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Introduction
Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary is operated under the trusteeship of Belmont Abbey and the Archdiocese of Cardiff. It is maintained by Monmouthshire (LA). As a Voluntary Aided School, the Governing Body is the Admissions Authority and is responsible for taking decisions on applications for admissions. The aim of the Governors is to offer a holistic, Catholic education and ask parents applying for places for their children, to support the Catholic character and ethos of the school.
Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary School fully respects the beliefs of parents and children of all denominations and backgrounds, including those with or without faith.
Pupils at Our Lady and St Michael’s are taught to treat others with compassion, respect and tolerance. Provision is also provided in the Religious Education programme, for children to learn about other world faiths.
Aims of the School:
To be a welcoming, distinctive, Catholic community of deep love and care, where everyone is valued for whom they are.
To create a strong partnership between home, school and parish and to be of service to the local and global community.
To recognise the presence of Christ in our lives and to celebrate His love for us through prayers, worship and in everything we do.
To be a school with a deep understanding of the need for holiness in order to witness to Christ in the world of today.
To provide high quality education which is inspirational and creative to enable children and staff to reach their full potential in meeting the challenges of the modern world.
To ensure that all have a shared ownership of the Mission and Mission Statements of the school in our search for excellence.
To be an evangelising community where we nourish the faith of our children and the wider school family through prayer and the liturgical and sacramental life of the school.
To continue our pilgrim journey as a school with an enthusiasm for the Kingdom of God and a determination to nurture the whole person.
Families are always welcome to contact the school to arrange a visit at any time.
Admissions
The Governing Body is guided in the responsibility for admissions by the requirements of the law, by the advice of the Archdiocesan trustees and its duty to the school and the Catholic community. In accordance with current legislation, the Governing Body has delegated responsibility for determining admissions to its ‘Admissions Panel’, a Committee of the Governing Body. The Admissions Panel will consider all applications made in accord with the criteria as set out, without reference to the race, gender, ability, disability, social background or aptitude of the child.
Late applications will be considered in accordance with the requirements of the Schools Admissions Code.
Having consulted with the LA and others in accordance with the requirements of the law, the Governing Body has set its planned admission number at 30 pupils in Reception for the school year commencing September 2027. Places in other year groups are also limited to 30 pupils.
In line with the School Admissions Code of Practice 2013, parents must complete a “Common Application Form” from the Local Authority. The school operates an equal preference scheme, which means that all preferences are considered equally in line with the school’s over-subscription criteria, and not on the basis of the order in which they are listed on the application. In the event that more than one preference can be met, the highest rank preference as declared on the application form will be offered.
Please note that all applications under criteria 1, 2 and 3 (baptised Catholic children) must be accompanied by proof of baptism.
Children with an LA ALN IDP will be admitted before other applicants.
The minimum age of entry to the school is 4 years provided that the child’s 5th birthday falls between the 1st September and 31st August of that academic year. Parents can choose to defer their child’s entry to school until the term following their 5th birthday. Letters will be dispatched on the published Common Offer Date, informing you of the decision of the Admissions Panel in respect of your application. Where the application is unsuccessful, the reason(s) will be stated clearly in the letter, and you will be provided with information as to how to appeal the decision. Applicants who are not accepted will be placed on the school’s Waiting List. Applicants will remain on the waiting list until 30 September. In the event that places become available, the applicants on the Waiting List will be reviewed against the over-subscription criteria and offers made to fill available places.
Applications for transfer to the school from another primary school during the academic year should be made using the specific Schools Transfer Application Form. The Governing Body Admissions Panel will consider each application. If the number requesting transfer exceeds available places, the over-subscription criteria will be used to determine successful applicants. Parents have a right of appeal against a refusal by the Governing Body to admit their child. If they wish to do so, they should put their appeal in writing to the Clerk to the Governors at the school within 14 days (10 working days) from the notification date. Appeals will be arranged, with an independent panel and conducted in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code. For all successful applications, the data contained in the application form will be stored on the school management information system and used for purposes outlined in the ‘fair processes order’. Every effort is made to secure the accuracy and security of personal data held by the school.
Under the Data Protection Act, individuals have the right of access to personal information held about them, and also the right for any errors to be corrected. The Governing Body will assess applications for admission to the school, using the information provided on the OLSM School Enrolment Form. Where the number of applications is equal to or less than the admissions number, all applications will be accepted. Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the Admissions Panel of the Governing Body will apply the following over-subscription criteria and allocate places accordingly.
Over-subscription Criteria
1. Looked After baptised Catholic Children or Previously Looked After baptised Catholic Children (proof of baptism must be submitted with the application form).
2. Baptised Catholic children (proof of baptism must be submitted with the application form).
3. Siblings of baptised Catholic children who will be attending Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary School at the time of admission (see note 3 below).
4. Other Children Looked After or Previous Children Looked After.
5. Children who are attending a Catholic primary school at the time of application and for whom the parents/guardians continue to seek a specifically Christian education.
6. Children who are attending a Church in Wales primary school at the time of application and for whom the parents/guardians continue to seek a specifically Christian education.
7. Siblings of other children who will be attending Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary School at the time of admission (see note 3 below).
8. Other children for whom parents/guardians seek a specifically Christian education.
If the number of pupils in any one of the above categories exceeds the Admissions Number, the Governing Body will employ, as a tie-breaker, the shortest distance for the pupil from home to school utilising the distance calculator used by the Local Authority.
Notes 1. ‘Catholic’ also includes Eastern Catholic Churches in union with the See of Rome.
2. All applications for criteria 1, 2 and 3 must be accompanied by proof of baptism.
3. ‘Siblings’ are defined as those who share a common mother or father, adopted mother or father, or form part of an established family unit. Priority will be by reference to the youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the highest degree of priority. When allocating places, if the last place is offered to a multiple birth child (e.g. a twin or triplet), the school will also admit the other sibling(s).
Our Lady and St Michael’s Primary School, 14 Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny, NP7 5UD ourladystmichaels@monmouthshire.gov.uk,
Tel: 01873 735080
Timetable for Admissions
Apply from: 13th November 2026
Closing Date: 15th January 2027 at 4pm
Parents Informed by: 16th April 2027.
| Application Received: | Decision Issued to Parents: |
| 16th – 31st January 2027 | 1st May 2027 |
| February 2027 | 3rd May 2027 |
| March 2027 | 14th May 2027 |
| April 2027 | 21st May 2027 |
| May 2027 | 11th June 2027 |
| June 2027 | 9th July 2027 |
| 1st – 10th July 2027 | 16th July 2027 |
| 11th – 17th July 2027 | 23rd July 2027 |
| 18th – 24th July 2027 | 30th July 2027 |
| 25th – 31st July 2027 | 6th August 2027 |
| 1st – 7th August 2027 | 13th August 2027 |
| 8th – 14th August 2027 | 20th August 2027 |
| 15th – 21st August 2027 | 27th August 2027 |
| 22nd – 28th August 2027 | Within one week |