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Admissions
Why Rufford?
We are a one form entry primary school with a Nursery in the Lye area of Stourbridge. Our 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 and sports.
Our staff are dedicated to doing the very best for our children. We have a small and committed team driving our school
forwards, together.
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.
Come and visit us
We would love for 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 other year groups, 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@ruffordprimary.co.uk or through the school office number 01384686717.
Nursery admissions
Nursery Easter 2023 start for children born between 3rd January 2020 - 31st March 2020
Nursery September 2023 start for children born between 25th April 2020 - 31st August 2020
If you would like to apply for your child to join our Nursery or would like to learn more then please Contact us.
Reception Admissions for September 2024 (For children born 1 September 2019 – 31 August 2020)
Applications will be accepted for admission in September 2024 from 1 September 2023 to 15 January 2023. Applications should be made to your home local authority.
Our admission arrangements for September 2024 are now available and can be accessed by clicking the relevant link at the bottom of this page.
Reception Admissions 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 2024/25 academic year:
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Deadline for lodging appeals – 23rd May 2024
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Appeals lodged by the above date will be heard between - June/July 2024
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Appeals received after the deadline may not be heard until - Mid September 2024 onwards
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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" published on Dudley MBC’s website
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.
We do have a small number of spaces remaining in Reception for children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, please get in touch to find out more.
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/
Reception Admissions for September 2025 (For children born 1 September 2020 – 31 August 2021)
Applications for admission in September 2025 will open on 1 October 2024 and close on 15 January 2025, with decisions being issued on 1 March 2025. Our admission arrangements are published below, applications should be made to your home local authority.