside the normal admissions round. As is the case in the normal admissions round, all children whose Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) plans name the school will be admitted. Likewise, if there are spaces available in the year group you are applying for, your child will be offered a place.
If there are no spaces available at the time of your application, your child’s name will be added to a waiting list for the relevant year group. When a space becomes available, it will be filled by one of the pupils on the waiting list in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. Priority will not be given to children on the basis that they have been on the waiting list the longest.
Applications for in-year admissions are co-ordinated by Dudley MBC, further details can be found by visiting https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/learning-and-school/school-information/school-admissions/changing-schools/
Nursery admissions
If you would like to apply for your child to join our Nursery or would like to learn more then please Contact us.